Leadership Alert 12 – Informational Gathering
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IAM Mourns Passing of Retired Government Affairs Director John Meese
The Machinists Union mourns the loss of former IAM Government Affairs Director John Meese, who passed away December 31, 2019 at the age of 85.
“John Meese faithfully served the IAM for more than 27 years and his leadership inspired many others that followed,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The labor movement has lost a true leader, and our hearts go out to his family.”
Following his retirement from the IAM in 1994, Meese continued his service to labor as President of the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department of until 2002.
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Barnwell and Wirth Appointed Aerospace Coordinators
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has announced, effective January 1, 2020, the appointment of Grand Lodge Representatives Robert Barnwell and Tony Wirth to the positions of Aerospace Coordinators.
Barnwell and Wirth replace retiring Aerospace Coordinators Mark Love and Rod Hoffman.
“Mark Love and Rod Hoffman spent their entire working lives taking care of our members in the Aerospace industry,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “We will miss their expertise and passion for getting our members the best contracts in Aerospace. They both are respected and admired by union members nationwide, and we all wish them well in their hard-earned retirements.”
Barnwell joined IAM Local 1034 in 1995 as a Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic and served as Steward, Vice President and President of the local. In IAM District 131, he has served as Trustee, Organizer, Vice President and President/Directing Business Representative. In 2016, Barnwell became a Grand Lodge Representative to the Southern Territory.
Wirth joined the IAM in 2003 as a member of Niceville, FL Local 20, at Eglin Air Force Base. He served as the local’s Secretary-Treasurer and on its Negotiation Committee from 2003-2008. He was elected District 75 Business Representative in 2008, became a Special Representative in 2015 and a Grand Lodge Representative to the Southern Territory in 2016.
“Bobby and Tony are well respected representatives who have worked extremely hard in their current assignments,” said Blondin. “In their new positions, they will continue to ensure that the IAM is the union of choice in Aerospace representation and collective bargaining.”
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Martinez, Galloway Honor IAM Local 1202 Victims of the Aurora, IL Henry Pratt Shooting
“Myself and this entire Executive Council are proud of this Local Lodge, this community and all of you for your perseverance,” said IAM International President Bob Martinez during a recent tour and visit with members of IAM Local 1202 at the Henry Pratt plant in Aurora, IL.
Local 1202 members at Pratt fell victim to a mass shooting which claimed the lives of five people in February 2019.
WATCH: IAM Solidarity and Strength in Tough Times
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway, Local 1202 President Rick Johnson, and IAM District 8 Directing Business Representative Steve Jones joined Martinez on the tour, guided by the Shop Committee. IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff Luther Williams, WWW Director Chris Wagoner, and IAM Employee Assistance Program Assistant Director Vinny Ceraso were also in attendance.
IAM International President Bob Martinez, center, and IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway, right, recently toured and visited members of IAM Local 1202 at the Henry Pratt plant in Aurora, IL.
“It was my honor to walk the shop floor and meet many of you today at Henry Pratt,” said Martinez later at the IAM Local Lodge 1202 meeting. “I am not here to relive the tragedy that struck our union on February 15th, 2019. I know the pain from that day is still very real for many of you. I feel your pain. This entire union feels your pain. We will forever mourn the lives of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Josh Pinkard, Clayton Parks and Trevor Wehner.
“I am so incredibly proud of your resilience and strength. Each and every one of you exemplify what it means to be a Fighting Machinist.”
Martinez and Galloway presented the Beyer and Juarez families and Local with two plaques and service pins honoring the lives of Russell and Vicente.
Inscribed on Russell Byer’s plaque were the following words:
“A selfless and kind soul who by word and deed served as a leader for his IAM Brothers and Sisters. Russ was quick to defend any member who needed him. He will be remembered for always standing up for what is fair and just.”
Vicente Juarez’s plaque read:
“A hard-working and compassionate IAM Brother who was well known for his humor and likability. Vicente was a true family man who took pride in his work. He cared deeply about the wellbeing of his IAM Brothers and Sisters.”
A third plaque was presented to IAM Local 1202 member Timothy Williams, shot three times during the shooting, but still managed to alert and save the lives of his fellow IAM brothers and sisters.
“Without hesitation, you risked your own life so that others could make it home to their families on that fateful day,” said Martinez to Williams. “Those you saved will always remember what you did for them, and your union is eternally grateful.”
GVP Galloway also praised Local 1202 members for their resilience in the wake of the shooting.
“They say tragedy is life’s greatest adversary,” said Galloway. “That when faced with adverse or unfortunate events, all you need is hope and strength. Hope that it will get better. And strength to hold on until it does. I can tell you that after what I’ve seen and heard in talking to many of you today, I’d add that faith goes a long way, too. What I saw today on the shop floor and what I see right now in this room is faith – personified.”
“I am in awe of my brothers and sisters at Henry Pratt,” added Jones. “It has been my privilege to witness the recovery of our people. The way they have coalesced in spite of such horrifying circumstances shows the true character, strength and resilience of these men and women. I am proud to represent them and a better person for knowing them.”
IAM International President Bob Martinez addresses members at the IAM Local 1202 meeting, where he presented the Beyer and Juarez families and Local with two plaques and service pins honoring the lives of Russell and Vicente. A plaque of heroism was presented to IAM Local 1202 member Timothy Williams.
Immediately after the shooting, Martinez deployed, with assistance from the IAM Transportation Department, several members of the IAM’s Critical Response Team (CIRT), which helps IAM members and their families deal with the mental side of tragedies like this one. CIRT was on the ground and assisting IAM Local 1202 members within 24 hours.
Martinez later mandated training members from each Territory to serve on CIRT teams across North America.
In addition, together the IAM and the Aurora community raised over $1 million for the victims’ families.
Two bricks commemorating Beyer and Juarez were also laid at the IAM Workers Memorial in Hollywood, MD.
“During my tenure as President of Local 1202 I have developed a close relationship with our members at the Henry Pratt Company,” said Johnson. “There is no doubt that we have all been tested through this tragedy, but time does heal and its showing as all of us and our brothers and sisters at Henry Pratt pull together to rebuild our lives one day at a time.
“We deeply appreciate our IAM leadership, International President Martinez and General Vice President Galloway, and all others coming here to pay tribute to our fallen brothers and affected members. It demonstrates how much the IAM cares about the membership.”
The more than 60 IAM Local 1202 members who work at the Pratt facility make specialized valves for municipal water systems.
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Tucker Appointed IAM Midwest Territory Special Representative
IAM International President Bob Martinez has announced the appointment of Associate Organizer Christopher Tucker to the position of Special Representative for the IAM Midwest Territory, effective January 1, 2020.
“On behalf of the IAM Midwest Territory, I’d like to congratulate Chris on his appointment and welcome him to the IAM Midwest Territory staff,” said IAM General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Chris has been instrumental in several organizing campaigns throughout the Territory, both at the Local and District levels and, most recently, as Associate Organizer. His drive and passion for growing our union and moving this organization forward is that of a true, dedicated union activist. We welcome his skills and talent and look forward to his continued service of the IAM membership.”
A third generation union member, Chris Tucker initiated into IAM Local Lodge 1010 in 1995, where he worked at Dresser Rand in Burlington, IA. He was elected as a Local Trustee in 1998. In 2006, Tucker was elected Local 1010 President. He has served in many different capacities in Local 1010 from Shop Committee Chairperson, Conductor Sentinel, Recording Secretary, Vice President, Delegate to the Southeast Central Labor Council, Delegate to the Iowa State Council, and District 6 Delegate. Tucker has also served as a Trustee for the Iowa State Council and was appointed as Organizing Committee Chairman in 2018. In January 2019, Tucker was appointed to the position of Associate Organizer for the IAM Midwest Territory.
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