New York Local Delivers Help and Hope

Local Lodge 1580 President, left, and Communicator Tammy Ives delivered holiday gifts that were donated by local members to area charities.

Machinists at Local 1580 in Wellsville, NY, made the 2009 holiday season a memorable one by supporting The Salvation Army, ARC Children’s Home and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“The members at Local 1580 are a vital part of this community,” said District 65 Business Representative Ron Warner. “The idea began last year while they were in the midst of tough negotiations. The local ended up ratifying a three-year agreement with Dresser-Rand that restored many of the past sacrifices our members had made to keep the plant operating. They decided to build on that success this Christmas and to thank the people of Wellsville for their support during those tough negotiations.”

The lodge’s generous gift-giving was chronicled in the Wellsville Daily Reporter. Local 1580 President Chris Green and Communicator Tammy Ives reported that collection boxes were placed around the plant and workers quickly filled the boxes with food and toys. About 400 IAM members helped collect the donations, which were delivered to the three charities before Christmas.

“Local 1580 is what community service unionism is all about,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker, Jr. “Helping those who face uncertainty in these troubled times is at the core of the IAM motto, ‘Service to the Community.’”

While this is the first year the members took a collection such as this, it was clear from their enthusiasm that it wouldn’t be the last.

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