Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

DL 751 'Flight for Sight' Fundraising Event May 24, 2007 - IAM District Lodge 751 Women's Committee hosted a fundraising event last weekend to benefit the Guide Dogs of America.

Still Standing Still Proud May 24, 2007 - On May 17, 2007, thousands of workers rallied on the National Mall for the Transportation Day of Action.  A day to tell the federal government "Enough is Enough" to practices that put the needs of businesses in front of American workers.

Straight Talk From John Edwards May 9, 2007 - IAM District 751 in Seattle was the backdrop for Machinists and other union members to talk openly with presidential candidate John Edwards about the issues that matter to the middle class and his plan to help organized labor.

Earnings Aren't Stagnant, They're Plummeting!
May 3, 2007 -  With housing and living expenses steadily climbing, it’s no secret many middle class families are struggling with stagnant wages.

Remembering the Fallen May 2, 2007 - May 1st or May Day in an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers around the world.  For the Machinists it was also a day to remember those who have passed.  The IAM honored its own at a ceremony earlier this week.

Making Work Safe May 2, 2007 - On December 29, 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law.  Created to protect workers and the workplace, it cut on the job deaths in half.  But now it needs to be updated because it's not keeping up with the times.

A Level Playing Field April 26, 2007 - April 24th is Equal Pay Day.  A day on the calendar that indicates the point of the year when women's wages catch up to men's.  But for union workers, it's always been a level playing field.

Flying Rights
April 19, 2007 - Satisfied workers equals satisfied customers.  This is a notion plaguing the airline industry, especially with so many carriers trying to stay out of bankruptcy or away from mergers.  But now these actions are trickling down to the customers.

Health Care For All April 19, 2007 - From the politicians in Washington to the family next door, everyone seems to be concerned with health care costs.

American Manufacturing: Flourishing or Floundering
April 17, 2007 - Many analysts point to manufacturing as a cornerstone of the American middle class. 

Oldest U.S. Manufacturer Threatened By China Trade
April 10, 2007 - More than 200 years ago the legendary Paul Revere created what is now the oldest manufacturing company in the United States, Revere Copper.

Space: The Next Generation April 5, 2007 - The last generation only knows space travel by the shuttle.  That's going to change in 2010 when the shuttle fleet is retired and replaced with a new program.

Families On Shaky Ground
APRIL 5, 2006 - According to the folks at the Center for American Progress, the economy has been great for those at the top but stagnant for those in the middle or lower income classes.

Safety In The Skies April 4, 2007 - Safety in the skies is everyone's issue, especially after 9-11.  Robert Roach Jr. testified on Capitol Hill about what more needs to be done.

Media Library

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Strike Looms at Kennedy Space Center

Join National Call-In for Employee Free Choice Act

IAM members, their families and friends can help get the landmark Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) passed by joining a nationwide call-in this week sponsored by the AFL-CIO. The proposed bill will strengthen employees’ rights to form unions free from employer harassment. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to start floor debate on the EFCA this week and could vote soon. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed its version of the bill.

The AFL-CIO has sponsored a toll-free number that will connect you with your U.S. Senators. If you live in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania or Virginia, dial: 1-800-774-8941.

Residents of other states can call 1-800-718-1008. Please thank senators who are co-sponsors of the bill. Click here for a list of co-sponsors.

IAM Welcomes New FlightSafety Members

IAM District 171’s presence in Oklahoma is growing after an organizing win at FlightSafety International at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, OK. The 88 FlightSafety employees provide instruction, support and maintenance services to the United States Air Force for the KC135R tanker aircraft.

“This is our first win here in Altus, and it was a long time coming,” said DL 171 Business Representative and Organizer Tony Bennett. “We expect this just to be the beginning here at Altus. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our committee, but I really want to thank Monte Clason and Robert Leguillon for their hard work to organize their fellow workers.”

“There’s a great deal of potential for growth at Altus,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “The workers at Altus deserve the strong IAM contracts workers at Vance AFB and Tinker AFB already enjoy in District 171 in Oklahoma. I want to welcome our newest members!”

Greer Named to Oregon Labor Hall of Fame

Retired GLR Gerry Greer, left, and wife Annie, celebrate Greer’s induction into the Oregon Labor Hall of Fame.

Retired Western Territory GLR Gerry Greer is the newest member of the Labor Hall of Fame; an honor bestowed by the Northwest Oregon Labor Retirees Council (NOLRC) and the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO. 

Greer, who retired from the IAM in 2005 and now lives in Washougal, WA, first joined the IAM as a welder for Caterpillar and quickly became president of the Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties Central Labor Council. He also served as a business agent for IAM Districts 163 and 24.

In 1989, Gerry joined the International staff of the IAM as a Grand Lodge Representative, servicing members in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Nevada. Gerry then worked out of the Western Regional office in Sacramento. From there, he handled assignments in many states of the territory, including Hawaii, and was the territory coordinator for the can industry. 

“We congratulate Gerry on his induction into the Hall of Fame, and wish him continued happiness in his retirement,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson.

Ralph Fasanella: Working Class Painter

Whether it’s a strike or life on the factory floor, former union organizer Ralph Fasanella devoted his life to painting the lives of working men and women. Fasanella, who is considered America’s best self taught artist, completed hundreds of pieces of work dedicated to jobs and justice. Click here to watch “Ralph Fasanella: A Painter of Working Class People.”

Machinists News Network @ YouTube
YouTube For You We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry


Announcing the IAM Photo Contest
The IAM is repeating its members-only photography contest again this year and you are encouraged to enter. You can download a complete contest entry form by clicking here.

2006 IAM Newsletter & Website Contest Awards
Newsletter Award entries are judged on Layout & Design, Best Feature and General Excellence. Local lodges and Districts are judged separately.

The goal of the USA is to create an outdoor hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members and their families. TRCP Launches Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

IAM members can now purchase union gear online at the IAM Store.

IAM Journal
Spring 2007

FOCUS America’s union members do not need to be told what to do. They do what they believe is right, and let the chips fall where they may.


The 2008 Convention website is online. The site features updates, travel tips, convention news reports, info for the media, and official convention gear. Check it out.



IAM Member Benefits mean money-saving discounts for IAM members and their families.

Your union source for Sharp® and Océ® copiers, high-speed duplicating and archiving equipment, fax machines and Hasler® postage equipment, along with over 35,000 items you can order online.




Enter member ID: PS16626766 when ordering online or call 1-877-289-9437. When ordering, you must reference code: PS16626766 to receive your union discount.



See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers.
Go to: IAM2007


FlatRateTech is an organization “created for and by Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians solely to speak as one loud voice rather than 50,000 smaller voices.” according to their website The fast-growing site offers forums for Ford customers, technicians and dealers to exchange information.

IAM
Executive Council


Tom Buffenbarger
International President

Warren L. Mart
Secretary-Treasurer
 

Lee Pearson
GVP Western Territory
 

Dave Ritchie
GVP Canada
 

Robert Roach,Jr.
GVP Transportation
 

Lynn Tucker
GVP Eastern Territory


Robert Martinez
GVP Southern Territory


Richard Michalski
GVP Headquarters

Philip J. Gruber
GVP Midwest Territory