Oct 17, 2019 | iMail
“Seriously, what else would you call closing an American facility and opening one in Mexico six months later?” wrote Fred Owens, a third-generation worker at FreightCar America Roanoke and President of the TCU-IAM Carmen Division Local 6016. “And why else were we certified for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) by the Department of Labor, which only applies to “workers adversely affected by foreign trade”? We could say that means our jobs are going to Mexico.”
Owen’s op-ed in the Roanoke Times came on the heels of FreightCar America recently announcing intent to cut 200 jobs as it shutters its Roanoke train car assembly facility.
The post Workers Wonder if Lost Roanoke’s FreightCar Jobs Will Roll to Mexico appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 17, 2019 | iMail
The joint nationwide MFLC organizing campaign by the Western Territory and the IAM Healthcare Department is proud to announce two more victories. The first at Ft. Benning, GA and the second at Ft. Bragg, NC. The 36 new Military and Family Life Counselors seized the moment and will now be on equal ground with management, as they negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions for their future.
Both campaigns were long and drawn out and the MFLC’s never lost their resolve amid the company’s stiff resistance. In fact, the opposite happened—the MFLC’s fervor intensified and both elections were landslides. The results at the ballot box demonstrate that Military Counselors have steadfast courage and determination to challenge the fairness of their company and fight for improved care of their patients, the protectors of our freedom.
“The MFLC’s are an inspiration to us all,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The work they do is a noble service to America’s heroes and their families. We are proud to welcome the new MFLC’s to the IAM family and we are eager to help them improve their workplace in order to enable them to offer the highest level of care to their patients.”
“We believe that patients are the No. 1 priority,” said IAM Healthcare Director Martí Garza. “As of now, one in five MFLC’s are IAM members, which brings the total to just under 300. These new members are on their way to making sure their patients will always be the first priority. Great job to all the MFLC’s involved in the organizing campaign and the entire MFLC Organizing Team including Grand Lodge Representative Mark Ward and Associate Organizers Randa Ruge and Jason Roe.”
The post Military Therapists Take the Fight to Management: A Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC) Update appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 17, 2019 | iMail
La IAM se enorgullece de su papel como un feroz defensor de los trabajadores hispanohablantes. A medida que las poblaciones hispanas y latinas crecen en América del Norte, la IAM se ha adaptado para brindar servicios a nuestras Hermanas y Hermanos.
Todas las clases de inglés en el campus educativo del sur de Maryland de la IAM, el Centro de Educación y Tecnología William W. Winpisinger, también están disponibles en español.
Los programas en español están coordinados, desarrollados y presentados por una combinación de personal del Centro Winpisinger y el Grupo de Liderazgo en Español (SLWG), que está compuesto por afiliados, oficiales, activistas, personal y jubilados de toda la IAM que ofrecen su tiempo como voluntarios. Desde el primer programa en español en el Centro W3 en 2006, casi 800 afiliados, activistas y oficiales han completado programas en español.
La IAM también ha intensificado los esfuerzos de organización de los trabajadores de Latinx, y recientemente recibió 500 carpinteros en Puerto Rico.
El Consejo Laboral para el Avance Latinoamericano (LCLAA), una organización nacional que representa a 2 millones de sindicalistas Latinx, tiene varios oficiales de la IAM en su junta ejecutiva.
“Al conmemorar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, quiero reafirmar el compromiso de la IAM de brindar oportunidades y recursos a nuestros miembros de habla hispana,” dijo el presidente de la IAM International, Robert Martinez Jr. “Usted es una parte fundamental del pasado, presente y futuro de la IAM y nosotros somos más fuertes por sus contribuciones a nuestro sindicato.”
The post Celebrando las Contribuciones de los Afiliados Hispanos de la IAM appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 17, 2019 | iMail
The IAM is proud of its role as a fierce advocate for Spanish-speaking working people. As Hispanic and Latinx populations grow in North America, the IAM has adapted to provide services to our Sisters and Brothers.
Every English language class at the IAM’s Southern Maryland educational campus, the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, is also available in Spanish.
Spanish-language programs are coordinated, developed and delivered by a mix of Winpisinger Center staff and the Spanish Language Working Group (SLWG), which is made up of members, officers, activists, staff and retirees from across the IAM who volunteer their time. Since the first Spanish language program at the W3 Center in 2006, nearly 800 members, activists, and officers have completed Spanish-language programs.
The IAM has also stepped up organizing efforts of Latinx workers, most recently welcoming 500 carpenters in Puerto Rico to the IAM.
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, a national organization representing 2 million Latinx trade unionists, has several IAM officers on its executive board.
“As we mark Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to reaffirm the IAM’s commitment to providing opportunities and resources to our Spanish-speaking members,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “You are a critical part of the past, present and future of the IAM and we are stronger because of your contributions to our union.”
The post Celebrating Contributions of Hispanic IAM Members appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 17, 2019 | iMail
We’re asking you to help us urge all House members to vote “yes” on the Protecting the Rights to Organize (PRO) Act.
TAKE ACTION: Tell your member of Congress to vote “yes” on the PRO Act
The PRO Act (H.R. 2474), introduced in May by House Education and Labor Committee chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and cosponsored by 214 Democrats, would amend the National Labor Relations Act to broaden workers’ rights to strike and unionize.
Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr. recently wrote lawmakers a letter urging them to pass the PRO Act.
Martinez’s call for a “yes” vote came days after the House Education and Labor Committee approved the legislation in a 26-21 party-line vote.
The committee’s approval advanced the legislation for full House floor consideration.
The post WRITE IN: Tell Congress to Pass PRO Act appeared first on IAMAW.
