Time is running out to register for Basic Web Development to be held February 16-21, 2020 at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD. Registrations must be received by Friday, December 13, 2019.
This basic-level class is for lodges just beginning new websites and focuses on designing and constructing web pages appropriate for lodge use. The new class will focus on creating a website with the WordPress content management system.
Please review the official call (English – French) for the special requirements for this class, all participants must meet these requirements.
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the IAM Communications Department at 301-967-4520.
George Kourpias, who served as the IAM’s International President for eight years before retiring in 1997, passed away on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. He was 87.
Viewing will be on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m. Funeral will be on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. Both will be held at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church (701 Norwood Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20905).
Kourpias, a 67-year IAM member, navigated the union through some of its greatest challenges. His tenure included Reagan’s assault on workers, national strikes in the airline industry and the reformation of organized labor through the election of John Sweeney as the AFL-CIO’s president.
“George was a lion for the labor movement and for our great union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “He was always there for our members and left a legacy that will live on forever. While we grieve the loss of a great champion for working people, we pledge to continue his lifelong fight for dignity, justice and respect on and off the job. On behalf of the entire IAM Executive Council, I send our thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife, June, and the entire Kourpias family.”
After becoming the IAM’s International President in 1989, Kourpias increased educational opportunities for IAM members by expanding the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. He also redeveloped lines of communication between IAM members and leadership by holding town hall meetings. Kourpias expanded the union’s video presence and presided over the launch of the IAM’s first website. Kourpias also supervised the opening of the IAM’s current Headquarters building, which he proudly ensured was all union-built.
Kourpias led the IAM’s collective bargaining and organizing efforts during his tenure as International President, but also activated members’ voices in the political process. He revitalized the IAM’s political action program and refocused attention on real issues for American families, helping to derail an anti-worker legislative agenda known as the “Contract for America.”
Kourpias realized the critical importance of a global labor movement, and as chair of the AFL-CIO’s International Department oversaw the transformation of the department from its Cold War posture into a leading advocate for international human rights. Kourpias positioned the IAM as a key ally of anti-apartheid activists in South Africa and was praised by Nelson Mandela during his visit to the United States.
A native of Sioux City, IA, Kourpias joined IAM Local 1637 at the Zenith Corp. in 1952, where he brought union ideals imparted by his family. A year later, he was a local lodge officer and soon became active in his local central labor council and the Iowa AFL-CIO. He would go on to serve as the president of IAM District 162.
During his 33 years on the IAM’s staff, Kourpias served as a Grand Lodge Representative, Administrative Assistant and Executive Assistant to International President William W. Winpisinger. He became the Resident General Vice President at IAM Headquarters in 1983 before being sworn in as the IAM’s 12th International President on July 1, 1989.
Upon his retirement, Kourpias continued his activism by becoming president of the Alliance for Retired Americans, which grew to 3.5 million members under his leadership.
“I have always said that union leadership is a gift—a gift given to us by the membership. And for that gift, I will be forever grateful,” Kourpias wrote in his final message to IAM members in the Spring 1997 IAM Journal. “Farewell my friends, and solidarity forever.”
At the beginning of October, General Electric(GE) sent out letters offering limited time lump-sum pension plan payouts to about 100,000 former employees.
IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr., recently sent a letter to General Electric(GE) CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. urging GE to provide the full actuarial value of pension benefits, including the value of the early retirement benefits the unions have negotiated in good faith, and which people are entitled to start at age 60.
“GE’s lump-sum offer only include the legal required minimum age 65 pension lump sum value; it did not include the value of the negotiated early retirement benefit ,” said Martinez. “The letter GE sent to eligible participants is misleading, since in the very first sentence it claims the offer allows “participants to take their entire benefit.”
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. issued the following statement regarding the proposal by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-La.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) addressing the multi-employer pension plan crisis:
“Proponents of this plan can call it whatever they want, but it is nothing more than a tax on one of our most vulnerable groups—senior citizens. The proposal would take a sledgehammer to the hard-earned pensions of millions of Americans. Instead of putting forward a good-faith attempt to fix our nations pension crisis, this plan would only speed up the collapse of the entire multi-employer pension system. We must do better for both retirees and current plan participants who have sacrificed portions of their paychecks for decades based on a promise for a secure retirement.
“Working Americans are not asking for a bailout, like the over $700 billion the government gave to the banks and Wall Street in 2008. We are merely asking that Congress does not follow up a massive corporate tax giveaway with this latest pension proposal, which would amount to a multi-billion dollar tax increase on working families and retirees.
“The Senate should instead pass a real, proactive solution which rehabilitates failing plans, bolsters the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and protects the earned benefits of millions of retirees, workers and their families. The Butch Lewis Act, which was passed by the House in a bipartisan manner, would accomplish these goals without stealing from retirees, workers and their families. I urge every member of the U.S. Senate to co-sponsor the Butch Lewis Act and put it a floor vote immediately.”
READ: The IAM has sent letters to members of both the House and Senate supporting the Butch Lewis Act.
On #GivingTuesday, a day that encourages people to do good by donating to a charitable cause, please consider donating to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America..
GDA is asking that you open your heart—and your wallet—and make a donation to fund a need for guide dogs and their partners by clicking here.
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 on the Fund-A-Need, share it via Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail by clicking one (or all) of the links you’ll find at the top of the page… and remember to use the hashtags #GivingTuesday, #guidedogsofamerica, and #giveGDA. That’s what #GivingTuesday is all about.
GDA provides guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually impaired men and women in the U.S. and Canada. The school was founded in 1948 after a blind IAM member was rejected for a guide dog due to his age of 57.
