The IAM is mourning the recent passing of legendary civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who served his Georgia congressional district for more than 30 years. Lewis, who passed away on Friday, July 17 at the age of 80, was a long-time ally of Machinists Union members in Congress.
Lewis, the son of sharecroppers who preached non-violence in the face of oppression, in 2013 personally participated in the IAM’s 125th birthday commemoration in Atlanta. Speaking to IAM members there, Lewis encouraged them to fight against voter suppression.
“We must not step backward to another dark period in our history,” said Lewis. “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.”
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. on Saturday remembered Lewis and offered his condolences.
I’ve known @RepJohnLewis for a long time. He’s always been a fighter and a catalyst for good. He’ll forever be a friend of the @MachinistsUnion and we pledge to carry on his legacy.
— Robert Martinez Jr. (@IAMBobMartinez) July 18, 2020
Lewis, along with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, were leaders in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. In 1965, a historic day that would become known as Bloody Sunday, Lewis was viciously attacked by Alabama state troopers as he and other civil rights demonstrators marched across a bridge in Selma on their way to Montgomery. The violent event would be a catalyst in helping to usher in the Voting Rights Act later that year.
“I felt like I was going to die,” remembered Lewis.
In 2016, in just one example of his advocacy on behalf of IAM members, Lewis publically rebuked a major federal contractor of the U.S. Labor Department that initially refused to negotiate in good faith with members at IAM District 131 in Georgia.
We mourn a champion for working people who fought every day of his life to fulfill the promise of America.
The Local S6 Negotiating Committee spoke with the Federal Mediator for around 2 ½ hours today, discussing several debatable topics. Understanding BIW gave the Union their position on a contract proposal in their last, best, and final, they are willing to consider Union proposals.
The Local S6 Negotiating Committee has been examining additional solutions to BIW proposals that do not violate seniority or subcontract our work. We suggested a meeting in person with BIW’S team, with the suggestion that BIW brings someone with production knowledge and a decision-maker. The Mediators’ will be video linked in due to travel restrictions if BIW is agreeable.
Nothing specific was discussed from the Company’s perspective due to the Mediator’s confidentiality agreements with both parties. We have consistently been ready and willing to get back to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract for our members. We want the State of Maine to prosper. We want to deliver the best built ships as always for the US Navy. We should be hearing something in the next few days as to the next step of the process. We are hopeful and anticipate some form of a meeting with BIW by next week.
Attention Local S6 members, family, friends and supporters!
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. will be at the Local S6 union hall on Saturday, July 25 at 9 a.m. to address our brave membership. Hear from our International President as we deliver a strong message of solidarity to our members and tell Bath Iron Works to negotiate a fair contract NOW!
Please, wear a mask and maintain social distance at all times.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning!
On July 20, 1969, millions of people watched in awe as astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon for the first time. Aldrin, an honorary IAM member, was part of a three-man crew that flew a 240,000-mile flight aboard Apollo 11.
Aldrin’s team was initially shot to space on July 16 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a giant 6-story-tall Saturn V rocket, which was built by nine IAM locals in Florida.
“I watched out the window to see Neil go down the ladder,” said Aldrin about the historic mission. “When it was my turn to back out, I remembered the checklist said to reach back carefully and close the hatch, being careful not to lock it.”
Aldrin accepted his honorary Machinist membership card in 1967 at the IAM Aerospace Conference in Houston after working as an onboard mechanic on the Gemini 12 space mission a year earlier. During the banquet, which was hosted by then IAM Headquarters General Vice President Ross Mathews, Aldrin thanked the union.
“This means an awful lot and I appreciate it,” said Aldrin. “Thank you very much.”
During his acceptance speech, Aldrin would go on to praise Machinists who helped make space flight possible.
“We really appreciate everything the group has done for us in making many events that we have been able to participate in,” said Aldrin.
In addition to building the space vehicles that flew Aldrin and his team to the moon, IAM members would go on to play a pivotal role upon their return to Earth. More than 100 IAM Local 1786 members operated a sophisticated scientific lab at NASA in Houston that quarantined the astronauts for three weeks as doctors monitored their health.
(@MachinistsUnion) July 18, 2020
(@MachinistsUnion) 
