iMail for Thursday, October 23, 2008
October 23, 2008
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The results of the 2008 IAM Photo Contest are in and the winners are:
Jamy R. Kaiser, Local 52 won first place for his photo, pictured above, “Pantographing,” which depicts Paul Cerra engraving a steel hand stamp at Pannier Corporation, in Pittsburgh, PA. Second place goes to Ted Mazurek, of Local 688, for his photo “Hand Mig Welding a Snack Vending Machine” that shows Charles Wesbrook hand mig-welding a vending machine cabinet at Crane Merchandising Systems, St. Louis, MO, the last union vending machine maker in the U.S. Third place goes to Josh Posvancz, of Local Lodge W98, for his photo “Face of Our Union” that shows Lead Benchperson Mike Gamble preparing to work on a band saw at California Redwood Company in Korbel, CA.
Honorable Mention winners are Larry W. Wilson, District Lodge 70; Dave McWaters, Local Lodge 1788; Melissa Lyons, Local Lodge 175; Paul Ertel, Local Lodge 330; Bill McClister, Local Lodge 1484; Bart Schramm, Local Lodge 31; Larry M. Webb, Local Lodge 141; Frank L. Kammerer, Local Lodge 912 and Jim Stewart, Local Lodge 2323.
Winning photographs will be included in the 2009 IAM Calendar. Two dollars from each calendar sold is donated to Guide Dogs of America. Look for calendar order forms in the Fall 2008 IAM Journal or click here to download an individual order form.
“Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated,” said Communications Director Rick Sloan. “This is a great way to showcase the work our members do and to help a great cause, Guide Dogs of America.”
Click here to view the winning photos.
Nearly 130 workers at Sherwin Williams in Local Lodge 708 in Wichita, KS recently found out the value of a union contract after ratifying a new agreement. The workers manufacture all kinds of paint, from government camouflage paint to the base coat on Cessna Jets.
Union negotiators won a three-year agreement with absolutely no takeaways; annual raises of four, four and three percent; a one-dollar bump each year in the pension plan; an improved grievance procedure; increased sick leave; shift differential pay and better short-term disability pay.
“This is a great contract, and it shows how important unions are to protect and increase the earning power of workers, even in today’s environment,” said District 70 BR Steve Groom.
“This is what happens when people stand together,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “The workers at Sherwin Williams stood together, and negotiated a strong IAM contract. Congratulations to our members of Local 708.”
During an extraordinary career that included service as a medic during WW II, fighting for improved veteran’s health care and volunteering in every imaginable capacity during a 39-year career with the Letter Carriers, Jim “Snoz” Davis became known as someone you could always count on.
At an awards ceremony in Henderson, KY, Jim’s lifetime of service was honored with the Community Service Award from the AFL-CIO Tri-County Council of Labor. Among the speakers at the event was IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Warren Mart, who delivered the keynote address.
“When I think about all the things Jim Davis has done, and for how long he’s been doing them, it seems like we should be unveiling a statue or christening a ship,” said Mart, who was joined by Kentucky Democratic Senatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford, Kentucky Democratic House Candidate David Boswell and others who praised Davis for his long service to veterans, union members and their families.
Members of Local 1660 in Lachine, Quebec, who manufacture industrial gaskets and oil seals for Robco, Incorporated, have ratified a new five-year collective agreement with the company.
The new agreement, which is retroactive to February 1, 2008, includes wage increases of three percent each year, improvements to the grievance procedure and bereavement leave, increased meal allowances and an improved new hire pay rate.
“The membership put its full support behind the negotiating committee led by Oscar Moscayza and Alain Maseé,” said District 11 Business Representative Yves Raymond. “The membership rejected the first offer and made it clear they wanted improvements and the negotiating committee delivered those improvements.”
U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken was enthusiastically welcomed by members of District 77 and IAM Midwest Territory GVP Philip J. Gruber at a recent meeting of the Minnesota Council of Machinists. Franken reinforced his support for the Employee Free Choice Act, Health Care Reform and for rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Al Franken is a true champion for our values,” said Gruber.
The Minnesota Council members also gave a warm welcome to Ashwin Madia, who is the Democrat running for an open Congressional seat in the Minnesota 3rd District.
“This seat is really in play this year and we have a great chance to elect a new member of Congress who believes in our values,” said District 77 Directing Business Representative Don Yetman.” This seat has traditionally been a tough win, but now is turning into a Democratic area.” Madia addressed the conference and strongly supported the enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act and a whole host of issues important to working families.
