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Opening Day for the 37th ConventionSeptember 7, 2008 - Today the IAM opened its 37th Grand Lodge Convention. This week promises a nod to the past as we look for solutions to the problems of the future.

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.

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Boeing Machinists Vote to Strike

IAM negotiators agreed to an emergency request from Washington Governor Chris Gregoire to extend the current IAM agreement with the Boeing Company for 48 hours after members there voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s latest offer.

The second strike in three years at Boeing will go forward if an acceptable agreement that addresses members’ concerns over job security, pensions and wages cannot be hammered out during the two-day extension. Federal mediators will assist in the effort to broker an improved agreement.

Eighty-seven percent of Machinists in Oregon, Kansas, California and Washington state voted to strike, while 80 percent voted to reject the company’s so-called “best and final” offer. The vote results leave no doubt about how members view the company’s offer and gives their negotiators unmistakable leverage at the bargaining table.

“Our job as negotiators is to do everything possible to reach an agreement and we pledged to meet anytime and anyplace to achieve that goal,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin. “We intend to honor that pledge but if Boeing fails to use this time wisely and resolve the remaining issues, this strike will be of their making.”

Hillary Clinton to Address IAM Convention

CBS correspondant Erin Moriarty interviews New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton during IAM Conversation with the Candidates in August, 2007.

On September 8th, 2008, the IAM will welcome New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton to the union’s 37th Grand Lodge Convention, where she will address a combined gathering more than 2,600 delegates and guests.

The Machinists were the first major union to endorse Sen. Clinton in August, 2007, and were among her strongest supporters throughout the primary season. This week, IAM delegates are expected to consider a presidential endorsement for the general election.

“Hillary Clinton earned the IAM’s initial endorsement by focusing on jobs, health care, education and trade – the bread and butter issues of the American middle class,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “We deeply appreciate the effort she made on behalf of our members and the millions of Americans who remain invisible to the current administration.”

Southern Illinois Mechanics Ratify Strike-Ending Accord

Members of Local 313 in Caseyville, IL, ended a month-long strike against six Illinois auto dealers this week by ratifying a new three-year labor agreement that includes wage increases in each year of the contract, pension improvements and a forty-hour work week guarantee.

Nearly 80 automotive technicians and service writers voted to strike job security, wages and benefits. A key sticking point was the cost of employees’ health insurance, which was resolved with the help of a federal mediator.

“This group stood strong and we were able to bring back a contract worthy of ratification,” said District 9 Business Representative Dave Weaver. “Our members are aware that dealers are experiencing tough times and need to keep costs under control.”

The strike began on August 1, 2008 after talks broke down with dealers who are part of the St. Clair-Madison Automobile Dealers Association.

EPI Releases State of Working America

The average American worker is worse off now than they were when the recession ended in 2001, according to The Economic Policy Institute’s The State of Working America 2008/2009. The report finds that despite growth in productivity, there has been weak job growth and stagnant or falling household income.

There has been a 1.1 percent decline in labor force participation, which translates to about 1.4 million people who could otherwise have been working or actively job-hunting, according to the report.“If job growth from 2000 to 2007 had matched the 1990s cycle, the economy would have added 7 million more jobs than it did,” said co-author Heidi Shierholz. “The weak jobs situation means that the potential of millions of productive, hard-working Americans has been left untapped -- a profound disservice to them, their families, and the economy as a whole.”

Another finding from the report is the growth in income inequality among Americans, with the real income for the median family falling by 1.1 percent from 2000-2006, while income more than tripled for the top 1 percent.

Minnesota Machinists Talk Mergers at State Fair

Members of Local 1833 set up shop at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair to tell the public about the consequences of a merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines.

Minnesota’s Machinists took their fight to block the proposed Delta-Northwest merger to the 2008 Minnesota State Fair where volunteers discussed what the State of Minnesota and the traveling public will lose if the Northwest/Delta merger is allowed to take place.

Member of Local 1833 in Bloomington, MN, launched the Just Say No to Airline Mergers petition drive from the state fair’s AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion. The new Labor pavilion is the home to the AFL-CIO unions in Minnesota where they can talk to the public about their trades and the labor movement.

More than 3,000 fairgoers signed a petition against the impending merger after they learned of the job loss and diminished service it will cause in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding communities.

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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.

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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