www.goiam.org|
www.goiam.org |
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Democratic Forum
Targets Worker Issues The AFL-CIO Working Families Presidential Forum will be broadcast live by C-SPAN beginning at 8 p.m. EDT. The forum features questions from working men and women on critical issues, Earlier this summer, the nine Democrats seeking the White House and President Bush were invited to answer a detailed AFL-CIO questionnaire on working family issues. Seven of the nine Democrats responded to the request, Bush did not respond to the questionnaire and declined an invitation to appear before the AFL-CIO’s Executive Council meeting this week or at any other time this summer in the nation’s capital. The presidential forum is being held in conjunction with the Council session. The candidate’s answers to the questionnaire may be found at www.aflcio.org/candidates2004.
President Tom
Buffenbarger represents the IAM at the Council sessions, which will
examine legislative strategy and priorities, organizing initiatives and
campaigns, mobilization efforts for next year’s elections and ways to
boost the economy and create jobs.
FAA Bill Jeopardizes
Jobs and Security "The bill was created by Republican House and Senate leaders without any debate or on-the-record vote," said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "This compromise bill contains items that were already defeated in both House and Senate versions of the bill." Provisions of the bill include: privatization of our nation’s air traffic control system; making airline anti-terrorism training for cabin crew members voluntary; and allowing foreign cargo airlines to service point-to-point markets within the United States. "It is absurd to allow airlines to opt out of training Flight Attendants to deal with terrorists while the government is issuing warnings that additional hijackings may occur," said Roach. "It is an unfortunate fact that unless airlines are mandated to take action regarding security, they too often won’t act. This country cannot afford another 9-11." "Permitting foreign airlines to operate within the United States threatens every airline job in this country," said Roach. "Foreign airlines are often supported by their governments, and allowing them this unprecedented access would severely damage an already crumbling U.S. airline industry."
IAM members are being asked to contact Congress and demand
the FAA reauthorization bill either be fixed or defeated. To send a
message to your legislators, go to the “Action Alert” section of
www.goiam.org or click on this link:
"Tell Congress to Fix FAA Reauthorization Bill."
Senate Endorses Unfair
Trade Deals NAFTA cost U.S. workers more than 500,000 jobs since its passage in 1994, according to studies by the Economic Policy Institute. Although those jobs went to Mexico, the decent wages and benefits they offered got lost in transit. Mexico’s wages have dropped since that warped trade pact took effect. Working families continue to oppose any similar trade legislation, including the Free Trade Area of Americas (FTAA), which would expand NAFTA throughout the Western Hemisphere. Worker activists are signing unofficial ballots showing their opposition to the trade deals and sending them to trade ministers who will meet in Miami later this year to discuss FTAA.
For more information
and to download a ballot, visit
www.aflcio.org/stopftaa.
Disaster Relief Fund
Needs Help “Our members have lost homes, jobs, cars…everything they own,” she said. “They need our help.” She urged members to send donations to the “IAM Disaster Relief Fund”, in care of GST Warren Mart, 9000 Machinists Place, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. As quickly as the funds are received, they will be distributed directly to families in need, Cordone said. For additional information, she may be reached at 301-967-3433. |