It’s a proud moment for one machinist to be inducted into the Georgia Labor Hall of Fame. So when four IAM members were honored at this year’s ceremony, proud didn’t begin to describe the emotions felt by our union family.
Machinist members Brother Peter F. Taylor Jr., Brother Alan R. Williams, Brother Waymon D. Norwood and Brother Clint Allen solidified their place in labor history as they were inducted into the Georgia Labor Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony.
“I am so pleased that four of my union brothers been awarded, by their peers, a spot in the Georgia Labor Hall of Fame,” said IAM’s Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “These IAM members have spent their lives paving the way for Labor in the Peach State. This award honors their legacy and cements their place in history among the working class, as well as the legacy of the Machinists Union. I am very proud to call these men, my brothers.
That evening, before the festivities began, the IAM honored its own with a special Machinist award, making sure these unionists understood the impact they have had on our union and thousands of workers across Georgia. Their work and their words won’t soon be forgotten.
A few memorable moments from the winners’ acceptance speeches:
“It’s good to see our young members here, who are picking up the gauntlet and continuing the fight. We paved the way and I’m so proud they are following in our footsteps.” – Machinist Clint Allen
“Thank you to every person who helped me on this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you.” – Machinist Peter F. Taylor Jr.
“It has been a long journey but It was worth every step of the way. So good to see so many faces I don’t know because it means we are doing the right thing.” – Machinist Alan R. Williams
“My steps are getting slower and shorter but I still have more to do. This award shows me that I’m on the right path.” – Machinist Waymon D. Norwood
The IAM is holding its 2020 Veteran Services Program February 23-28 at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The IAM understands military veterans can have unique situations and needs. This week-long course was developed to help IAM veterans themselves, and to better recognize those needs in order to help our members who have served our country.
Nearly 25 Machinists Union members made their voices heard at the 20th Biennial Convention of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) in Las Vegas last week. The theme for the convention was “Sisters Not Afraid of Power: Coming Together to Change the World!” Eleven members traveled from District 751 in the Seattle area of Washington State. Several of the attendees were first-time attendees and many hold positions in their local CLUW Chapters.
Machinists delegates not only showed up, they participated in every aspect of the convention. Assistant Legislative Director Monica Lee Silbas and IAM District 751 Local C member Shari Boggs, both Veterans, served in the color guard. District 751 Local E member Linda Ramos and Local 86 members Kenya Conway were timekeepers while Conway also participated in the choir. District 751 Local C members Ariel McKenzie and Juanita (Maggie) Cook escorted Speakers Liz Shuler and Dolores Huerta to the stage. District 751 members Regina Fountain (Local F), Michelle Jackson (Local C), and Carolyn Romeo (Local F) carried the IAM Banner. IAM Communications Representative Tanya Hutchins and District 751 Local A member Kristi Kidrick carried the Chesapeake Bay Chapter Banner, and District 751 Local F member Terry Myette served on the Credentials Committee.
Many of the sisters spoke on various resolutions and proposed by-laws changes. Ariel McKenzie wrote an amendment to the climate change resolution to include job protection in the process of addressing climate change that was included in the final resolution.
Delegates heard from such speakers as AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer, Liz Shuler, Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers Co-Founder and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Linda Chavez-Thompson, retired Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO, among others. Founded in 1974, the Coalition of Labor Union Women is America’s only national organization for union women and has four goals: organize the unorganized; promote affirmative action; increase women’s participation in unions; and increase women’s participation in political and legislative activities. Members plan to meet again in the Spring at CLUW’s National Executive Board meeting.
When Jerry L. McCune walked into Vance Air Force Base in 1965, everything changed. Little did he know it was the first step of what would become his life’s work. And that nearly 50 years later, it would lead him to be inducted into the Oklahoma Labor Hall of Fame.
“Jerry’s father was a union man, so he knew what it meant to be union. And right away, Jerry got to work organizing the base,” said Rick Boardman, President and Directing Business Representative of the district Jerry used to oversee. “And since that day, he has never stopped working for the working man.”
From that first day, Jerry’s union career fell into place as he moved from being initiated into Local 898 in 1974 to being elected as president of the lodge the next year – a position he held until 1993. Shop steward, negotiating committee member and a variety of other positions along the way turned into a Business Representative post in 1997 where he proudly served IAM members until he retired in 2012.
But it was this month that Jerry’s legacy was cemented as an inductee into the Oklahoma Labor Hall of Fame. IAM’s International President Bob Martinez and General Vice President of the Southern Territory Rickey Wallace made the trip to the Sooner State to see their brother and friend receive this great honor.
“I was proud to see Jerry placed into the Oklahoma Labor Hall of Fame,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “As the Directing Business Representative of Local 898 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, he was a city leader and loud voice for working people at the base and in the city. He made sure the IAM was part of the fabric of the community. No one deserves this honor more than Jerry McCune.”
“Jerry is the epitome of what a Fighting Machinist is and what others should strive to be each and every day,” said Wallace. “He made life better for workers across Oklahoma which is the benchmark for a true trade unionist. I am so proud to call him brother and thank him for his years of serving the middle class.”
A man of few words, Jerry accepted his award at this year’s ceremony with grace and modesty in front of many of his union brothers and sisters.
“Always tell the truth. That’s the best advice I can give,” said Jerry as he accepted his award at the podium.
