President Bush signed Fast Track legislation that will usher in
a new round of NAFTA-style agreements.
To get the Facts about 'Free
Trade' and its damaging effect on America's workers, read "The
Real Cost of 'Free' Trade" from Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders.
Video:
Live
Here if You Dare
(For video, scroll down to the link in the 'Third Shift' section of the
News page)
Join Eastern Territory IAM
members in a tour of the Maquiladora area in Tijuana, Mexico to see
firsthand the deplorable living and working conditions of Mexican
workers.
This year's Union Label Week runs Sept. 2-7.
Download a full range of resources to
help promote union-made products at the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service
Trades website, www.unionlabel.org.
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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.
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Thursday August 15, 2002
IAM Tells Boeing: Re-Invest, Build
The
Boeing Co. must reinvest in its people and new products instead of
exporting jobs and spending billions to buy back their own stock, the
IAM’s chief negotiator said at the start of round-the-clock contract
talks with the aerospace giant.
Boeing must address
union members’ concerns over job security, health insurance and improved
pensions to achieve a new settlement when the current contract expires
September 1, Schneider said.
Boeing has
eliminated more than half its IAM jobs since 1999, Schneider said,
citing a Washington state report predicting the aerospace job cuts will
drain more than $3.5 billion in personal income and at least $600
million taxes from the region in the next several years.
“The IAM has helped
Boeing save millions of dollars on health care costs” since forming a
joint committee with the company in 1995, said Schneider, announcing
that the union has proposed additional reforms to limit costs and reduce
medical errors. He vowed to resist any efforts by Boeing to increase
employees’ out-of-pocket expenses.
“The average
employee retires after 30 years at Boeing on a pension equal to one
third of their former pay. Boeing’s top executives receive pensions from
150 percent to 209 percent higher than their salaries,” Schneider
observed. With $3 billion surplus cash in the Boeing pension fund, the
union expects a major increase in pension benefits this contract, he
added.
IAM Backs United’s Loan Bid
The IAM pledged its full support for United Airlines application for
federal loan guarantees and pointed out that the “carrier’s serious
financial condition is a direct reflection of the Sept. 11 attacks. That
alone makes United eligible for “immediate assistance”, noted Randy
Canale, District 141 president; and Scotty Ford, District 141-M
president.
In a joint
statement, Canale and Ford noted that the IAM is prepared to continue
talks with United about ways to cut costs and eliminate operation
inefficiencies. “We are concerned, however, that the company has yet to
respond to cost-cutting suggestions from front-line employees at
United.”
IAM members at
United were the last to receive wage increases following the ESOP, but
were the first to respond to United’s current crisis with a $500 million
loan and a commitment to work with the carrier to avoid bankruptcy, the
statement added.
Potlatch Picketers
Stand Strong
More
250 members of IAM Local W-484 in Warren, AR, have been on strike
against Potlatch Corporation since July 31. Contract talks broke down
over management demands for outrageous concessions in health care
benefits, reports GLR Bill Street who was actively involved in
negotiations.
“Our members are
standing firm and morale is high on the picket line,” echoes District
W-2 DBR Leon Blocker. The union offered significant concessions in the
health care area, but the company demanded even more takeaways, Street
said “And they refused to show any documentation to support their
claims,” he added.
The union filed
unfair labor practice based on management’s refusal to provide credible
information on the health insurance issue.
Street noted that
“donations and support from workers across the nation are coming in.”
The Arkansas State AFL-CIO has asked its affiliates to join the Potlatch
struggle. Donations may be sent to IAM Local W-484, 707 Sturgis St.,
Warren, AR 71671. Checks may be made payable to Local W-484 Strike Fund.
Bush ‘Pep Rally’
Falls Flat
Despite a handpicked participant list and a carefully engineered agenda,
President Bush’s so-called Economic Forum drew more snickers than
standing ovations. One Bush administration official admitted before the
forum opened that the corporate donors who dominated the guest list
would follow the White House script.
“I don’t think there’s any point in picking someone who has the opposite
point of view,” the unnamed official told the Washington Post. An
economist at the usually Bush-friendly National Center for Policy
Analysis, a conservative think tank, echoed those views before the show
opened.
“The purpose of the meetings is to show action without actually doing
anything,” the Center’s Bruce Bartlett told CNN. “I seriously doubt it
will serve any purpose.”
The CEOs from Pfizer, Inc., Charles Schwab Corp., Caterpillar Corp.,
International Paper, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the New York Stock
Exchange and the National Association of Manufacturers enjoyed the White
House hospitality.
A handful of representatives from working families made a token
appearance.
IAM Gains New Voice at DNC
Maria
Cordone, the IAM’s Retiree/Community Services director, was named
executive vice chair of the National Democratic Seniors Coordinating
Council. The Council advises the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on
important issues affecting older Americans. It is comprised of seniors,
union representatives and other community leaders.
“I am excited about
this new opportunity to give retired Americans and working families a
stronger voice,” Cordone said. Immediately after the election, Cordone
was one of three witnesses who testified before the DNC’s Ad Hoc
Committee on Affiliates. They successfully petitioned for affiliate
status which would give the Council voting rights in the DNC, she
explained.
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