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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Reminder to Sign Free Choice Act Cards

Don’t forget to sign a card to support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the most important change to U.S. labor law in a generation. The card campaign is part of the AFL-CIO Million Member Mobilization to show the new president and Congress that there is widespread support among working men and women for stronger laws to protect the right to choose a union and stop unfair employer tactics against organizing and bargaining a first contract.

“Corporations and their allies are launching a major attack on the Employee Free Choice Act with misleading ads and divisive tactics,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “Union membership is the best way to preserve family-wage jobs and benefits and a right that every American should have free from employer intimidation.”

The Employee Free Choice Act had bipartisan support in the current Congress and passed in the House of Representatives but was blocked by a GOP filibuster in the Senate. Despite a strong campaign against unions by business interests, a majority of Americans still say they would join a union if they had the chance.

Employee Free Choice Act cards were sent to every IAM local and district lodge in the United States. Signed cards should be returned to local or district lodge representatives who will then forward them to their respective territory offices.

For information about the Employee Free Choice Act, including a fact sheet and other background information, click here.

To sign an online version of the AFL-CIO card, click here.

TCU Member in Florida Dies from Workplace Injury

Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Local 1908 member Alice Roth died November 14, 2008, from a brain hematoma, five days after suffering an on-the-job injury at the Walt Disney Old Port Royale Caribbean Beach Resort in Orlando, FL. Roth, 71, hit her head after a fall while working at the Resort’s concierge desk.

“This was a tragic incident,” said TCU Local 1908 Local Chairman Gary Lamboy. “All of us here at Local 1908 send our condolences to her family.”

Roth is survived by her son Gene H. Benson and daughter Katherine Roth Double; sisters Judith Bankus Cooper, Valerie York and Denise Bunny McDermott; and her grandchildren Alexander and Meghan Double.

Get Passports Now for 2009 Communications Conference

The 2009 Communications Conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sept. 13 - 16, 2009. While the official call for the conference will not be issued for several months, members interested in attending are reminded that a valid and current U.S. Passport is now required for all U.S. citizens traveling to and from Canada.

Passport applications are processed by the U.S. State Department and can take from several weeks to several months to process. Additional information, instructions and a passport application form are available at:http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

December 2008 Sister of the Month

Elizabeth Melara is the featured Sister of the Month for December. Melara has been an IAM member of Local 48 in Chicago, IL for nearly 11 years. In addition to her many duties at the local lodge, she is currently serving as the Educator for District 8.

Like so many union leaders, Melara was raised in a union family. Her father was an organizer in the 1940s. Following in his footsteps, Melara was instrumental in organizing her workplace, the municipal employees in the Village of Oak Park, IL.

To overcome the challenge of organizing a workplace with multiple shifts, Melara created an Advice to the Workers newsletter in which she penned the column “Ask Juanita.” In this column, Melara provided answers about union membership, dispelled rumors with facts and brought attention to all the anti-union scare tactics the company was using.

As the Educator for District 8, Melara’s talents are being put to good use. She encourages all her union sisters to get involved in their locals so issues pertaining to working women will have a voice and the attention they deserve. Melara is particularly thankful for the guidance and support she received from IAM union leaders with whom she has worked and adds that it is important to utilize any and all training and resources available.

The IAM Sister of the Month program spotlights the dedication and hard work of IAM sisters. To nominate someone in your lodge, download this form and submit it to the IAM Women's and Human Rights Department.

Place Order Now for 2009 IAM Calendar

Local and District Lodges can order bulk quantities of the 2009 IAM Calendar, featuring winners of the IAM Photo Contest. Calendars are an excellent way to showcase the IAM in the workplace. Also, two dollars from the sale of each calendar goes to the IAM-sponsored charity, Guide Dogs of America.

All Lodges that order 100 or more calendars get a price break from seven dollars to five dollars per calendar. For shipping before the holidays, orders must be received by December 18, 2008. Click here to download a bulk order form.

For individual calendar orders, click here to download an individual order form.

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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.

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