IAM-UK Solidarity on Display In Florida

IAM organizers working in Florida to bring collective bargaining rights for BAE Systems employees at Elgin Air Force Base got a lift from across the Atlantic this week when John Wall, the leader of the largest Aerospace union in Europe joined them to discuss labor relations at BAE.

Wall is National Secretary of Amicus and currently serves as chairman of the National Aerospace Committee in England and as Aerospace Committee Chairman for the European Metalworkers Federation. Amicus represents British workers employed by BAE, the international aerospace and defense firm with facilities in 30 U.S. states, including Elgin AFB in Florida.

“BAE Systems is overwhelmingly unionized in the U.K.,” said Wall. “And like several other highly unionized British firms like Rolls Royce and GKN, they’ve learned to appreciate the involvement and contributions of their union workforce. The company frequently works closely with union stewards in the U.K. to lobby for government contracts that can mean growth and jobs for union members.”

The long-running IAM campaign at BAE in Florida is focused on providing employees with the benefits of bargaining under guidelines of the Service Contract Act, the federal regulations that can dramatically lift wages and benefits for government contract workers.

NSPS Moves to ‘Meet and Confer’ Stage

The new National Security Personnel System (NSPS) being implemented for civilian workers at the Department of Defense is now in the “Meet and Confer” stage, one of the last steps before final implementation.

“We are making every good faith effort to work with the Department of Defense,” said IAM Government Employees Director Frank Carelli. “But this latest round of meetings is no different than all the rest. We meet with DoD management, and they confer upon everyone else what they are going to do, and that’s remove most civil service and union representation rights from loyal and dedicated federal workers.”

The IAM is part of a thirty-six member coalition of unions, the United Defense Workers Coalition, who are joining together to stop the unfair system. NSPS, as developed by the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, goes far beyond what Congress authorized them to do. Instead of protecting workers, NSPS will strip civil service protections against cronyism in government. It also removes most collective bargaining rights and protections for fair pay standards, job assignment procedures, veterans preferences, and protection from unfair discipline.

Click here for the latest update from the “Meet and Confer” meetings and visit the UWDC website for more information.

Click here to take action and send a message to Congress to stop the unfair NSPS.

District 1 Organizes PA Computer Techs

District Lodge 1 recently organized the Computer Sciences Corp. employees located at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, bringing eight Electronic Technicians into the Machinists Union. The organizing win is the 14 th for the Eastern Territory this year.

Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. welcomed the new members and thanked the IAM representatives who worked on the organizing drive. “On behalf of the Eastern Territory Office and its members, I extend our congratulations and appreciation to District Lodge 1 Organizer Gary Anthony, Directing Business Representative Danny Chmelko, and a special thanks to all of the team for a job well done,” said Tucker.

U.S. Economic Pulse Weakens

The U.S. economy grew at its slowest rate in two years during the first quarter of 2005, according to figures released last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Gross domestic product, which measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States, increased by just 3.1 percent, down from 3.8 percent in the final quarter of 2004.

Skyrocketing energy prices and decreased spending by both consumers and businesses dampened growth, which was expected to be around 3.5 percent. Economists expect slow growth in the second quarter as well, with estimates for growth around 3 percent.

The Economic Policy Institute reports the rising trade deficit also significantly slowed down economic growth. A 14.7 percent increase in imports far outweighed the 7 percent increase in exports, according to EPI.

Ah, Sweet Success!

After a strong first contract for over 80 workers at Tate and Lyle Sucralose Inc., a manufacturer of Splenda, in Macintosh, Alabama in March, another unit of 16 people voted overwhelmingly for the IAM in a recent election.

District 73 Business Representative Joe Harrington reports that the IAM has a good working relationship with the company. “We’ve put together a great contract that works for both the company and the workers. Our success at the negotiating table certainly pulled folks off of the fence and onto the union side and made this win possible.”

“Congratulations to Brother Harrington and District 166 Organizer Tommy Mayfield for their hard work for this victory,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “A strong IAM contract is good for companies as well as workers. We look forward to a long a productive relationship with Tate and Lyle, and I want to welcome our newest IAM members.”

Sign Up Now for Communicator Course

The deadline for applications for the IAM Communications Department’s new Communicator Course is June 1, 2005. The course is designed for Communicators who are not publishing websites or newsletters and need help in basic skills such as news writing, internet research, desktop publishing and creating a web page from a template.

The course will be held from August 28 through September 2, 2005 at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center at Placid Harbor, MD. Contact the Communications Department at 301-967-4520 for further information and an enrollment form.