IAM Executive Council Sworn In
On
July 2, former International President George Kourpias administered the
oath of office to the IAM international president, general secretary-treasurer
and general vice presidents for new four-year terms. Also sworn in were
delegates to the AFL-CIO, Canadian Labour Congress, and Law Committee members."Today, we are celebrating," said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger in remarks following the ceremony. "We are celebrating our achievements during the past four years and we are celebrating the strength that allows us to set even greater goals for the next four years.
"When former IAM President George Kourpias commissioned the Blue Ribbon Commission more than four years ago, the members told us what they wanted done," said Buffenbarger. "They said they wanted results at the bargaining table; communication and education at the local lodge level and they wanted to see us organize like never before.
"We listened," said Buffenbarger. "We took action, and today this team of IAM leaders can stand before you and say: 'Together, we delivered.'" Buffenbarger cited positive changes in many IAM departments. "We created the Aerospace Department and remade the Collective Bargaining Department," said Buffenbarger. "The results for our members are some of the best aerospace and multi-employer contracts ever.
"Our Strategic Resources Department can also point to a record of results," said the newly reelected IAM president. "With a nationally recognized staff of economists, researchers and strategists, we can support contract bargaining with more technical expertise than ever before."
IAM organizing efforts also scored significant victories during the last four years. The IAM boasts an election win rate of more than 80 percent, including a high profile win for 19,000 new members at United Airlines.
"What are we going to do in the next four years?" asked Buffenbarger.
"We will continue to grow, to organize and bargain even harder," he said. "We're going to fight for even better contracts with job security, strong pensions and good health care for both active and retired members. We're going to fight hard because we know that's what it takes to turn the promises we make into the promises we keep."
Also sworn in at the ceremony were members of the Committee on Law: Robert Reynolds, Philip Zannella Jr., James Brown and Jean Leo Cote; Delegates to the AFL-CIO: Gene Cobbin, James Conigliaro and Shelley Kessler and the delegate to the Canadian Labour Congress, Angela Schira.
The new Executive Council named District 751 President and Directing Business Representative Mark Blondin to fill the Law Committee term of District 190 President and Directing Business Representative Mike Day, who recently passed away.
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