Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Congress's Machinist
September 11, 2007 - The IAM has always had some friends on Capitol Hill. But until now, they never had one of their own. On September 4th, Laura Richardson became the first Machinist in Congress.

IAM's Seal of Approval
September 10, 2007 - At the 2007 National Staff Conference held just weeks ago, the IAM endorsed two presidential candidates...Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Mike Huckabee.

Hot Days At NASA September 7, 2007 - Since June 14, 2007 nearly 500 members from IAM's Local Lodge 2061 have been on strike at the Kennedy Space Center. The place that once helped to launch a man on the moon, can't seem to put a fair contract on the table.

Conversations with the Candidates
Hear what the candidates have to say about jobs, globalization, healthcare and the other domestic issues that matter most to you.

Labor Day 2007
August 27, 2007 - For the IAM, Labor Day is a very important date. Not only does it celebrate American workers, but it's a holiday founded by a Machinist.

A Solution to Health Care
August 23, 2007 - It's almost impossible to talk about good jobs and wages without mentioning health care. That's why everywhere you look, someone is trying to come up with a solution.

The Next President...
August 22, 2007 - For the first time in its history, the IAM is making a dual endorsement for candidates in the 2008 presidential primaries. International President Tom Buffenbarger comments.

Will Bush Deny Millions of Children Health Insurance?
August 21, 2007 - You can now add America’s children to the list of potential victims of the Bush administration.

China Threatening to Sell Off U.S. Reserves
August 20, 2007 - For years, the Bush administration and Congress have stood by idly while China’s currency manipulation and unfair trade practices have led to massive jobs loss and a record $230 billion trade deficit.

Blogosphere
August 10, 2007 - The world wide web has changed our lives. First it was email, then came search engines like Google and Wikipedia. Today it's the blogs that are taking the net by storm.

Stealing Our Steel
August 09, 2007 - All of nearly two-thousand IAM members who work for AK Steel in Middletown, Ohio want to see their jobs stay put. That's why Local Lodge President Dan Lawwill traveled to Washington to make sure the U.S. continues to be a leader in the world of steel.

Transportation Makes It Happen
July 31, 2007 - The upcoming elections were at the top of the list at this year's Transportation Conference.

The Next Big Idea July 19, 2007 - Hundreds of young adults gathered in Washington, DC for Roosevelt Institute's 2nd Annual Policy Expo.

Protecting Our Protectors July 18, 2007 - It's been an uphill battle for twelve years, but this week it's over. Now, public safety employees in all 50 states have finally been extended collective bargaining rights.

Trading Our Future July 13, 2007 - If you're in manufacturing, there's no doubt you've seen American jobs go overseas and probably wondered if your position is next to go.

Bringing Back the Jobs July 3, 2007 - For most, having a good job is the way to achieve the American dream. It's how families gain not just wages, but also security. Unfortunately, today's climate of depressed wages and outsourcing is leading many to give up on what was once in their grasp.

National Press Club Welcomes Lou Dobbs July 3, 2007 - For decades Lou Dobbs has been a force in the news business. In a recent speech at the D.C. Press Club, he focused on immigration and why for the first time in history, most middle class parents don't believe their children will have it better than they did.

Wal-Mart's Dealings With China Driving Job Loss June 29, 2007 - Just how devastating has Wal-Mart’s exploitation of cheap labor in China been? Since China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, the corporate giant’s trade deficit with China has cost the U.S. nearly 200,000 jobs.

Outsourcing Security In the Air June 28, 2007 - According to the Department of Transportation, a decade ago, airlines outsourced about 10% of their maintenance work. Today, more than 60% of aircraft repairs is sent overseas. Some say this is a huge security risk, with no accountability.

With Honors
June 27, 2007 - Last week a group of Machinists from all walks of life fulfilled a life long dream of graduating from college

Fluctuating Gas Prices
June 28, 2007 - For the second straight summer Americans have been faced with steep gas prices at the pump.

Thousands Rally for Employee Free Choice Act
June 21, 2007 - Every twenty three minutes a worker is fired or punished for supporting a union. That is why thousands rallied in Washington this week to demand the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Saving Energy
June 14, 2007 - How much is your electric bill each month? What do you pay to fill up your car? Will your kids have to stop global warming? Americans are asking both big and small questions about energy and its future.

Senate Takes Up Manufacturing June 8, 2007 - Union leaders, small business owners, corporate CEO's...this is just a partical list of those who gathered to talk about America's Manufacturing Sector and try to to come up with ways to bring back this industry that once ruled the world.

IAM Voices on the Hill June 8, 2007 - No one knows the issues of workers better than the workers themselves. That's why it's so important for members of organized labor to take their voices to the hill.

On the Machinists Tour
June 6, 2007 - In the last few weeks, the IAM has seen and heard a lot from quite a few of those vying for the democratic presidential nomination. Take a look at some of the highlights from these Machinists events.

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Wichita Machinists in Tentative Agreement with Cessna

More than 2,500 members of IAM Local 774 at Cessna in Wichita, KS shut down the city's historic "Old Town" during a rally on Tuesday.

Members of Local 774 at Cessna Aircraft Co. in Wichita, KS, woke up to good news after holding a rally that drew over 2,500 workers and shut down the city’s historic “Old Town” district. Early today, IAM negotiators announced a tentative agreement with Cessna that contained significant improvements over all previous offers and met workers’ key demands.

“The value of collective bargaining, membership solidarity and professional representation are clearly evident in the terms of this tentative agreement,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “The benefits of IAM membership could hardly be more compelling.”

The proposed three-year accord includes a $3,000 lump sum bonus in addition to wage increases of five percent in the first year, and four percent each in the second and third years. The contract would also increase workers’ pension from 49 to 55 dollars while insurance premiums would remain the same.

“This contract belongs to the members. They made their voices heard on the shop floor and at our rally,” said Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge. “They rocked downtown Wichita.”
A key issue for IAM members at Cessna was preserving existing health care coverage and not being forced into a high-deductible plan being proposed by the company. The new tentative agreement preserves existing plans while giving employees the opportunity to enroll in additional choices at the same cost.

“This is a strong Machinists contract,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “The Negotiating Committee worked very hard this past year to lay the groundwork, both with the company and the membership, to reach a tentative agreement that’s good for everyone.”

Members will vote on the new contract Saturday. The Local 774 Negotiating Committee is unanimously recommending acceptance of the offer.

District 154 Welcomes Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate

Pictured from Left to Right: District 154 DBR and Kentucky State Council of Machinists President Benny Adair, Gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Warren Mart, and IBEW Representative Donna Haynes.

At a Labor Day rally in Paducah, KY, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear promised more than just lip service in exchange for union support in his campaign to replace Kentucky’s Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher. In a Beshear administration, “The Secretary of Labor will be a card-carrying union member,” declared the former lieutenant governor.
Beshear also spoke recently at the District 154 union hall in Calvert City, KY, where GST Warrant Mart urged members to get involved and do everything possible to restore a labor-friendly governor to the Bluegrass State.

“Steve Beshear supports worker training programs, apprenticeships, collective bargaining and prevailing wages,” said Mart, a Kentucky native. “We have a chance to replace one of the most anti-union governors in the state’s history with one who is not afraid to stand up for working people.”

In 2006, Fletcher backed a “right-to-work” bill for Kentucky and called for a repeal of the state’s prevailing wage law for public construction projects. Union members fought back and the state legislature refused to back either proposal.

“It’s not enough to just defeat bone-headed legislation like “right-to-work” for less, said Mart. “We need legislators like Steve Beshear, in every state, people we can partner with to protect jobs, communities and the rights of unions to organize new members. It’s critical to our survival and the survival of the American middle class.”

A Pension Victory in Pennsylvania

The members of Local 52 in Pittsburgh, PA, didn’t have much to look forward to back in 2000. Their employer was in financial trouble, their pension had been frozen and efforts to find investors were not encouraging. The company, Genesis II and its employees were facing the grim prospect of bankruptcy, liquidation and the hardships that follow.

Today, thanks to an enlightened partnership between labor, management and an investor who saw a future in specialized manufacturing, Genesis II is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality metal coil processing equipment with a thriving international export business. The 35 IAM members at the Genesis II location in Conway, PA and the 66 members of the United Steel Workers (USW) in Callery, PA are now covered by new contracts that include the IAM National Pension Plan.

“Our members truly appreciate the decision in 2001 by KPS Capital Partners (KPS) and its equity partner to keep high-skilled manufacturing in Pennsylvania,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger about the decision by KPS to invest in Genesis II. “This shows that a troubled company can become competitive again by working with its employees. In additional to creating job stability by growing the company together, our members and other employees also have a more secure retirement since Genesis II contributes to the IAM National Pension Fund.”

The Chairman of Genesis Board of Directors, Michael Psaros, acknowledged the help from union members in accomplishing the turnaround. “We thank the United Steelworkers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for their very critical role in making the company a success,” said Psaros.

The Local 52 Negotiating Committee also deserves recognition for their efforts to craft a new agreement for members at Genesis II, according to District 98 Business Representative Todd Fichera. “Not only did they deliver a solid contract and the National Pension Plan for IAM members there, but they extended the pension plan to USW members at the Callery, PA plant, whose pension was also frozen.”

Canada Members Advance with New Contracts

More than 100 IAM members in Canada recently ratified new contracts that provide significant improvements over the life of the agreements.

Fifty members of IAM Local Lodge 1927 employed by Cedarcroft Nursing Home in Stratford, ON have approved a new three-year agreement with ELM Management, providing them with wage increases of three percent each year and a signing bonus of $500 and $250 for full-time and part-time employees respectively.

The group, who provide a variety of private care services to the elderly, will also see increased sick day premiums for full-time employees and for the first time, three paid sick days for part-time employees.

In Stratford, ON, eighty members of IAM Local Lodge 1550 have ratified a new four-year agreement with Crane Canada Inc. The members, who manufacture plumbing fixtures for the Canadian home improvement and construction industries, will see a wage freeze in the first year with a $400 signing bonus and two percent wage increases in each of the remaining three years. The group will also see a pension increase of $1/hour in the fourth year, life insurance benefits increased to $45,000 and vision care benefits increased to $160 every two years.

“Crane closed its facility in Dallas, Texas and that set the tone for a very tough round of bargaining,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Jim Nugent. “Under the circumstances we’re pleased we have a deal.”

Senate Votes to Block Mexican Trucks

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to strip funding for a Bush administration program that allows Mexican trucks to haul cargo directly from Mexico to any point in the United States. The House of Representatives has already passed a similar measure. As part of the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), trucking firms from Mexico were supposed to get access years ago, but the Clinton administration limited their access to a small zone at large border crossings where shipments were transferred to U.S. trucks. The restrictions were in place largely because of concerns over an adequate safety inspection program to certify all trucks coming across the border meet U.S. safety standards.

By a 74-24 vote, the Senate approved an amendment introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) to a broad transportation spending bill that cut off funding for the pilot program, which the Bush administration gave final authorization to just last week. "This vote is a victory for safety,” Dorgan said in a statement. “It also represents a turning of the tide on the senseless, headlong rush this country has been engaged in for some time, to dismantle safety standards and a quality of life it took generations to achieve.” The Bush administration, which has threatened to veto the transportation spending bill, hopes to expand the trucking program to accommodate 100 Mexican trucking companies, or roughly 540 large trucks, and that number could grow.

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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
Summer 2007

ENOUGH! More than 5,000 union members packed the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to stop the attacks on working families in the largest labor rally since 1991.

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

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