www.goiam.org
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
IAM Leaders in
White House Meeting
Government bailout money provided to United Airlines was the issue today at a
meeting between White House officials and Machinists Union leaders seeking new
contracts for 45,000 United employees represented by the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
"Today's meeting was requested by the IAM to determine if this administration's
alleged concerns over United's use of bailout funds is preventing our
negotiations from moving forward," said Scotty Ford, IAM District 141-M
president and lead negotiator for 15,000 mechanic and related employees at
United.
"White House officials indicated they would not stand in the way of our
negotiations," said Randy Canale, IAM District 141 president representing 30,000
United employees. We remain concerned, however, their involvement is guiding
United management toward additional delay at the bargaining table."
"A level playing field for all employee groups is essential to rebuilding United
Airlines," said Robert Roach, Jr., IAM General Vice President. "United
management must return to the bargaining table prepared to resolve employees'
legitimate concerns regarding pay and job security. Rebuilding employee
confidence is the first step toward restoring the level of passenger confidence
this airline and this industry depends on."
Social
Security Panel Offers 'Raw Deal'
A presidential
panel created to shore up the Social Security safety net and head off a deficit
predicted by 2038 failed on both counts, according to an analysis by the
Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Instead, the panel simply came up with a cover
story for President Bush to use as he pursues his plan to swap your retirement
security for fatter commissions to his Wall Street backers.
"Both President Bush and Congress squandered our best chance to strengthen and
protect Social Security when they blew our federal budget surplus on a huge tax
cut for millionaires," said IP Tom Buffenbarger. "The only people who benefit
from this concoction are investment bankers and Wall Street brokers."
The EPI study, Undermining Social Security with Private Accounts, faults the
Bush commission's recommended private investment options as a "raw deal" that
would leave coming generations of retirees with a reduced standard of living and
would require massive infusions of new tax dollars to pay for the changeover to
private accounts.
The study faults the commission for overlooking an obvious and fair solution for
resolving most, if not all, of the deficit. That solution simply would remove
the arbitrary cap on earnings that are subject to the Social Security payroll
tax-a change that would cover at least three-fourths of the predicted deficit.
The complete EPI study can be found at
www.epinet.org/
Economic
Stimulus Bill Lurks in Senate
The White
House and its GOP allies in the Senate hit choppy waters in their efforts to
bring an economic stimulus bill to speedy passage. Huge giveaways to Corporate
America and hefty rebates to wealthy taxpayers left the bill adrift as
supporters scramble to round up votes.
Democrats vow that any stimulus package must contain generous help for working
men and women affected by the recession and the aftermath of the Sept. 11
tragedy. Decent jobless benefits and health insurance premiums for laid-off
workers would do more to jump-start the economy than any tax giveaway to Big
Business.
The GOP's
stimulus package returns every nickel corporations paid under the alternative
minimum tax law for the last 15 years! That hands a $1.4 billion dollar
stocking stuffer to IBM, another $1 billion to Ford, $833 million to GE and $600
million to Daimler Chrysler. Guess how much you get?
Call your senators now, toll-free at 800-718-1008 and urge them to vote
against this outrageous rip-off. Ask them to focus on the real needs of working
families. We can make a difference.
IAM
Publications Win ILCA Awards
The IAM
Communications Department and several IAM local and district publications won
awards in the annual International Labor Communications Association (ILCA)
Journalism contest. The ILCA is an AFL-CIO allied organization of trade
unionists involved in print, broadcast, film and web-based communications. The
ILCA represents hundreds of locals, districts and international unions
throughout North America with a combined circulation total of more than 27
million.
The IAM's website, GoIAM.org, won top honors as the best website among
international unions. The IAM Journal took second place in general excellence
among international unions and two awards for in-depth articles on CEO pay
(Jan/Feb 2000) and prison labor (May/June 2000). An IAM-produced video on NAFTA
for the 2000 Grand Lodge Convention took first place in the Film and Broadcast
contest.
Other IAM winners included a second place general excellence award and a first
place best front page award for Local 1759's Fly Paper edited by Al Abromitis.
District 751's Aero Mechanic, edited by Connie Kelliher, received an honorable
mention for general excellence. Local 141's Transporter, edited by Harry
Katopodis, won a third-place award for best cover and two Saul Miller "Awards of
Excellence."
The IAM has
been a strong supporter of the ILCA since its founding in 1956. Bill Upton,
Assistant Director of the IAM Communications Department, serves on the ILCA
Executive Board and was re-elected at the ILCA convention to a second term as a
vice president.
"These awards demonstrate the talent and dedication of our members at every
level of our union" said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. "The IAM has always
played a leading role in the ILCA. I urge all of our locals and districts that
have newsletters or websites to join and remain ILCA members."
The benefits of joining the ILCA include a monthly graphics packet, the ILCA
Reporter, and access to communications and other resources. For more information
and a complete list of contest winners, go to the ILCA website at
http://ilca.aflcio.org or call
202-637-5068.
Union
Leaders, US Airways CEO Meet
IAM
representatives met with US Airways' Chairman Stephen Wolf for the first time
since Rakesh Gangwal resigned as president and CEO on November 27. Also present
at the meeting were union representatives of pilots, flight attendants and
ticket agents at US Airways.
Wolf, now US Airways Chairman and CEO, expressed a desire to maintain current
hub operations and for increased flying to and from Washington National and New
York's LaGuardia airports. The former head of United Airlines, Flying Tigers and
Republic Airlines also repeated his goal of increased regional jet operations as
part of a plan to restore US Airways to profitability without selling, merging
or significantly shrinking the nation's sixth largest airline.
Unemployment Hits 5.7 Percent
Massive job
losses continue to rock the U.S. economy, according to government figures that
show a recession with the highest level of unemployment in six years. Nearly 1.2
million Americans lost jobs in October and November, pushing the labor
department's total unemployment figure to 8.2 million.
The disastrous employment picture has many economists predicting the Federal
Reserve Bank will cut short-term interest rates for the 11th time
this year when they meet on December 11. A quarter point cut would lower the
rate to 1.75 percent, down from 6.5 percent at the beginning of the year.
Interest rate cuts and continued job losses are expected despite some forecasts
of an economic recovery in 2002, due to employers who will try to absorb
increased demand without hiring more workers. "If the economy were turning, the
last place you would expect to see it is in the labor market," opined economist
James Glassman of J.P. Morgan Chase Securities.
Economists agree it will take growth of at least three percent to stop the rise
in unemployment. "Unless there is a change in direction from Washington,
unemployment will continue to rise throughout 2002," said Larry Mishel of the
Economic Policy Institute.
Canadian
Machinist Wins Labour Seat
On December 5, 2001, Canadian Communications Representative Frank Saptel won a
landslide victory to become one of two Vice-Presidents of the Ontario Federation
of Labour (OFL) Representing Visible Minorities. Saptel, an active member of the
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA)
won the vice-presidency in his first-ever bid for elected office. "This is
something I felt strongly about," said Saptel. "Its also something I knew I
could accomplish. Promoting the rights of people of color within the labor
movement must be an ongoing process and providing leadership training is of the
utmost importance."
Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie said of
Saptel's election, "The work done at the OFL to represent people of color is the
future of the union movement. I was very pleased that Frank decided to run for
the position and I know he will do an excellent job at the Federation."
Comments, suggestions,
or story items?
Contact IAMAW
dgeorgallas@iamaw.org
301-967-4520
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