Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

N.C. Machinists - Obama's Team Wants Change
December 9, 2008 - Striking members of IAM LL W369 in North Carolina were in Washington, DC to attend a forum on Community, Faith, & Democracy.

A Green Recovery
December 5, 2008 - For some, it's hard to think about a greener tomorrow when families are having to choose today between paying the mortgage or putting food on the table. But many people believe that investing in a green recovery may help to solve America's current economic crisis.

Guide Dogs Diamond Anniversary
November 26, 2008 - The Guide Dogs of America celeberated its 60th Diamond Anniversary in Las Vegas last week.

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.

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IAM Leaders Meet with Obama Transition Team

General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr., and staff from the IAM Transportation, Legal, Legislative and Strategic Resources Departments met this week with members of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team at the headquarters of the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC.

GVP Roach shared his concerns about recent NMB rulings that eliminated union representation for workers without their consent. Roach also detailed examples of excessive carrier interference in union organizing campaigns and prolonged contract negotiations in air and rail industries.

“After eight years of anti-worker decisions, IAM members have high expectations for the mediation board under President Obama,” said Roach, who also addressed staffing at the board. “Beginning in 2009, we will have several major negotiations underway. The NMB must be properly staffed to ensure negotiations are not delayed due to a lack of mediators.”

An open seat on the three-member NMB is currently being filled by a temporary appointee named by President Bush. GVP Roach emphasized the importance of appointing someone who is fair toward employees and giving the board sufficient resources to protect workers. President-elect Obama’s Team indicated it could take more than six months after he takes office before the open seat is filled.

Mass Layoffs Underscore Recession’s Impact

You don’t have to be an economist to see the U.S. is gearing up for a significant number of layoffs, many of which are already underway. Companies everywhere – General Motors, Dow Chemical, and DuPont just to name a few – are downsizing and restructuring in the deepening recession.

While the November numbers have not yet been released, the latest from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 232,468 workers lost their jobs due to mass layoffs during the month of October – the highest figure for October since 2001. In the manufacturing sector alone, 87,403 people were laid off.

A mass layoff is defined as when 50 or more people file for unemployment insurance benefits against a single employer during a five-week period, regardless of duration. This does not include workers who lost their jobs due to a plant closing.

Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), employees do have rights. WARN protects workers, their families and communities by requiring employers provide 60 days notice before a mass layoff or plant closing. Collective bargaining agreements often provide additional protections in addition to WARN Act requirements.

Machinists File Suit Against Delta Air Lines

The IAM and District 143 filed a lawsuit this week in U.S. District Court to prevent Delta Air Lines from illegally moving forward with seniority integration plans until after there is a lawful representation election among the employees of Northwest and Delta.

The IAM lawsuit charges Delta with attempting to bypass the Railway Labor Act, which governs collective bargaining in the railway and airline industries, as part of Delta's campaign to eliminate union representation at the new combined carrier.

Before the parties can lawfully enter into negotiations over seniority integration, federal law requires certain procedures take place which include the National Mediation Board making a lawful determination as to what the proper crafts and classes are that will be integrated; finding that the two carriers are a single carrier for the affected crafts and classes and ordering representational elections. Only after this federally mandated procedure is complete and the IAM is certified to represent the combined crafts and classes can negotiations over seniority integration lawfully take place.

Specifically, the lawsuit charges Delta with interfering with employees' free choice of representatives; interfering with the IAM as the certified representative of Northwest employees; and undermining the IAM’s campaign to represent the employees of both Northwest and Delta. The suit also charges Delta with attempting to establish an illegal company-dominated union for purposes of the seniority integration process.

This lawsuit is part of the IAM’s ongoing effort to protect Northwest and Delta employees from Delta management's interference with employees choosing union protection at the combined carrier. The IAM currently represents more than 12,500 employees at Northwest Airlines. Additional information is posted at www.iam143.org.

The High Price of Doing Nothing

Over three million jobs could disappear if Congress and the White House fail to act and U.S. automakers are forced into bankruptcy. That’s according to a recent report released by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

The study lists possible job losses in each state, with the home of America’s auto industry poised to be hit the hardest. Michigan is projected to lose more than 400,000 jobs alone.

According to the EPI, when the wages from the auto sector dry up, an additional 576,700 to 2.1 million jobs supported by the spending of auto and related workers will also be lost.

Unfortunately, it gets worse. The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday employers slashed 533,000 jobs during the month of November – the highest in 34 years. The record number of jobs lost boosted the official unemployment rate to 6.7 percent.

“These numbers are shocking and paint a dismal picture for working families,” says IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, who sent letters to every member of the House and Senate, urging them to act without delay. “The time to act is now. We cannot allow the country’s three biggest automakers to fall and take the jobs and lives of workers, their families and the millions of others down with them.”

Click here to send a message to your Senators and Congressperson or use the toll-free number 877-331-1223 and urge them to pass legislation to save America’s auto industry and economy.

Winpisinger Biography Available

William W. Winpisinger, who was IAM International President from 1977 to 1988, is regarded as one of the most important figures in modern labor history. In addition to his stewardship of the IAM, “Wimpy” also sued OPEC for price fixing, helped establish the NFL Players Association, was one of the first civilians to ever use the internet, exposed big media’s bias against the labor movement and was instrumental in convincing Ted Kennedy to challenge Jimmy Carter for the Presidency.

A new biography of Winpisinger by Patrick S. Halley gives an in-depth look at the legendary labor leader known worldwide by his nickname, “Wimpy.” Critics have called it: “Well researched, elegantly written;” and “…a must read for anyone curious about both the life and times of an American original and the promise of a better life for all Americans;” and “A great history of the Machinists Union and the Labor Movement.” To order a copy of “Wimpy” (Booksurge Publishing, 2008), go to www.wimpybook.com, or visit www.Amazon.com.

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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
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.

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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