Mar 17, 2020 | iMail
Negotiating Committee for IAM Local 1406, along with a staff member from District 10, participated in the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees program at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, MD. The Local represents employees at GE Datex-Ohmeda where they build anesthesia, respiratory and infant care machines.
The current contract with GE Datex-Ohmeda expires on June 15, 2020. Recognizing that this promises to be a difficult round of negotiations, the Committee strategized to change bargaining history, map a new direction for relations with the company, put better language in the contract, and to build solidarity in the bargaining unit.
“The week at the Winpisinger Center allowed the Committee to strategically plan for the coming weeks of negotiations.” said District 10 Representative Joe Terlisner “The Committee worked hard reviewing membership survey statements, analyzing data, and identifying specific tasks for the Shop Committee to perform leading up to negotiations. They leave the center better prepared to advance the needs of Local 1406 members.”
The post Wisconsin Local 1406 Committee Prepares for Upcoming G.E. Negotiations appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 12, 2020 | iMail
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I know there is much uncertainty surrounding the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that has now been classified as a global pandemic. Our daily routines are being affected by the cancellation of many events in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. I want each and every member of our IAM family to know that the IAM is taking all necessary action to keep all of us safe, while continuing the important work of our union.
The most important thing each of us can do now is to heed the advice of health officials. Please closely follow guidelines and monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to avoid being exposed to this virus is to:
– Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick
– Stay home and seek medical care if you are sick
– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
– Wear a facemask if you are sick
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
I also encourage you to monitor the IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for more information, specific safety tips for our membership in the healthcare and transportation industries, as well as any updates on changes in IAM operations. Beginning this Saturday, March 14, we have made the decision to suspend programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks. We will closely monitor the situation and provide updates on all status changes.
To ensure that everything possible is being done to protect our membership at work, IAM Local Lodge Safety and Health Committees should meet with employers on steps being taken to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. Every employer has the responsibility to do everything necessary to keep its employees safe. Our union has a duty to hold employers responsible to that commitment.
The IAM Grand Lodge is working with elected officials to ensure that sufficient funding is available to respond to the outbreak and that steps are taken to protect jobs in industries that are especially affected by the pandemic.
Lastly, I want our membership to know that we will get through this difficult time together. Throughout our union’s 132-year history, we have always confronted great challenges. Our unity has pulled us through the toughest of times and this situation will be no different.
Let’s be smart, stay safe and continue our march toward dignity and justice for all working people.
Fraternally,
Robert Martinez Jr.
International President
The post IP Martinez Message to IAM Members on COVID-19 Outbreak appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 12, 2020 | iMail
Based on guidance concerning social distancing to slow and limit the rate of infection of COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, the IAM is temporarily suspending programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks, beginning on Saturday, March 14.
The decision was made after reviewing updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and state and local health agencies.
Programming is currently slated to resume on Saturday, March 28, but IAM and W3 officials are closely monitoring the situation and will extend the programming suspension if necessary.
The IAM’s paramount concern is that members and staff who attend W3 Center programs can learn, study and work in a safe and healthy environment. The decision was not made lightly, since education is critical to the IAM’s future as a powerful labor organization.
Participants in affected programs have been contacted directly. Any updates to the status of the W3 Center’s operations will be communicated on goIAM.org and winpisinger.iamaw.org.
All IAM members and staff are encouraged to heed advice of health officials.
Please visit the IAM’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center frequently for updates.
The post IAM Temporarily Suspends Winpisinger Center Programming appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 12, 2020 | iMail
In honor of the late former IAM International President George Kourpias, Guide Dogs of America (GDA) is holding the Kourpias K-9 Classic, a 1,700 mile motorcycle ride June 6-12 from Canada to GDA Headquarters in Sylmar, CA. Proceeds of the ride to benefit GDA, which brings mobility and independence though service dogs at no cost to recipients.
Register for the ride today.
As part of the journey, riders will celebrate Kourpias’s 88th birthday at IAM Local W98 on June 10 in Arcata, CA. The ride also includes a poker run with a card drawn at each event. The winner will be declared at GDA Headquarters in Sylmar, CA.
If you can’t attend the ride, consider sponsoring a rider of your choice. You can also donate in memory of the late International President Kourpias by texting “kourpias” to 51555.
Kourpias served as the IAM’s International President for eight years before retiring in 1997, passed away Dec. 2, 2019 at the age of 87. As a 67-year IAM member, George fought tirelessly for working people. He was just as passionate about raising money for Guide Dogs of America. No matter the role, George always gave everything he had, which is why GDA is having this ride to honor his memory and contribute to one of his favorite charities.
For more information on the ride, contact Ron McGaha at aboutjobs@comcast.net.
The post Join the Kourpias K-9 Classic, a 1,700 Mile Motorcycle Ride for GDA appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 10, 2020 | iMail
UPDATE: This rally has been cancelled over concerns about COVID-19.
Fresh off a first-of-its-kind membership vote that yielded a critical endorsement for Joe Biden, IAM members will be in attendance at a rally with the former vice president Tuesday night in Cleveland.
Watch live on Biden’s Facebook or Twitter pages after 8:30 p.m. ET tonight.
“Joe understands that unions built the middle class and that working people deserve their fair share of the prosperity we create,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “At this time more than ever, we need a leader who can deliver for workers and communities across this nation on retirement security, affordable health care and stronger protections for workers and unions. Our members have indicated that strong support for these issues is critical for our endorsement. Joe Biden has been fighting for these issues throughout his career.”
Read the IAM’s full statement, including general membership endorsement election results.
Biden supports the PRO Act, which would hold corporations accountable for violating labor laws and repeal anti-union right-to-work laws. Biden has also pledged to protect the pensions of workers and strengthen the ability to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions.
READ: Joe Biden Wins Endorsement Of Machinists Union After Rare Rank-And-File Vote Huffington Post
“Make no mistake, workers’ rights, including safety and health and the right to unionize and bargain collectively, is on the ballot this November,” said Martinez. “We have endured four years of attacks on working people in the form of anti-union judges and NLRB decisions, attacks on our retirement and health care, and more. The GOP tax plan gave enormous tax breaks to multinational corporations while resulting in more than 50 plant closures for IAM members since the president took office. We cannot afford another four years of anti-worker policies being dictated to us by corporate-bought politicians in Washington.”
Today, voters in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state are casting their ballots. Visit vote.org to check registration status, find your polling place and more.
The post Machinists to Rally with Biden in Cleveland Tuesday Night (Cancelled) appeared first on IAMAW.
