Guide Dogs of America (GDA) is asking you to open your heart this holiday season to make a donation their Fund-A-Need campaign.
Your financial gift can make a big difference helping GDA breed, raise, train and partner healthy guide dogs with deserving blind men and women across North America. One of those women is guide dog recipient Jill Anderson, who teamed up with Kirby a little over two years ago.
“I was born confident and independent. I was also born with Retinitis Pigmentosa – a progressive, congenital eye disease that slowly robbed me of my sight,” said Anderson. “I started doubting my abilities to do any of the things I used to do and started becoming more and more dependent on others for help.
“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of a team of Guide Dogs of America volunteers, staff, and trainers, Kirby is an extraordinary partner whom I trust entirely. He guides us brilliantly through busy streets, malls, airports, and even that ever-important restroom! Kirby gave me the confidence to step out and reclaim my life.”
Your donation, no matter the amount, will allow us to continue making more stories like this possible. You can also spread the word about GDA’s Holiday Fund-A-Need campaign with your friends and family. When you see something you like, share it via Facebook, Twitter, or email.
The bidding ends December 31, 2019, so please don’t delay.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2019 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement on recent developments regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA).
“The IAM understands that a deal has been reached concerning the USMCA, also known as NAFTA 2.0. As we have made clear from the very beginning of this process, any acceptable deal must effectively address the continued outsourcing of hundreds of thousands of jobs to Mexico.
“Unfortunately, we are not aware of provisions in the newly negotiated agreement that effectively address this matter, especially when it comes to aerospace and other manufacturing sectors. We also remain troubled over other areas of the agreement that fall short of our repeated recommendations, such as those concerning stronger labor standards, enforcement and rules of origin. Our ability to comment in detail on this agreement is impaired because in the rush to consider such a proposal, we have not even been given the opportunity to review the full agreement in writing.
“U.S. workers have been waiting over 25 years for a responsible trade deal that puts their interests ahead of corporations who are fleeing our shores. They are still waiting. The IAM will oppose NAFTA 2.0.”
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.
The Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) movement received a huge boost with the announcement of the support of U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro. The Congressman, a member of the U.S. House Labor Committee, has shown his support for strong labor unions on many fronts. Building upon prior work with labor, he is now calling for a congressional inquiry into the Military Family Life Counseling Program.
One of the concerns expressed in the Congressman’s formal inquiry letter to the Department of Defense is a question regarding why the MFLCs are enduring substantial pay cuts that negatively affect recruitment and retention of counselors, despite substantial earmarked funds allocated to the MFLC program. Furthermore, the vacancies generated by decreased wages are a direct result of huge workloads that diminish the ability of MFLCs to deliver the highest level of service to our heroes. Even more alarming is the fact that 900 military members are scheduled to come home beginning this December.
Castro’s support and allegiance to the MFLC movement comes at a key moment. With rising suicide rates, PTSD, and substance abuse plaguing our service members, it is obvious that congressional and national action is long overdue. The MFLCs continue their effort to reach out to the public and to politicians to gain support for the IAM’s organizing campaign.
They aim to stabilize their workplace and stop the huge turnover by improving pay, benefits and working conditions in order to achieve their ultimate goal of assisting our armed forces members with the rigors of service and to curb the challenges our service members face when returning home from hostile environments.
“To date, we have organized about 300 MFLCs and are in the process of negotiating strong first contracts,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “We invite the support of the Congressman and urge all elected officials to join us in aiding the MFLCs in our fight to end the scourges facing our valiant troops.”
“We are honored that Rep. Castro has offered his assistance to us in our struggle to obtain for all workers, wages, benefits and working conditions that enable them to not only survive, but to thrive,” said IAM Healthcare Director Martí Garza.
Wednesday’s edition of the IAM’s live webcast included Bath, ME Local S6’s Tim Suitter to talk about their yearly efforts to collect gifts for “Toys For Tots.”
Canadian Territory Grand Lodge Representative Heather Kelley also joined the show to give a preview of the 2020 Canadian Women’s Conference.
Activate L!VE streams every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
If you can’t join us live, watch it or previous shows anytime on:
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.
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.
