Thursday, July 5, 2007

Read past iMail
Email your opinion
Visit www.goiam.org
Print-Friendly version
Sign up for iMail


Labor issues you care about in streaming video
.

IAMpodcast

Bringing Back the Jobs
For most, having a good job is the way to achieve the American dream.  It's how families gain not just wages, but also security.  Unfortunately, today's climate of depressed wages and outsourcing is leading many to give up on what was once in their grasp.

National Press Club Welcomes Lou Dobbs
July 3, 2007 - For decades Lou Dobbs has been a force in the news business.   In a recent speech at the D.C. Press Club, he focused on immigration and why for the first time in history, most middle class parents don't believe their children will have it better than they did.

Wal-Mart's Dealings With China Driving Job Loss June 29, 2007 - Just how devastating has Wal-Mart’s exploitation of cheap labor in China been?  Since China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, the corporate giant’s trade deficit with China has cost the U.S. nearly 200,000 jobs.

Outsourcing Security In the Air June 28, 2007 - According to the Department of Transportation, a decade ago, airlines outsourced about 10% of their maintenance work.  Today, more than 60% of aircraft repairs is sent overseas.  Some say this is a huge security risk, with no accountability.

With Honors
June 27, 2007 - Last week a group of Machinists from all walks of life fulfilled a life long dream of graduating from college

Fluctuating Gas Prices
June 28, 2007 - For the second straight summer Americans have been faced with steep gas prices at the pump.

Thousands Rally for Employee Free Choice Act
June 21, 2007 - Every twenty three minutes a worker is fired or punished for supporting a union.  That is why thousands rallied in Washington this week to demand the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Saving Energy
June 14, 2007 - How much is your electric bill each month?  What do you pay to fill up your car?  Will your kids have to stop global warming?  Americans are asking both big and small questions about energy and its future.

Senate Takes Up Manufacturing June 8, 2007 - Union leaders, small business owners, corporate CEO's...this is just a partical list of those who gathered to talk about America's Manufacturing Sector and try to to come up with ways to bring back this industry that once ruled the world.

IAM Voices on the Hill June 8, 2007 - No one knows the issues of workers better than the workers themselves.  That's why it's so important for members of organized labor to take their voices to the hill.

On the Machinists Tour
June 6, 2007 - In the last few weeks, the IAM has seen and heard a lot from quite a few of those vying for the democratic presidential nomination.  Take a look at some of the highlights from these Machinists events.

Ralph Fasanella: A Painter of Working Class People
June 4, 2007 - Whether it’s a strike or factory floor, former union organizer Ralph Fasanella devoted his life to painting working men and women.

To Tell The Truth
June 1, 2007 - IAM delegates gathered in Baltimore for this year's Communications Conference.

Obama Talks Politics at CBTU
May 31, 2007 - More than 1,000 people, including Machinists, gathered in Chicago for the 36th Annual Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Convention.  

Tom Buffenbarger: 2007 Day of Action Speech
May 31, 2007 - International President, Tom Buffenbarger addresses thousands at this years Day of Action rally in Washington, D.C.

IAM's Suit Against OPEC
May 29, 2007 -  In 1978, the IAM, led by International President William Winpisinger, filed a lawsuit charging OPEC with price fixing.

'07 On the Hill
May 25, 2007 - Before the 2006 Elections, the Machinists took their message to the people.  Passing out leaflets, phonebanking, knocking on doors, whatever it took to bring some new faces to Congress.  The end result, a tally in the win column for workers.

DL 751 'Flight for Sight' Fundraising Event May 24, 2007 - IAM District Lodge 751 Women's Committee hosted a fundraising event last weekend to benefit the Guide Dogs of America.

Still Standing Still Proud May 24, 2007 - On May 17, 2007, thousands of workers rallied on the National Mall for the Transportation Day of Action.  A day to tell the federal government "Enough is Enough" to practices that put the needs of businesses in front of American workers.

Straight Talk From John Edwards May 9, 2007 - IAM District 751 in Seattle was the backdrop for Machinists and other union members to talk openly with presidential candidate John Edwards about the issues that matter to the middle class and his plan to help organized labor.

Earnings Aren't Stagnant, They're Plummeting!
May 3, 2007 -  With housing and living expenses steadily climbing, it’s no secret many middle class families are struggling with stagnant wages.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

To view these videos you will need to download the free Windows Media Player 9



2004
December

November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2003
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2002
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2001
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


 

Machinists on Strike at Freightliner in Portland

The last Freightliner cab rolled off the assembly line in Portland, OR, earlier this year to cheers and tears after the company announced it was moving production of the Coronado line to Mexico.

Anger over decisions earlier this year to move production of a top model to Mexico and lay off more than 630 workers are contributing factors in a strike that began this week at Freightliner’s Portland, OR, facility.

Members of Local 1005 in Portland are walking picket lines for the first in more than 30 years at the company’s main facility, after rejecting a contract that phased out medical benefits for future retirees.

Freightliner terminated production of the prestigious Coronado model in April, triggering a mass layoff at the Portland facility. Many of the workers impacted were second and third generation workers from the same family. The U.S. Labor Department has twice certified that previous Freightliner production has gone to Mexico as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Additional information can be found at the Local 1005 website at www.iamll1005.org.



Minnesota Hawgs for Dogs Announces 18th Annual Ride

IAM members are welcome to take part in the 18th Annual Hawgs for Dogs Ride of the Minnesota Chapter of Guide Dogs of America (GDA), which will be held July 14-15, 2007, beginning at the Twin Cities Harley Davidson South in Lakeville, MN and proceeding approximately 500 miles to The Bluffs Inn in Decorah, Iowa. For more information and to register, click here.

Initiated in 1989 when IAM members, including current Chapter President Steve Cohan, came up with the idea to raise money for GDA, the Minnesota Chapter holds claim to holding the very first Hawgs for Dogs, a motorcycle ride dedicated to GDA and its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women in the United States and Canada. Since then, 15 other Hawgs for Dogs have been established (some go by other names) across North America, and the Minnesota Chapter alone has raised over $1,500,000.

GDA Chapters are groups of volunteers dedicated to support the mission of GDA through fundraising and public outreach. Chapters are often started and run by IAM members who provide leadership and volunteers for the Chapter. The intent is to not only support the GDA, but also publicize the IAM in a positive public-action role for the good of the community and to help emphasize IAM-made Harley Davidson Motorcycles.


Massachusetts Truck Mechanics Ratify Three-Year Pact

Automotive mechanics at Patriot International Truck in Medford, MA, recently reached a first agreement after receiving recognition from the employer in April, 2007.

“Most of the mechanics belonged to the IAM at the previous operation,” said BR Russ Gittlen. “The owner chose to recognize the IAM and every employee who wanted a job returned to work at Patriot. Thanks to BR Jim Foley, who negotiated the agreement, this membership will continue to grow.”

The new members of District 15 ratified a three-year agreement providing wage increases of 16.5 percent over the next five years.  The contract also provides for a $3.10 an hour pension contribution and significant health care provisions in the benefit plan.

“Securing our members’ jobs and their retirements is the number one goal of the IAM,” said GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “Thanks to the hard work and determination of Area Director Russ Gittlen and BR Jim Foley, we met that target.”


National Press Club Welcomes Lou Dobbs

For decades Lou Dobbs has been a force in the news business. In a recent speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., he focused on immigration and why for the first time in history, most middle class parents don't believe their children will have it better than they did. Dobbs also urged viewers to register to vote with his trademark directness.

“It matters not who you vote for, whether you decide you’re going to vote for a Republican or a Democrat, but my God, don’t be taken for granted by these proxies for what is simply corporate power and the power of special interest,” said Dobbs. Watch National Press Club Welcomes Lou Dobbs


IAM Tugboat Builders Ratify Shipyard Contract

It took three trips to the conciliation table but the members of Lodge 1934 in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, finally have a new collective agreement with East Isle Shipyard Limited.

“We began contract talks last September and we’ve just ratified this agreement,” explained GLR Brian Beaton. “Monetary issues were the constant stumbling blocks to coming to an agreement everyone could live with. This was the most difficult set of negotiations I have been through in many years.”

The three-year accord provides for a wage increase of four percent in each year and increased vacation pay. Other contract highlights include: work clothing allowance increased to $125 per year and bereavement leave to include a worker’s brother and sister. The 78 members of Local 1934 manufacture stern-drive ocean-going tugs for the world market.


New Report Documents Katrina Wage Abuse

A new report from Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) and recent testimony before the House has provided a closer look at the abuse and exploitation of the workers who took part in the New Orleans rebuilding effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The IWJ report, Working on Faith: A Faithful Response to Worker Abuse in New Orleans, surveyed more than 200 post-Katrina workers and found that 47 percent of them did not receive the pay they were entitled to, 55 percent did not receive overtime pay and 58 percent were exposed to dangerous substances such as contaminated water and asbestos.

At a House Oversight and Government Reform Domestic Policy Subcommittee, IWJ public policy director Ted Smukler and Subcommittee Chairman and 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) said it was a set of decisions by the Bush administration that set these workers up to be exploited.

“In addition to getting cost-plus and no-bid contracts, the corporations receiving federal contracts and subcontracts also benefited from the suspension of many labor laws and non-enforcement of others,” said Kucinich.


New Mexico and Missouri Members Win SCA Raises

IAM members of Local 2515 in Alamogordo, NM, and Local 778 in Kansas City, MO, who work for M-A/LSSI have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new three-year agreement that will provide them with annual pay raises of four percent, increased pension plan contributions and improved medical and dental plans.

The members are Service Contract employees who are spread out among Holloman AFB in New Mexico, Beale AFB in California and Whiteman AFB in Missouri.

“Through coordination and continued assistance from all involved, these negotiations were highly successful for our members working under this collective bargaining agreement and set a high standard to be matched in other area contracts,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Ray Moffatt.

 

 


Past iMail | Your Email |www.goiam.org | Print Version

Machinists News Network @ YouTube
YouTube For You We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry


Announcing the IAM Photo Contest
The IAM is repeating its members-only photography contest again this year and you are encouraged to enter. You can download a complete contest entry form by clicking here.

2006 IAM Newsletter & Website Contest Awards
Newsletter Award entries are judged on Layout & Design, Best Feature and General Excellence. Local lodges and Districts are judged separately.


The goal of the USA is to create an outdoor hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members and their families. TRCP Launches Union Sportsmen’s Alliance


IAM members can now purchase union gear online at the IAM Store.


The 2008 Convention website is online.
The site features updates, travel tips, convention news reports, info for the media, and official convention gear. Check it out.


Union Plus
IAM Member Benefits
mean money-saving discounts for IAM members and their families.


Your union source for Sharp® and Océ® copiers, high-speed duplicating and archiving equipment, fax machines and Hasler® postage equipment, along with over 35,000 items you can order online.




Enter member ID: PS16626766 when ordering online or call 1-877-289-9437. When ordering, you must reference code: PS16626766 to receive your union discount.



See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers.
Go to: IAM2007


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


Tom Buffenbarger
International President


Warren L. Mart
Secretary-Treasurer

 

Lee Pearson
GVP Western Territory

 

Dave Ritchie
GVP Canada

 

Robert Roach,Jr.
GVP Transportation

 

Lynn Tucker
GVP Eastern Territory



Robert Martinez
GVP Southern Territory



Richard Michalski
GVP Headquarters


Philip J. Gruber
GVP Midwest Territory