U.S. Factory Employment Drops Again

While the nation's payrolls grew by 146,000 jobs in June, manufacturing appears to have slunk back into negative territory, with job losses in all but two months since June of last year. Factory employment is down 2.7 million since the recession, with 1.6 million of these losses since November 2001.

As a share of total employment, manufacturing is now 10.7 percent, down 2.1 percentage points since the recession began.

The unemployment rate fell to 5.0 percent in June, but only because too many Americans have given up looking for work and taken themselves out of the job market. Many working families can no longer afford gasoline and groceries on wages that are being offered by many employers.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit continues to grow to record heights, further weakening the nation’s industrial base. Corporate profits have recovered, productivity is surging, but real wages are still stagnant and working families continue to rely on credit cards and loans to make ends meet.

“Americans cannot continue to live on borrowed money,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Our nation is on the wrong track economically."

"We must reverse the misguided policies that are undermining our economic security and put America back to work, producing more of what we consume and providing the good jobs we need to raise our families and build strong communities.”

Alaska Airlines: Last in Service, First in Greed

The U.S. Department of Transportation ranked Alaska Airlines dead last in on-time departures and arrivals following the company’s decision in May to replace 478 IAM-represented Ramp and Stores Agents in Seattle, Wshington with inexperienced, low-wage workers.

Alaska’s overall percentage of on-time flight operations dropped from 77 percent in April to less than 60 percent in May. The carrier also had the second worst record of cancelled flights. May’s mishandled baggage figure was 5.32 per 1,000 passengers, up from 3.31 in April.

Demonstrating the level of arrogance at the helm of Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, CEO Bill Ayer wrote a letter to employees bemoaning the company’s disastrous customer service, but failed completely to accept responsibility for the outsourcing decision that led to the operational meltdown.  

IAM Organizing Summit Set for October

The IAM Executive Council is calling for a three-day organizing Summit to be held in Chicago, Illinois on October 5-7 for local and district lodge presidents and organizing committee chairpersons. The Summit is designed to generate membership growth by promoting greater involvement in organizing activities by district and local lodges.

“Each and every district and local lodge should come prepared with real and actual organizing leads for organizing targets within your respective jurisdictions,” said IP Buffenbarger. “It is now this generation of IAM members’ challenge to again grow and secure the future of our great Union, just as our parents and grandparents did for us.”

The Organizing Summit will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601. Hotel reservations can be made by contacting the Hyatt Regency directly at 312-565-1234 or 1-800-233-1234. The cut-off date for reservations is September 15, 2005.

Iraq Vet Aims to Fight for Workers in Ohio

Paul Hackett, who won the democratic nomination to replace Congressman Rob Portman in the 2nd District of Ohio, recently visited with IAM members attending the Local 912 annual picnic. Paul will run in the special election to be held on August 2nd, 2005.

If elected, Hackett would be the first veteran of the Iraq war to serve in Congress. He is a Major in the United States Marine Corps and pledges to support worker rights and working family issues. Members and their families enjoyed a day of good food, games and prizes despite a few rain showers and flying water balloons.

The Eastern Territory office would like to thank Local Lodge 912 President Matt Louiso, his staff, and volunteers whose hard work made this picnic a huge success.

“With your dedication and good friends like Paul Hackett, working families will have a voice in the 2nd District of Ohio,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr.

Hasan Solomon Named Lawyer of the Year

IAM Legislative Representative Hasan Solomon was named the 2005 Young Lawyer of the Year by the Washington Bar Association (WBA) for “outstanding contributions to the legal community and to the WBA’s mission of “equal justice under the law.”

Hasan joined the IAM Legal Department as an Associate Counsel in 1999 and currently serves as a Legislative and Political Representative in the IAM’s Legislative and Political Action Department.

Among Hasan’s activities that led to the prestigious award were: labor liaison for the Maryland State Democratic Party; Executive Board member for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, DC Chapter; member of the advisory board for minority outreach programs for the AFL-CIO and coordinator for the election protection program in Philadelphia.

District 171 Wins $49,909 for IAM Activist

James F. Bowen is an active IAM member who has seen almost every aspect of his union contract tested in one way or another. The latest test, arbitration, was a difficult one but worth the wait.

Bowen was terminated February 6, 2004, from his position as a Heating/Cooling Operator for DynPar LLC located at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. In their investigation of the incident, the company failed to give the grievant any opportunity to present his side of the story.

“This case was very complex with several issues discussed, but in the end, justice prevailed,” said District 171 Directing Business Representative Jerry L. McCune, who teamed up with Business Representative Tony L. Bennett to arbitrate the case. The arbitrator reduced the termination to a 90-day suspension and awarded back pay and benefits totaling $49,909.94.

“This is a perfect example of what a strong union contract and commitment from the membership is worth,” said Bowen. “I am glad to get back to work and look forward to continued involvement in the IAM.”

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