Save the Date for GDA’s William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet
First and foremost, during these challenging times, Guide Dogs of America hopes everyone is well and staying safe.
In the spirit of optimism, GDA is looking forward to the future as it announces the 40th annual William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet, to be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on November 21, 2020.
GDA is extremely proud to announce this year’s “Gift of Sight” honorees, who have been so generous to Guide Dogs of America:
- Stan Pickthall, IAM Canadian General Vice President
- Paul A. Duff, Connecticut IAM Local 743 Trustee
- United Airlines
GDA has a fantastic event planned for 2020. This year’s theme will be “Rodeo,” and GDA is premiering a new and exciting off-road experience. Hold your horses! GDA is planning quite a round up and more information will follow.
GDA remains open with a small core staff who are responsible for the care and training of our future guide dogs. It is focused on supporting its mission of transforming lives through partnerships with service dogs.
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Machinists Join Bipartisan Call for Electronic Union Representation Elections
In an effort to protect workers’ rights during the current pandemic, the IAM is calling for electronic voting in union representation elections. U.S. Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently led a group of 168 members of Congress in a letter to House leadership supporting the measure.
The members of Congress are requesting that the next COVID-19 legislative package include funding and a directive to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to develop a system to conduct union representation elections electronically.
“During this time of crisis, we must make it easier, not harder, for working people to join together and bargain collectively,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The health and safety of frontline workers depends on them having a voice on the job, especially when it comes to personal protective equipment and healthcare benefits during this pandemic.”
The National Mediation Board (NMB) has conducted telephone voting since 2002 and internet voting since 2007 in the railway and airline industries. The NLRB had previously halted all union representation elections in response to COVID-19, before resuming elections on April 3.
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Despite COVID-19, IAM Negotiates and Ratifies Master Agreement with Crown Cork and Seal
Amidst the many challenges the current coronavirus pandemic has presented, IAM negotiators found a creative method to bargain and ratify a new contract with Crown Cork and Seal.
WATCH: Despite COVID-19, IAM Negotiates and Ratifies Master Agreement with Crown Cork and Seal
“With the outbreak of COVID-19 and all the travel restrictions that have taken place, we found it impossible to get together to have face-to-face negotiations,” said IAM Collective Bargaining Director Craig Norman. “We were able to use teleconferencing with the locals across the United States.”
Video conferences linked together Norman with company negotiators and each of the four IAM locations under the master agreement. IAM negotiators from Mankato, MN Local 924/District 77; Omaha, NE Local 31/District 6; Olympia, WA Local 695/District 160; and Lacrosse, WI Local 1115/District 66 were able to discuss details and reach a tentative agreement via internet connection.
“We had to set up in Olympia remotely, and it’s very different because you’re not sitting at the table. You don’t have the opportunity to really ‘read’ the table,” said IAM District 160 Business Representative Greg Heidal. “Luckily we had some great people there.”
Since COVID-19 gathering restrictions prevented the traditional method for members to vote on the tentative agreement, IAM representatives worked with the company so the vote could be conducted at work.
“We were able to go through the entirety of the contract. Explain to them all the benefits,” said IAM District 66 Directing Business Representative Neil Kamrowski. “Then they were able to vote in groups of six.”
IAM members employed at four Crown Cork and Seal locations manufacture metal food and beverage containers.
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Maine Drivers Vote to Ratify First Agreement
Transport drivers for the Kennebec Valley Community Action Partners (KVCAP) program in Augusta, ME voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first agreement with the agency. The drivers provide transportation for low-income Mainers to medical appointments, drug treatment and work and will be members of Local S-89, District Lodge 4.
The drivers reached out to the Machinists Union for information and quickly voted for union representation. The new members formed a bargaining committee from there and worked to negotiate their first contract with KVCAP.
The new two-year accord features over a $1.50 an hour wage increase over the life of the deal, a signing bonus, reinstated annual holidays and most importantly a new safety committee to address vehicle concerns. Many of the drivers sought IAM representation to have more influence in KVCAP decisions and improve working conditions and services for clients.
“By banding together, KVCAP drivers will be able to use their collective voice to improve their wages and working conditions and they will have more influence in ensuring safer, more reliable services for the vulnerable populations they serve,” said District 4 Directing Business Representative Rick Compher. “My thanks goes out to our staff, ADBR George Edwards, BR Jay Wadleigh, and Local S-89 President Carol Sanborn for their efforts to not only organize the unit, but also a plan to reach the all-important first agreement.”
“When working people organize and form a union, everyone benefits,” said Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. “These workers understood that if they wanted to make real changes at their company, they had to collectively join together and organize. They did it not only for themselves, but to better serve the passengers, their fellow Mainers, to keep them safe while protecting their own safety.”
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