Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Freedom From Want
September 10, 2008
Freedom from want is another one of the four freedoms Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke about more than 60 years ago. "Freedom From Want" was the theme on the fourth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

New Dues Structure
September 10, 2008
More than 32 years ago, union delegates gathered in a room like this, changed the financial structure of the IAM. Today, that decision was again in front of this year's delegaes who voted o amend the current financial structure.

HRC Becomes Honorary IAM Member
September 8, 2008 - Nothing seems to bring the Machinists to their feet like Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. She spoke at the the 37th Grand Lodge Convention where she became an honorary lifetime member of the IAM.

Freedom From Fear
September 8, 2008 - In some of the most famous words ever spoken, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." "Freedom From Fear" was the theme on the second day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

Opening Day for the 37th Convention
September 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.

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Machinists to Protest at Northwest-Delta Shareholder Meetings

Members of District 143 will protest the proposed Northwest-Delta merger at both airlines’ shareholders meetings in New York and Atlanta on September 25. The protests are the latest move in the IAM campaign to block the proposed mega-merger, which will lead to enormous debt for the combined carrier, lost jobs for employees and further cuts in service.

Shareholders of Delta and Northwest will be voting on the proposed merger at the New York and Atlanta meetings.

“We believe this transaction poses serious risk for investors of both Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines and will harm long-term shareholder value,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., who also spoke with a corporate governance blog GovernanceNotes.com about the union's opposition. “Airline mergers have a checkered past and we believe this merger is emblematic of the flawed logic of consolidation presently being pushed by industry lobbyists and executives.”

IAM President Tom Buffenbarger sent two letters to the airlines’ shareholders raising several concerns regarding the combination, citing the impact to consumers by higher fares and poor customer service, questionable cost synergies, termination of pension and health benefits for Northwest workers and management's understating of the significant challenges involved in integrating the two large carriers.

More information about the upcoming demonstrations in New York and Atlanta is available at www.iam143.org

TCU Member Killed in Los Angeles MTA Crash

Donna Lynn Remata, a 21-year member of TCU Local 1315 employed by the Los Angeles MTA, was among the passengers killed in the tragic collision of a commuter Metrolink train and a Union Pacific freight train on September 12, 2008. Remata was returning from her job to her home in Simi Valley. In just a month, on October 13, Sister Remata would have celebrated her 50th birthday.

“She was a TCU member I trained eight years ago for the storekeeper position that she held” in the Gateway Tower’s Stationery office, said Darryl Henderson. “She was a pleasure to work with and my condolences go out to her family.” A decorative box has been placed near Remata’s desk where other employees can put notes and cards with their memories of their co-worker and condolences for her family.

Remata leaves behind her husband, Larry, and two children, 17-year-old Tiffany and 18-year-old Larry II; parents Evelyn and Tony Nieves of Henderson, NV; and three sisters, Debra, Terri and Jo Ann Nieves.

Click here for details on memorial and funeral services this week.

A Few Choice Words for the Next President

To the New President and Congress: “I urge you to enact the Employee Free Choice Act immediately. This crucial legislation will protect workers’ freedom to choose a union and bargain without management intimidation. Allowing more workers to freely join unions and bargain with their employers will help rebuild the middle class by expanding health care, improving retirement security and raising the standard of living for America’s working families. My bargaining rights are worth working for and voting for!”

That’s the message on pre-printed postcards that are part of an AFL-CIO effort to gather at least one million signatures on a petition urging the next president to sign the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) without delay.

The EFCA (H.R. 800, S. 1041) is a top legislative priority for U.S. labor unions and would level the playing field for workers and employers and help rebuild America’s middle class. It would establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations and provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes. Most importantly, the Act would allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

Union Plus Success Stories

Two IAM members are among 13 union activists who will receive financial scholarships as part of the Union Plus Leaders of the Future Scholarship program. Victoria Cheek of Local 846 in Baltimore, MD, and Jeffrey Hartley of Local 946 in Rancho Cordova, CA, will each receive a one-time cash award of $3,000 to help with the cost of continuing their education.

Victoria Cheek is a long-time IAM activist who has served as a negotiator, organizer, shop steward, newsletter editor and member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). One of the first female activists in her local lodge, Victoria has also taken part in the FTAA Rally in Miami, the WTO Rally in Seattle and the IAM Day of Action in Washington, D.C. Her scholarship will be used to help reach her goal of a BA in Labor Studies and Union Administration at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, MD.

Jeffrey Hartley will use his scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Union Leadership and Administration at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. Hartley has served as vice president and communicator for his local in addition to writing a grievance manual that will be used for steward training at his local.

Applicants for the Union Plus scholarship are evaluated according to leadership potential, career goals, social awareness and financial need.

Kawneer Employees in Illinois go IAM

District 8 in Burr Ridge, IL brought eight new members into the IAM recently by organizing production and maintenance workers at the Kawneer Company in Itasca, IL. Kawneer is a subsidiary of Alcoa and manufactures architectural building products and systems.

"This group is determined to get the security that an IAM contract brings,” said Lead Organizer Special Representative Jorge Saenz. “They want better wages benefits and working conditions."

IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber thanked everyone involved in the campaign. "SR Jorge Saenz, GLR Steve Nickel and District 8 Organizer Victor Pineda worked tirelessly along with a solid committee at Kawneer to bring about this win. We welcome our new members into the IAM family.”

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2008 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