Boeing Proposes Massive Takeaways

Fighting back: IAM members mobilize to make Boeing “Do the Right Thing” in contract negotiations. Aerospace Coordinator Dick Schneider; District 751 President Mark Blondin; District 70 President Steve Rooney, District 24 DBR Bob Petroff and Subcommittees lead thousands of IAM members to the 'Truth Rally' in Seattle, WA.

Early on Wednesday, August 24, Boeing presented their first complete contract proposal to the IAM. The company's proposal fell well short on the top issues identified by IAM members in surveys taken prior to the opening negotiations.

Boeing’s first complete proposal included a meager increase on pensions; takeaways in medical benefits; virtually no job security provisions; reductions in medical layoff benefits; additional costs on retiree medical; massive givebacks for Wichita workers and elimination of retiree medical for new hires.

“The initial complete proposal is an insult to the people who returned Boeing to number one status after several years of struggle,” said Aerospace Coordinator Dick Schneider. “This is the worst first offer the Main Table Negotiators have ever seen.”

“Since the last contract negotiations three years ago, Boeing has tripled their profits due to the sacrifice and hard work of these highly-skilled Machinists,” explained International President Tom Buffenbarger. "Now it's payback time."

The IAM immediately began developing a counter-proposal as around-the-clock negotiations continued. Click here for negotiation updates.

BRAC Commission Spares Two Bases

Members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission vote on parts of the final list of base closures that will go to President Bush in September.

Hundreds of IAM members breathed a collective sigh of relief yesterday after the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) rejected the Pentagon’s recommendation to close two vital Naval bases in New England.

More than 200 IAM members from Local Lodges 836 and S25 working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine and 600 IAM members at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut will keep their jobs as a result of the decision.

The decision saved more than 12,000 jobs overall and preserved a shipyard and submarine base that have proven essential to the security of New England and the whole country.

When BRAC members visited the Portsmouth shipyard in June, they were greeted by more than 7,000 supporters, including many IAM members, making the case to keep the shipyard open.

The BRAC Commission also agreed to realign, rather than close, the Red River Army Depot in Texas, where the IAM represents about 3,000 workers. As a result, certain programs will be spared, while others are relocated elsewhere, costing more than 350 jobs.

Unfortunately, the rulings yesterday were the exception to the rule for the BRAC commission, which has so far stuck closely to the Pentagon’s recommendations. Commission members are scheduled to complete voting on the Pentagon’s recommendations by August 27.

The nine member commission has until September 8 to send its recommendations to the President, who will then have until September 23 to prepare his recommendations to hand over to Congress.

IAM SimTechs Ratify First Agreement

Simulator Technicians employed by L3 Communications, Link Simulation and Training at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ ratified their first collective bargaining agreement on August 21. The three-year accord includes pay increases from 10.7 percent to 42.7 percent over the life of the agreement, depending on the job classification.

The first agreement includes all the features the IAM strives to achieve for new members, including, shift premiums, sick leave, education reimbursements up to $3,400 per year, travel reimbursement protections, ten holidays a year, jury and bereavement leave, rollover of up to one week of vacation, seniority, a solid grievance and arbitration process, union security, check-off and a full offering of benefits. Employees also have the option to save up to four percent of their annual income in a 401K will receive an equal match up to one percent per year.

The technicians voted for IAM representation at Luke Air Force Base this past spring. Danny Jenkins, the IAM Steward elected by the technicians, assisted Special Representative Matt McKinnon in the negotiations for the agreement. Local Lodge 519 President Stan Drozdz and Technician Ricky McElvy lauded the agreement as a good first agreement and a great starting point in the technicians first experience as union members.

Pemco Members Holding Strong

Community support is high for IAM members locked out by locked out Pemco in Dothan, AL. From left, Local 1632 Recording Secretary Larry Kell, Larry Hammack, owner of Larry's Restaurant and Local 1632 President William Ellis.

IAM members of Local 1632 in Dothan, Alabama are still holding strong on the 15th day of the lockout by Pemco World Air Services. Pemco is demanding major, unreasonable concessions from the workers. Pemco locked out the 200 workers on August 11th after the contract expired. There are also 250 IAM members who were recently laid off. The facility performs heavy maintenance and conversions of airliners.

The local community and other IAM members have come to the aid of the workers with shows of support. Locals in District Lodge 75 have stocked a large food bank, given cash donations to the lockout fund, and 3,000 members of LL 2003 at Ft. Rucker, AL hosted a cookout.

Locked-out members are distributing signs to retail establishments to show their support for the workers. The local is overwhelmed with calls of support from local businesses. “These workers are fighting for the future of good jobs in the Wiregrass area,” said District 75 Business Representative Steve Pridgen. “They won’t cave into Pemco’s demands that would devastate the area. And the community understands that. They’ll fight to keep these jobs the type of jobs our children will be proud to have when they grow up.”

“I’m impressed with the solidarity of this local lodge,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “District 75, the Wiregrass community, and the IAM have their back. I know they have the strength to prevail in their fight for their future, and I’m proud of them.”

IAM Member Celebrates 100th Birthday

IAM Local 778 retiree Robert Conley, center, celebrates his 100th birthday and 50 years of IAM membership with his daughter, right, and grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Surrounded by family and friends, including his daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, retired IAM Member Robert Conley celebrated his 100th birthday in style. Born in La Cygne, Kansas on August 23, 1905, Conley has lived through 18 U.S. Presidents, two World Wars, the Great Depression and roads that went from dirt to Interstate Highways.

Also on hand at the celebration was Local 778 Directing Business Representative Joe Capra, who presented Conley with a letter from International President Tom Buffenbarger, a Gold Life Member Card from Grand Lodge signifying 50 years of IAM membership, a 50-year Continuous Service Certificate and a 50-year diamond Gold Service Pin. Conley was ecstatic and immediately pulled out his wallet and replaced his old retiree’s card with his new Life Member Gold Card. Even after 35 years in retirement, he still carries his union card!

Conley started working for the Bendix Corporation’s Kansas City Plant in 1952 as a Heat Treater. The facility made non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons. “Bendix was a great place to work, they treated the employees well,” said Conley. After 18 years, he retired in 1970 at the age of 65.

Conley was too young for World War I and old for World War II, but he did his part. He built B-25 bombers in Fairfax area of Kansas City, Kansas during the war. After retiring from Bendix, he couldn’t sit still. He worked as a guard at the La Cygne Power Plant, a gas meter reader and did a stint on the La Cygne City Council.

“You can’t sit around, you’ve got to keep moving,” Conley remarked. Even at 100, he still walks every day and does his laundry at the local laundromat.

“We’re proud to have someone like Brother Conley in our Territory,” said Midwest GVP Jim Brown. “He’s an inspiration to all of us. Our best wishes go to him and his wonderful family on this great occasion.”

Local 778 DBR Joe Capra presents the 50-year membership certificate, pin and Gold Card to IAM member Robert Conley.

Click here for more pictures of the celebration.

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