Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Air Force One Fuelers Vote IAM

The team of fuelers and support personnel who keep Air Force One and a fleet of VIP government jets gassed up and ready to go voted overwhelmingly for IAM representation following a successful organizing campaign.

The 86 highly-skilled technicians work at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. and are employed by Trend Western, a private contractor providing a variety of services to the U.S. Air Force.

“The men and women in this unit are without equal when it comes to the training they receive and the professionalism they bring to their jobs,” said Steve Hantzis, IAM Grand Lodge Representative who coordinated the drive.

“Many of them have a military background, and as you might imagine, some hold the highest security clearance imaginable. It’s a real honor to welcome them into the IAM.”

“The main reason we went with the IAM was to have a voice at the level where decisions are made,” said Bill Moody, a Fuels Distribution Specialist. “After three years without a cost-of-living increase, we knew we needed representation.”

Negotiations for a first contract will begin immediately under provisions of the Service Contract Act. The new members will belong to IAM Local 193 in Suitland, MD.

Race Based Social Security Benefits?

The powerful GOP leader of the House Ways and Means Committee stunned television viewers this weekend when he suggested a person’s race and sex might be used to determine the level and duration of their Social Security benefits.

“We also need to examine, frankly, …the question of race, in terms of how many years of retirement do you get based upon your race. And you ought not to just leave gender off the table, because that would be a factor,” said Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA) in an interview with Tim Russert on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The bombshell by Thomas came as the Bush administration continues its full court press to build support for radical changes to the Social Security system. Without providing details, the President’s plan calls for partial privatization of the retirement program, a move that will add as much as $2 trillion to the federal deficit and lead to sweeping benefit cuts for future retirees.

“In his eagerness to turn the Social Security system into a gold mine for Wall Street investment houses, the President is opening the door to individuals and groups who would dismantle the program altogether,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Rep. Thomas’s views on race-based Social Security benefits represent a new low in the debate over changes to the Social Security system.”

Machinists at US Airways Ratify Contracts

IAM-represented members at US Airways voted to accept new agreements that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in annual cost savings to the bankrupt airline. The groups include Fleet Service workers, Mechanic & Related employees and Maintenance Training Specialists who voted under the threat of a bankruptcy court ruling that would have terminated labor contracts if the company’s offers were rejected.

“ US Airways’ management must utilize the advantage our members have provided, not squander it as they have done in the past,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “The company has everything it needs from labor to succeed. The pressure is now on management to deliver.”

If approved by the judge overseeing US Airways’ bankruptcy restructuring, the new terms will be incorporated into current collective bargaining agreements between the IAM and US Airways. The earlier 1113c order to dissolve contracts at US Airways will be set aside and superseded by the new agreements.

“The vote came down to choosing between bad and worse,” said William O’Driscoll, President of IAM District 142, representing US Airways’ Mechanic & Related and Maintenance Training Specialists. “Let their decision end the debate about our members’ commitment to US Airways.”

For information about the agreement between the IAM at US Airways, visit the District 141 and District 142 websites.

IAM Files to Represent North Carolina Tobacco Workers

Supported by authorization cards from a solid majority of employees at Reynolds American Tobacco Co., in Winston-Salem, NC, the IAM filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to represent the company’s production and maintenance workers. Following a formal NLRB investigation, an election will be scheduled unless the company agrees to voluntarily recognize the IAM as the employees’ representative.

“The employees at Reynolds American want union representation,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, who called on the company to honor the workers’ legal right to form a union “This company has an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a productive and professional relationship for years to come, however, we are prepared to use every resource to ensure these workers’ rights are fully protected.”

The IAM has a long history and a solid reputation representing tobacco workers at locations in North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky. The IAM established a website to support the organizing campaign at Reynolds American.

Take Action to Oppose Federal Tax on Rail Workers

The National Mediation Board (NMB) is proposing to impose filing fees for Railroad arbitration services, a move that amounts to a federal tax on a rail worker’s right to speak out on critical workplace issues. The proposal is contrary to the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and would unfairly tilt the balance of labor relations in favor of the railroad.

Under the proposal, the fees for a claim, from initial docketing through arbitration, would be a minimum of $75 and as high as $350. The fees would mostly, if not exclusively, fall on workers. Rail companies can take actions that are contrary to the collective bargaining agreement without going through any arbitration process. If workers object, their only recourse is to file a claim and eventually arbitrate.

All IAM members are asked to call, write, email and visit their Senators and House Representative to step in and urge the NMB to withdraw this proposal and to allow the parties - labor and management - to work cooperatively to address any problems with the current arbitration process.

Background information, talking points and a sample letter that can be emailed directly to Congress is available in the Transportation section of the IAM website.