West Coast Retirees on the Move!

Retirees on the west coast have been very active attending rallies in San Diego and Los Angeles, celebrating the 76th birthday of Social Security, the 46th anniversary of Medicare and encouraging Senator Dianne Feinstein to get on board protecting these vital programs.  Additionally, retiree meetings were held in Long Beach and at the California Alliance for Retired Americans.  Over 150 retirees participated in the various events. General Vice President Gary Allen and Retirees Department Director Charlie Micallef attended several events along with retired Aerospace Coordinator Frank Santos and current Grand Lodge Representative Claudio Figueroa.  Also active in the rallies were Wayne Ihrig, President of the William L. Curtis Retirees Club, and Retiree Joe Reilly.  For pictures, click the read more button below . . .

Fighting for Social Security Benefits

The Alliance for Retired Americans joined other labor advocates on Capitol Hill to tell Congressional staffers why Social Security should be saved from government budget cuts!

Trail Blazing on the West Coast

Retirees, Community and Membership Services Department Director Charlie Micallef re-energized retirees beginning in Ohio then traveling to the West Coast:  Las Vegas, Nevada; Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernadino, California; Seattle, Washington and back to the Midwest - - Chicago, Illinois, between May 4-21, 2011.  Several new retiree clubs were initiated.  To see pictures from Charlie's visit, click on the read more link below.

Answering the Call

May 2, 2011 - Each time Congress cuts the budget, a social program usually suffers.  For the Machinists and the labor movement, that means, if you aren't already doing so it's time to step up and answer the call of community service.

IAM Honors Retired Activists

If the labor movement in America has a “greatest generation,” then retired IAM members John Capobianco and Dick Cummings deserve to be in its forward ranks, decorated with respect and appreciation for the decades of service they have given to the cause.

Retirees Participate in April 4 “We Are One” Rallies

IAMAW retirees marched with other labor, civil rights and environmental groups to stand with working people in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr and countless other activists to support good jobs, a fair economy, workers’ rights, and responsible corporate behavior.

Cheerfully waving their “Proud to be Union” and “Collective Bargaining Works for My Family” signs, the retirees did not let the warm weather or physical maladies keep them from their important mission!

Click on the We Are One Video, or the read more button below to see pictures . . .

We Are One Video

 

April 3-8, 2011 Retirees Education & Strategy Session

During a week-long class, IAMAW retirees gathered at the William W. Winpisinger (W3) Center to rally, strategize, mentor and lobby. 

The session began with an invigorating rally in Washington DC where our seasoned members showed their solidarity with working people all over the world.  To follow were discussions at the W3 center regarding the right way to fix Social Security and Medicare, as well as the importance of our veteran union brothers and sisters in organizing new members. 

The experienced retirees took time out of their busy schedule to mentor Aviation High School students attending a W3 class.  On Wednesday, our valuable retirees went back to Washington DC to lobby their Congressional Representatives on topics important to everyone. 

Recognizing the significance of older populations, Law Professor Alexey Dolzhikov traveled all the way from Siberia to visit the retirees with Rich Fiesta, Director of Government Affairs for the Alliance of Retired Americans.  Alexey is studying retiree influence on America and how to make it a part of Russian democracy. 

After a successful, busy week our helpful retirees returned home to carry out their vital work locally.

For pictures, click on the read more button below . . .

 

IAM Retirees Helping Those Who Are Less Fortunate

US Airways retiree, Tom McCormack, and the IAMAW Potomac Air Lodge Pittsburgh Retirees’ Club help the less fortunate in Panama.  They collect and distribute items that are simply discarded in the United States, but that are desperately needed by the poor in Panama. 

In Memoriam

In honor of our brothers who have passed away, but gave so selflessly for the IAM, Retirees Department and the Labor Movement . . .

IAM Retiree Continuing to Fight the Good Fight

Brother Mike Aupperle still fighting for worker rights . . .

Retirees' Education and Strategy Session

The Retirees, Community and Membership Services Department holds Retiree Education and Strategy Sessions at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Southern Maryland.  The first session ran from February 27 through March 4, 2011.  The second session ran from April 3-8, 2011.  During the class, retiree coordinators assist in preparing an education program.  Additionally, participants plan future agendas for the Retirees' Department, as well as prepare and establish Retiree Assistance Programs. For pictures, see the click more button below . . .

2010 Retirees Conference

September 24, 2010

IAM Retirees Gear up to Defend Social Security

More than 1,000 IAM retirees took part in the 5th IAM Retirees’ Conference in Las Vegas, NV, where speaker after speaker urged the delegates to mobilize for the political battle to save Social Security. 

IAM Fights - and Wins - for Raytheon Retirees

Courtroom experience and a legally-binding IAM contract combined to bring a multi-million dollar legal victory for the retirees in Local 933 who formerly worked for Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ.

Florida Statewide IAMAW Retirees' Meeting in Cocoa Beach

This year's annual Florida statewide meeting was held on April 11-12, 2011 at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach. 

Last year, approximately 65 retired IAM members gathered in Cocoa Beach, Florida, for an annual statewide meeting. Participants discussed a variety of important issues such as finances, legislative, insurance and health care.  They were treated to great food at a barbeque lunch while enjoing a hotrod show and the shuttle launch! Click on read more below to see pictures . . .

Ohio Local 912 Honors Longtime Members

IAM Aircraft Engine Lodge 912 in Cincinnati, OH, held its annual Awards and Dinner Meeting last week, honoring 183 retired members who represented more than 5,000 years of combined service and solidarity.

IAM Retirees Demand Real Health Care Reform

Dozens of IAM retirees marched on Capitol Hill last week, calling for health care reform that includes a robust public option without a tax on benefits.

IAM Retirees Demand Real Health Care Reform

Dozens of IAM retirees marched on Capitol Hill last week, calling for health care reform that includes a robust public option without a tax on benefits.

Community Services and Retirees Newsletters

Looking to set the course for the IAM Retirees Department for 2009 and beyond, a small group of IAM retirees joined me in Foxwoods, CT this past February for an extensive strategy session. The group discussed mobilization efforts, issues impacting IAM retirees, ways to bridge the gap between retirees and younger generations and the 5th International Retirees’ Conference.

The Alliance for Retired Americans

The Alliance for Retired Americans is a grassroots organization founded in 2001, which brings together three million Americans from Labor and Community, together fighting for economic and social justice for our nation’s retirees and their families. There are currently 25 state chapters.