Jul 7, 2020 | iMail
The IAM has successfully secured additional federal assistance for approximately 5,000 recently laid-off IAM District 751 members at Boeing locations in Washington state and Oregon.
The benefits fall under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which protects U.S. workers who lose their jobs due to outsourcing. The program offers extended unemployment benefits for up to two years while members participate in retraining classes, out-of-area job search allowances and more.
Members of the Washington state congressional delegation, led by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), supported the IAM’s petition in a recent letter to the U.S. Labor Department. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer, Denny Heck, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen also supported the increased benefits.
“The Machinists Union is dedicated to helping improve not just the lives of our members, but others throughout our communities,” said IAM District 751 President Jon Holden. “TAA provides a substantial safety net for our members and other Boeing employees who get laid-off. We hope all impacted will take advantage of these enhanced benefits.”
The TAA petition was a joint effort between the IAM, the Washington State Labor Council and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA).
“Thanks to the quick action of IAM District 751 leadership and the IAM Legislative Department, thousands of IAM members of Boeing will now have extra resources to help themselves, their families and their communities get through this crisis,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We will continue to fight for the safety and well-being of every IAM member.”
The TAA program benefits apply to anyone from Boeing in Washington state and Oregon laid off between May 5, 2019 and June 23, 2022.
”The power of the political alliances forged by the IAM is working for members,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “One of the great advantages for members of our union is the fact that the relationships we have forged in the political arena, enable us to champion the needs of our membership at all levels of government. On behalf of the Western Territory we extend our gratitude to all involved.”
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Jul 2, 2020 | iMail
A long-time priority of the IAM, enhancing Buy American standards for major defense programs, has cleared a critical first hurdle toward becoming law.
The IAM, along with U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), are championing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that expands Buy American requirements for defense procurement to 100 percent by 2026.Currently, only 50 percent of defense production is required to be produced domestically, not counting frequent exceptions to the law.
The amendment passed by voice vote Wednesday night in the House Armed Services Committee, despite attempts by GOP lawmakers to weaken the provision.
TAKE ACTION: Send an email message to your members of Congress asking them to support good defense jobs here at home.
“We as a nation need to act strategically when it comes to defense procurement,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Not only do we need to supply our men and women in uniform with the best possible products and equipment, but we must also support the U.S. industrial base. Congressman Norcross’ amendment to improve Buy American requirements in defense procurement would help ensure that our tax dollars are used to support the U.S. workforce and the firms who employ them.”
The proposed amendment would immediately increase Buy American requirements for major defense acquisition programs to 75 percent domestic content and then increase the percentage by 5 percent per year. The measures would bolster economic and national security and create good, middle-class jobs.
“As we’ve seen through the current pandemic and the early severe lack of personal protective equipment, when we don’t have the manufacturing capacity here in the U.S., our national security and the lives of Americans are at risk. We must do better,” said Norcross. “Buy American, which has the strong support of our hard-working defense contract workforce, shows that we are truly serious about building things in the U.S., creating good paying jobs and supporting the American worker.”
The Buy American amendment will now go to the House floor in the coming weeks, when the NDAA is considered for passage.
Read Martinez’s letter to the House and Senate supporting an expansion of Buy America defense procurement.
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Jul 2, 2020 | iMail
As the IAM’s campaign for a fair contract for more than 4,300 Local S6 shipbuilders in Maine continues, Bath Iron Works has decided to attempt to break the strike by calling in temporary workers.
Local S6 members, who have the support of more than 600,000 IAM members across North America, will not be deterred, said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.
“This is further proof that BIW has no intention of bargaining in good faith,” said Martinez. “We are outraged that this company would further expand its use of low-wage subcontracting. It’s a slap in the face to more than 4,300 IAM Local S6 shipbuilders who have worked through a pandemic and for generations to make this company successful.”
IAM Local S6 members have been on strike since June 22, after soundly rejected a contract that would have expanded the use of out-of-state, low-wage subcontractors at the shipyard.
TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition telling BIW President Dirk Lesko to get back to the bargaining table.
“Maine taxpayers, and the U.S. Navy, should be livid that a corporation is jeopardizing its commitment to our servicemen and women by taking tax breaks while engaging in a scorched earth campaign against its own employees,” said Martinez. “We will continue to support our Brothers and Sisters on strike to preserve good, middle-class jobs for themselves, their communities and the entire state of Maine. We stand ready today to negotiate a contract that respects the dignity of our members at IAM Local S6 by ending the expansion of subcontracting.”
The workers have a long history of building some of the best war ships for the U.S. Navy, prompting a World War II slogan, “Bath Built is Best Built.”
READ: Shipyard hiring temporary workers; mediation next week The Associated Press
“The men and women of Local S6 built this company, and we will not allow outside contractors to take our jobs,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. “Bath Iron Works should use every resource they have to negotiate an agreement that these workers have earned.”
“The company said they need an answer that will allow them to succeed,” said IAM Local S6 President Chris Wiers. “The use of subcontractors will not succeed. They need to listen to the workers. They know how to build the ships.”
For several months, members have worked through the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their health and that of their families to support national security, while the company has enjoyed tax incentives, increased revenue and soaring profits.
The post As BIW Calls in Strikebreakers, IAM Rallies Around Local S6 Shipbuilders appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 2, 2020 | iMail
Thousands of commuter rail workers have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, only to contract the disease, resulting in many deaths. With CARES Act funding due to expire, the IAM and TCU-IAM demand that Congress provide additional funding to ensure the safety and security of all employees.
TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Support Commuter Rail Service and Jobs
Without congressional action, passengers will be left without transit options and commuter railroads will be forced to reduce or suspend service, layoff or furlough workers, adding a strain to the already troubled economy.
The post IAM, TCU-IAM Demand Congress Support Commuter Rail Workers appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 2, 2020 | iMail
The IAM joined a coalition of several labor unions and healthcare organizations urging Congress to include comprehensive protections against surprise medical bills from COVID-19 treatment in the next coronavirus relief package.
The coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders expressing that the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) is a start, but there are still millions of Americans at risk for being strapped with costly medical bills as the pandemic crisis continues.
“We are increasingly concerned that the Administration’s regulatory changes will only provide a temporary stop-gap from those providers who seek to balance bill COVID-19 patients,” the unions write in the letter. “More importantly, these regulations only apply to providers who voluntarily agree to the terms of payment, leaving many patients exposed unnecessarily to exorbitant charges, even in instances related to COVID-19 care.”
Read the full letter.
The post IAM, Labor Coalition Call on Congress to Protect Patients from Surprise Medical Billing appeared first on IAMAW.
