Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

United Airlines Forgets Its Roots
United Airlines has come up with a plan. It's going to pay its stockholders a special, one-time per share dividend to keep them coming back for more. But labor leaders wonder why United isn't worried about its employees coming back.

Behind the Candidates
November 27, 2007 - As the presidential election gets closer, you are going to see a lot more of the candidates. But sometimes it's the faces you don't see, like those of the candidate's economic advisors.

The Dogs Take Vegas
November 20, 2007 -More than sixty years ago a Machinist named Joseph Jones founded an organization called the Guide Dogs of America. Through his work he and countless others have given thousands of people the gift of sight.

U.S. Senators Hold Nominees Accountable
November 20, 2007 - The U.S. Senate's Labor Committee recently held a hearing on President Bush's nominees for two powerful positions at the Department Labor.

CAFTA Strikes El Salvador
November 9, 2007 - CAFTA was supposed to change the world. The promise was that this would increase the economies of many countries but workers from both sides of the continent agree, CAFTA didn't deliver.

Rally the Troops
November 9, 2007 - This Fall, the National Labor Relations Board has not been kind to workers in its decisions. The men and women of organized labor want the NLRB to know, they aren't going away quietly.

Hot Days Are Over!!!
November 5, 2007 - The IAM strike at the Kennedy Space Center is finally over! After nearly five months of walking the line, hundreds of Machinists are heading back to work.

Bridging the Gap: Part Two
November 2, 2007 - Last week we aird a story about the millions of Americans who work full time but because of low wages and no benefits, still can't make ends meet. This week, we bring you a story on ways organized labor can help close these income gaps.

2007 Automotive Conference: Thinking Outside the Box
October 30, 2007 - The last few decades have dramatically changed America's industrial landscape. The automotive field is no stranger to this new world. The challenge for the IAM is to harness this power by thinking outside of the box.

Bridging the Gap: Part One
October 26, 2007 - The middle class is caught in a trap. Although most work full time becasue of low wages and no benefits, millions of Americans still can't make ends meet.

NASA On Notice
October 19, 2007 - Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio took the floor in the US House of Representatives this week in support of the IAM workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Labor's Red Carpet
October 19, 2007 - For the past seven years, the DC Labor Film Fest has been celebrating workers around the world. Premiering at the American Fil Institute Theatre in Silver Spring, this event turns the Hollywood spotlight on what really matters.

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.

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Machinist to Lead Kentucky Labor Department

Kentucky Governor-elect Steve Beshear, center, introduces long-time IAM member and Kentucky State Rep. J.R. Gray, as new commissioner of the Department of Labor. Additional appointments include from left; Robert D. Vance, Secretary of the Enviornmental and Public Protection Cabinet; Marcheta L. Sparrow, Secretary of Kentucky Commerce Cabinet; Gray and Nikki Jackson, Seceratary of Personnel Cabinet. (Photo by Pablo Alcala Lexington Herald-Leader)

Kentucky’s Democratic Governor-elect Steve Beshear named IAM member J.R. Gray as the state’s new Commissioner of Labor. Gray is a retired Directing Business Representative (DBR) of District Lodge 154 in Calvert City, KY and has served 26 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, much of that time as Chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee.

Always a strong advocate for working families, Gray said he “looks forward to working with Governor Beshear to meet the many challenges of assuring Kentucky workers that safety and health, prevailing wage and other laws designed to protect workers are vigorously and fairly enforced and I will work for greater labor-management relations.”

Gray’s appointment is part of Governor Beshear’s pledge to make Kentucky’s government more responsive to the needs of working families. “This is a great appointment for the working men and women of Kentucky,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “J.R. Gray has a deep commitment to better the lives of working families and it has shown through in everything he has done in his outstanding career.”

Gray first joined the IAM in 1964 as a member of Local 1294 in Calvert City, KY. He was elected District Lodge 154 DBR in 1967. He was first elected to the Kentucky House in 1975 and served 26 of the next 32 years in public office. “J.R. Gray dedicated himself to looking out for working men and women,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “In the Kentucky House he fought for legislation that benefited workers, but just as important, he was a crucial ally to block bad legislation anti-labor interests were always trying to push through. Working families will have a true friend at Kentucky’s Labor Department.”

Presidential Board Opens Rail Hearings in Washington

Rail union leaders prepare to make their case at the Presidential Emergency Board hearing in Washington, DC. (Left to right) Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., TCU International President Bob Scardelletti, District 19 President Joe Duncan and TCU International Vice President Joel Parker.

Both sides in the long-running rail labor dispute filled the main hall of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., today for the opening session of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., TCU International President Robert Scardelletti and District 19 President Joe Duncan were among labor leaders representing nearly 15,000 Amtrak workers who have been without a new contract or a general wage increase for more than eight years.

The five-member PEB was announced by President Bush on November 28, 2007, suspending a 30-day countdown and triggering today’s hearings. Both sides have a day and a half to present their case to the board, which has 30-days to investigate and make recommendations to the President. After the board reports to the President, both sides have an additional 30-day cooling-off period to consider its recommendations. If no agreement is reached, the parties will be free to engage in self-help at the end of the second cooling-off period. The company can then lockout workers or impose employment terms and the union is free to strike.

“A key issue for all members is the length of time it takes to reach any agreement under the Railway Labor Act,” said GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Eight years without a general wage increase is outrageous. We are looking forward to presenting our case to the board.”

The IAM opened bargaining with Amtrak in December 1999 as part of a 15,000 member-strong labor coalition that includes the Transportation Communications Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Transport Workers Union. The coalition partners will make a unified presentation to the PEB.

Retroactive wage increases, work rule changes and employee contributions to health care premiums are among the contentious issues. The IAM represents 500 workers at a number of Amtrak facilities.

Job Security, Pensions Top New ATT Contract

Machinists working for Auto Truck Transport (ATT) have ratified a new three-year agreement, greatly heightening job security by securing language that stops outsourcing. The contract also provides an unprecedented three cents per mile increase, maintains the IAM pension plan, maintains current non-copay health care coverage and includes a right-to-strike clause if the company violates the contract.

“The IAM leadership and negotiating committee were determined to win a contract that protects our members’ health care, jobs and their families’ future by securing strong subcontracting language,” said Automotive Coordinator Boysen Anderson. “And we did.”

The contract covers IAM members working for ATT in Cleveland, NC; Mt. Holly, NC; Macungie, PA; Garland, TX; Laredo, TX; Springfield, OH; Portland, OR and Dublin, VA. The IAM represents nearly 1,700 employees at ATT.

Roughly 300 members at Greyhound also recently ratified a three-year contract, securing wage increases anywhere from 75 cents/hour and $1.50/hour, a $20,000 increase in tool insurance, guaranteed training for journeyman as well as maintaining the current IAM Pension Plan, New Annuity Plan and their current non-copay health care coverage. The contract will also bring in 100 new members next year by bringing back work that had previously been outsourced.

Labor College Hosts Global Organizing Summit

IAM President Tom Buffenbarger with General Secretary Anita Normark of the Building and Wood Workers' International, at the first-ever global union summit at the AFL-CIO National Labor College in Silver Spring, MD.

The National Labor College in Silver Spring, MD, was the site of the first ever global union summit on organizing and collective bargaining around the world. IAM President Tom Buffenbarger joined more than 200 union leaders from 63 countries at the NLC to discuss the challenges facing unions in the ever expanding global economy.

“Now more than ever, the global labor movement needs to come together to fight violations of human rights, including the fundamental right to organize and to engage in collective bargaining,” said IP Buffenbarger. “In almost every area, we are more effective when we coordinate our efforts.”

A recent example of combining political action with organizing is the successful campaign by Australian unions to change the nation’s leadership from a very anti-worker government to one that supports workers’ rights.

The opening day of the two-day summit took place on International Human Rights Day, December 10, and will be capped off with a forum on Capitol Hill titled, "Restoring Workers' Rights to Organize: Global Perspectives, Global Action.”

'Beyond Justice' Examines U.S. Labor Department

A new report concludes the Bush administration abused its regulatory authority as part of a sweeping effort to tarnish the reputation of the U.S. labor movement, while adding costly and confusing reporting requirements for local and international unions.

In ‘Beyond Justice,’ author Scott Lilly, says the Bush administration has funneled a significant amount of federal tax dollars into the department’s Office of Labor-Management Services to allow partisan political operatives to mislead the public and mischaracterize the published data regarding labor unions.

The report concludes: “There is ample evidence that in recent years the laws protecting the public against air and water pollution, workers against health and safety risks and consumers against unsafe foods, drugs, and commercial products have all been laxly enforced to the significant financial benefit of certain businesses and at the expense of those whose health and safety those laws were designed to protect.”

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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
Fall 2007

Choices!Americans can choose to register to vote or not, select a political party or remain independent; follow the campaigns closely or tune in later; switch off the debates or debate with friends over the merits of various candidates; and, finally, choose to cast a ballot or stay home.

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