Education Rep. Henry Bagwell leads discussion during a new class to enhance leadership skills for IAM members associated with Metal & Atomic Trades Councils.
IAM local lodge officers who are associated with Metal & Atomic Trades Councils recently attended a new class at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center that was specially developed to provide the skills needed to take more active roles in their Councils.
“This is the start of building an ongoing leadership corps at Metal & Atomic Trades Councils,” said Winpisinger Center Education Representative Henry Bagwell, who coordinated the course with the Collective Bargaining, Federal Employees and other Departments at IAM Headquarters.
Worksites covered by with Metal & Atomic Trades Councils have unique issues because many of the work groups are represented by different international unions and must bargain together with employers. IAM officers and Business Representatives from government sites, refineries, chemical manufactures and shipyards worked together at the Winpisinger Center to develop strategic plans to use in their locations. “This course gives our locals a good foundation to become more pro-active in the Councils to improve IAM members’ representation,” said IAM Collective Bargaining Coordinator Jim Price who helped teach the class.
“It is imperative that IAM leaders and members communicate within the Metal & Atomic Trades Councils,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, who asked the Winpisinger Center and IAM Headquarters staff to develop training for IAM leaders in these Councils. “I want to thank Winpisinger Center Director Chris Wagoner and his staff for developing and delivering the education and training for our current Council leaders and our future Council leaders and members. We look forward to more members attending these types of sessions in the future.”
