Tuesday, August 9, 2005


Social Security Snubs 70th Anniversary Celebration

The increasingly politicized Social Security Administration decided to ignore Social Security’s 70th anniversary on August 14, 2005, snubbing the program’s 70-year history of providing a secure retirement for America’s seniors.

Under previous administrations, the Social Security Administration used the 3rd, 25th, 33rd, 50th, 60th and 65th anniversaries of President Roosevelt’s signing of Social Security legislation as an opportunity to showcase the important services Social Security provides.

For the 60th anniversary, Social Security agencies across America held media events and produced historical exhibits to educate the public about Social Security programs. All Social Security mail went out with a special 60th anniversary postage cancellation and there were messages on the large electronic display in Times Square and on scoreboards at Yankee stadium and stadiums in Atlanta and Cincinnati.

“Ten years later you have apparently decided to ignore the 70 th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act,” said Witold Skwierczynski, President of National Council of SSA Field Operations Locals (AFGE) in a letter to JoAnne Barnhart, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

“Why would you ignore this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the Agency that you administer? Why would you fail to acknowledge the 70 years of great service that SSA employees have provided to the American public? Is the goal of the Administration to dismantle Social Security by privatizing it so compelling that you are ashamed of this birthday of the Agency?”

To participate in you own event to honor 70 years of Social Security, sign up at www.americansforsocialsecurity.com

Voting Rights Act Turns 40

Tens of thousands of civil rights activists and union members marched August 6 in Atlanta, Georgia to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), key provisions which are set to expire in 2007.

The law, signed in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, ended nearly a century of poll taxes, intimidation and other obstacles that limited African-Americans access to election places. The law also outlawed discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting.

If Congress fails to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act by August 6, 2007, key provisions preventing state and local interference in voting rights will expire. “No law that we now have on the books . . . can ensure the right to vote when local officials are determined to deny it,” said President Johnson. “It is wrong—deadly wrong-—to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country.”


Judge Awards $25,000 to IAM Member

IAM Local 788 member and steward Rick Saylors (left) was recently awarded more than $25,000 in wages and benefits after an arbitrator ruled he was wrongfully terminated from Interstate Brands Corporation in Lenexa, Kansas.

The arbitrator awarded Saylors, a fleet mechanic at IBC, back pay, insurance coverage and retirement benefits from the time of his termination on November 12, 2004, until his return to full time work on July 7, 2005, with no loss of seniority.

IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President James E. Brown praised Business Representative Mike Roepke and Local 778 saying, “Here is a great example of why IAM membership pays. This win clearly demonstrates the type of service and dedication our members deserve.”

Wal-Mart Woes Not Waning

Wal-Mart is attempting to soften their corrosive corporate image by announcing the opening of an eco-friendly Supercenter near Dallas, Texas. The conglomerate is hoping the store’s wind turbines, rain-harvesting ponds and bio-fuel recycling features will deflect criticism that Wal-Mart’s corporate strategy routinely devastates a community’s economic and social environment.

Continuing their five-year search to get into the banking business, Wal-Mart may have found an opening in Utah. The industrial bank will process the more than 140 million monthly credit, debit and electronic check payments from consumers.

The savings from recycling and industrial banking will no doubt be helpful in the lawsuits Wal-Mart faces. Wal-Mart is appealing the certification of the gender-discrimination class action lawsuit affecting 1.5 million women. In New York, Wal-Mart is also under scrutiny for possible violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Local 822 Adds Members in Illinois

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board recently certified that IAM Local 822 is the collective bargaining representative on behalf of 23 new members employed as drivers and maintenance employees at Liberty Community Unit School District #2 in Liberty, Illinois.

In addition, the IAM has petitioned for certification of the employee working within the Adams County Public Defenders office.

IAM Local 822 President Ross Miller enthusiastically welcomed our members at Liberty Community School District #2 saying, "We look forward to the opportunity to represent our new members to provide them with the working conditions and effective voice in the workplace they so richly deserve."

IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President James E. Brown proudly said, "The Local 822 leadership deserves praise for their hard work and dedication working along with Grand Lodge Representative Mike Woltz in their effort to grow our great union.”

‘Hometown Wedding’ Show to Air Updates

Thanks to all who helped IAM member Mike Dale’s son Mark and his fiancée Sara win NBC's annual "Today Show Throws a Hometown Wedding". Members can visit www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8544668/ for regular updates and additional information about the wedding.