IAM District 751 Verification Optimization (V.O.) Representatives have been pushing Boeing to reintroduce critical inspections ever since the company eliminated them with their Verification Optimization plan in 2018. Their efforts are now starting to come to fruition as Boeing is reinstating important inspections on specific packages throughout the airplane production process, which resulted in the recall of many of our laid-off inspectors.
These restored inspections will not only provide long-term integrity to the production process, it will also help alleviate the difficult position mechanics were put in under the Verification Optimization plan. Mechanics were often left unaware that inspections were removed and weren’t provided the necessary training on how this would impact their roles and responsibilities.
“Credit goes to the relentless efforts of our Union V.O. Reps, who have fought daily to get these decisions reversed and investigate each area where inspections were removed,” said IAM District 751 President Jon Holden. “I appreciate how thorough they are, and the fact that they continue to dig to get an accurate picture in each area they investigate rather than simply accepting Boeing’s explanation. These knowledgeable union reps all have extensive backgrounds in QA. As we said before, this will be a long battle, but one that we will continue to fight.”
“The Leadership of District Lodge 751 takes quality and job security seriously,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “We applaud their efforts on bringing back inspections to preserve product quality and providing job security for their membership. They are a shining example of being proactive in preserving the integrity of their jobs, which is a foundational principle of our organization.”
When Boeing announced its Verification Optimization plan, it cut thousands of inspections from their production process. District 751 objected and, as a result of effects bargaining, IAM V.O. Representatives were appointed to these new full-time positions. Effects bargaining also afforded IAM V.O. Representatives access to data in areas where inspections are being removed and the ability to propose reinstating inspections where it’s determined they are necessary for the production process.
Last fall, V.O. Reps helped get inspections restored on thousands of close tolerance holes. As more inspections are reinstated, Boeing must staff IAM inspectors proportionately to meet production demand.
“This has been a long process, and through the actions of our V.O. Reps we are fighting back and continually raising questions,” said IAM V.O. Representative Lloyd Catlin.
Below is a listing for the upcoming I02/C02/S18, 2nd shift election for Bath/EBMF on Thursday, May 20, 2021. In the event the election cannot be held on the stated date, the alternate date will be the 1st workday after the cancellation (or the Shipyard re-opens) at the same time and places listed below.
Bath: North Gate, West Gate and South Gate 2:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
Shop Steward nominations for the above classification(s), shift, and facility are now open. Petitions may be picked up beginning on May 13, 2021, at the Local S6 Union Hall.
You must be a member in good standing for one (1) year to run for Shop Steward and the petition must be signed by ten percent (10%) of the members in the classification(s) affected.
All petitions must be returned to the Recording Secretary (Ryan Ryder) no later than 4:00 p.m., May 27, 2021.
ONE (1) 2nd SHIFT BATH/EBMF H18/C70/Y02
Shop Steward nominations for the above classification(s), shift, and facility are now open. Petitions may be picked up beginning on May 13, 2021, at the Local S6 Union Hall.
You must be a member in good standing for one (1) year to run for Shop Steward and the petition must be signed by ten percent (10%) of the members in the classification(s) affected.
All petitions must be returned to the Recording Secretary (Ryan Ryder) no later than 4:00 p.m., May 27, 2021.
In accordance with Article III of the Constitution of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), nominations for Grand Lodge office for the term ending June 30, 2025 were conducted in January 2021. As a result of those nominations, the following officers were elected by acclimation (without a challenger):
Robert Martinez Jr., International President
Gary R. Allen, General Vice President
Sito Pantoja, General Vice President
Mark Blondin, General Vice President
Rickey Wallace, General Vice President
Brian Bryant, General Vice President
Steve Galloway, General Vice President
David Chartrand, General Vice President
James Beno, Committee on Law
Dave Weaver, Committee on Law
T. Dean Wright Jr., Committee on Law
Tania Canniff, Committee on Law
E. Michael Vartabedian, Delegate to AFL-CIO
Richard Jackson, Delegate to AFL-CIO
Sharon Sugiyama, Delegate to AFL-CIO
Kim Valliere, Delegate to Canadian Labour Congress
The General Secretary-Treasurer position was contested and a secret ballot election was conducted at local lodge meetings on April 24, 2021 and by absentee ballot.
In accordance with the Constitution, the Tellers began the count on May 1, 2021. Counting continued from day to day in front of any candidates or designated observers, until completed on May 7, 2021.
Dora Cervantes received the highest number of votes cast and is the successful candidate with 5,598 votes. The challenger received 3,416 votes.
Elected officers will begin their term on July 1, 2021.
That’s why the Machinists proudly support S.1, the For the People Act. Introduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the legislation aims to address voter intimidation and suppression across the U.S.A.
Already passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in early March, 2021, the bill would stop states from restricting a voter’s access to the ballot box and curb the role of money in politics.
Make it easier to vote by eliminating suppression obstacles
Remove the influence money has gained in the political system
Protect the election infrastructure
Give power back to eligible voters
Do your part and let your Senators know it’s time to pass this groundbreaking piece of legislation so that every vote cast, counts. Let’s protect our right to vote.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., released the following statement regarding a labor standards petition filed against Mexico under the USMCA:
“The IAM, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, strongly supports the first petition filed under the USMCA charging Mexico with violating the labor standards provisions of the trade agreement. Workers at the auto parts plant Tridonex in Matamoros are entitled under the agreement to freely select the union they want. These rights were violated.
“Workers throughout the world are entitled to the right to form a union. The company’s conduct not only violated these fundamental human rights, but Mexico, which agreed to do honor these rights under USMCA, must act quickly to enforce its laws and provide adequate and effective remedies to the workers.
“The IAM will work hard in the coming days to make sure that the labor standards in USMCA are enforced in all industrial sectors in Mexico, including aerospace.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
I want to thank every member who participated in the IAM’s Grand Lodge Officer Election for General Secretary-Treasurer. Our election process allowed members from across North America to have a voice in the future of our great union.
The results show that Dora Cervantes
has been re-elected as the IAM’s General Secretary-Treasurer. Complete results by local lodge will be released on goIAM.org
in the coming days.
Your union went above and beyond to ensure every IAM member had an opportunity to cast a ballot. The IAM expanded access to absentee voting
and extended the deadline to receive absentee ballots for anyone who had concerns about voting safely during the pandemic.
Now is the time to join together as one union. This moment will be an inflection point in the history of the IAM. We all know that the backbone of our great union is the hardworking men and women in every local, district, and territory.
With many local lodges not hosting regular, in-person monthly meetings and members still recovering from furloughs and layoffs, we are grateful for everyone who made their voice heard in this election.
I also want to personally thank everyone who helped with the observation and counting of ballots. You took on a huge responsibility and played a critical role in protecting the IAM’s great tradition of true union democracy.
No matter how you voted, now is the time to unite and move past the campaign rhetoric so we can grow and heal our great union. Let’s turn that energy into organizing and fighting for our members at the bargaining table and at every IAM workplace across North America.
The IAM’s advocacy on Capitol Hill is paying dividends with growing bipartisan support for the F-35 program, which is proudly built by Machinists Union members. As Congress begins consideration of their Fiscal Year 2022 defense authorization and spending bills, the Machinists Union is working to ensure that Congress continues their investment in this vitally important defense program.
A bipartisan group of 132 House Representatives and 20 U.S. Senators recently penned their support of the F-35 program to House and Senate heads of the Appropriations and Armed Services committees.
IAM members work up and down the supply chain to build the F-35, which strengthens national security, enhances global partnerships and powers economic growth.
The IAM and allies in Congress are emphasizing the critical need to maintain course towards the F-35’s full rate of production and an increased investment in modernization and sustainment in order to improve readiness and repair capacity as the program continues to grow.
“Machinists Union members take great pride in building the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for three U.S. military services,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The F-35 program creates a powerful economic impact for our nation and it produces a game-changing aircraft that keeps our fighter pilots safe. Now is the time to invest in the best air-to-air fighter by ramping up the production line to reduce unit costs and continue to handle the world’s current and emerging threats.”
The IAM’s commitment to military veterans was on full display at the 2021 IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament.
More than 130 golfers and 50 sponsors joined together on Monday, May 3 at Breton Bay Golf and Country Club in Leonardtown, MD. The tournament to raised approximately $100,000 for capital improvement projects for U.S. military veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Southern Maryland.
“The Machinists Union has a special bond with the military and the men and women who serve in our armed forces,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran. “Many of our members are veterans themselves and help support the mission of service men and women every day. This is just one more way we can give back to our community here in Maryland and to our nation’s heroes.”
IAM Local 4 (District 4) is proud to represent caregivers at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
, which has been proudly “serving those who served” since 1985. Its mission is to continually develop and deliver a safe, dignified and compassionate health care system; and provide a nurturing and engaging home environment for Maryland’s veterans and eligible spouses.
“I’d like to especially thank all the players, sponsors and volunteers who made the 2nd annual International President’s Capital Classic possible,” said Martinez. “It means so much to be able to give back here in the backyard of IAM Headquarters and the Winpisinger Center.”
The IAM represents 600,000 active and retired members across North America, many of whom are U.S. military veterans who work in the defense, aerospace and federal sectors, supporting the mission of our service members every day.
On May 5th 1888, Thomas W. Talbot organized what we now call the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). On that day, 19 railroad workers in a locomotive pit, tired of poor employment conditions, founded a union that would eventually boost pay and quality of life for millions of future IAM members.
A year later, Talbot would preside over the union’s first convention, which took place inside the Georgia State Senate Chambers in Atlanta. On the evening of May 6, 1889, Talbot would make a speech that laid the foundation for one of the most powerful labor unions in North America.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I thank you for your kind attention,” said Talbot, whose original title wasn’t president, but grand master machinist. “I extend to you a hearty welcome and cordial greeting.”
Back then the IAM, which was initially named the United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers of America, had grown from 19 members to more than 1,500 in the first year alone. Talbot’s initial vision was for the union to establish a fair and safe work environment in a dangerous railroad industry that was ripe with greed.
Talbot described the state of the trade as: “greatly impaired and abused by incompetent workmen–men who had served no apprenticeship–and who knew little or nothing about the trade. They would be given exceedingly low wages, and knowing their worthlessness, would accept the same.”
During that speech, Talbot urged delegates to build a union of well-paid, highly skilled workers with a stellar reputation that could transcend the rail industry.
“We propose, by our united efforts along these lines, to devise plans by which we can find immediate and profitable employment for worthy members, and to increase their daily wages to a more liberal basis,” said Talbot. “We desire, by the exchange of ideas and practical experience, to establish the means by which those in our trade may be so educated and elevated that they may be worthy of the vocation to which they have been called.”
At one point in the 1880s, at least one in 35 railway workers were severely injured annually. Risk of injury was so common that many rail companies employed private surgeons. During his speech, Talbot envisioned a union that could care for those who had suffered.
“We propose to create a fund for the relief of our sick and disabled members, and a life endowment for the families of our deceased brethren,” said Talbot.
Talbot was a respected leader who would guide the union for its first two years. Michael J. Griffin, who would join the union in 1890 at age 20, personally knew Talbot. In 1947, he discussed Talbot’s legacy with the Machinists’ News and considered him a bold and courageous trade unionist.
“I tell those young machinists that Tom was a great man,” said Griffin. “They owe him a lot of debt of thanks for the fine splendid organization he started for them.”
Almost three years after speaking at that first convention, a then 42-year-old Talbot died suddenly in 1892 in his home state of South Carolina. But his legacy and vision came to fruition as the popularity of the IAM grew. Membership increased from 19 in 1888 to 69,000 in 1907. By 1950, the IAM had more than 600,000 dues payers and at least 1,800 lodges.
