iMail archives

feedback

visit goiam.org

print version

iMail signup


 

 

NAFTA on Steroids?  No Thanks!

The Senate could vote this week on the final version of Fast Track, which will spark a new round of NAFTA-style trade agreements.

Contact your Senators today and tell them to Say 'NO' to Fast Track.

 


The entry deadline for the 2002 IAM Newsletter and Website Contest is July 31, 2002.

If your lodge hasn't entered yet, act soon. For entry forms and information, contact the IAM Communications Department at 301-967-4520.
 


Union Plus uses the collective strength of union members to provide a wide range of services at discount prices, from credit cards to home mortgages.

This month, Union Plus spotlights its discount legal services program. For more information, click here.



Get Your Convention Gear Check out gear for the 2004 IAM Convention



The IAM

Executive Council

International President 
R. Thomas Buffenbarger 
 

Secretary Treasurer
Donald E. Wharton 
 

GVP Western 
Territory
Lee Pearson 


GVP Canada
Dave Ritchie 
 

GVP Midwest 
Territory
Alex M. Bay 
 

GVP Headquarters
Robert V. Thayer


GVP Southern
Territory
George Hooper 
 

GVP Eastern
Territory
Warren L. Mart 
 

GVP Transportation
Robert Roach, Jr.

 

Tuesday, July 30, 2002


House Rams Through Fast Track Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives sold out American workers when it passed the final version of flawed Fast Track legislation in a sneak vote at 3:30 a.m. last Saturday morning. The vote was a close 215 to 212, with 25 Democrats joining 190 Republicans to vote for Fast Track.

“President Bush says Fast Track will create more jobs in the U.S., that’s absolutely ridiculous,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “NAFTA has destroyed close to a million jobs in the U.S. alone. This Fast Track vote sets the stage for new trade agreements that will send millions of jobs out of North America. The twenty-five Democrats who voted for Fast Track should be ashamed.”

Both the House and Senate passed earlier versions of Fast Track legislation. Differences in the two versions meant the final bill had to be hammered out in a House and Senate conference committee. Negotiators from the House and Senate met behind closed doors on July 24 and rammed through a final version by July 25. They stripped provisions out of the Senate version that would have protected American workers and they gutted language to stop illegal dumping of imports into the U.S.

After rushing through the conference committee, GOP leaders scheduled a sneak vote for the next day. The House voted late Friday night and by 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning the deal was done.

“The House got Fast Track rolling last December when they approved the initial version 215 to 214. Now the final version squeaked through by just three votes. We can stop future Fast Tracks if we take back just a few key seats in the November election,” said Buffenbarger. “We need to register to vote and turn out at the polls in November.”

The Senate will vote on Fast Track this week.


Action Alert: Tell Senate to Stop Fast Track
The Fast Track express moved through the House last week faster than Amtrak’s new Acela. It now moves to the Senate for final approval. Lawmakers are set to vote before they leave town for the August recess. “This is the last chance to stop Fast Track,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Call, email and fax your Senators and urge them to stop this flawed legislation.”

IAM members can use the AFL-CIO’s toll-free number 1-877-611-0063 that will connect directly with the capitol switchboard. Just ask for your Senator’s office when the operator answers. Members can also send an email message from the Politics and Legislation page of the IAM website, www.goiam.org. Look for “Tell Senate to Say ‘NO’ to Fast Track” in the Action Alert section.


Workers Sue Stanley Works
Four IAM members sued Stanley Works in Federal District Court on Monday, claiming the company used confidential information to pressure employees to vote in favor of the controversial bid to move the company’s headquarters to Bermuda.

The suit charges Stanley violated ERISA protections when they accessed voting records and pressured employees at home and at work to vote in favor of the move. Many Stanley Works employees hold company stock in 401k accounts and are eligible to vote on the re-incorporation scam.

“Stanley’s offshore aspirations threaten to turn this company into the poster child for what’s wrong with Corporate America,” said Machinists Union president Tom Buffenbarger. “After sending thousands of U.S. jobs overseas, management couldn’t resist rigging one more opportunity to take care of itself at the expense of its workers.”

The suit asks the Court to force Stanley Works to honor the Plan’s confidentiality requirements and to appoint independent trustees and Proxy solicitors who will not share confidential voting information with officials of the company.


Pratt Slapped for Destroying Records
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined engine maker Pratt & Whitney a mere $1,275 for destroying employee medical records that could have shed light on the high incidence of brain cancer among workers at the company.

The federal agency, charged with protecting workers’ health and safety nationwide, characterized the violation as “serious,” but did not provide details of the citation.

“Dozens of workers at Pratt have died from brain tumors,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “A major study is underway to discover the cause. Those records could have made the difference.”

Pratt & Whitney admitted to destroying 12-18 boxes of employee medical records. The IAM filed a complaint with OSHA when a member requested personal medical records and was told they were destroyed in what the company called a ‘routine purge.’

For more information, read the article titled “Worked to Death” in the Summer 2002 IAM Journal.


Homeland Security Bill Stalled
Legislation proposed by President Bush to create the Department of Homeland Security could miss the September 11 target date set by administration officials.

The bill, which would consolidate 22 existing federal agencies and employ nearly 170,000 workers, is hung up on language that would allow the president to unilaterally revoke civil service protection and collective bargaining rights for federal employees of the new department.

“This administration want to turn back the clock to a time before federal workers enjoyed civil service protections and union representation,” said Frank Carelli, IAM Director of Government Employees. “This anti-labor agenda has no place in the bill, or in the debate of how best to secure the freedom and safety of U.S. citizens.”

Carelli urged IAM members to visit their representatives at home during the upcoming recess and tell them to support collective bargaining and Title 5 rights for federal employees.


Eastern Territory Organizing Wins
Employees at Ryder Transport Services in Highland Park, Michigan and Flight Safety Service, Inc. in Dover, Delaware become the newest members of the IAM following recent organizing wins.

The Eastern Territory, headed by GVP Warren Mart, added to its successful organizing record, a record built on signing up new members in small as well as large units. “Each and every new member is a valuable addition to this union,” said GVP Mart.

District 60 will represent the new members of Ryder Transport and District Lodge 1 will represent the new members of Flight Safety Service, Inc.

GVP Mart extended thanks and congratulations to the entire organizing team including:  District 1 DBR Danny Chmelko; District 60 DBR Don Riffee; Business Rep Bobby Atanasovski; Organizer Paul Urbanczyk and Grand Lodge Representative George Meyers.


Last Call for Newsletter and Website Contest
The deadline for the 2002 IAM Newsletter and Website contest is tomorrow, July 31, 2002. If your local or district lodge has not entered your newsletter or website yet, act today. Entries must be postmarked no later than July 31. Call the Communications Dept. at 301-967-4520 for entry forms and rules.