Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Legally Protecting Our Green Jobs
August 28, 2008 - US manufacturing has lost millions of jobs due to outsourcing. But can you keep that from happening? Some labor advocates are ready for a radical pro manufacturing political agenda, and they want it applied to America’s next economic craze, “Green” energy.

A Plan For Greatness
August 13, 2008 - For years the Machinists have told anyone who would listen that this country's in trouble. Unfortunately, many times these warnings fell on deaf ears.

Spirit Aerosystems: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 - IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses unique wage negotiations at Spirit Aerosystems.

Hawker Beechcraft: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 - IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses the latest developments at Hawker Beechcraft.

IAM College Graduating Class of '08
July 2, 2008 - Last weekend 11 Machinists graduated from the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The GAO Says No!!!
June 26, 2008 -
A few months ago, the United States Air Force awarded a U.S. Military Contract to a foreign owned company. Machinists jumped on the issue and the government heard us loud and clear.

Around The Globe June 25, 2008 -
A historic event took place recently at the Winpisinger Center when 37 women from 25 different countries gathered to change the future.

An Agenda For Education
June 18, 2008 - According to recent polls, Americans want to see more training for middle class jobs but the government doesn't seem to be getting the message. The IAM is hoping to help change that.

To All Who Would Listen
June 4, 2008 - It's one thing to talk something and a whole other to take action. That's exactly why Machinists at this year's Legislative Conference took their issues to Capitol Hill, talking to all who would listen.

Mergers, Tankers and Fairness
June 2, 2008 - IAM Members from around the country gathered in Washington D.C. to let the politicians know they aren't going to be silent on the issues that matter most.

The Recession Question
May 28, 2008 - All around the country economists are trying to answer whether or not the United States is in a recession.

Off-Setting the Economy
May 8, 2008 - Owen Herrnstadt, Director of the IAM'S Trade and Globilization Department talks about the topic of offsets.

You Are Not Forgotten
April 29, 2008 - For twenty years the IAM has been observing Worker Memorial Day, honoring those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrafice to the job.

Equal Pay for Equal Work
April 29, 2008 - In a union, workers share the same contract and therefore, the same pay and benefits.

More Broken Merger Promises
April 29, 2008 - Last week the IAM's International President Tom Buffenbarger headed to Capitol Hill to tell Congress that the proposed merger between Northwest and Delta Airlines is going to do much more harm than good.

Delta and Northwest Merger
April 21, 2008 - Last week Northwest and Delta Airlines announced a merger. GVP, Robert Roach Jr. comments on the situation.

A New, New Deal
April 18, 2008 - Just blocks away from the Capitol, a group from the Roosevelt Institution gathered to talk about a new, new deal for the future.

The Sky Is The Limit
April 15, 2008 - For the past six years the IAM has shared a very unique relationship with the students at Aviation High School. Last week these students visited the Winpisinger Center.

Tankers Today, Fighters Tomorrow?
April 4, 2008 - Americans around the country are angry as they watch their jobs and livelihoods go overseas. Most recently, it was the award of a US Military contract to a foreign country. GVP Rich Michalski traveled to Pennsylvania to speak about this issue.

A 'Not So Mock' Negotiations
April 3, 2008 - Many in the labor movement say there's nothing more difficult than negotiating contracts. That's why the Winpisinger Center is arming Machinists with the tools needed to succeed at the bargaining table.

Violence In Colombia
March 20, 2008 - The words "Colombia" and "Labor" have almost become synonymous with the word "Violence". In fact, some labor leaders argue there's not a moment in the history of unions in Colombia untarnished by violence.

Linking Catholics With Organized Labor
March 20, 2008 - An independent group of labor activists share their religious perspectives on worker rights.

Homeless Vets Need Housing and Healthcare
March 14, 2008 - Some of our U.S. Veterans who once served this great country are homeless and Congress is taking action.

Defending America
March 14, 2008 - About a week ago, the United States Air Force awarded a $35 billion dollar defense contract to a European aircraft manufacturer called Airbus. The Machinists and their allies didn't take this news lightly.

Going Green
March 12, 2008 - Many in the labor movement say if you want to keep the USA strong, you need to bring back American manufacturing. Some say the way to do that is to go green.

The Skills Needed
March 10, 2008 - The IAM's America's Edge Campaign doesn't start and stop with the Machinists. The word is out and people are listening.

A 'No Win' Situation
February 29, 2008 - For years the Machinists Union has fought against airline mergers and with good reason. A merger doesn't just hurt employees but also the American public.

Looking At Transportation's Future
February 29, 2008 - The Winpisinger Center was the meeting place this month for the IAM's Transportation Principal Officers Conference.

Lockheed Martin Negotiations Begin
February 20, 2008 - Negotiations between the IAM and Lockheed Martin kicked off this weekend in Palm Springs, California.

The Battle of Valley Ford
February 12, 2008 - In January, America's midwest turns cold and windy. That becomes more obvious if you're spending January on strike like the workers in Hazelwood, Missouri.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

To view these videos you will need to download the free Windows Media Player 9

Boeing Machinists Prepare for Strike

Millie Hughes, a 56-year IAM member prepares for a recent rally in Sea-Tac, Washington.

Nearly 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities in Kansas, Oregon, California and Washington state are gearing up for a possible strike following a so-called “best and final” offer that failed to meet members’ expectations.

Job security and the use of outside vendors in the workplace remain as major unresolved issues. While strike preparations continue, IAM negotiators stated they are available around the clock to hammer out an acceptable agreement.

Meanwhile, the Boeing Company is facing the prospect of labor board charges over a systematic campaign of interviewing employees in “one on one” meetings about specific contract proposals.

Federal labor law requires employers to bargain exclusively with its employees’ designated union representatives. Surveys or questions aimed at ascertaining employees’ opinions or “bottom lines” on contract proposals during contract negotiations are unlawful. Such conduct is called “direct dealing” and is strictly prohibited by the National Labor Relations Board.

IAM District 751in Seattle, WA, filed an unfair labor practice complaint charging the Boeing Company with engaging in an illegal strategy to avoid the union and deal directly with employees. Additional information and contract updates are available at www.iam751.org.

Explosion Kills IAM Member in West Virginia

For the second time in less than a month, IAM members are mourning the death of one of their own from an explosion in the workplace. Barry Withrow, a member of Local 636, District 34, died on August 28 in an explosion at the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute, WV. A second member was seriously injured in the blast, which sent a fireball hundreds of feet in the air and shattered windows far from the plant.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these members during this very difficult time,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker, Jr. “Every effort will be made to determine the cause of this latest explosion and to ensure our members have safe workplaces and every possible protection from tragedies such as this.”

Two IAM members died on July 29 when a storage tank at a paper mill in northern Wisconsin exploded. The causes of both explosions remain under investigation.

Labor Board Proposes Anti-Union Rule Change

In a move that could prevent thousands of Northwest Airlines workers from retaining collective bargaining rights and make it harder for Delta workers to join a union, the National Mediation Board (NMB) is changing the rules for determining union representation in the aftermath of a merger.

Under current procedures, whenever there has been a merger between an unrepresented and a represented group and the represented group has a majority, the NMB has extended the certification of the representative.

The proposed change, which would end the practice of extending certification, signals a deviation from its decades-long precedent without any demonstrated need or justification for such a change. The only effect of such a change is to make it significantly more difficult for employees to maintain their representation after a merger and help keep Delta Air Lines largely non-union. Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy along with Representatives Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and George Miller (D-CA) publicly objected to the NMB's plan.

IAM members are asked to write your Representative and Senators today and ask them to join with Congressional leaders in rejecting the Board's anti-worker scheme.

Additionally, you can write to the NMB to ask it to withdraw its flawed proposal.

Guide Dogs in Alabama Make Headlines

Daleville, Alabama Local 2003 members Freddie Head, left, and Adam Beasley volunteer their time to support Guide Dogs of America.

The sight of a highly trained guide dog helping a blind person to live a full and independent life is enough to grab anyone’s attention. The sight of IAM members in Alabama supporting the Guide Dogs of America (GDA) was more than enough to warrant a highly favorable article in a local newspaper.

In ‘Guide Dogs of America Brings Freedom to the Blind,’ the Enterprise Ledger in Enterprise, AL, follows the work of Local 2003 member Adam Beasley and Local 2003 retiree Freddie Head, who volunteer their time on behalf of GDA, the organization inspired 60 years ago by a blind IAM member and supported by Machinists ever since.

“This is such an important organization for the sight impaired,” said Beasley. “It gives them the ability to have freedom to walk into grocery or retail stores or to even continue their education and find a job. I can’t think of another thing that would change a person’s life as much as a guide dog would.”

The feature-length article included the history of GDA, contact information for making donations and the tale of one man with allergies who was paired up with a poodle-retriever mix that didn’t shed. “He was matched perfectly,” said Beasley.

Click here for article.

Missouri Member Keeps Family Tradition Alive

Ed Tervol has the benefit of deep roots in the American labor movement. His father was a member of IAM Local 314 for 35 years. His maternal grandfather was a member of the Operating Engineers and his paternal grandfather was a member of UAW.

Hardly a newcomer with 29 years of his own in the labor movement, Ed currently serves his fellow members of Local 778 in Kansas City, MO, as a member of the Executive Board and chairman of the Grievance Committee among his many responsibilities.

In recognition of his ongoing involvement and his recent work to help win passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, Ed Tervol was recently named Missouri Labor Leader of the Week. Click here for more information about the award.

Tervol believes that employer intimidation; including captive audience meetings and illegal terminations are major deterrents in organizing campaigns. “We’re trying to pass the Employee Free Choice Act because it has become necessary,” said Tervol. “It will level the playing field for the average worker.”

The Labor 2008 Program in Missouri is also important to Ed and members of his local. They participate in labor walks, fundraisers and phone banks for local and national candidates. “If we all participate and do the hard work necessary, we will prevail in November,” said the lifelong IAM activist. “It is very important that we turn out our members in November.”

Past iMail | Your Email |www.goiam.org | Print Version

Machinists News Network @ YouTube

Launch Video Player

You Tube For You!
We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry

Order your 2008 IAM Calendar Today

Individual Order Form
Bulk Order Form

2007 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
Summer 2008

What kind of union do we want to be? That's the question delegates at the upcoming Grand Lodge Convention in Orlando, FL, will have to answer when the discussion turns to the IAM's 32-year-old dues structure.

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.

Click above image for flyer
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

Read the International Metalworkers' Federation magazine 'Metal World'

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