Thursday, February 17, 2005
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Labor issues you care about in streaming video
.

Business Lobbyists Push to Change FMLA
(streaming | download)
Business lobbyists are pressuring the Bush Administration and the Department of Labor to dismantle key protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act or FMLA.

Lockheed Key Issue #4: Medical Benefits
(streaming | download)
The need to secure affordable medical benefits is a must especially during a time of skyrocketing costs.

U.S. Trade Deficit Reaches All Time High
(streaming | download)
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on February 10th that the United States trade deficit reached a record $444.2 billion in 2004.

Bush Proposes Higher Security Fees
(streaming | download)
Whenever a reservation is made for airline travel the reservation agent will advise the passenger that the fare includes federal government taxes, airport taxes and security fees.


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North American Unions Challenge Mexico Labor Laws

The IAM is among 20 labor organizations from the United States, Canada and Mexico who jointly filed a legal challenge to the introduction of sweeping labor law reforms in Mexico.

The 20-page petition charges the so-called reforms are a violation of the labor side agreement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and greatly weakens core labor rights in Mexico, including freedom of association, freedom to organize, freedom to bargain collectively and the right to strike.

“The labor reforms are an unparalleled assault on trade union rights and reflect a complete disregard for Mexico’s international and domestic legal obligations,” said Jeff Vogt on behalf of the trade union petitioners. “If Mexico is allowed to repeal those laws that protect workers and replace them with laws that violate the labor side agreement, ILO conventions and the Mexican Constitution, the obligation assumed by the parties under NAFTA would be utterly meaningless.”

The petitioners are calling for an expedited review of the proposed labor law reforms and the removal of any provision that violates the labor side agreement.

Take Action to Stop Assault on Federal Workers

The Bush Administration’s assault on more than 700,000 federal workers at the Department of Defense is nearing its final phase. The new National Security Personnel System (NSPS), which throws out most collective bargaining and civil service rights for civilian DoD employees, could be final by mid-May, 2005.

The new rules, however, violate many of the strict guidelines Congress mandated when they granted DoD Secretary Rumsfeld’s request to bring his brand of “reform” to civilian personnel rules.

Take action and send a message to your Senators and Congressperson that the NSPS rules are unfair to loyal, hardworking DoD employees. Congress should block final action on the rules and tell Secretary Rumsfeld to respect collective bargaining rights and civil service protections as he was originally ordered to do.

NLRB Rules for IAM in Lancaster Nissan Case

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) reaffirmed an earlier decision by an Administrative Law Judge who determined Lancaster Nissan, Inc., Lancaster, PA, violated federal labor law when they refused to recognize the IAM at the auto dealership.

The three-member board adopted the decision of Administrative Law Judge Jane Vandeventer, who ordered Lancaster to recognize the IAM, commence bargaining for a new contract and to rescind unilateral changes made to workers’ terms and conditions of employment. The board’s ruling also calls for employees to be made whole for any loss of earnings and benefits due to the unilateral changes that were made.

AFL-CIO to Host Organizing Conference

On March 14-16, 2005, the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, will host “Organizing Professionals in the 21st Century” at the Crystal City Hilton in Arlington, VA.

Professional and technical workers are among the fastest-growing and most heavily unionized segments of our economy. National and local union decision-makers, organizers, key staff and academic and union researchers will discuss what’s working and examine newly commissioned research on organizing.

For registration questions, contact Marcie Lawrence at DPE, 202-638-0320, extension 16, or via email: mlawrence@dpeaflcio.org.

Hundreds Perish in China Mine Explosion

At least 203 miners were killed after a gas explosion in a coal mine in Fuxin in Northeast China's Liaoning Province. Mining accidents and fatalities are an almost daily occurrence in China.

Every year, thousands of miners die in coal mine accidents in China, which authorities often blame on lax safety standards. China's coal industry, the most dangerous in the world, saw more than 6,000 workers die in mining accidents last year. However, many human rights groups dispute those figures and put the numbers much higher. Groups such as the China Labor Bulletin (CLB), put annual deaths at around 20,000.

In November of last year, a gas explosion in a coal mine south of Beijing killed more than 166 miners. State-run newspapers reported a fire at the same mine a week earlier. Workers who expressed concerns over safety at the mine were ordered to return to work or face fines and other punishment.

New Benefits for Union Plus Credit Card

Tapping into the purchasing power of 13 million AFL-CIO union members, Union Privilege announced new features for its Union Plus credit card program, including low interest rates, help for members on strike, strong fraud protection and a unique feature – all customer service call answered by representatives in the United States.

The Union Plus Credit card is carried by 3.1 million union members and is part of a larger package of consumer benefits available to union members through the Union Privilege program.

The card, endorsed by the AFL-CIO and its members unions, offers a low fixed rate on balances transferred from other higher rate cards. Unlike most other credit cards, Union Plus balance transfers remain fixed until the balance is paid off.

Since 1966, revenue from the card has produced millions of dollars to strengthen the work of unions on behalf of their members in collective bargaining, organizing and other activities. Current Union Plus Credit Card holders will be automatically enrolled in the new program. For information about applying for the Union Plus Credit Card, union members can call 800-522-4000.

GOIAM 2005 Website Survey

We want to take www.goiam.org to the next level as a tool for the membership. You can help by completing a short survey. We'll use your feedback to guide our planning for the new site. Click here for a brief survey.


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See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers. Go to: IAM2005


With proposals based on labor’s strengths rather than weaknesses, the IAM has unveiled a seven-point strategy to help guide the debate over reform at the AFL-CIO. Take a look.


The 2005 IAM Calendar is now available. Send $7 to: IAM Calendar, 9000 Machinists Place,
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772


Who cares about us? Check out the online edition of the 2004 IAM Journal.



The winners of the 2004 Newsletter & Website Contest.




Check out NewsBriefs, a regular online news service for IAM editors, webstewards & communicators. En Francais.


FlatRateTech is an organization “created for and by Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians solely to speak as one loud voice rather than 50,000 smaller voices.” according to their website The fast-growing site offers forums for Ford customers, technicians and dealers to exchange information.

IAM
Executive Council


R. Thomas Buffenbarger
International President


Warren L.
Mart
Secretary-Treasurer


Lee Pearson
GVP Western Territory


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GVP Canada


Robert V. Thayer
GVP Headquarters


Robert Roach, Jr.
GVP Transportation


Lynn Tucker
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GVP Southern Territory


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GVP Midwest Territory