Dec 12, 2019 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Lorie Wilson from IAM Local 993 as an Education Representative at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD, effective Feb. 1, 2020.
“I am excited that we are able to fill the vacancy at the Winpisinger Center created by the retirement of Education Representative Henry Bagwell,” said Martinez. “Lorie brings with her a wealth of practical and concrete experience from her work as a Committeeperson, Local Lodge Officer, District Lodge 65 Trustee, member of the District Lodge 65 Organizing and Bylaw Committees, and Business Representative. Lorie’s experience and activism in her Local and District Lodges, as well in the New York and Pennsylvania State Councils, is deep and relevant. She’ll be a great addition to the Winpisinger Center.”
In addition to serving as a Committeeperson at OSRAM Sylvania in Warren, PA, Wilson was elected as Vice President of Local 993 in 2002, and then served as President of her Local Lodge from 2003 until 2014. In 2014, she became a Business Representative for District 65. As a Business Representative, she was responsible for organizing, negotiating, educating and servicing the membership in Local Lodges in New York and Pennsylvania. Wilson represented members in the automotive, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
Wilson began her career as a Plastic Operator at OSRAM Sylvania in 1991 and over time advanced to become a Plastics Quality Technician where she inspected plastic automotive components using a variety of sophisticated measuring devices.
“Lorie has done the difficult work that members, officers, activists and staff come to the Winpisinger Center to learn about. She has that work well in an environment that is incredibly challenging,” said Winpisinger Director Chris Wagoner. “Lorie’s experience as a shop committeeperson, as a Local and District Lodge activist and officer, and as a Business Representative will undoubtedly strengthen the work we do at the Winpisinger Center. With her practical shop floor experience, her familiarity with Local and District Lodge procedures, and the organizing, negotiating, and servicing skills she developed and refined as a Business Rep, Lorie will be able to make an immediate and positive impact at the Winpisinger Center.”
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Dec 12, 2019 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2019 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace union in North America, today sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging a “no” vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“USMCA does not fulfill the promise that was made to U.S. workers to negotiate an agreement that dramatically replaces the current trade template that continues to cost U.S. workers hundreds of thousands of jobs,” writes Martinez. “While it contains some improvements, the outsourcing of U.S. jobs to Mexico will continue at an alarming rate under USMCA. This is not the renegotiated agreement that was promised to U.S. workers and their communities.”
Read the entire letter.
“Since NAFTA came into force over 25 years ago, the number of U.S. manufacturing jobs has significantly decreased,” continued Martinez. “While there are many reasons for the decrease, one major factor is the continued corporate outsourcing of work to Mexico under NAFTA. During the same period we have been losing manufacturing jobs at home, manufacturing in Mexico is increasing. In the aerospace sector alone, Mexico has created over 40,000 jobs. Many of these jobs were once performed by U.S. aerospace workers.
“Instead of the dramatically improved agreement that was promised to workers, USMCA represents only a modest improvement to the current trade template. As we have repeatedly said, to win the support of the IAM, the USMCA must make fundamental changes to NAFTA in order to curtail the massive outsourcing of work in aerospace and other manufacturing sectors to Mexico. These changes include robust labor standards, effective enforcement, and stronger rules of origin that do not leave out major sectors of manufacturing.”
The IAM represents 600,000 active and retired members in the North American aerospace, defense, airline, manufacturing, transportation, woodworking, the federal sector and other industries. Visit goIAM.org for more information.
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Dec 10, 2019 | iMail
Federal lawmakers have reached a deal on a must-pass defense spending bill that includes a provision that would give non-military federal workers 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
The conference of Senators and House members recently approved the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision that would provide federal employees with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. The legislation would have to pass both chambers of Congress before forwarded to President Donald Trump for his signature into law.
If signed into law, the benefit would be similar to the paid parental leave offered to service members. Labor unions and other worker advocates have been lobbying for extending paid parental leave to federal workers.
“Congress after Congress, we pushed for a reasonable benefit to help federal workers care for their families in times of need,” said NFFE-IAM Federal District 1 President Randy Erwin. “Parental Leave was a priority during our Legislative Weeks, and our persistence paid off.”
Congress is working against a Dec. 21 deadline. That’s when a continuing resolution on spending expires and could trigger a government shutdown unless a deal is reached.
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Dec 10, 2019 | iMail
As businesses and governmental agencies come to recognize the value of investing in trade and vocational training programs, the IAM welcomes more partnerships to fill the growing need for skilled workers.
For more than a century the Machinists Union has fought to include apprenticeship training at many locations where our members work. The union has always understood the importance on-the-job training, taught by experienced workers who have a complete understanding of the necessary skills, complimented by up to date classroom learning.
Economic research now shows that a four-year bachelor’s degree, with its likely burden of student debt, will not result in the so-called “college premium” for everyone. Skilled trade programs, like those promoted by the IAM, can offer workers solid careers with good income.
“Our members work in many industries that require experience and skills not found in a training manual alone,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.
“Increasing apprenticeship programs with employers has been important to the IAM in the past, and that growth will continue in the future.”
As part of New Jersey’s Youth Transitions to Work program, IAM District 15 and IAM CREST work in conjunction with the state and employers to offer high school seniors apprenticeship training in automotive and diesel technology. Last month they participated in the Department of Labor annual National Apprenticeship Week.
In Alabama, the IAM Local 65 has partnered with Northwest Shoals Community College in an apprenticeship program to train skilled machinists for the Tennessee Valley Authority. The next four-year program begins in January 2020.
READ: Skilled to Work: TVA working to boost its machinist workforce through and apprenticeship.
Through IAM apprenticeship programs, workers receive the opportunity to learn their trade through hands-on training and technical education. Participating employers gain competent and highly skilled employees.
Learn more about IAM apprenticeships.
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Dec 10, 2019 | iMail
The deadline to enroll for the March 29-April 3, 2020 IAM Federal Employee Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD is January 27, 2020.
Due to limited class space of 30, only those who have not previously attended may enroll. Participants will be chosen on a first come basis, so do not delay.
Click here for the call letter and registration information.
The week’s program will include training in areas specific to the federal sector. Collective bargaining, the Hatch Act and legislative action, prohibited personnel practices, unfair labor practices (ULP) and grievance handling, arbitration and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) are among the topics of the program.
This program is valuable for stewards, officers and business representatives who service members in the federal sector.
Please contact the Government Employees Department at 301-967-4753 if you have questions.
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