Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

The Face of Foreclosure
October 21, 2008 - As lawmakers work to find a solution to the US foreclosure crisis, thousands of working class Americans, including some IAM members, struggle to keep homes in the midst of this economic downturn.

NWA/Delta Merger: A Future Bailout?
October 15, 2008 - In one of the most volatile financial times in history, it seems wrong to many that a possible airline merger is still being considered.

A Fresh Look At Healthcare
October 12, 2008 - With the presidential election just weeks away, Americans are taking a serious look at the issues. As always healthcare is close to the top of the priority list.

Retirees Take On Raytheon
September 26, 2008 - After 26 years, IAM member Dave Lillie retired from Raytheon. At the end of his more than two decades as a tool and die maker, he believed retirement would be bliss. Raytheon saw it another way.

Closing Day for the 37th ConventionSeptember 12, 2008 - Welcome to the closing day for the IAM's 37th Grand Lodge Convention. It's been a busy week but alot has been accomplished.

Freedom Of ReligionSeptember 11, 2008 - No matter how, when or why you do it, every person in the U.S. and Canada has the right to Freedom. "Freedom of Religion" was the theme on the fifth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

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.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

To view these videos you will need to download the free Windows Media Player 9

IAM Organizers Log 77.8 Percent Win Rate

U.S. labor unions increased their overall percentage of successful representational elections during the first half of 2008, with the IAM recording the third highest number of workers organized, according to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) data.

The IAM won 35 out of 45 elections held during the six-month period, bringing collective bargaining rights to 1,015 new members. The IAM also tallied the highest win rate among major unions, winning 77.8 percent of the elections in which it participated.

While the number of resolved representation elections conducted by the NLRB during the first half of 2008 was exactly the same as the number concluded in the same time period last year, the percentage of union victories increased more than eight percent, from 58.5 percent to 66.8 percent.

“Despite a political and business environment that is more hostile to union organizers than at any time in recent history, it’s heartening to see workers in this country are still willing to stand up for their rights on the job,” said IAM Organizing Director Larry Washam. “The IAM has a great team and a great program and I’m confident we’re on track to improve on these numbers in the months to come.”

IAM Mourns Passing of Robert Kalaski

Former IAM Communications Director Robert J. Kalaski passed away on November 16, 2008, after a courageous struggle with cancer. Kalaski, 67, led the Communications Department from 1977 until his retirement in 2001.

Serving under numerous IAM presidents, Kalaski pioneered the IAM’s landmark media monitoring project and guided the IAM’s press and public relations efforts during monumental battles with Eastern Airlines and against the corporate pirate Frank Lorenzo.

“Bob Kalaski was a good friend and a shining light, in his craft of labor journalism and as a person whose warm-hearted personality touched so many in the Machinists union,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “We will miss him.”

The son of a Grand Lodge Representative, Kalaski joined IAM Headquarters in 1966 as an Associate Editor of the Machinist weekly newspaper. He was also a respected member of the labor journalism community, serving as vice president of the International Labor Press Association and the first president of the International Labor Communications Association.

Join the Campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act

IAM members can help win passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) by joining the AFL-CIO’s “Million Member Mobilization” to call on the next president and Congress to pass EFCA and give more working families a chance to organize and bargain for a better future.

The IAM has joined the effort with customized cards for IAM members to sign. Cards are being distributed via District Lodges to Local Lodges in the United States. “We need every IAM member possible to sign a card to support the Employee Free Choice Act,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “The Employee Free Choice Act will give employees the voice they need to win better wages, benefits and a strong voice on the job.

Enroll Now for 2009 WWW Center Courses

The official announcement and call for the 2009 Leadership and Train-the-Trainer programs at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center is on its way to local and district lodges throughout the United States and Canada.

Leadership programs fill quickly and locals and districts are advised to take action to submit enrollments as soon as possible. A new addition to the schedule of classes for 2009 is Spanish Leadership II.

The WWW Center has also released the 2009 schedule of staff and departmental programs. The full schedule of programs for 2009 as well as enrollment forms are available here.

Members and staff should be aware of several recent changes involved in traveling to the WWW Center. First, there is a new pick-up procedure and location at BWI Airport. Detailed information on new procedure at the WWW Depot at BWI is available here.

Also, remember to request and save your receipts for airline baggage charges. The WWW Center will reimburse for any fee an airline charges for a participant's first checked bag. The reimbursement form and instructions are available here. Finally, due to new Transportation Security Administration security procedures, local and district lodges must provide a member's full name and date of birth on enrollment forms to allow the WWW Center to purchase airline tickets.

Quebec Machinist Dies in Industrial Accident

An industrial accident has claimed the life of Roger Desrochers, a 41-year veteran employee at Sherwood Industries and member of Local 922 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Desrochers passed away on October 24, 2008, following injuries he received while trying to move a compressor. Workers were trying to move the compressor with a forklift when Desrochers became pinned under the heavy unit. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Past iMail | Your Email |www.goiam.org | Print Version

Machinists News Network @ YouTube
Machinists News Network

You Tube For You!
We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry

Order your 2009 IAM Calendar Today

Individual Order Form
Bulk Order Form

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
Fall 2008

During the days of the Republican-controlled Congress, GOP-insiders replaced the open debating and crafting of legislation with midnight votes and backroom deals.

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.

Click above image for flyer
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