I’m very impressed with the feedback on the last round of Blue Ribbon Commission meetings. It is encouraging for members to know that their recommendations will be acted on.

Bennie Wininger

LL 554

Maytag Herrin Laundry Products, Herrin, IL

We were all able to voice our opinion and we can take back information to the local as well. It’s a great opportunity to hear what other members think.

Mitchell Coy

LL 2053

Maysteel L.L.C.,

Allenton, WI

I thought this meeting was very informative and I hope that the issues raised will be acted on.

Cliff Brown

Retiree

LL 554 Herrin, IL

It’s a wonderful opportunity for members to express their opinions and have their voices heard.

Patty Bledsoe

LL 1833

Reservations Agent,

Northwest Airlines

Bloomington, MN

These meetings are very good. It’s exactly what we need to help solve the problems we have.

Steve Duxbury

LL 1833 Bloomington IL

Equipment Service Employee, Northwest Airlines

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Contents Page

Members Speak Out At Town Hall Meetings

Some of the biggest changes in our union―from creating the Women’s Department to doubling the size of the Winpisinger Education Center ― came from suggestions made by IAM members in town hall meetings known as the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC).

This Spring, the IAM held its third round of meetings across North America. “These 40 town hall meetings will collect our members’ thoughts, opinions, and ideas,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “The last two Blue Ribbon Commissions sparked major improvements in our union. We want to hear from our members again. Their ideas will set the tone and direction of our union for years to come.”

Participants at the meetings are asked three key questions: What is working well with our union? What is not working well? And what changes are needed? Commission members, made up of representatives from all levels of the IAM, will take the thousands of comments and suggestions and prepare a report for the IAM Executive Council.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for members to express their opinions and have their voices heard,” said Northwest Reservation Agent Patty Bledsoe, who attended a meeting in Bloomington, MN.

In 1995, the IAM held 28 “Town Hall Meetings” across America. In 1998, there was a second round of 40 meetings. “We used what we learned from the first two rounds of meetings to make major changes in all areas of our union,” said General Vice President Bob Thayer, Blue Ribbon Commission chairperson. “When our members told us they needed help in collective bargaining we created the Strategic Resources Department to provide economic research and member surveys. When members asked for better communications, we relaunched our website, goiam.org, with video capability and moved Faxlink to an e-mail based newsletter, iMail. When members asked for more education, we doubled the size of the Winpisinger center and added more instructors and courses. And to keep the momentum going at the grassroots level, Grand Lodge Convention delegates approved a Communicator and Educator position in every local and district lodge. And we haven’t stopped there. We’ve strengthened organizing, made our union more diverse and taken steps to keep our retirees active members.

“We can only grow if we’re willing to change and listen to our members. That’s what the Blue Ribbon Commission is all about,” said Thayer.