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Tuesday June 17,
2003 “The IAM made major improvements in job security, health care and pensions, along with improvements in many other areas of the contract” said IAM Vice President Robert V. Thayer, who led the IAM bargaining team. Thayer credited a “united membership and a dedicated negotiating committee with bringing negotiations to a successful conclusion and winning a contract that we all can be proud of. Our members on the shop floor stood strongly behind this committee. They made the difference.” By a unanimous vote, the bargaining committee recommended that the agreement be adopted. Balloting will take place June 23-25.
Senate Committee Okays
Flawed Drug Bill Retired employees who receive prescription drug coverage from employers would not get any credit toward their out-of-pocket costs under the Grassley-Baucus plan. With the current formula for the $4,500 out-of-pocket threshold, employers would shoulder the full cost of prescription drugs for most retirees, creating a strong incentive to drop coverage altogether. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 37 percent of currently covered seniors will lose their prescription drug benefit. “The Grassley-Baucus bill is the wrong solution,” said IAM Retirees and Community Services Director Maria Cordone. “This bill is just a fig leaf to cover the real problems our seniors face paying for prescription drugs. We must demand that the Senate fix this legislation.” Call your senators at 202-224-3121 or click here to send a pre-written email message from the Action Alert section of www.goiam.org opposing the Grassley-Baucus bill.
Machinists Tighten Aircraft Repair Standards “The senate vote brings us one step closer to eliminating a substantial safety and security risk to our nation’s air transportation system,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “In an industry with no margin for error, there must be a single safety standard for all FAA certified aircraft repair facilities worldwide.” U.S.-based aircraft repair facilities are currently required to meet stringent criteria before qualifying for FAA certification, including in-depth background checks and mandatory drug testing for employees. Foreign-based facilities and workers, however, have no such requirements.
Labor Backs Energy
Investment Program The plan envisions significant job creation to follow large-scale public investment in areas including high-speed rail, fuel cell technology and expanded use of solar and wind power technology. “By building fuel cells and wind turbines, by retooling American plants with efficient technologies, we can create good jobs, a strong economy and a sound environment,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. The plan is being supported by a surprisingly broad coalition that includes labor unions, environmental groups, consumer advocates and socially responsive businesses. More information is available at www.apolloalliance.org.
AFL-CIO Unions Support
IAM at UAL Ballots will be counted on July 14 in the election with the potential to isolate United’s Mechanic & Related employees from the U.S. labor movement at a time when airline employees are threatened from all sides. “The reality is that when airline employees try to go it alone, they get crushed,” said Sonny Hall, Transportation Workers Union President and president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept. “A small, independent union like AMFA simply cannot match the experience, resources and depth of the IAM at the bargaining table, in the workplace and in the halls of Congress.”
GOP Puts Medicaid in
Crosshairs “Today, the federal government provides matching funds for every dollar a state spends on Medicaid. Under the Bush plan, the federal government would establish a set amount that a state must spend on Medicaid in order to receive a cash allotment. Because of the way the plan is structured, the state share is almost guaranteed to be less than they are projected to spend under current law. “This means health services will be cut for millions of disabled and elderly citizens,” IP Tom Buffenbarger said. Families USA said the Bush plan would cause funding cutbacks that could total a half trillion dollars over the next 10 years.
Minnesota Police Join IAM Team Key issues in the campaign were a voice in the workplace, a desire for a collective bargaining agreement and the rising cost of health care insurance. "These officers really showed solidarity and commitment in seeking the benefits of IAM membership," said Bob Walls, District W3 Business Representative. The IAM Midwest Territory congratulated DBR Mick Burnell and Business Representative Bob Walls on their win.
Human Rights Seminar
Dates Set
IAM Members Win Union Plus Scholarships Christopher, whose father is member Michael Hainsey of IAM Local 50 in Columbus, MS, will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Nathan, son of R.G. Wesley of Local 2293 in Robinson, IL, will also receive $1,000. Casey Briggs, wife of Clint Briggs of Local 2202 in Seattle, WA, will receive $500. More than 6,500 union members from 42 AFL-CIO affiliated unions applied for the Scholarship Awards. Applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, character, leadership, financial need and appreciation of labor. For information about next year’s scholarship program and about the Union Plus benefit program, go to www.unionplus.org.
Photo Contest Deadline Nears |
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