The mission of the Strategic Resources Group is to help position the IAM for growth and increase the union’s capabilities of improving work-life and the standard of living for IAM members well into the next century. The Group provides support to IAMAW officers, field representatives, and organizers through research, analysis, and strategic advice on a wide variety of topics.
As a vital resource to our leadership and headquarters’ departments, the Group’s primary responsibilities include maintaining a comprehensive database of IAM collective bargaining agreements; providing accurate and timely analysis in support of bargaining, organizing, and legislative initiatives; and participating in the development of strategic approaches to complex problems facing our members.
Our Research Economists and Research Analysts handle over 700 requests each year from IAM field representatives and headquarters staff. Research Economists Peter Greenberg, Gwendolyn Camp, Tazewell Hurst, and Ilana Boivie handle a wide variety of information requests mostly dealing with organizing, collective bargaining, as well as healthcare and retirement benefits. The Economists also provide on-site support to negotiations and deliver various programs and workshops to field staff.
David White, our Director, has participated in a number of negotiations since joining the IAM’s Strategic Resources Department and also teaches sections of various programs at the IAM’s Education and Training Facility.
Strategic Resources also designs surveys of the membership and potential members. We provide an analysis of the survey results mostly covering priorities in bargaining and organizing. Our Research Analyst, Teresa Canning, is in charge of our survey program in addition to providing assistance in maintaining our database of IAM collective bargaining agreements and providing valuable organizing research to our field representatives. Teresa has worked for the IAM for many years and brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her job. Our Research Analyst, Barry Eveland, also provides essential research to our representatives.
Our dedicated office support team — Kristen Goble and Amanda Baptiste — provide support in maintaining the IAM contract database along with essential support to the Director, Research Economists, and Analysts.
Taken together, under the direction of David White, the Strategic Resources team provides essential services to IAM field representatives on a daily basis.
