Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Social Security Truth Truck Tour
(streaming | download)
In an effort to counter the Bush administration's push to privatize Social Security – the Alliance for Retired Americans is gearing up for the Social Security Truth Truck Tour.

Wal-Mart Pays $11 Million for Illegal Immigrant Workers
(streaming | download)
Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $11 million to settle federal charges for employing illegal immigrants to clean its stores.

Local Lodge 709 Ratifies Contract
(streaming | download)
Machinists from Local Lodge 709 in Marieta, GA voted overwhelmingly to accept a modified contract proposal from defense contractor Lockheed-Martin on Tuesday.

Social Security: Is there a problem?
(streaming | download)
Former Congresswoman, Barbara Kennelly, now the President of the National Committe to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, talks about the current social security system and how privatization could affect you.

Social Security: The Push For Privatization
(streaming | download)
Former Congresswoman, Barbara Kennelly, now the President of the National Committe to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, talks about why privatization of the current social security system is being pushed by the Bush Administration.

Textile Imports From China Jump
(streaming | download)
Textile imports to the United States from China increased drastically in January.

House At Work On Social Security
(streaming | download)
The House of Representatives began their work restructuring Social Security by holding a hearing on Wednesday, March 9th.

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IAM Mourns Former GVP L. Ross Mathews

L. Ross Mathews
1908-2005

It is with deep sadness and fond memories that the IAM reports the passing of L. Ross Mathews, retired General Vice President. Mathews died on March 24 at age 96.

Local 776-A member Ross Mathews began his career as an IAM member in 1943 working as a precision grinder operator in Ft. Worth Texas.

A rock solid Machinist who rose through the ranks, Mathews served his union in nearly every position possible before retiring as General Vice President for the Northeastern Territory in 1972.

“The Machinists Union was built by men such as Ross Mathews,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger. “His loyalty served as an inspiration for a generation of IAM members and his nearly 30-year record of service to this union warrants the thanks of every active and retired IAM member. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to every member of the Mathews family.”

Mathews maintained a lifelong commitment to membership education and stayed active after his retirement. He attended every Grand Lodge Convention since 1960 except in 2004. His trade union spirit infused the picket lines in 2002 when at age 93 he walked with striking Local 709 Machinists in Marietta, GA.

During his long career as an IAM representative, Mathews served in a variety of positions in Local 776-A and was District 776 Secretary-Treasurer before being named Special Representative in 1956. Four years later, in 1960, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer and in 1965 Mathews was elected resident General Vice President for IAM Headquarters. He took the reigns as GVP for the then Northeastern Territory in 1969.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 28 at:
Banks Funeral Home
210 North Main St.
Sylvester, GA 31791
(229-776-2055).

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to his daughters at:

Malissa Katze and Susan Leviton
9805 Huntcliff Trace
Atlanta, GA 30350

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that IAM members make contributions to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) on his behalf.

L. Ross Mathews, left, never stopped caring about IAM members. At age 93, he joined Local 709 members in Marietta, GA when they went on strike in 2002.

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China Dolls
Behind China's economic miracle is a stark reality of oppressive working conditions for millions of Chinese women and men.

IAM Election Report IAM members in the United States and Canada have reelected national leaders to four-year terms commencing July 1, 2005.

Break out the camera and take it to work. It's time for the IAM Photography Contest.

We want to take www.goiam.org to the next level as a tool for the membership. You can help by completing this short survey. We'll use your feedback to guide our planning for the new site.

See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers. Go to: IAM2005

With proposals based on labor’s strengths rather than weaknesses, the IAM has unveiled a seven-point strategy to help guide the debate over reform at the AFL-CIO. Take a look.

The 2005 IAM Calendar is now available. Send $7 to: IAM Calendar, 9000 Machinists Place,
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

Who cares about us? Check out the online edition of the 2004 IAM Journal.

The winners of the 2004 Newsletter & Website Contest.

Check out NewsBriefs, a regular online news service for IAM editors, webstewards & communicators. En Francais.

FlatRateTech is an organization “created for and by Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians solely to speak as one loud voice rather than 50,000 smaller voices.” according to their website The fast-growing site offers forums for Ford customers, technicians and dealers to exchange information.