Thursday, June 9, 2005 |
Pensions, Health Care to Drive Raytheon NegotiationsMembers of IAM Local 733 and 2328 employed by Raytheon in Wichita and Salina, Kansas voted by a 99 percent margin to authorize a strike if the company fails to deliver a satisfactory contract offer. The IAM contract with Raytheon expires on July 31, 2005 and covers 4,300 IAM-represented employees. The contract battle promises to be hard-fought, with Raytheon indicating it plans to seek takeaways across the board. Raytheon claims that the employee pension fund is under funded and is “demanding the ability to control costs” in the pension plan. Raytheon indicated it also wants to shift yet more health care costs onto the workers. “This vote drew a line in the sand for Wichita workers,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “For years, the Machinists at Raytheon exchanged wage increases for pension benefits and they’re not about to let the company default on those commitments.” Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge added, “Raytheon needs to remember that workers and their families depend upon their pension. These workers will fight to keep it.” On the heels of high-profile pension defaults at several U.S. airlines and steel companies, other companies are hoping to shed their long-term pension obligations. “It’s time to demand that U.S. corporations honor their pension promises,” said IP Buffenbarger. “Is there no limit to corporate greed?” asked Headquarters GVP Bob Thayer. “Jobs are being sent overseas by the millions, billions in health care costs are being shifted to employees and now their hard earned pensions are under attack. This is a fight we will not lose.” Alaska Airlines is Off CourseThe IAM is prepared to resume negotiations with Alaska Airlines on all outstanding contract issues, in the wake of last week’s ruling denying the IAM’s request for an Emergency Motion for Preliminary Injunction against Alaska Airlines for locking out 472 Seattle Ramp and Stores Agents. If Alaska is unwilling to bargain a settlement to the satisfaction of our members, then the IAM will notify the National Mediation Board that negotiations are at an impasse and ask to be released from mediation. This initiates a 30-day count down which would result in a strike at Alaska Airlines. Meanwhile, hundreds of IAM members and union activists rallied at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport and then marched to the airline’s headquarters. GM To Cut 25,000 JobsOn Tuesday, General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced cutting 25,000 jobs by 2008. Since the initial cuts at GM in the 1980’s, GM has eliminated 489,00 jobs. By the end of 2008 GM will have fewer workers nationwide than it had in Flint, MI in the 1970’s. Wagoner cited the runaway cost of healthcare as being partly to blame for the planned cutbacks. As the nation’s largest private purchaser of healthcare GM will pay $5.6 billion this year on benefits for workers and retirees, or $1,500 for every car or truck produced. GM is up against steep competition from foreign-based carmakers that don’t have the cost of healthcare added into their labor costs. Foreign-based manufacturers have the stability of a national healthcare plan to offset their costs, while the lack of national healthcare in the U.S. leaves U.S. manufacturers at a serious competitive disadvantage. Countdown to Transportation Conference, Day of Action The IAM's North American Transportation Conference will return to New York City when delegates from Air Transport and Railroad Lodges from the United States and Canada participate in the Transportation Department's only industry-wide conference from June 14-17, 2005. In conjunction with the conference, the Transportation Department's annual Day of Action will take place on June 15. Beginning with a prayer service at the former World Trade Center site at Ground Zero, IAM members and guests will then march through downtown Manhattan to a rally at New York City's Battery Park. For more information about the Day of Action activities in New York, contact Monica Lee Silbas at 202-776-0386. California Machinists Endorse Angelides for GovernorIAM delegates at the California Conference of Machinists meeting in Sacramento unanimously endorsed California State Treasurer Phil Angelides for Governor of California in 2006. Angelides’ bid to unseat current Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is winning broad and early support from labor, Latino and other constituency groups across the Golden State. “Phil Angelides has been a strong voice against the attacks on working families that the current administration has championed and the Machinists Union is proud to support his candidacy,” said Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson. “It is time that working families had a friend in the Governor’s mansion and this is the right man for the job.” In addition to the IAM endorsement, the outspoken Angelides has won the support of more than 160 elected officials in California and organizations including the California Federation of Teachers, the Amalgamated Transit Union, California State Pipe Trades Council, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 3 and the Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers. Revamped IAM Site Helps Members “Pick a Fight”When IAM members click on www.goiam.org once it is re-launched on July 1, they are going to encounter a completely different website both in appearance and in attitude. UTC Donates $38,000 to Guide Dogs of AmericaUnited Technologies Corp. has donated $38,000 to Guide Dogs of America, a nonprofit organization that helps blind individuals become more independent. The donation will cover the cost of a guide dog and a 28-day training program for one visually impaired individual. Guide Dogs of America was founded more than 50 years ago by an IAM member who had lost his sight. “On behalf of the Eastern Territory Office and its members, I extend our congratulations and appreciation to District Lodge 26 , Local 743 and United Technologies working together for the Guide Dogs of America so those who have lost their sight can lead a more normal life,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. Hamilton Sundstrand and IAM Local 743 in Windsor Locks, CT have sponsored an annual golf tournament for the past six years that benefits the Guide Dogs of America. The event has raised $123,000 so far, and is heralded as one of the most lucrative fund-raisers in the nation for the Guide Dogs of America. UTC donates about $16 million annually to support organizations and programs focused on human services, math and science education, arts and culture, and the environment. |