IAM Scores Major Legislative Victories

Jan 2, 2020 | iMail

The IAM scored major legislative victories at the end of 2019. These victories included the repeal of the 40 percent Cadillac health care tax, the reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the signing of the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

‘Cadillac Tax’ Repeal

Vital legislation repealing the Cadillac Tax, a 40 percent health benefits tax on employer-sponsored healthcare, was included in the end-of-year appropriations and tax bill.

“The Machinists Union has been fighting for years to end the 40 percent Cadillac Tax on working peoples’ health care plans,” said Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr.  “This is a major victory for working Americans and their families.

“The IAM would like to personally thank U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), along with Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) on their hard-fought efforts in repealing the 40 percent health benefits tax on employer-sponsored healthcare. Their dedication will diminish the harmful repercussions on end the negative impacts of this looming tax on American Workers and their families.

“Health care is a basic human right and the idea of taxing workers whose unions negotiate good health care in lieu of increased wages was is unconscionable. We will continue to work with lawmakers and employers to roll back the substantial negative impact on our members at the doctor’s office and at the bargaining table to make quality healthcare affordable for our members and all Americans.”

U.S. Export-Import Bank

Congress approved a spending package that included a provision that would reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The IAM has always argued that the Ex-Im Bank is needed to sustain U.S. manufacturing and other strategic industries and improve the balance of trade between the U.S. and high export nations.

“American jobs depend upon a fully functioning Ex-Im Bank with a fully staffed board of directors to provide vital financing for the export of U.S. made products,” said Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I want to especially thank U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) for her efforts on this issue. The lack of a quorum on the Ex-Im Bank board of directors in recent years has crippled the Ex-Im Bank’s ability to support U.S. manufacturers and workers, particularly in the aerospace industry, one of the last sectors in which the U.S. enjoys a positive balance of trade with the rest of the world. The IAM fought for a long term reauthorization which fixes the quorum issue and expands the Bank’s ability to fund projects. On all of these fronts, the IAM was successful in securing these improvements.”

National Defense Authorization Act

The signing of the $738b National Defense Authorization Act  is a major victory for IAM members working in the U.S. defense industry and federal government. The act allows the Pentagon to buy as many as 90 F-35s from Lockheed Martin and also includes a provision that would give federal workers 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Some other procurement highlights, according to Bloomberg Law  include:

$5.45 billion for two Virginia class submarines — one less than requested — built by General Dynamics Corp.’s Electric Boat Corp. and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.’s Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. The measure would also authorize $2.97 billion in advance procurement to support the Navy’s plan to procure 10 submarines in total, according to the committee summary.

$5.03 billion for three DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers produced by Bath Iron Works Corp. and Huntington Ingalls Industries. The measure would also authorize $484 million in advanced procurement for the destroyers.

$2.2 billion for 12 Boeing Co. KC-46A tankers.

$1.73 billion for 24 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

$1.68 billion for nine P-8A Poseidon, made by Boeing, which would be three more than requested.

$1.4 billion for 73 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, built by Lockheed Martin Corp.-owned Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

$1.28 billion for one FFG Frigate.

$1.24 billion for four Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.

$1.21 billion for 14 V-22 Ospreys, built by Boeing and Bell Helicopter, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. The amount would be four more than requested.

$985.5 million for eight Boeing F-15EX aircraft.

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A New Recruit for Alabama’s Police Force

Jan 2, 2020 | iMail

IAMAW Local Lodge 2003 and Guide Dogs of America worked together to provide the Enterprise Police Department (EPD) in Alabama a new recruit for the team that isn’t your typical law enforcement agent.

Jayco, a handsome German shepherd, became the newest member of the K-9 department in December. However, he will not be a standard canine officer. Jayco will be working with children and the community in a friendly way, allowing residents the chance to interact with the police force and its activities. He will be a part of educational exercises and building positive relations between the department and residents.

For more than a year, EPD Public Relations Officer and handler Lt. Billy Haglund had been asking for a canine for this purpose. He got the green light from Police Chief T.D. Jones saying “Let’s do it.”

“We are really excited to engage the public with this and we really believe a positive police encounter will promote another one,” said Haglund. “That’s Jayco’s mission.”

Adam Beasley, a member of Local 2003 and a volunteer for Guide Dogs of America, is really excited about this partnership.

“Not all dogs in the GDA program become a guide dog so Jayco was a perfect match for this job. He needed a career change and a new mission,” said Beasley.

As always, GDA provided Jayco to EPD free of charge while Local 2003 donated nearly $2000 to cover the transport and adoption fees to bring the dog to Alabama.

IAM District 75 which includes Local 2003 and the Guide Dogs of America are thankful to the City of Enterprise and the Enterprise Police Department for the opportunity to donate this amazing dog and hopefully start a trend that will continue across the country.

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IAM Mourns the Passing of Retired Collective Bargaining Director James Pinto

Jan 2, 2020 | iMail

The Machinists Union mourns the loss of former Director of Collective Bargaining James Pinto, who passed away December 26, 2019 in Silver Spring, MD.

“Jim Pinto was a dedicated leader in the IAM family for nearly 34 years,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “His ability to coordinate with other industrial unions was key to his success in our Collective Bargaining Department.”

Pinto was born and raised in Utica, NY. He joined IAM Local 1509 in 1964, when he went to work for the Utica General Electric plant. He became active in the local and then in the IAM Eastern Territory. In 1970 he became a Special Representative, and in 1972 a Grand Lodge Representative.

He joined the IAM Headquarters staff 1981 as the Director of Collective Bargaining, where he served until his retirement in 2002.

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