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Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Pushing State Politics
October 11, 2007 - The Northern Virginia CLC canvassed the community last weekend in support of Chap Peterson for State Senate.

A New World Order
October 5, 2007 - Globalization is something organized labor has been talking about for years. But nowadays, the issue seems to seep into conversations around the world, no matter your economic status and many are starting to notice its' dramatic effects.

Financing the Future
October 2, 2007 - House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, doesn't paint a promising picture of the country's long term fiscal growth if nothing changes.

A Call To Duty
September 28, 2007 - National Service or working for a non-profit organization may not be something you think of as a job option. But some people are starting to look at it as a key for developing future leaders.

Sharing Bankruptcy Backlash
September 27, 2007 - Unfortunately, most workers know the hardships of corporate bankruptcy. That's why Congress is trying to pass a new bankruptcy bill to protect the men and women who helped build the organization.

Uninsured America
September 26, 2007 - Families USA, a national non-profit voice for health care, just came out with startling statistics about uninsured Americans. According to their data, the health insurance issue in the U.S. is worse than it looks.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congresswoman Laura Richardson
September 21, 2007 - IAM member Laura Richardson is the newest additon to Capitol Hill, representing California's 37th District.

Something About A Harley
September 17, 2007 - Machinists never say no to the Guide Dogs and most members won't turn down a Harley ride either. For the IAM, Hogs and Dogs just works.

Protecting Programs That Work
September 14, 2007 - The Alliance for Retired Americans is a substantial voice for senior issues and one that may impact the next presidential race.

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.

Media Library
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Congress Turns Up Heat on United Space Alliance

Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee speaks before Congress.

Members of the United States Congress are turning up the heat on NASA and the United Space Alliance (USA) to stop their push to gut the economic security of America’s space program workforce. Last June, USA forced IAM members of Local 2061 at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center out on strike by demanding cuts in pension and other key benefits. NASA and USA are now making similar demands in other negotiations at the Houston Space Center.

Congress, who has oversight and budget powers over NASA, is taking notice. This week, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, spoke out from the floor of the House of Representatives. Kaptur called IAM members “among the most talented and trained workers in our Nation,” and questioned NASA and the United Space Alliance’s attempts to take away pensions from their workers, while USA’s CEO, Richard Covey, qualifies for at least three pensions himself. “I would ask Mr. Covey and the folks at USA Space Alliance to pay close attention because Congress is paying close attention,” said Kaptur.

“We built a great Nation when America had a system where workers could be confident that their wages would increase with increasing productivity and that their retirement years would be secure,” said Kaptur. “I would just say that the Nation is taking very close notice of an agency that gets a $16 billion budget whose top executives all get their pensions and now who hire subcontractors who are telling the very people who have their hands on the equipment down at the Kennedy Space Center that, sorry, you don't get the same type of consideration by the Government of the United States.”

Click here to see a video of Kaptur’s remarks or here to read a transcript from the Congressional record.

Kaptur’s remarks coincided with a letter by IAM President Tom Buffenbarger to all Senators and Members of Congress urging them to stop NASA and USA’s unfair attacks on America’s space program workers. In addition, more than twenty House members co-signed a letter in September to United Space Alliance that it is “important that the workforce obtain a fair and equitable settlement in these negotiations.”

“It’s clear everyone is getting the message about NASA and United Space Alliance’s unjust attempts to strip workers of pensions and other rightful benefits,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “It’s time for NASA and USA to listen and settle this dispute in a fair and equitable manner.”

Click here to send a message to Congress to Support NASA Workers Fight for Justice at Kennedy Space Center. Click here for more information about Local 2061 members at Kennedy Space Center.

Lockheed Negotiations Approaching Quickly

The 2008 IAM Lockheed Martin Coordinated Bargaining Committee met at District Lodge 776 in Fort Worth, TX this week.

The 2008 IAM Lockheed Martin Coordinated Bargaining Committee met at District Lodge 776 in Fort Worth, TX this week to focus in on the issues that will impact upcoming contract negations covering nearly 7,000 IAM members at multiple Lockheed Martin locations.

Core issues the committee will address heading into negotiations include pensions, health care, wages and job security. With the current contracts set to expire March 1, 2008, local issue negotiations are set to begin in January and coordinated bargaining beginning in mid-February.

“Our coordinated committee is once again focusing on the core issues that were submitted by our membership in a recent survey,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator John Crowdis. “We are committed to ensuring our proposals are taken seriously at the bargaining table so we can provide members with the best contract possible.”

Coordinated committee members represent Machinists at Lockheed Martin facilities in: Palmdale, Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz and Vandenberg AFB California; Cape Canaveral, Florida; Marietta, Georgia; Meridian, Mississippi; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Fort Worth, Texas (IAM representatives for the nearly 4,000 Machinists at the Forth Worth facility whose contract expires in April 2009 are participating in the Coordinated Bargaining Committee and attending negotiations in March).

The Committee is led by Crowdis and also includes Grand Lodge Representatives from the Southern and Western Territories. The IAM’s Strategic Resources Department is also assisting the Committee in preparation for negotiations.

Committee members also had the opportunity to tour the Fort Worth Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility, which currently produces, or assists in the production of, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II Fighter Aircraft.

Staff Changes in IAM Strategic Resources Department

David White has been named Assistant Director in the IAM Strategic Resources Department, succeeding Beth Almeida. White, formerly a Senior Economist, brings much to his new post, having both a Master's Degree in Labor Relations from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and invaluable hands-on experience in negotiations and negotiation preparation in his nearly seven years with the Strategic Resources Department.

In another move, Peter Greenberg of Local 2339-N has come on board as a Research Economist, succeeding Joe Thayer. Greenberg has served the IAM in a variety of capacities during his eight years at Local 2339-N, including Trustee, Educator and Legislative Chair and has conducted member education programs for District Lodge 142. He holds a Masters degree from George Washington University and speaks five languages.

“David and Peter have proven they have what it takes,” said Strategic Resources Director Neil Gladstein. “We look forward to their continued good work - here in the office and out in the field - to support our members in getting the best contracts possible.”

Machinists in Canada Win Court Ruling

In a huge victory for Canadian Machinists at IAM Local Lodge 99 in Edmonton, the Alberta Court of Appeal restored common employer status and successor rights for 160 members of Local 99 who lost their jobs at the Finning Rebuild plant in 2005 when their employer transferred their work to a new facility operated by O.E.M. Remanufacturing Inc.

Even though Finning Rebuild financed the new plant and remained the beneficial owner, IAM members were denied the opportunity to transfer with their work and simply laid off. To avoid bargaining with the IAM, O.E.M. voluntarily recognized the Christian Labour Association of Canada as the union at the new plant.

The IAM immediately went to the Alberta Labour Relations Board who ruled O.E.M. and Finning were common employers and the IAM was the representative. That ruling was later overturned. The IAM then went to the Alberta Court of Appeal who upheld the original ruling that OE.M. and Finning were common employers and the IAM was the rightful representative.

“It’s been a long hard struggle to get this decision and justice for our members,” said IAM Directing Business Representative Bob MacKinnon. “This confirms the protections provided by the Labour Relations Code where an employer transfers a part of its unionized business.”

While the Court of Appeal upheld the IAM’s right to represent workers the new facility, the Court also ruled in its “Remedy” decision that there should be a separate bargaining unit and collective agreement at OEM. The IAM has applied to the Court to overturn that “Remedy” part of the ruling.

“The IAM believes that the Finning employees at O.E.M. should be in the same bargaining unit, protected by the same collective agreement, as the other unionized Finning employees,” said John Carpenter, legal counsel for IAM Local Lodge 99.

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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