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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IAM Supports NASA Space-suit Decision

When Neil Armstrong stepped off the lunar module in 1969 and became the first man to walk on the moon, he was wearing a space-suit made by IAM workers at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, CT. The company is now known as Hamilton Sunstrand, a division of United Technologies (UTC).

Citing errors in the latest round of bidding for a new space suit, NASA announced it is canceling a $745 million contract that would have awarded the contract to a new company and moved that work out of Connecticut.

Following concerns raised by the IAM and the Government Accountability Office, NASA now plans to re-bid the contract next year.

“In a fair competition, IAM workers and companies can deliver the best products in the world,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr., who credited the re-bid decision to lobbying efforts by John Harrity, GrowJobs CT, District 26 DBR Everett Corey, Local 743 President Mark Hebert and the staff at District 26. “If UTC continues to partner with the IAM, I am confident that together, we will prevail in this fight.”

For more information on GrowJobs CT, visit the special website here: http://www.growjobsct.org/

California Auto Techs on Strike at Grace Honda

Seventeen members of Local 1414 in San Mateo, CA, are walking picket lines outside Grace Honda in San Bruno, CA, after unanimously rejecting the dealership owner's “last, best and final” offer.

The rejection was triggered by an array of proposed concessions, including wage changes, reduced number of holidays and productivity-based health insurance coverage.

IAM members at the dealership are also concerned over unauthorized deductions from their paychecks and a “no talking” rule within the shop, allowing the technicians to speak only with management for business but not with each other.

“Strikes are always a last resort,” said District 190 Business Representative Don Barbe, who led the negotiations. “But these members expect a decent wage, without anyone tinkering with their paychecks and to maintain their health care and holidays.”

“This is a talented group of members who are seeking a fair and reasonable contract from their employer,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson. “I’m proud of their solidarity on the picket line. They care about the customers they service and the work they perform, and they should be rewarded for it.” For additional photos, click here .

New Procedures for Winpisinger Center Airport Pick-Up

Beginning on Saturday, October 11, 2008, there will be a permanent change in the pick-up procedure for participants arriving at Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) for classes at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.

After their arrival at the BWI airport, participants will be picked up at the 2nd curb outside of Door 14 (baggage claim, lower level) and transported to the W3 Depot. The Winpisinger Center shuttle from the Airport to the W3 Depot will run every half hour from 4:00 - 8:00 PM.

The shuttle will be clearly marked with IAM logos on both sides. As in the past, participants will wait at the W3 Depot until 8:30 pm when the bus will leave the W3 Depot for the Winpisinger Center (arrival time approximately 10 pm).

Click here for more information on the new procedure.

Provost Named Eastern Territory Special Representative

Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr., announced the appointment of District 4 DBR Tony Provost as an IAM Special Representative for the Eastern Territory, effective October 1, 2008.

Provost was employed at Bath Iron Works (BIW) in 1987 and joined the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America (IUMSWA) which later merged with the IAM. Tony was elected Shop Steward and Vice President of Local S6 as well as serving on the Negotiating Committee before becoming a District 4 Business Representative in 1998. Provost became DBR of District 4 in 2005.

“Tony brings a strong background of organizing and negotiating experience to the staff,” said GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “His background and expertise in the Service Contract Act will be a huge asset in the future.”

USA Member Wins New Triton Bass Boat

USA Sportman member Lonnie Tiner, right, wins a Triton boat powered by a Mercury engine made by members of IAM Local 1947 in Wisconsin.

Lonnie Tinder of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is the lucky winner of a brand new Triton 18 Explorer bass boat and a matching trailer given away by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance. The Triton 18 is built in the United States and features a Mercury 90ELPT two-stroke engine built by IAM Local 1947 members in Fond du Lac, WI.

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is a hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members, retirees and their families. As a program of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and 20 AFL-CIO affiliated unions, the USA extends union member benefits to the woods and water while supporting the TRCP’s efforts to preserve America’s hunting and fishing heritage. One of those benefits is ongoing giveaways for USA members, including firearms, knives, trips and the Triton boat.

Tinder thought the concept of an alliance of union members with a common interest in the outdoors sounded like a great idea, so he joined the USA as one of its founding members in October 2007.

His first thought upon learning he won a Triton boat and matching trailer valued at approximately $25,000 was “is this true or is somebody pulling my leg?” He knew, from visiting the website that the USA was giving away a boat, but he had never won more than a t-shirt or hat in his life. “Whenever these things are given away, it seems like it’s always to someone back east. I just couldn’t believe I had won,” said Tinder. “A lot of my fellow union members have asked ‘when are we going fishing?’” said Tinder.

For more information on the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, visit www.UnionSportsmen.org.

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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