Oct 8, 2019 | iMail
Don’t miss tomorrow’s edition of the IAM’s live webcast Activate L!VE, when IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall joins the show to take us back to the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. He’ll talk about its impact and the IAM’s role. He will also introduce us to a new motion picture, Stand!, set amidst the historic strike.
Heidi Shierholz from the Economic Policy Institute will also be on the show to discuss her research on working people trying to bargain for better wages in 2019.
Activate L!VE streams every Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST.
If you can’t join us live, watch it or previous shows anytime on:
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The post Canadian Labor History, State of Unions in 2019 on this Week’s Activate L!VE appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 3, 2019 | iMail
Nineteen new MFLCs at Camp Lejeune and New River North Carolina, voted to join the IAM. These highly skilled military therapists provide outstanding care to America’s heroes and their families.
After years of seeing their working conditions erode and enduring a $30,000, a year pay cut, the MFLCs decided to stand up to a company that appears to be more interested in profits than patients who faithfully and heroically served our nation.
During the organizing effort, the company ran an anti-union campaign that included not one, but three captive audience meetings, the theme of which was fear. The MFLCs were not dissuaded by the company’s efforts and instead they came together to secure a future that allows for the highest quality of care for our military and their families.
“This joint endeavor with the IAM Healthcare Department has produced 234 new members,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “It has given the MFLCs the power to speak in a unified voice to advocate making the care of their patients a number one priority. With several MFLCs negotiations underway we anticipate that more MFLCs will join us and together we will win justice and dignity on the job, while helping ensure that the care of America’s military and their families is always the first priority.”
“We congratulate the 19 new members of the IAM family,” said IAM Healthcare Director Marti Garza. “I am excited for their future and that of their patients. Great work by Grand Lodge Representative Mark Ward, Associate Organizers Jason Roe, Randa Ruge and the entire MFLC organizing team for assisting the MFLCs in their pursuit of correcting workplace injustices in order to administer the best healthcare possible.”
The post IAM Protecting Our Heroes – Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) Update appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 3, 2019 | iMail
The Machinists Union mourns the loss of Jim Spalo. He passed away September 24 at the age of 59.
Spalo, a U.S. Air Force veteran and recording secretary for IAM Local 478 in Northlake, IL, was a heralded advocate for labor education.
That included taking many classes at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, in addition to assisting with teaching about the railroad industry.
Spalo also took advantage of the IAM’s partnership with Empire State College.
A 2013 graduate of the National Labor College, Spalo was working through his master’s degree at Empire State College in work and labor policy when he was diagnosed with cancer that had spread across his body. As a result, Spalo had to withdraw from the program.
In recognition of the classes he had completed, Spalo was awarded an advanced certificate in work and public policy by the Graduate School of Empire State College. In addition to receiving an advanced certificate from Empire State College, Spalo was made an honorary instructor at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center by International President Robert Martinez Jr.
“By being named the first ever honorary Winpisinger Center instructor, we recognized Jim’s commitment to education and improving the lives of other IAM members through education,” said Martinez. “We are proud of Jim, his accomplishments and his passion for education. We mourn his passing and extend to his family as well as his Brothers and Sisters in Local 487 our heartfelt condolences.”
“Jim Spalo’s commitment to educating workers across the railroad industry was second to none,” said IAM Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Brother Spalo was a force in this movement, and I honor him for his achievements and for shaping the IAM’s future. We send our heartfelt thoughts to his family and close friends.”
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Oct 3, 2019 | iMail
Sidebar, TA, Ground Rules – this is the sort of terminology that is tossed across most bargaining tables. But if this is your first time with a seat, that’s not something you would know. Members of Local 1243 at Red River Army Depot (RRAD) in Hooks, TX, who will head into negotiations later this year and next, knew they needed some assistance to be ready.
“It was an ideal situation that I was able to come to the Local and work with this group one-on-one. Just like at the Winpisinger Center, it was a full week, filled with hard work and learning curves. But by the end of it, this group came together and became a force to be reckoned with and that will speak loudly at the bargaining table,” said Jorge Bonilla, an education representative from the William W. Winpisinger Center.
“2.7%, that’s the answer. I ran the numbers and I’m sure of it,” said DeLaine Cornelius excitedly during the costing out part of the week. She is one of six machinists who will negotiate a new contract for the nearly 600 members working at RRAD. The base agreement was recently taken over by government contractor AECOM and both a bridge agreement and a new deal will need to be negotiated by this team.
“This group has a big job in front of them. Not only are many of them first-timers at the table, but they need to bring home a strong, machinist contract for the hundreds of IAM members working at RRAD who take care of our U.S. Servicemen and Women. But I am positive they will be ready after this week,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “We have supplied the tools, but they have furnished the passion necessary for a successful contract that will take care of workers and their families in the surrounding communities.”
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Oct 3, 2019 | iMail
The Machinists Union celebrated the third phase of its affiliation with the Carpenters Union of Puerto Rico (UCPR) by holding a three-day Basic Organizing training at Carpenters Union Local Lodge 2252C. The Southern Territory along with the William W. Winpisinger Center prepared and delivered a custom organizing training to suit the needs of the fast growing and expanding sector of building on the island home to the Carpenters Union.
“There’s an abundance of work in the construction industry going on right now in Puerto Rico as funding for these building projects is at an all-time high. This is the time to organize; this is the moment to prepare and strengthen the carpenters union who are doing the work as this will enable them to improve their wages and benefits.” stated IAM Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Javier Almazan.
The job market in Puerto Rico is indeed growing and not only in the building trades but transportation and aerospace industries as well. The Vocero’s Weekly Journal estimated that there are 18-aerospace related companies operating in Puerto Rico totaling $130 million annual salaries and in terms of job numbers, there has been an increase of 36.4 percent in the last four years.
Machinist’s staff from the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Headquarters Territories traveled to prepare and train members of the UCPR in Spanish, on organizing and preparation of a strategic plan from September 25 to 27. The staff included Javier Almazan Grand Lodge Representative, Macario Camorlinga Grand Lodge Representative, Jose Lole Rodriguez Baez Business Representative LL 2725, Juan Negron Chief of Staff for the Eastern Territory, Mariaelena Fuentes Associate Organizer and Edmundo Osorio Education Representative.
Workers from the UCPR trained in anti-union techniques and inoculation, finding leads and building leadership, face-to-face role-play scenarios, working with allies, messaging & communications, as well as building a timeline and a strategic plan of execution.
“I really feel more encouraged to go to the jobsite and organize now,” said Antonio Cedeño.
The participants received their certificates on Friday ready to organize the Island.
Rafael Rodriguez said of the program, “I feel more confidence in explaining the entire process to my coworkers and willing to contribute what I’ve learned”.
The training marks the third phase of implementation in the IAM’s strategic plan that will aid the new members in servicing, organizing, training & education, and finance. Announced earlier this year, the new IAM/UCPR partnership’s goal of together growing the footprint on the island is fast becoming a reality.
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