Dec 17, 2019 | iMail
The IAM sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging a “no” vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), also known as NAFTA 2.0.
The IAM needs you to take action by asking your House member to oppose any vote on the proposed NAFTA pact.
TELL CONGRESS: Vote “no” on USMCA
NAFTA 2.0, as currently written, lacks adequate labor standards, enforcement of those standards and other urgently needed reforms that would curtail the outsourcing of aerospace and general manufacturing jobs..
“IAM members and their families and communities have been waiting over 25 years for a responsible trade deal that puts their interests ahead of those of corporations fleeing our shores,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “They are still waiting.”
Tell your House member to oppose any vote on the proposed NAFTA pact until these issues are addressed.
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Dec 17, 2019 | iMail
The Machinists Union mourns the passing of retired Western Territory Administrative Assistant Tom Hurd.
“The IAM has lost a great leader,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “He was an important representative in this union, the Western Territory and in the aerospace sector. We will all surely miss Brother Tom Hurd.”
Brother Hurd began his journey in the IAM when he joined Local Lodge 755 in December of 1961. He first was elected to serve the membership as Conductor in January of 1968. Tom served his co-workers in a variety of capacities, including Recording Secretary, Negotiations Committee Member, California Conference Delegate, Grand Lodge Convention Delegate, Vice President and President of Local 755. He served as Local President for four terms until his election to Business Representative for District Lodge 50.
Tom was serving in his third term as Business Representative when he accepted an appointment as a Grand Lodge Special Representative from IAM International President William W. Winpisinger in 1987. Brother Hurd progressed to the position of Grand Lodge Representative, and in 1997 was appointed Administrative Assistant to General Western Territory General Vice President Lee Pearson.
Over the years, Tom worked hard for the membership. One of his proudest battles was his fight to gain Trade Readjustment Assistance for members laid off from Rohr Industries. He won these benefits, and hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid to members adversely affected by the outsourcing of work to Mexico. Rohr eventually closed their plants in Mexico and moved the work back to the U.S., where it belonged.
As Grand Lodge Representative, Tom was Overall Coordinator for McDonnell, Rohr/BF Goodrich, and Aerojet General. Tom represented the membership of the IAM in true journeyman fashion, dedicating himself to improving the lives of working families for 41 years. Tom retired from the IAM in 2002 and became a lifetime member in 2011.
At Tom’s request, there are no services planned, however he was a great supporter of Guide Dogs of America and an avid animal lover. If you’d like to remember him, a good way would be to donate to GDA.
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Dec 17, 2019 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. announced the appointment of District 54 Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright to serve on the IAM Law Committee.
“Dean Wright’s experience and leadership make him a valuable member of the Law Committee,” said Martinez. “He will serve our 2020 Grand Lodge Convention delegates well.”
The IAM Law Committee is responsible for collecting, reviewing and proposing constitutional changes submitted to the IAM Grand Lodge Convention.
“Brother Wright’s appointment to the Law Committee will be a great benefit to our entire membership,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. “He also brings a complete understanding of our constitution and its bylaws, which we undoubtedly rely on during the Convention.”
Wright began his Machinists Union career in 1983 as a member of IAM Cleveland Local 1297. He has held many elected positions within the union including Chief Shop Steward, Sergeant at Arms, Local 1297 Vice President and President. He also served as District 54 Vice President, Organizer and Business Representative. He advanced to the position of District 54 Directing Business in 2004.
Wright currently holds the positions of President of the Ohio State Council of Machinists, Vice President of the North Coast Area Federation of Labor, Chairman of the Joint Seaway Task Force Local #3 and Vice President of the Ohio AFL-CIO.
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Dec 17, 2019 | iMail
Sisters and brothers, this is your chance to make your voices heard.
The organizers of the December Democratic presidential debate are asking for people to submit questions they want candidates to be asked on the debate stage.
Click here to submit questions
The debate will take place at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 19. To submit questions: https://bit.ly/35g9U7a
This is your chance to ask Democratic candidates about retirement security, trade, worker rights and other issues that matter to you.
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Dec 16, 2019 | LL S6 Leadership Alerts
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