Tuesday, November 21 , 2006

Guide Dogs Event Brings Out the Best

Hundreds of IAM representatives, members and guests turned out for the William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet in Las Vegas, NV, to show their support for Guide Dogs of America (GDA), the Sylmar, CA-based organization that provides guide dogs free of charge to visually impaired men and women across North America.

The banquet capped off a record breaking weekend of fundraising activities to benefit the non-profit organization founded by an IAM member in 1948, including the 6 th Annual Hawgs for Dogs Motorcycle Ride and the 26 th Annual GDA Charity Golf Tournament.

“For nearly 60 years, Guide Dogs of America has reigned as the IAM’s favorite charity, and for good reasons,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Seeing the extraordinary bond that forms between these highly trained dogs and their owners is so special and so heartwarming, that it’s no surprise how many people want to donate their time and effort to support this work.”

Among the IAM district lodges that continued their long-standing support for GDA were District 751 in Seattle, District 15 in New York, District 190 in Oakland, CA and District 9 in St. Louis. “It was remarkable how many districts and locals stepped forward this year and surpassed all previous contribution levels,” said GDA President Jay Bormann. “Their generosity is simply breathtaking.”

The GDA annual banquet also provides management at IAM-represented companies with an opportunity to support a cause that obviously means so much to their employees. Making sizable corporate contributions this year were Lockheed Corp., The Boeing Company and Spirit AeroSystems.

Recognized this year with GDA’s prestigious 2006 “Gift of Sight Award” were Jim Malony, Vice President of UPS, Ken Lohre, Delta Dental of California and James Beno, DBR District 190.

Bush Moves Hard Right with Judge Picks

President Bush has apparently recovered from the self-described “thumping” his party and policies took on Election Day and is resuming his six year effort to remake the federal judiciary into a bastion of far-right ideology.

On November 15, President Bush nominated ten judges with records on civil rights enforcement and environmental protection that appear more suited to industry lobbyists than independent jurists. Some of the nominees have been nominated and pulled twice this year over objections from lawmakers.

Civil rights groups say that Bush's attempt to push controversial nominees is just a tactic to promote a hard right agenda rather than seeking to move the nation forward.

“Despite what the President would like us to believe, these nominees are not moderate, fair-minded judges who have the letter of the law and our best interests at heart," said Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. “They are part of a bigger Bush agenda: a move to pack our courts with out-of-the-mainstream judges who are driven by ideology - not the law.”

Machinists Win Raises for Ontario School Bus Drivers 

Members of Local 26 in Toronto, Canada, who are employed by Laidlaw Transit Limited in Midland, Ontario, have ratified their first collective agreement. The agreement provides a wage increase of 3 percent on school bus routes and 4.4 percent on charter routes, as well as a 2.8 percent increase in the special work rate.

The 117 members under the new agreement consist of seniors and single mothers who drive school bus routes in the communities north of Toronto. In addition to their school routes, the members also drive bus charters throughout Canada.

“The goal was to achieve wage parity with Laidlaw drivers in Barrie who were making on average two dollars an hour more than our members for doing essentially the same job,” explained Grand Lodge Representative Pat Murphy. “Not only did we achieve parity but we also won a guaranteed four-hour minimum which makes it possible for our members to apply for Employment Insurance during the off season.”

The agreement also provides standard contract language, union recognition and the establishment of a grievance procedure.

Working Families Expect Results from New Governors

Gubernatorial victories in Ohio, New York and Maryland helped give Democrats a total of 28 governor seats - and a majority of governorships for the first time in twelve years.

Working families also showed up in force to re-elect sitting Democratic governors such as Jennifer Granholm in Michigan, Kathleen Sebelius in Kansas, Ed Rendell in Pennsylvania and Jim Doyle in Wisconsin.

Union members and working families everywhere spoke loud and clear – they are ready for changes that will improve their day-to-day lives.

According to polling done for the IAM prior to the election, working Americans want governors to focus on basicpocket book issues, including more jobs, lower utility bills and insurance rates, a decent commute and educational equity. For governors elected and re-elected on November 7 – focusing on these issues will ensure the support of working families for years to come.

Solidarity Pays Off at Rolls-Royce Canada

Persistence and determination paid off for members of Local 869 in Montreal, Canada with a new four-year agreement at Rolls-Royce Canada Limited.

The agreement provides wage increases of 3 percent in the first year, 3 percent in the second year and 3.5 percent in each of the last two years. It also provides a shift premium increase of 15 cents per hour. Other agreement highlights include: increased Life insurance for retirees; increased routine dental coverage for employees and dependents; improved eye care coverage; improved drug coverage for retirees and preservation of the defined-benefit pension plan.

“The membership’s rejections of earlier company offers, plus a strong strike mandate and their support of the bargaining team made the difference,” said Local 869 President Carol Ogilvie.

The agreement also contains a Letter of Understanding in which the company agreed not to eliminate any position covered by the collective agreement during its lifetime.

Val Bourgeois Honored for 50 Years’ Service

Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie congratulates his predecessor, Val Bourgeois, on his 50 years as a member of the IAMAW. Bourgeois was presented with his 50-year membership pin and 50-year gold card at the Canadian Labour Congress 50th Anniversary Gala held in Ottawa in late October. Val Bourgeois served as Canadian General Vice President of the IAM from 1984 to 1995.

Interactive Features Highlight Day of Action Website

As preparations for the IAM’s May 17, 2007 Transportation Day of Action kicks into high gear, the IAM has launched a new Day of Action website, www.17MAY07.org. The new website contains the latest Day of Action details, including hotel information, pictures from previous events and videos.

Visitors to the new website can leave their comments to be viewed by others either through an interactive form or by calling an 800 number. IAM Local Lodges and other organizations can post details about their Day of Action plans for others to view in an effort to have groups coordinate their efforts.

Anyone who wants to receive Day of Action updates, needs questions answered or wants to volunteer their assistance can send an email to dayofaction@iamaw.org.