Tuesday, June 12, 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.

Media Library

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Clock Ticking for General Electric

Nearly 2,400 IAM members in nine states are among 24,000 union members nationwide who are closely following the negotiations between General Electric Co. and the unions’ 13-member Coordinated Bargaining Committee. A so-called “last, best and final offer” from the company is expected before the current contracts expire at midnight on June 17.

L-3 Communications Workers in Utah Vote ‘Yes’ for IAM

Sixteen L-3 Communications employees working at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, UT and at the company’s location in Riverdale have voted to join the IAM. The new IAM members, employed as technicians, computer operators and warehouse specialists, will belong to Local 568 in Salt Lake City.

“We are very proud that when these workers needed help, they turned to the IAM,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson. “Grand Lodge Representative Mike Wardle has the respect of workers in this area. He recently brought in a large group at Bechtel Bettis, and now this group at L-3 Comm.” This latest campaign began in April when the IAM was contacted by some of the workers.

“I didn’t do this alone,” said GLR Mike Wardle. “I had tremendous support from Local 568 President Richard Lee and Secretary-Treasurer Al Chacon, as well as in-plant committee members Andrew Ray and Tommy White. They put in the extra effort that was needed and own a big part of this victory.”

Spanish Leadership Class Set for July 8-13

Twelve IAM members from six states took part in the second Spanish Leadership I program in May at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.

Spaces are still available in the Spanish Leadership I Program scheduled for July 8-13, 2007 at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, Maryland. The Spanish Leadership I program covers the same subjects included in the regular Leadership I Program but with all classroom instruction and materials in Spanish.

Lodges are encouraged to take action as soon as possible to enroll members in this new program. The deadline for submitting completed enrollment forms for the July Spanish Leadership I program is Wednesday, June 27. Enrollments in the Spanish Leadership I program do not count against a lodge's regular leadership program allotment.

Click here for the Spanish Leadership I enrollment form or ontact Pam Kinney at 301-373-8820.

Liderazgo Español I - Julio 8-13, 2007

Todavía existen vacantes para la clase de Liderazgo Español I que esta programada para Julio 8-13, 2007, en el Centro Educativo William W. Winpinsinger en Hollywood, Maryland.

El Programa de Liderazgo Español cubre los mismos temas y sujetos que son incluidos en la clase regular de Liderazgo en Ingles, solo que las clases son instruidas con materiales totalmente en español.

Se les pide a las logias que tomen acción lo mas pronto posible para que ingresen a sus miembros para este programa nuevo en Español. La fecha clave para someter sus solicitudes y para apuntarse para la Clase en Julio de Liderazgo I en Español es:

El Miércoles, 27 de junio, 2007.

Recuerden que las clases de Liderazgo Español I, no cuentan en contra de las Logias o los Distritos para la clase regulares de Ingles.

Marque aquí _ _ para la solicitud para la clase de Liderazgo Español I o por favor llame a Pam Kinney al 301-373-8820.

IAM Expands YouTube Presence

Sharon Nave Named U.S. Sister of the Month

Sharon Nave is a 10-year veteran of Local 44 in Decatur, AL, and holds the honor of being the local’s Recording Secretary for nearly the entire time.

Employed as a Production Tech at United Launch Alliance's rocket building facility in Decatur, Nave hails from an IAM family. She credits her father, a retired IAM member of Local 701 in Chicago, IL, as her main source of motivation and for teaching her to stand up for what’s right.She says she’s grateful for the support and respect of her lodge sisters and brothers and for the encouragement from her husband, also an IAM member. Sharon encourages all members to become involved and for women wishing to follow in her footsteps, she advises, “Learn your IAM Constitution and stand up for what you believe in.”

Sharon is also active in the Alabama State Council. In her spare time she enjoys Harley rides with her husband of 27 years and spending time with her family.

Deadline Nears for IAM Photo Contest

The deadline for the 2007 IAM Photo Contest is just around the corner. The last day for entries is June 15, 2007. Winning photographers will receive a cash prize and their photos will appear in the 2008 IAM calendar.

Click here for complete contest rules and entry forms.

Machinists in Ontario Set Organizing Precedent

The second attempt in less than a year by the IAM to organize workers at Excel Technologies Limited in Milton, Ontario, established an Ontario Labour Board precedent in addition to winning bargaining rights for the workers at Excel.

“Earlier this year we were approached by some Excel employees who told us they wanted union representation because working conditions had become even worse than before,” explained Scott Jackson, District 78 Organizer. “When I told them Ontario Labour law prevented the union from mounting a new organizing drive for one year at that location, they informed us the plant had relocated to Milton during the past year. We decided to test the law.”

Despite the best efforts of the employer, District 78’s organizing team was successful in April 2007, with an overwhelming majority of the workers voting for IAM representation. The company immediately challenged the validity of the vote based on the one-year restrictions imposed by the results of a previous vote less than a year earlier.

At a hearing before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), the IAM contended that the vote was valid because the plant had moved since the last vote. In a precedent-setting decision, the OLRB agreed with the IAM.

“The bulk of these people have worked for years without permanent status and over one third of them are agency employees without benefits so they were determined to get union representation,” said Jackson. The 35 newest members of IAM District 78 package and warehouse metal fasteners for the retail hardware sector.

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.



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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