Machinists Launch Continental Organizing Campaign

The IAM Transportation Department is launching a major campaign to organize more than 15,000 Fleet and Passenger Service Agents at Continental Airlines.

“IAM Flight Attendants at Continental recently negotiated an agreement that made them the highest paid in the industry,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “By contrast; Continental imposed pay cuts on non-union employees. When ground workers saw the terms we negotiated for the Flight Attendants, we were flooded with calls asking for our help to secure fairness on the job and a voice in their future.”

Continental Airlines has hubs in Houston, TX, Newark, NJ and Cleveland, OH. IAM District 142 represents the airline’s 8,300 Flight Attendants. Information about the campaign is available on the Continental organizing website at www.goiamnow.org.

Prescription for Federal Express Workers

FedEx contractor-drivers in 27 states (List of states) have filed 40 lawsuits seeking class action status as part of an effort to win reimbursement of expenses, overtime and benefits for 14,000 FedEx Ground contractor-drivers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. 

The litigation follows a ruling last year by a Superior Court judge in California who determined that FedEx should reclassify these contractors as employees.

The abuse of drivers at FedEx includes denying benefits under the Family Leave Act (FMLA) and the Employee Retirement Security Act (ERISA). Additionally, lawsuits filed by minority workers at FedEx charge that FedEx discriminates against minorities in compensation, promotion, and discipline. Click here for more information.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Regional Directors in New Jersey and Massachusetts has ruled that drivers for a FedEx are employees, not independent contractors. The NLRB determined that even though the drivers signed contracts agreeing to operate as independent contractors, they should be considered employees because they must adhere to the company's rules and regulations, do not exercise full control over work, compensation, training, or routes.

Bush Stuns Crowd at Town Hall Meeting

President Bush drew shocked gasps from a Town Hall meeting in Maryland when he told a questioner seeking help for her elderly mother under the President’s new prescription drug program: “Look, I'm not going to tell you your business, but I think it's your responsibility to help your mom,” said the President.

The response to Wendy Meyeroff’s question stunned the hand-picked crowd at Riderwood Village, a retirement community of 2,300 residents that straddles the border of Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland.

“The suggestion that adult children aren’t helping their parents with the confusing process of the new Medicare Part D Plan is outrageous,” said Maria Cordone, IAM Retirees and Community Services director. “Report after report shows adult children are spending a tremendous amount of time trying to help their parents navigate the utterly confusing Medicare Part D Plan. The confusion and difficulty surrounding the new drug plan is universal, it’s not just the elderly.”

Meyeroff also had asked the President to consider extending the May 15 deadline for registering for the new benefit without a penalty, but Bush refused.

Idaho Nuclear Workers Vote IAM

In a big organizing win for the Western Territory, technicians employed by Bechtel Bettis at the Nuclear Reactor Facility of the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, ID voted 132-71 to join the IAM.

Work schedules are a key concern for the technicians, according to GLR Mike Wardle who headed up the successful campaign. “These workers rotate shifts between days and nights, sometimes in the same week,” said Wardle. “They are determined to get a contract that will allow them to lead a normal life.”

“This is a great win for the IAM,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson. “These are highly skilled workers who deserve the respect that a quality IAM contract can deliver.  I am very proud of Mike Wardle, and all of the people who helped make this happen.”

Employee Free Choice Act Gains Momentum in Congress

Democrat Charlie Melancon (D-LA) and Republican John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) have both signed on as co-sponsors of the Employee Free Choice Act, bringing the total number of co-sponsors in the House to 212, only six members short of a majority. In the Senate, there are currently 42 co-sponsors, just nine short of a majority. Click here to send a message urging your representative to support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Local 1862 Ratifies New Contract

Members of Local 1862 in Milwaukee, WI overwhelmingly ratified a new six-year agreement with The Ladish Company last month, replacing a prior three year agreement which expired on February 26 th. 

The agreement includes wage increases of 17 percent over the life of the contract, pension improvements and stabilized health care costs for employees.

Members of Local 1862 also won incentives to build the workforce, currently dominated by veteran machinists. Workers who complete an apprenticeship program and continue to work for the company will receive an extra $4,800 from Ladish for each year, up to five years, after they successfully complete the program.

The workers at Ladish build highly engineered products for aerospace and industrial manufacturers around the globe and recently signed long-term agreements with Rolls Royce and General Electric for jet engine forgings.

The IAM currently represents about 232 workers at Ladish and is the largest of the seven unionized groups at the high-tech facility in Wisconsin. 

Watch Video: IAM Local 1862 Ratifies New Contract With Ladish

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