Congress Keeps 767 Tanker Option Alive

Congress approved an alternative to the 767 leasing program which keeps the chance for the purchase of 767 tankers alive. The new plan, worked out by a House and Senate Conference Committee, appropriates $100 million to begin the purchase of up to 100 new tankers instead of the lease program. The Air Force needs new tankers to replace its 44-year old fleet that are seeing heavy use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The move may open up the purchase process to other bidders such as rival Airbus, but the conference committee inserted a clear message in their final report, saying “conferees strongly urge the Department of Defense to thoroughly consider the effects on the U.S. aircraft industrial base of any and all tanker replacement program alternatives.”

The final decision to purchase 767s must wait until a round of previously ordered studies on replacement alternatives is completed. Three of the five studies are done and the remaining two should be completed by the end of the year. Conferees did not approve language in the Senate version inserted by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that would have mandated a new round of studies.

“A majority in Congress sent a clear message that the Air Force needs these tankers today, not years from now,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “We must end the delays and get American workers started making the best aircraft for our men and women in the military.”

To send an Action Alert message to your Senators and Representative, go to the "Action Alerts and Advocacy" section of www.goiam.org and click on: “ Tell Congress to Support U.S. Jobs, Purchase 767 Tankers.”

Job Growth Remains Weak

Only 96,000 new jobs were created in September, the Labor Department reported on Friday - well below the 148,000 new jobs Wall Street economists had forecast.

The struggling manufacturing sector was hit especially hard last month, with 18,000 jobs lost. In addition, August’s job creation was revised downward from 144,000 to 128,000.

Friday’s report was the final jobs report before the November 2 presidential election and confirms President Bush’s record as the first president since Herbert Hoover to have a net job loss on his watch.

“The President does not seem to understand how many middle class families are being squeezed by falling incomes, and spiraling health care, tuition and energy costs. His version of economic success seems to be an economy that loses 1.6 million private sector jobs instead of losing 2.6 million private sector jobs,” Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry said in a press release.

Final Debate to Focus On Domestic Issues

The last of three presidential debates for the 2004 general election will be held at 9:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday October 13, 2004. The topic for the final debate is domestic policy.

“This election is about keeping and creating jobs in North America,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “George Bush has the worst jobs record since the Great Depression. John Kerry will fight for jobs. I urge every IAM member and their family to watch this last debate and remember that we want JOBS Worth Fighting For!”

Florida Members Devastated by Hurricanes

Southern Territory GVP Robert Martinez, left, meets with IAM members in Florida.

Florida has been battered by hurricane after hurricane this year, and IAM members have been among those hardest-hit. Southern Territory General Vice President Robert Martinez, Jr., accompanied by the IAM’s Community Services Director Maria Cordone, spent three days surveying the damage, talking to IAM members and employers, and finding ways to help.

“It’s unbelievable to see the devastation close up,” said GVP Martinez. “What struck me was how much the communities had come together. Although homes and material goods were destroyed, the human spirit and sense of community was inspiring. I would ask all of our members across America help our fellow unionists rebuild their lives here.”

“The damage runs the gamut of extreme to minimal,” said Sister Cordone. “The Pensacola area alone has 6,000 homes destroyed, and 12,900 unlivable.” They first visited Local Lodge 2777 at Pensacola Naval Air Station. “We have people living in cars, hotels, staying with family or friends, or have moved away. Folks need help.”

Martinez and Cordone also visited Local Lodge 2460, Armstrong Industries, where 15 members lost their homes. “The company has been very helpful, “ Cordone said. “They’ve given people time off, and gift certificates for building supplies.”

After visiting Orlando, the group is visiting the Cape Canaveral area. “What surprised me was when talking to people, no matter how hard they’ve been hit, they always said, ‘Others have been hit worse,’” said Cordone. Everyone was given information on FEMA, Red Cross, Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army.

Donations for Florida members can be sent to:

IAM Community Service Department
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772-2687

Kerry to Close Corporate Loopholes

The Kerry/Edwards campaign unveiled a three-part plan to put a stop to companies that outsource jobs and shelter their profits to avoid paying taxes.

Kerry’s plan includes creating a new Office of Offshore Tax Enforcement at the Treasury Department to investigate offshore corporate tax avoidance; closing loopholes that allow companies to avoid taxes by taking advantage of complicated international tax rules and eliminating special tax breaks that allow companies to be taxed the same whether they invest at home or overseas.

“I have a plan to build a stronger economy,” said Kerry. “When I’m president, we’ll stop rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas and we’ll start rewarding companies that create jobs here at home.”

The plan comes on the heels of a study by the journal Tax Notes that says profits for these companies has jumped 69 percent under Bush and has cost U.S. taxpayers at least $40 billion.