Tuesday, June 21, 2005

House Committee Starves Amtrak Funding

The House Appropriations Committee passed a draft spending bill that slashes Amtrak funding to $550 million in fiscal 2006, less than half of what it appropriated in last year’s budget.

“The practical impact of $550 million in federal support would be the same as zero funding for Amtrak, and [lawmakers] know it,” said Amtrak President David Gunn.

President Bush tried to kill Amtrak outright by not asking for any funding at all in the 2006 budget. The House restored $550 million, but it is so far below Amtrak’s request of $1.8 billion that survival of the nation’s rail service is in doubt.

“Rail travel isn’t a luxury, it's the heart of our transportation system," said IAM Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Congress must provide long-term, full funding for Amtrak and stop putting rail passengers on a yearly budget roller-coaster ride.”

Members at UAL to Vote on Tentative Pact

IAM members at United Airlines will vote on a five-year tentative agreement that resolves all outstanding issues for an amended collective bargaining agreement. Voting will be concluded by July 22, 2005.

“We believe this tentative agreement is fair to our members and contributes the cost savings United needs,” said IAM District 141 President Randy Canale. “The IAM Negotiating Committee unanimously recommends ratification of this tentative agreement as the best way to avoid contract termination, provide secure pension benefits and job security for our members.”

The tentative agreement establishes participation of IAM-represented employees in the multi-employer IAM National Pension Plan, a fully-funded defined benefit plan covering 65,000 beneficiaries at 1,700 U.S. companies. Details of the tentative agreement are posted on www.iam141.org.

“This Negotiating Committee did an outstanding job under appalling circumstances,” said Robert Roach, Jr., IAM General Vice President of Transportation.

“They deserve to be commended, as does the entire membership who stood tall in their fight for fairness and refused to be intimidated throughout this ordeal.”

“This agreement preserves the integrity of our contracts and bargaining rights at United,” said Canale. “A negative decision in court could have wiped out 50 years of collective bargaining achievements.”

CLUW Issues Membership Appeal

Five IAM-held seats on the Coalition of Labor Union Women’s National Executive Board (CLUW NEB) are in danger of being lost. “We need more membership involvement to guarantee our members’ positions on the board,” said Cheryl Eastburn Director of the IAM Women’s Department.

CLUW helps union women develop the skills to create positive change on the job, in their unions, and in their communities. All IAM members are encouraged to join CLUW, fill out and mail the application today.

A Big Win in the Other Washington

A hard-fought battle for a contract and fairness in the work place ended in victory for 173 employees at the K-Ply plywood plant in Port Angeles, Washington after they won an election to join the IAM.

“This win was a true team effort that would not have been possible without the help of a lot of people in many different places in this union,” said GLR Tom Mason. “I especially want to thank Woodworkers Business Representatives Mike Rose and Dale Winery for all their hard work.”

The K-Ply workers got a helping hand from Woodworkers District W1 officers and staff, the Aberdeen Local W2 officers and members, the IAM Organizing Department and members from several different Locals including retired K-Ply employees who pitched in to organize the employees of their former workplace.

“We wish this crew well and welcome them into the I.A.M. family,” said Mason.

Revamped Site to Feature Podcasts

On July 1, 2005, when the relaunch of www.goiam.org takes place, IAM members will have the opportunity to add a “Podcast” to their mp3 player or personal computer.

”This is cutting edge technology that IAM members can now use,” said Communications Director Rick Sloan. “Hundreds of thousands of web surfers get their news and information in an audio format via podcasts. Now, IAM members can do the same thing.”

A podcast automatically downloads audio in such a way that it loads onto an iPod or other mp3 player the next time the player is synced to the computer. The audio can also be saved for later listening on a PC.

Podcast content will feature material produced by the Communications Department, interviews/talks by Machinist Union leaders, or call-in commentary from the membership.

Organizing Wins for Western Territory

The IAM’s Western Territory scored three impressive organizing victories recently, picking up members in California and Oregon.

IAM Local 93 won the right to represent 32 workers at the L-3Com facility in Jolon, CA and DL190 won a unanimous election to represent workers at Esposti Chevrolet in Sonoma, California.

Meanwhile, District Lodge 24 picked up 6 new members at American West Chrome in Portland, Oregon.