IAM Hits Back Against Company Lockout

Claiming economic hardship, Alaska Airlines locked out its 472 Ramp and Stores employees in Seattle last week and contracted the work to a ground services firm. The move came only a day after Alaska Airlines management assured IAM negotiators the company wanted to continue contract talks.

The IAM immediately filed suit to prevent the company’s move. There will be a hearing on June 2 in U.S. District court in Seattle.

The lockout galvanized the 3,500 IAM-represented employees at the airline, as well as flight attendants and pilots. While hundreds rallied outside the airline’s shareholders meeting, dozens more were inside letting shareholders know how the airline’s actions were affecting the employees. This was followed by an all-day picket of company headquarters.

There has been a groundswell of community support for locked-out employees. Representative Adam Smith (D) told the company he was “disappointed” with the lockout and called on Alaska Airlines to reopen negotiations with the IAM.

“I believe the issues that were being negotiated – including higher wages, affordable benefits and basic worker rights – are very important issues for the American workforce,” Smith said.

There has also been negative public reaction to Alaska Airlines as inexperienced replacement employees have lost luggage and caused flights to be cancelled.

“As airline employees, our mission is to provide safe, comfortable and convenient travel for our passengers,” said District 143 President Robert DePace. “Alaska Airlines shortsighted policies are preventing us from fulfilling that mission.”

District 143 represents Alaska Airlines’ 952 Ramp Service and Stores employees. Alaska Airlines’ 2,600 IAM-represented Customer Service Agents are in separate negotiations with the company.

Russ McGarry to Retire, Tom O’Heron New Collective Bargaining Director

Veteren IAM member Russ McGarry, director of IAM’s Collective Bargaining Department, announced his retirement effective August 1, 2005. IAM President Tom Buffenbarger has appointed Tom O’Heron, District 66 Directing Business Representative, as the new Director.

“Russ McGarry dedicated his life to the IAM and its members, from the front lines at Eastern Airlines to fighting for our members at the bargaining table,” said Buffenbarger. “All of us wish him a great retirement and the very best for the future.”

McGarry joined IAM Local 1894 in 1965 as a sheet metal mechanic for Eastern Air Lines at New York’s JFK Airport. He transferred to Local 702 in Miami in 1968 where he held numerous leadership posts. In 1983, McGarry was elected as Vice President of District Lodge 100 in Miami and then Vice President and General Chairman in 1986.

In 1989, McGarry served as the IAM National Strike Coordinator during the legendary Eastern Air Lines strike against corporate pirate Frank Lorenzo. After the strike ended in 1990, McGarry joined the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Department. McGarry returned to IAM Headquarters in 1997 where he served as a Coordinator in the Collective Bargaining Department. He became director in 2002.

Tom O’Heron will succeed McGarry as Collective Bargaining Department Director.

O’Heron joined Local 21 in 1979 at the Trane Company in La Crosse, WI. “Tom O’Heron brings a lot of negotiating skills to his new position as Collective Bargaining Department Director,” said Buffenbarger. “He will do a great job for our members and we welcome him to IAM Headquarters.”

After holding many positions in Lodge No. 21, including Shop Steward, Chief Steward, Shop Committee Representative and the Shop Committee Chairman, through 1996, O’Heron was elected Directing Business Representative for District Lodge 66 and re-elected in 2001.

O’Heron has attended many of the training classes held at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI.

He is a member of the Wisconsin State Machinist Council Executive Board, Local United Way Executive Board and Workforce Development Board.

Bush’s Economy: Low Wages, High Profits

A new study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities http://www.cbpp.org/4-21-05inc.htm shows the true priorities of the Bush Administration. Since the so-called economic recovery started in late 2001, the share of national income growth going to wages and salaries is lower than any comparable period since World War II, but the share of real income growth going to corporate profits is the highest.

In other recoveries since World War II, an average of 49 percent of the increase in national income went to wages and salaries. Under President Bush, only 23 percent of the gain in national income went to wages and salaries. Corporations, however, have enjoyed unprecedented prosperity. Their share of national income skyrocketed to 44 percent, more than double the average of 18 percent gains made in previous recoveries.

For American families, this is the worst increase in income since 1929, when these types of records were first kept. Corporate after-tax profits, however, are at their largest share since 1929. The high after-tax profits reflect the large gain in before tax profits and a significant drop in corporate tax rates that accelerated under President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress.

A Nuclear Option

The anti-filibuster debate is heating up on Capitol Hill. The question comes down to: will the GOP go nuclear to protect Judge Brown?

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown and has sent her nomination to the full Senate for their approval.

Justice Brown’s rulings have been a threat to workers, women and minorities. In the case of Peatros vs. Bank of America she ruled that a 135 year-old law allowed banks to discriminate against employees on the basis of race and age, contrary to federal rulings making such discrimination illegal based on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Justice Brown ruled that firing disabled workers did not violate a California law prohibiting the termination of workers in accordance with well-established, significant, and fundamental public policies. And in the case of Richards vs. CH2M Hill, Inc., she ruled there was no legal recourse for a disabled worker whose employer would not reasonably accommodate her disability.

Justice Brown took a stand against workers eligibility for the state’s retirement system and wrote the only dissenting opinion in the case of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California vs. Superior Court of Los Angeles County that allowed workers into the retirement system.

Senate Approves Highway Bill

A majority of Senate Republicans joined Democrats to pass a six-year, $295 billion highway bill on Tuesday. The overwhelming 89-11 vote prompted the Bush Administration to repeat their warning they would veto any bill over $284 billion.

The bill, which lawmakers say will create 47,000 jobs for every $1 billion spent on highway construction, would build and repair highways, bridges and mass-transit systems. It would also improve traveling and safety conditions on the nation’s highways.

The Senate will now try and work out a compromise with the House, who passed a $284 billion bill in March. If a compromise is reached, the bill then moves to the President.

Union Endorsed Show To Preview On Outdoor Life Network