U.S. Shipyard Fate Hangs in the Balance

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment aimed at blocking the Navy from implementing its controversial plan to force two of the nation's remaining shipyards to bid against one another to build the Navy's new DD(X) destroyers.

The amendment, introduced by Sen. Thad Cochran (D-MS), would bar the Navy from spending any money on its one-shipyard proposal. IAM members in Maine quickly welcomed the announcement. Lawmakers and workers in Mississippi are also opposed to the Navy's plan.

"There are many people who worked very hard to make this amendment possible," said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker, Jr. "Special thanks go to District 4 DBR Tony Provost, Special Representative Brian Bryant and the staff at District 4."

The Navy originally planned for the DD(X) work to be divided between Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS and Bath Iron Works in Maine. Earlier this year, however, the Navy said it would not divide the work and would hold a winner-take-all competition. The result of such a competition could cost thousands of jobs and doom the losing shipyard.

Tell Congress to defend U.S. workers against the Department of Defense proposal by going to www.goaim.org, click on "Action Alerts and Advocacy" and select "Defend Our Shipyards From Attack."

The President’s Propaganda Campaign

California Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) is calling for an investigation of President Bush’s campaign-like blitz to sell his Social Security privatization scheme. Rep. Waxman is charging the president’s “60 Cities in 60 Days” campaign “crossed the line from education to propaganda” and is costing millions in taxpayer dollars. Federal law prohibits spending any public funds for publicity or propaganda designed to support or defeat legislation pending in Congress.

Dozens of members of the Bush administration have taken part in 123 highly scripted events in 35 states so far. The invitation-only events are widely regarded as little more than infomercials to promote private investment accounts as alternatives to the current program’s guaranteed benefits. Last year, the GAO found the Bush administration illegally used taxpayer funds to produce propaganda regarding Bush’s flawed Medicare prescription dug bill. More recently, the Bush administration has been under fire for paying conservative columnists and writers to promote Bush policies and for releasing video press releases masquerading as legitimate news stories.

Machinists win Major Victory in Canada

In a precedent-setting decision, the Alberta Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of IAM Local 99 members in an outsourcing dispute that had the potential to eliminate 160 union jobs. The Board ruled that the Local 99 members have successor rights to work being shifted by their employer to a new facility.

"In a province where the government is noted for its antagonism toward unions, the labor relations board has made a courageous decision," said Bob MacKinnon, Local 99 President. "We've been vindicated, it's a great victory for the 160 members whose lives have been put through the wringer since last summer over this." The board ruled in the IAM’s favor after learning that Finning International financed and established a separate company with the intention of shifting the work away from its union-represented facility.

Arbitration Win Confirms Members Rights

IAM member Dewey McMillen knows the value of a union contract with due process rights and independent arbitration.

In January 2004, McMillen was terminated by American Synthetic Rubber Company following an incident for which he was previously disciplined. Additionally, the company conducted interviews in the course of its investigation and refused to allow a union steward to be present.

GLR Stephen Spain, with assistance from DBR Pat Maloney from District 27 in Louisville, Kentucky arbitrated the case. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the union by awarding brother McMillen all his lost back pay and seniority. After deducting for wages earned while being out of work, Brother McMillen received over $35,000 in back pay.

“Congratulations to Brother McMillen and brothers Spain and Maloney,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “This shows how important a strong IAM contract is. The win affirms the fundamental right of IAM members to have a union steward present in cases like this.”

Millions Call To Stop CAFTA

Millions of working people across the country called their representatives in Congress yesterday, urging them to oppose the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) during a National CAFTA Call-in Day that corresponded with two congressional CAFTA hearings.

The Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, drew pointed criticism from some members of the Senate at the hearing. The pact would eliminate barriers to trade between the United States and five Central American nations and the Dominican Republic, countries that have poor reputations for protecting workers' rights and the environment. President Bush has made CAFTA one of his top legislative priorities this year and is pushing for an early vote on the accord.

Of major concern about CAFTA is the threat to the U.S. sugar industry. It would set a precedent for other free-trade deals that the administration is negotiating, eventually flooding the U.S. sugar market by other nations. Speaking at the hearing Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) said, "You've just negotiated away another industry."

CAFTA is another version of the failed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Economic Policy Institute found that NAFTA trade deficits cost U.S. workers nearly 900,000 jobs and job opportunities through 2002.

The groups participating in the CAFTA call-in day include the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, Oxfam America, the National Family Farm Coalition, Jobs with Justice, United Students for Fair Trade, the Stop CAFTA Coalition, the Alliance for Responsible Trade, and many others.

Last Call For Basic Web Development

The deadline for signing up for the June 12-17, 2005, Basic Web Development school at the Winpisinger Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland has been extended to Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Those interested in attending the school, which provides all the tools needed to build or maintain a local or district lodge website should contact the IAM Communications Department immediately at 301-967-4520.