New union member Sheila Herbert, at podium, addresses the AFL-CIO Convention. The Convention honored the work of the SFO Organizing Project, a multi-union organizing effort at San Francisco Airport. Joining Herbert on stage, from left, Machinists Remy Bartolos and Laura Freeland, UFCW member Eddy Mallari, Teamster Tom Martin, and IAM President Tom Buffenbarger.

AFL-CIO Convention Honors SFO Organizing Project
Five newly-organized workers from the San Francisco Airport, including the IAM’s Remy Bartolos and Laura Freeland, were honored at the AFL-CIO’s National Convention. The five workers were part of more than 2,400 airport workers organized by the SFO Organizing Project.

“The SFO Organizing Project has brought real changes to us and thousands of others at the airport,” new OPEIU member Sheila Herbert told the convention. “Our voices are now heard.”

The San Francisco Labor Council and the San Mateo County Central Labor Council (SMCLC) received Union Cities Innovation Awards for their role in crafting this project. “This is the most successful multi-organizing drive in the nation,” said IAM member and SMCLC Secretary-Treasurer Shelly Kessler.

This mobile billboard is just one of the innovative ways the IAM is getting its message out to more than 5,000 unrepresented auto technicians in the Las Vegas area. The IAM’s new Automotive Department is using brochures, a website, and newspaper ads in its organizing campaign.

Las Vegas Auto Techs Targeted
The IAM’s new Automotive Department, led by Boysen Anderson, targeted 45 auto and truck dealerships in the Las Vegas area for an organizing campaign this Winter.

Using billboards, brochures, and newspaper ads, organizers are reaching out to more than 5,000 unrepresented auto technicians.

“The response has been great. Auto and truck technicians in Las Vegas make less than IAM-represented technicians in other cities,” said Anderson. “They deserve top pay and benefits. Joining the IAM is the best way to achieve them.”  
 

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Volunteers and family at Nino’s restaurant served more than 500,000 meals to workers at Ground Zero.

Nino’s Restaurant: Serving Workers at Ground Zero
On September 11, Nino Vendome closed his New York restaurant to paying customers and began offering cups of coffee and a place to sit to the police, fire and other rescue workers digging through the remains of the World Trade Towers just blocks away.

“They were numb,” said Nino. “Some of them were totally exhausted, falling asleep at the tables.”

Soon, Nino offered much more than coffee. Donations, food and volunteers came pouring in as the news spread that Nino’s was open 24-7 to anyone working at the Trade Center. His restaurant served free meals around the clock and sparked a community spirit to lift the exhausted and dust-covered rescue workers. With the help of Mama Vendome, wife Linda and 8,000 volunteers, Nino's dished up nearly 500,000 meals.

The IAM sent refrigerated trucks to store donated food. The New York Central Labor Council sent volunteers. “Jim Conigliaro, (District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative) worked here, too,” said Nino.

“The Machinists helped make this happen. When we first opened the doors, we didn’t know if we’d be here two days or a week,” said Nino.

In February, 2002, with money drying up and visitors down, Nino's closed its doors for good. A small kitchen staff will continue to supply about 1,000 meals per day to workers in the Ground Zero area.

“I wanted to continue this effort –– taking care of the people who put their lives on the line for us, treating them the way they deserve to be treated,” said Nino.

To view an IAM video of Nino’s at work, click on the IAM ‘Everyday Heroes’ video project at www.goiam.org. More information about Nino’s is available at www.ninos911.org.