|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tu IAM members at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tuscon, Arizona, get details on the "last, best, and final" contract offer from the company.
Raytheon Members Reject
Contract, Authorize Strike
The local’s IAM
negotiators recommended a vote against the proposal that included a lump
sum signing bonus in lieu of annual wage increases and up to $560 in
monthly medical premium costs for retirees.
GOP Unveils New
Corporate Tax Cuts The legislation includes an $8.2 billion break for tax dodging U.S. firms that move to offshore locations and reduces the corporate income tax rate from 35 to 32 percent. The treasury-draining proposal comes despite a projected federal budget deficit of more than $500 billion. “What should have been a legislative relief package for manufacturers and workers hammered by the Bush-Greenspan recession is just another example of this administration’s radical agenda for America,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “There is no excuse for ignoring the needs of millions of U.S. workers while reducing corporate tax revenues that are at the lowest levels since 1983.”
Additional lobbying by
architectural and engineering firms won their inclusion under the GOP
giveaway, making Vice President Dick Cheney’s old firm, Halliburton,
eligible for yet another tax break.
U-Haul Campaign Goes
Nationwide
A nationwide campaign
to bring U-Haul into the 21st century is underway. In addition
to union organizing efforts and a concerted legal strategy in California
and Nevada, IAM members across North America are encouraged to participate
in an e-mail campaign to hold U-Haul President Edward “Joe” Shoen
accountable for the abysmal working conditions at his company. Click
here
to send your e-mail and join the fight for justice at
U-Haul.
Take the Airline
Workplace Survey Rudeness, disrespect and even physical assault should not be part of anyone’s job description, but airport workers and flight crews routinely face abuse from passengers that would not be tolerated anywhere else. In an effort to measure the extent of this behavior, Public Agenda and the IAM are conducting an online survey where employees themselves can provide the data to accurately determine the scope of the problem. The survey questionnaire takes only a few minutes to complete and can be taken online at www.publicagenda.org/specials/iamaw, or downloaded and printed from www.iamaw.org/publications/pdfs/Public_Agenda_Survey.pdf. Participation in the survey is completely anonymous.
Results will be used
to generate a national discussion on the issue of respect and civility
toward transportation employees.
GOP Puts Medicare in
Cross Hairs It is a flawed proposal that radically changes Medicare and harms far more than it helps America’s current and future retirees. The proposal attempts to privatize Medicare and put seniors at the mercy of insurance companies. At the same time, it leaves millions of seniors with huge drug costs despite a 50 percent Medicare premium increase. Also, the measure threatens employer-provided drug coverage for as many as 4 million retirees who could lose such coverage if the proposal passes. House Republicans sought to insert huge tax breaks for anyone subscribing to “medical savings accounts” that have been included in every GOP House measure for some time. Since the measure primarily benefits the well to do, opponents see that as just another back-door attempt to fundamentally restructure Medicare. A bipartisan group of 41 senators wrote President Bush and warned him that “a partisan conference report that jeopardizes Medicare and does not provide meaningful assistance to the elderly and disabled should not and will not pass.” To send a message to your lawmakers on this issue, visit www.aflcio.org. Past iMail | Your Email | Visit www.goiam.org | Print Version | Sign-Up for iMail 
|
|
