Noteworthy


« Contents

Guide Dogs Raise Record Amount
Individual donors, IAM members and businesses broke all fundraising records at the annual Guide Dogs of America (GDA) Fundraiser. Guide Dogs of America, started by an IAM member more than fifty years ago but now an independent charity, provides trained guide dogs at no charge to blind individuals.

"The show of support was astounding," said GDA President Jay Bormann. "We had record attendance and record donations at the dinner, the golf tournament and the 'Hawgs for Dawgs' Harley-Davidson fundraising ride. We couldn't operate Guide Dogs without the dedication and generosity of IAM members, companies and individuals who support our work."

Hundreds of IAM members and companies were on hand at the fundraiser to contribute money they had raised all year for GDA. IAM members sponsored numerous fundraising events in their communities and Harley-Davidson made a special three-year contribution. Harley CEO Jeff Bleustein made a sizeable personal donation

Delegates to the 2000 IAM Grand Lodge Convention marched on the San Francisco Marriott to help HERE Local 2 members negotiate a first contract. After six years of struggle, they recently won an agreement.

Marriott Workers Win Six Year Struggle
 It took six years of intense struggle, but workers at the San Francisco Marriott stood firm and won their first contract.

The victory took countless street demonstrations, boycotts, an appearance by Coretta Scott King and an arrest of AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. Even IAM delegates at the 2000 Grand Lodge Convention led a march to the hotel.

"This is a great victory for our brothers and sisters at the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 2," said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. "I'm proud our Convention delegates marched in solidarity with the Marriott workers."
 

Parkview Metal Products Employees Win $150,000
When Parkview Metal Products in Chicago, IL laid off ten senior employees after a successful organizing drive, IAM District 8 swung into action and won a settlement worth more than $150,000.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found that Parkview violated numerous labor laws and ordered the company to reinstate and "make whole" the ten IAM members. Parkview was also ordered not to threaten to layoff or discriminate against any employee for choosing union representation and to not make unilateral changes that would subcontract work or reduce overtime.

"Our new members held solid," said IAM District 8 Director Carl Gallman. "They got the IAM representation they wanted and they won a first contract with good wage increases in each year of the 3-year contract plus a first-year bonus."

"Believe in yourself and don't let anyone stop you doing anything. If you want to do something bad enough, you can do it," said Local 175 member Brian Riley.

Member Breaks World Records
 Local 175 member Brian Riley of Hanover, PA recently broke two world records for bench pressing at the IPA Bench Press Nationals. Riley pressed 605 pounds in his division. His goal is to bench press 700 pounds in competition.

Riley, 36, started lifting weights at age 14. He has his own gym and works out one half to three and a half hours each day. "You have to have a lot of persistence and heart," said Riley. "Believe in yourself and don't let anyone stop you doing anything. If you want to do something bad enough, you can do it."