Justice on the Job
Service to its members. That's the IAM. Seeing to it that employers abide by the terms and conditions of IAM negotiated contracts is one of the union's most important services.

Service also means people. It means an individual employee has someone to go to, someone to listen, and someone to speak up for him or her. For more than 100 years, the IAM has negotiated and serviced the best collective bargaining agreements. On this page are examples of service ― the IAM way.

» Home

IAM Member Finds Justice on the Job
Kim Russell, center, a member of IAM Local 1769 in Elba, AL, found out that it pays to work under an IAM contract. Unlike Russell, the majority of workers today are "at will" employees. That means that without a union contract, employers can fire "at will" employees at any time and for almost any reason.
 
When Russell's employer, Dorsey Trailers, Inc., unfairly fired him for alleged "insubordination" and "inappropriate language," the "just cause" protection in Russell's IAM contract allowed him to file a grievance protesting his unfair termination. Local 1769 and District 75 Business Representative B. R. Brownell, third from left, represented Russell at each stage of the grievance process and then in arbitration.
 
An impartial arbitrator agreed that Dorsey Trailers fired Russell unfairly and ordered the company to reinstate Russell with back pay and full benefits.
 
 
IAM Local 726 Wins $60,200 Safety Grievance
When employers try to cut corners with the use of hazardous chemicals, it pays to belong to the IAM. Members of Local 726, employed by North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, won two Safety and Health grievances worth $60,200.
 
Employees were assigned dip tank and grinding operations on helicopter rotor blades, requiring the use of the hazardous chemical chromic acid. Their IAM contract called for Environmental Differential Pay.
 
When North Island management refused to pay, Local 726 Chief Steward Clarence Doucett, (second from right in photo below) filed two Safety and Health grievances. Business Representative Jim Croswell, (right) and Local 726 leadership were able to resolve these issues prior to arbitration.
 
Local 726 members found out that justice on the job means a safe workplace.
 
 
"It Pays to Belong "
IAM member Mike Hargrave knows that "it pays to belong" to a strong union. Hargrave, a member of IAM Local 1856, Mt. Carmel, IL, received an award totaling more than $27,975.
 
 An impartial arbitrator found that Hargrave's employer, Snap-On Inc., unfairly discharged him. Gary Stuessel, IAM District 111 Business Representative handled Hargrave's grievance which the company fought all the way through the arbitration process.
 
 In photo, from left, are Dennis Ammon, Local 1856 shop committee member; Randy Martin, committee chair; Hargrave, Stuessel, and Shop Committeeman Danny Humphreys.