IAM members from the Florida sugar industry recently visited the state’s Capitol in Tallahassee, FL. The members held numerous meetings with lawmakers to advocate for policies to protect sugarcane Machinist’s jobs in the state while providing sensible solutions to help the coastal Lake Okeechobee discharge problem.
IAM members have been engaged with Florida state lawmakers on the importance of protecting the sugar industry and the impact on local neighborhoods where IAM members live and work.
Members will continue to lobby their elected officials in their Florida districts throughout the year.
IAM members from the Florida sugar industry recently met with numerous FL state lawmakers to advocate for policies to protect FL sugarcane machinists jobs. #FLPol#1upic.twitter.com/joJp5jJS1E
The House is scheduled later this week to vote on the Protecting the Rights to Organize (PRO) Act.
The IAM is advocating for the PRO Act (H.R. 2474), which would eliminate so-called right to work laws and broaden workers’ rights to strike and organize. The bill, introduced in May by House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), was approved in committee and now the IAM is pushing for a full House floor vote. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) led a strong letter of support, with dozens of his democratic colleagues, for the PRO ACT to the House Democratic leadership team.
TAKE ACTION: Today, Feb. 4, is the National Day of Action on the PRO Act. We are urging you to call your U.S. House representative to urge them to vote in favor of the legislation. Call NOW: 844-505-2803
The IAM recently sent a letter to the House Democratic leadership team urging support for the PRO ACT.
“The PRO Act is a crucially bold piece of legislation that modernizes federal laws and establishes a process for mediation and arbitration to help the parties achieve a first contract”, said Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It protects a workers’ right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages and better benefits.”
Congressional lawmakers say the legislation would drastically improve worker protections. That includes provisions such as:
Establish penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers’ rights and combat misclassification of workers as supervisors and independent contractors.
Strengthen workers’ right to strike for basic workplace improvements, including higher wages and better working conditions.
Create a mediation and arbitration process to ensure corporations and newly formed unions reach a first contract.
Authorize unions and employers to negotiate agreements that allow unions to collect fair-share fees that cover the costs of representation.
Streamline the National Labor Relation Board’s (NLRB) procedures to secure worker freedoms and effectively prevent violations.
Protect the integrity of union elections against coercive captive audience meetings.
Passage in the House would advance the legislation to the Senate for consideration.
Don’t miss the opportunity to help choose who the IAM should endorse for the U.S. president. Register today and be a part of this important decision.
As you may know, there’s a new endorsement process that gives the IAM members the opportunity to vote online for a candidate of their choice. To do so, you must register to vote in our endorsement process at iam2020.org.
We also encourage you to remind your fellow IAM Sisters and Brothers to sign up for the endorsement election.
“When presidential candidates call me and ask for our endorsement I tell them all the same thing: If you want the IAM’s endorsement, don’t talk to me—talk to our members,” said Martinez. “Go visit them, and listen to them, at our locals, districts, conferences and state councils.
Want to have presidential candidates address your concerns on live TV?
The organizers of the February Democratic presidential debate are asking for people to submit questions they want candidates to be asked on the debate stage.
The IAM is proud to announce that the 2nd annual IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament will benefit U.S. military veterans at Charlotte Hall in Southern Maryland.
Proceeds go toward projects to benefit U.S. military veterans receiving care at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.
2nd annual IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament
Monday, June 1, 2020 National Golf Club, 300 St. Andrews Dr., Fort Washington, MD 20744
Entry fees are $150 per person or $600 per foursome and include green and cart fees, a continental breakfast and a post-round lunch, trophy presentation and raffle drawings. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
If you have any questions on the tournament, please contact Terri Kenealy at tkenealy@iamaw.org or 301-967-4555.
The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home has been proudly “serving those who served” since 1985. The home is situated on 126 beautiful acres in St. Mary’s County, Md. and offers a continuum of care to U.S. military veterans. Its mission is to continually develop and deliver a safe, dignified and compassionate health care system; and provide a nurturing and engaging home environment for Maryland’s veterans and eligible spouses.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers proudly represents 600,000 active and retired members across North America. Many of our members are U.S. military veterans who work in the defense, aerospace and federal sectors, supporting the mission of our service members every day.