Unemployment soared and
manufacturing jobs in North America were wiped out in record
numbers, yet Congress did nothing to help workers in danger of
losing everything they have. In the
2000 Spring IAM Journal, IAM members from across North America
tell how it feels to be losing it all. |
www.tradealert.org
is a new website run by the USBIC Educational Foundation, dedicated to
protecting American interests against the damaging effects of
international trade.
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hypothermia yearly, the IAM Safety Department wants you to know
how dangerous it is to work
in cold environments.
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The IAM
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International President
R.
Thomas Buffenbarger
Secretary Treasurer
Donald
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GVP Western
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Lee
Pearson
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Canada
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Dave
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Robert
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|
Friday, March 22, 2002
Amtrak Funding
Bill Introduced
In
a move that could add much needed sanity to the debate on Amtrak's
future, the Senate Budget Committee proposed $1.2 billion for Amtrak in
the 2003 fiscal year budget resolution.
The funding proposal would give Amtrak the ability to improve
its infrastructure, upgrade security and continue operating routes
nationwide. Amtrak has long been handicapped by demands that it achieve
operational self-sufficiency. The threat to Amtrak's survival increased
recently when the rogue Amtrak Reform Council proposed auctioning off
the systems' prize assets in a move that could cost thousands of
railroad jobs.
"Including this funding in the budget is a good first step," said
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), one of 49 Senators who urged the funds for
Amtrak. "Now, the Congress must follow through on its commitment by
appropriating the $1.2 billion Amtrak needs to run a truly national,
efficient and safe passenger rail system."
Boeing Workers Get a Boost
The IAM played a
key role in helping win federal aid for laid-off Boeing workers,
including job search allowances and income support, reports Mark Blondin,
District 751 president. The aid comes from the Trade Adjustment
Assistance program, which provides help to people who lost jobs or whose
wages drop because of soaring imports.
Blondin
pointed out that domestic airlines imported about $30 billion worth of
planes made by Airbus, Boeing’s chief rival, plus many foreign-made
aircraft parts. “If domestic airlines would just buy American, buy
Boeing aircraft, there would be enough work to keep all our members
employed for a good long time,” he said.
Blondin
and other IAM members worked with their congressional delegations to
persuade the government to provide the help.
Boeing plans to reduce its workforce by as many as 30,000 workers by
mid-year.
Senate Panel
Passes Pension Reform
A Senate committee
took a first step towards meaningful pension reform legislation that
strengthens workers rights and protections. On a party line 11-10 vote,
the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved the
measure that grew out of the Enron bankruptcy scandal that pillaged the
firm’s 401(k) plan and left thousands of workers holding an empty bag.
Sen. Ted Kennedy,
D-MA, offered the reform measure which requires the company to provide
more information to workers and encourages employers to offer
independent investment advice to workers. Further, the bill ensures that
workers have an equal voice in running their 401(k) and other defined
contribution retirement plans.
The bill, S.1992,
combines a new right for workers to sell company stock in a 401(k) plan
with important reforms to counterbalance employer pressures that induce
workers to load up on company stock.
By contrast, President Bush offered a plan, passed by a House committee,
that lets companies force workers to remain invested in company stock
for long periods of time and eliminates worker protections. The Bush
bill could require workers to remain invested in company stock for as
long as they work for the company.
Legislative
Conference to Focus on Jobs
Time is growing
short for delegates to make hotel reservations for the IAM Legislative
Conference slated for May 13-17 in Washington, DC. Room reservations at
the Hyatt Regency Washington must be made by April 14. Contact the hotel
at 202-737-1234.
The conference opens
May 13 at 1:30 p.m. IP Tom Buffenbarger will deliver the keynote
address, which will focus on reversing job losses and re-building North
America’s manufacturing base. Two afternoons have been set aside so that
delegates may meet with their congressional delegations on important
legislative issues.
All delegates should
pre-schedule meetings with their representatives and senators. The
events’ final day will be devoted to an IAM Day of Action on Capitol
Hill. Call the hotel today at 202-737-1234, and make your reservations for
this important event.
Ergonomics Ban Takes Heavy Toll
Almost 1.8
million workers across the country have suffered ergonomic injuries
since President George Bush overturned the OSHA standard for preventing
injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and back strain. Many of those
injuries could have been prevented had the OSHA standard been in force.
The ergonomic rule
grew out of a decade-long fight that saw the business community finance
an all-out war against a rule that is designed to address the nation’s
most prevalent workplace safety hazard. During this past year, workers
suffered a workplace ergonomic injury every 18 seconds.
President Bush and
Labor Secretary Elaine Chao made repeated promises that the
administration, working with business and workers, would develop a new
ergonomic strategy. Workers are still waiting for that standard.
ILO to Probe Globalization
The
International Labor Organization (ILO), an arm of the United Nations
(UN), is the first international body to study the social consequences
of globalization. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney is one of three
American representatives on the ILO panel that will spend a year
analyzing the impact of globalization on employment, poverty and the
perceptions of workers and employers. The panel will make its
recommendations next year to the ILO, the UN and the World Trade
Organization.
Workers Memorial Day Plans Underway
Workers
Memorial Day, April 28, becomes even more poignant this year given the
number of workers killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11. “We
have a deep commitment to remember our lost brothers and sisters,” said
IP Tom Buffenbarger. “We honor them best by fighting for the living with
every muscle, blood cell and bone we possess.”
The IAM will hold a service honoring fallen members at the Winpisinger
Center in southern Maryland. Forty-five new names will be added to the
union’s Worker’s Memorial at the center.
For other
information about Worker Memorial Day visit the AFL-CIO website at
www.aflcio.org.
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