IAM/NFFE Federal District 1 President Richard N. Brown joins other federal union representatives to protest Defense Department personnel rules that will virtually eliminate effective union representation rights for federal workers.

Federal Workers Protest Personnel Crackdown

Federal Defense Department (DoD) workers and their unions, including IAM/NFFE Federal District 1, are banding together to protest the Bush Administration’s sweeping changes in the federal personnel system that will weaken worker rights and collective bargaining protections for the majority of DoD’s 770,000 civilian workers.

The United DoD Workers Coalition, which includes 36 unions who represent DoD civilian employees, held a press conference and marched to Capitol Hill to call attention to the new National Security Personnel System (NSPS) that eliminates most traditional collective bargaining and gives management sole decision-making authority over almost all aspects of a worker’s job, from shift assignment to pay grade.

Pay raises will be dependent on performance evaluations by management and a new “market value” assessment of the work. The NSPS eliminates independent third-party review of management actions, including discipline, and puts final authority in the hands of the DoD Secretary or his designees.

“Unions didn’t just appear one day. They were voted in by workers to ensure that they would have a united voice in the workplace,” said IAM/NFFE Federal District 1 President Richard Brown. “The current proposed NSPS plan attempts to silence that voice.”

Similar rules are in the final stages at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress originally granted just DHS the right to “reform” personnel rules to give it the flexibility to fight terrorism. Soon after, Congress gave similar authority to the Department of Defense. Now the Bush Administration says it will introduce legislation to give even more federal agencies the same authority.

“These rules aren’t about fighting terrorism. Federal workers will do everything necessary to win that fight,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “Theses new rules are about eliminating civil service protections and the unions that give federal workers a voice. It’s criminal that as our U.S. military personnel sacrifice their lives to build free institutions in Iraq, we are taking away basic freedoms for the thousands of dedicated civilian workers who support them.”

Lawmakers Demand China PNTR Repeal

The country may be split between red states and blue states, but conservative Republicans, liberal Democrats and Independents are finding common ground on the subject of China’s unfair and abusive trade practices.

A bipartisan coalition of 60 lawmakers plans to introduce legislation to repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China, saying the trade legislation is destroying the middle class in the U.S. and helping China to become the world’s dominant economy.

Congress approved PNTR in September 2000, allowing Chinese exports to enter the U.S. at the same low tariff rate as goods from other countries. Since then, an explosion of low-cost Chinese goods flooded world markets, costing millions of U.S. jobs and fueling a record-breaking $561 billion trade deficit.

“We should be very aware that PNTR is not only leading to the destruction of traditional blue-collar manufacturing,” said Bernie Sanders, an independent Congressman from Vermont. “It is leading to the loss of millions of high-tech information technology jobs as well.”

Rep. Walter Jones, a conservative Republican from North Carolina, echoed Rep. Sanders’ sentiments, recalling with dismay the tags he saw sewn on American flags. “I looked at my flag and it was made in China,” Jones was quoted telling reporters. “This is an example of what has happened.”

“The time is long overdue for Congress to end trade legislation which is destroying the middle class of our country,” said a Dear Colleague letter signed by sponsors of the legislation. “The proponents of China PNTR claimed it would reduce the U.S. trade deficit, increase American jobs and dramatically increase U.S. exports to China. Sadly, they have been wrong in every instance.”

Unions Target Rising Hospital Costs

The IAM and more than a dozen U.S. unions are banding together to address the twin issues of hospital cost and quality, key economic issues across nearly every bargaining table.

The California Health Care Coalition will conduct a much-needed examination of prices charged at different hospitals and then use that information to broker better terms for benefits purchased with union trust funds.

The initiative follows a groundbreaking move last year by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to eliminate 24 high-cost hospitals from its network, a decision that will protect union members and save $36 million this year and $45 million each year thereafter. Thirteen of the 24 targeted hospitals are owned and operated by Sacramento-based Sutter Health.

“The battle in California is over Sutter Hospitals, but healthcare providers everywhere must be held accountable to purchasers and consumers,” said Steve Sleigh, Director of IAM Strategic Resources Department.

“Our members expect a high quality product, given how expensive health care is today. Unfortunately that is not always the case."

The IAM, through coalition work with the Leapfrog Group on Patient Safety, the National Committee on Quality Assurance, and the Disclosure Project, is committed to forging the transformation of American healthcare to one that is affordable and high quality for all Americans.

Alaska Hedges Over Outsourcing

In the face of fierce opposition from IAM members and representatives, Alaska Airlines announced it is postponing a decision to outsource its Seattle hub's ramp service operation. More than 500 members of District 143 currently perform the Seattle ramp operation.

“This extension is a result of the IAM standing up and making it clear we are prepared to do whatever it takes to defend our members’ jobs,” said District 143 President Bobby DePace. “While we hope the farmout issue can be settled through negotiations, we are exploring other measures, including arbitration and legal action, to resolve this issue.”

District 143 represents Alaska Airlines' 900 Ramp Service and 2,900 Customer Service, Reservation and Office & Clerical employees.

After three-years 117 Maintenance Technicians at MEMC Electronic Materials have a first contract.

District 9 Organizing Efforts Pay Off

After a three-year struggle, District 9 won a first agreement covering 117 Maintenance Technicians employed at MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., in St. Peters, Missouri. MEMC is one of the world's leading producers of silicone wafers, used in the manufacturing of computer circuit boards. The three-year accord includes a 2.9 percent wage increase each year, numerous other guaranteed benefits, a grievance and arbitration procedure and a union security clause.

Business Representatives Mike Louis and Mark Conner welcomed the Technicians and praised the negotiating committee (Leon Rogers, Allen Mills and Tom Breuer) for their excellent work. “Each of them did an outstanding job at the bargaining table representing their brother technicians,” said BR Louis.

Business Representative/Organizing Coordinator Mark Conner described the challenges the workers faced in their fight for a contract. “On the eve of the technicians' election, the company declared war on its technicians,” said Connor.

“The battles escalated over the next three years. IAM District 9 won countless appeals, filed more than 20 unfair labor practice charges, beat back a company appeal before the 8 th Circuit Court and prevailed in two NLRB hearings and two trials held before administrative law judges.”

Conner credited the MEMC Technicians, the District 9 Staff, Grand Lodge Representatives Rod Hoffman and Greg Beckham and the excellent work of Organizers Scott Stackle and Mike Musgrove for the victory.

"We congratulate the entire District 9 team for their hard work, dedication and a job well done,” said Midwest Territory GVP James E. Brown, who praised the work of District 9 DBR Roger Poole and the District 9 Business Reps and Organizers. “We want to thank everyone who worked to make this campaign a great success.”

Veterans Burned by Bush Budget

Some U.S. military veterans will see their co-payment double for a month’s supply of prescription drugs under President Bush’s proposed budget. Other veterans will be forced to pay a $250 annual “user fee” to access government health services.

The administration offered no estimate as to how many veterans will be affected by the user fee and increase in co-payments. However, veterans’ groups charge that hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families would end up paying more.

Veterans groups also blasted the funding earmarked for veteran healthcare services. “It will not cover the need,” said Richard B. Fuller, Legislative Director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, who predicted the budget would force veterans’ hospitals and clinics to limit services. “We are already seeing an increase in waiting lists, even for some Iraq veterans.”

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