Pension Relief Bill Clears Congress In an overdue victory for recession ravaged airline workers, the Senate passed legislation today that protects the pension plans of more than 100,000 transportation workers. The Pension Stability Act, already approved by the House, awaits the President’s signature. “Without this legislation, struggling airlines could be forced by investors to terminate pension plans to escape or avoid bankruptcy,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “I credit the thousands of airline and non-airline workers who contacted their representatives and demanded action to protect these hard-won retirement benefits.” The Senate voted by a 78-19 margin to approve the establishment of a two-year recovery period where companies with under funded plans would not be required to make 100 percent of the additional contributions required by current law. The additional contributions, called deficit reduction contributions, could force solvent companies into bankruptcy or encourage companies to dissolve otherwise healthy pension plans in order to exit bankruptcy. “This measure protects employees’ pensions in an industry that is struggling to overcome the worst travel recession in our nation’s history,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “We commend Congress for taking this step and we encourage the President to sign this bill without delay.”
Air Transport
Districts to Merge
The restructuring will
include the disbanding of District 141-M
and the addition of 6,300 former 141-M members from US Airways, Piedmont
Airlines, PSA, Air Wisconsin, Air BP, Signature Flight Support, and Allied
Aviation into District 142. "The District Lodge 141-M Executive Board and Grand Lodge Representatives worked diligently to develop a plan that would allow District Lodge 141-M to remain independent," said GVP Robert Roach, Jr. "However, there are simply insufficient members remaining to sustain a District Lodge that would be able to provide the level of representation IAM members deserve. Therefore, the difficult decision was made to disband District Lodge 141-M."
Shipyard
Workers Rip DoD Tactics “This is my country, my shipyard, my future and your future, and you all need to get on the phone and let your freakin’ elected officials know that they work for us!” exclaimed one shipyard worker in a local newspaper article. The workers and union leaders gathered in the shadow of the giant shipyard to mobilize opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act. The Act, passed by Congress last year, authorizes modification to personnel rules governing civilian government employees. “This legislation strips workers of their most basic rights,” said Frank Carelli, Jr., IAM Government Employees Dept. Director, “including overtime pay, collective bargaining, layoff procedures, seniority rights and pay protections.” Union members at the rally angrily rejected claims by DoD officials that collective bargaining and union membership is somehow at odds with Homeland Security. “Many of these men and women have given a lifetime of service to their country and their union,” said Carelli. “You won’t find more patriotic or harder working Americans anywhere.” Click here to tell Congress to stop the un-American assault on government workers’ rights.
Precision
Infrastructure Goes IAM The Organizing Department’s Ken Walsh and Steve Hantzis thanked District 12 Business Rep Rick Compher and DBR Vickie Fultonberger for their help in bringing 10 new members into the IAM. Marcia Parkes, a logistics specialist, said of the IAM victory, "I believe the union will give us a voice in the workplace that we didn't have before."
District 837
to Hold Strike Authorization Vote The vote represents an important step in a negotiating process that began on March 15, 2004, when Union Negotiators began sub-committee meetings with Boeing representatives. Main table negotiations are set to begin on April 26, 2004. “In addition to official notification purposes, this vote will serve notice to the Boeing Company that our members stand united with their elected officials and expect a fair and equitable contract offer,” declared Rick Smith, President and Directing Business Representative for the IAM members employed at Boeing-St. Louis.
Eastern
Territory Brings in New Members
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