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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Machinists Rally Iowa Union Members for Clinton

IP Buffenbarger addresses union members in Cedar Rapids, IA on the importance of getting out the vote.

Labor leaders from four of the nation’s largest trade unions were joined by former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for a full day of campaigning in Iowa on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Union members turned out in force for rallies on December 15 in Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids where IP Tom Buffenbarger delivered a speech urging members to consider a candidate’s seniority among their qualifications to be president.

“We all know about seniority,” said Buffenbarger, who noted that Sen. Clinton had nearly three times the experience in the Senate than her two closest rivals. “And before entering the Senate, Hillary Clinton did the graveyard shift, swing shift and day shift in the White House. Eight years – 2,920 days – in the most intense work site on earth.”

Buffenbarger was joined in Iowa by John Flynn, President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and Gerald McEntee, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

Following the rallies in Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs, the unions provided caucus training to ensure members take part and understand Iowa’s unique caucus system.

IAM Members Keep Families Connected at Vance AFB

IAM Local 898 members at the Vance Air Force Base Youth Center developed a way to let children at the Center stay more closely in touch with parents deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. From left: Nicole Elrod, Kim Winfield, Victoria Broder, Samantha Bryslan (front), Kathryn Betchan (back), Darrah Sims, Joel Bacon, James McFadden.

Being deployed overseas is tough on military families. Parents miss the everyday activities of their children’s lives that other families take for granted. IAM members of Local 898 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK operate the Base Youth Center that provides after-school and daycare support for Vance’s military families. They decided to do something special for parents deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. They found a way to let children videotape their activities and messages to send to far-away parents who get to see their children engaged in daily activities.

The Youth Center staff is part of the large group of IAM members at Vance AFB who run everything from the child-care center to training new pilots.

Local 898 and CSC, Trend Western and M1 companies are part of the IAM’s High Performance Work Organization (HPWO) Partnership program, making it easier for workers, like those at the Youth Center, to implement new ideas.

Wisconsin Workers Win Representation Rights

Members of District 121 organize to win at Spartech Plastics in Portage, WI

District 121 in Beaver Dam, WI, recently secured IAM representation rights for 81 production, inspection, maintenance and warehouse workers who manufacture engineered plastic sheeting and other materials at Spartech Plastics in Portage, WI.

“The in-plant organizing team was solid in their commitment to win IAM representation, which resulted in a greater than 2 to 1 vote in favor of joining our union,” said Midwest Territory GLR Steve Nickel. “Our members at Spartech want a voice in the workplace, a safe working environment, better wages, benefits and working conditions.”

Midwest Territory GVP Philip J. Gruber welcomed the new members and thanked everyone involved in the winning effort. “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of GLR Steve Nickel, GLR Bob Anderson, GLR Russ Wittkop, DBR Dan Hilbert, ADBR John Rolbiecki along with Apprentice Organizers Jan DeSmidt and Brian Jarvensivu. We congratulate our new members and welcome them into the IAM family.”

District 34 Machinists Salute the Troops

District 34 President, Chet Ellis (front) and District 34 ADBR, David Brandenburg, pack items donated by IAM members for troops serving overseas.

Members of District 34 in Columbus, OH, came through with shining colors recently when asked to participate in a Holiday Care Package Drive for servicemen and women stationed overseas. Their generosity filled 53 large boxes - weighing nearly 3,000 lbs. - all of which will be shipped to our troops overseas.

“Remembering our men and women in uniform is a holiday tradition that goes back many generations,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “I’m extremely proud of the IAM members here who made it their job to send a little bit of home to the troops serving overseas this year. I am certain their generosity will be appreciated.”

The appreciation was echoed by District 34 DBR Mike Hall, who thanked ADBR David Brandenburg, President Chet Ellis and District Communicator Mark Chema, who boxed the donations and helped put the finishing touches on a tremendous effort.

Big Win on Hawaii’s Big Island

A determined group of motor vehicle operators, ammunition handling clerks and warehouse specialists who work at the Pohakuloa Training Area in Hawaii, ignored a fierce anti-union campaign and voted overwhelmingly to join the IAM recently.

Western Territory GLR Maria Santiago-Lillis coordinated the drive and credited union-savvy workers for the win. “There were at least two workers in the group who were experienced stewards,” said Santiago-Lillis. “The solidarity in the group was awesome.”

The workers, who are employed by BAE Systems, have not seen a wage increase in four years and are seeking health insurance and pension improvements in addition to better wages.

“This is a great victory for the workers at BAE and hopefully this will inspire the workers at another BAE unit that Sister Lillis has been working with over the last few months,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson. “Congratulations to everyone who helped make this victory possible.”

Trade Deficit Jumps to $57 Billion

The U.S. trade deficit rose to $57.8 billion in October, up $700 million from September’s $57.1 billion gap, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. The trade deficit is now up to nearly $587 billion through the first ten months of the year.

The increasing trade deficit was fueled by rising oil prices as well as a record $25.9 billion trade deficit with China. Despite consumer concerns over the safety of Chinese-made products, there was an increase in imports of Chinese toys, games, sporting goods, home electronics, computers and telecommunications equipment. Further highlighting the U.S.’s flawed trade policy, the trade deficit with Mexico reached a new high of $7.5 billion in October.

Bush Denies Millions of Children Health Insurance - Again

President Bush last week denied millions of children health insurance for the second time by vetoing legislation reauthorizing and expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill would have expanded the program by $35 billion over the next five years, providing more than ten million low-income children with health insurance.

The Democratic-led Senate passed the legislation by a veto-proof margin, but the House fell just short of the two-thirds majority needed. The House will vote on January 23 whether to override the veto.

Despite broad bi-partisan support, Bush vetoed similar legislation in October. Without reauthorization, however, millions of children are facing a dim outlook. Twenty-one states will run out of money for children’s health insurance in the coming year, according to the Congressional Research Service. Nine of the twenty-one states are expected to exhaust their funds as soon as March, including Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

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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