IAM Western Territory Grand Lodge Representative Maria Santiago Lillis was recently featured in an article published in the Hawaii Landscape magazine titled, “Sisters Under the Skin: Diversity of Women and Labor in Hawaii.” The article, written by Dr. Leslie Lopez who specializes in labor education curriculum at the University of Hawaii’s Center for Labor Education and Research, highlights women for their contributions to labor and workers’ rights in Hawaii.
Lillis is featured for her outstanding work in organizing and representing workers in Hawaii since 1996. In her fight for safe working conditions and fair pay and benefits, she has more than doubled the number of collective bargaining agreements achieved during this time.
Lillis has a reputation for fairness and creating a welcoming and empowering space for all IAM members. She credits her success to General Vice President Gary R. Allen, her Local 1998 Executive Board and the support from her fellow Grand Lodge Representatives.
“Sister Lillis is the senior representative in the Western Territory; she mentors and imparts wisdom to others about our valiant movement and the ‘Fighting Machinists’,” said Allen. “Maria truly is the personification of a great leader and devotes herself to the quest of improving lives on a daily basis. Diversity and inclusion are not just a motto to her; it is a deep-seated belief in empowering all people to make difference that makes us all stronger and her such an impressive leader.”
Lillis represents workers ranging from the Tripler Army Medical Center to the Punchbowl Cemetery. She jokes that she serves workers from the “womb to the tomb.” She has great instinct for relating to her members in Hawaii, who are predominantly women who work as nurses, teachers, hotel cleaners, secretaries and food servers.
“Sister Lillis demonstrates daily all the qualities and beliefs that the Machinists Union stands for,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Her dedication and diligence as a Grand Lodge Representative have helped better the lives of thousands of IAM-represented workers. While these accomplishments speak for themselves, what makes Maria special is her sensitivity and ability to communicate with a diverse group of members. Her recognition is well-deserved.”
Lillis became an IAM Organizer for Local 1998 in Honolulu, in 1996. In late 1997, she was appointed as a Grand Lodge Representative for the Western Territory.
Members of IAM Local 611 working at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, GA overwhelmingly ratified a three-year agreement last week with Pegasus Support Services. The group of more than 80 members perform a myriad of jobs covering a total of 67 job classifications including Air Traffic Control, vehicle and building maintenance, supply control, HVAC service and even R&R coordination for active duty military.
The membership secured increases in wages, pension contributions, paid sick leave, Health and Welfare compensation and tool allowances along with substantial equity adjustments for four job classifications. They also gained a shoe allowance and improvements in various contract language.
The Negotiating Committee consisting of 611 Local President Cal Nachimson, Vice President Eduardo Dominguez, Committeeman David Baggett, District 131 Directing Business Representative Billy Barnwell and Aerospace Coordinator Bobby Barnwell held the negotiations via a remote service provided for free by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this bargaining committee for their dedication and the hard work they put in preparing for these negotiations,” said IAM District 131 Directing Business Representative Billy Barnwell. “They really stepped up to the challenge of the times and by holding these negotiations remotely, they showed the work of the labor movement can still be done, even during a pandemic.”
“Congratulations to all involved in these negotiations,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “As a union, we are very proud to represent the people who work hard supporting our nation’s military at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. It makes us even more proud to see them get a deserving contract that benefits their families and their communities.”
“Outstanding job by the entire negotiating committee,” said IAM General Vice President Mark Blondin. “They put forth a journeyman’s effort and achieved a journeyman’s contract for the membership. I’m very proud of the work they have done here.”
Raging wildfires are ripping across the entire west coast, leaving behind a path of smoldering ash and char. Up and down the coast families are being forced to evacuate their homes and scramble to safety. Also increasing are the confirmed reports of IAM members losing everything they own to the fires.
In addition to thousands of IAM members in the path of the West Coast Fires, IAM members are also busy helping to combat destruction from the fires. IAM and NFFE-IAM Federal District 1 firefighters are working day and night to save lives and property.
“Our prayers are with all our members and their families who find themselves within reach of these deadly wildfires,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Our Union is often called to help cure economic injustices for the oppressed, level the playing field in our democracy, but there is no greater pursuit than helping a Sister and Brother in need. I am appealing to you to help our Brothers and Sisters impacted by contributing to the IAM Disaster relief fund.”
“Our hearts are with all who are dealing with these devastating fires,” said International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I want every member affected by these fires to know their IAM family is here for them and we are willing to help in any way we can. On behalf of the IAM Executive Council, I want to thank our members who have left their families during the midst of a pandemic and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and work to keep these fires from spreading and wreaking even more havoc. I also encourage anyone with the means to donate to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund and help give assistance to our Brothers and Sisters in need.”
The IAM Disaster Relief Fund is available for IAM members whose homes have been affected by the wildfires.
Every dollar you give to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund goes directly to IAM members and their families in need. Donations are tax deductible. IAM Assistance is a registered IRS 501(3) (c) – Tax ID: 46-2575531.
In conjunction with this occurrence, many face the familiar list of continuing problems associated with, but not limited to; substance abuse and addictions, mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, financial hardship and socioeconomic issues. These serious matters can cause problems by worsening the situation and negatively impacting the quality of life for our members.
If you or your family are battling addiction or need assistance with other EAP issues, please know the IAM has two 24/7 nation-wide helplines.
IAM EAP Services can be reached by calling 301-335-0735 or by email iameap@iamaw.org.
IAM Addiction Services can be reached by calling 1-888-250-4IAM (4426).
The Union has been in talks all day regarding the $1,200.00 signing bonus. Three separate documents made reference to the date this bonus would be dispersed, which in turn caused confusion. The inaccuracy lies within the return to work F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions) leaflet. The signing bonus will be distributed the next pay period on September 17th, 2020. Through today’s discussions with BIW, an effort was put forward to run another payroll cycle to try to pay the signing bonus out. Unfortunately, payroll can’t handle two (2) pay cycles in one week due to the large number of employees. The Union believes that this is unacceptable and never should have happened.
Local S6 understands the frustration many of our members have as we share in them as well. Remember, our Negotiating Committee was able to negotiate a signing bonus while out on strike. That doesn’t normally happen. There are many forums on social media where division and misinformation fracture the unity of membership. Keep in mind that for many months we have united in solidarity like never before. To be brutally honest, some people are never happy. Please don’t allow them to create negativity and sourness. The Union did not cave nor did the Union bend on any of its agreements. The Union cannot control every move made by BIW, but we can and do react.
Our strength is in YOU!What WE were able to accomplish during mediation to protect our Union rights took all of us! Local S6 is being revered all over the country for what WE did for the labor movement. WE proved it’s our right to fight back and it’s our right to say NO! WE have a long 3 years ahead of us. WE need to continue to stay united and prove why we’re the best shipbuilders in the world!
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2020 – President Trump’s promises to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, pledges that American workers “won’t lose one plant” and declarations that “they are all coming back” have been broken time and time again during his term of office.
Dozens of IAM-represented facilities from coast to coast have closed since Trump took office, affecting thousands of families and their communities. Many of the jobs have been offshored to Mexico, China or other countries with low wages and little to no rights for working people. An IAM policy paper finds that the hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing are still waiting for these jobs to come home, despite the administration’s promises.
A statement from IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.:
“President Trump’s promises to stand up for U.S. workers, protect our jobs from leaving the country and bring our jobs home from countries like Mexico and China have been broken. We sent letter after letter to President Trump asking for White House assistance in saving these jobs and communities starting soon after he took office. No responses were received.
“Trump didn’t lift a finger to help us save thousands of U.S. jobs at Electrolux in Minnesota, Siemens in Iowa, Schneider Electric in Indiana, FreightCar America in Virginia, and United Technologies in California—just to name a few. His inattention and inaction speaks volumes about his real priorities. It has become clear that working people simply do not matter to this president, unless we are serving as a prop for a photo-op. Remember the photo of Harley-Davidson workers at the White House? Less than a year later, the company announced that it would be closing its IAM-represented plant in Kansas City and opening a plant in Thailand.
“Between the fumbled response to the coronavirus pandemic, the job loss that rivals the Great Depression and the daily rhetoric that serves only to divide working people—this president has struck out with the Machinists Union.”
Electrolux in St. Cloud, Minn., announced in January 2018 that it would be closing and laying off 1,100 IAM Local 623 members. The work moved to South Carolina.
A statement from IAM Local 623 member Joe Baratta, a former employee of Electrolux in St. Cloud, Minn.:
“In the past, we tried everything to save the plant. Some of our members even wrote a letter to President Trump, asking him to do what he pledged during the campaign: Stand up for workers. When a factory closes, it doesn’t just kill jobs. It affects relationships, families and communities. Trump’s land of opportunity should be available to all of us, not just his supporters.”
Siemens Dresser-Rand in Burlington, Iowa announced in April 2018 that it would be closing and laying off 92 IAM Local 1010 (District 6) members. The work moved to India, Hungary, Germany and Czech Republic.
A statement from IAM Local 1010 (District 6) member Robert Morrison, a former 31-year employee of Siemens Dresser-Rand in Burlington, Iowa:
“President Trump came to Burlington in October of 2015. He was in the auditorium and he got up on stage and said he would be the best jobs president God ever created. He’d bring back our jobs from China, Japan and so many other places. And now we see our jobs going away. He did nothing to help us. That’s what really chaps me.”
United Technologies Corp. in Chula Vista, Calif.announced in October 2018 that it would be closing and laying off 266 IAM Local 755 (District 725) members. The work moved to Mexico, Alabama and Washington state.
A statement from IAM Local 755 (District 725) member Jesse Perez, a former employee of United Technologies Corp. in Chula Vista, Calif.:
“How can you tell someone, ‘well why don’t you bring your companies back,’ but yet you don’t bring yours? You got to lead by example. That’s the bottom line. So when [Trump] started opening his mouth about that, to me it was all a lie, and I knew it wasn’t going to happen.”
FreightCar America in Roanoke, Va.announced in July 2019 that it would be closing and laying off 198 Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) Local 6016 members. The work moved to Mexico and Alabama.
A statement from TCU/IAM Local 6016 member John Peake, a former employee of FreightCar America:
“That was one of the things that Trump was really big on, about not letting companies go across the border or overseas. So, I mean, what’s the deal? Step up and do your job. Stop letting these companies run all over the American people.”
List of IAM-represented plant closures under the Trump administration:
Aerojet Rocketdyne, Rancho Cordova, Calif., 300 jobs lost
Air Products and Chemicals, Wilkes Barre, Pa., 150 jobs lost
Alcoa Intalco Works, Ferndale, Wash., 621 jobs lost
Caterpillar, Joliet, Ill., 600 jobs lost
Chevron Phillips Chemical, Fairfield, Iowa, 37 jobs lost
Crown Cork and Seal, Lawrence, Mass., 110 jobs lost
Crown Cork and Seal, Omaha, Neb., 32 jobs lost
Dayton Superior, Elk Grove, Ill., 100 jobs lost
Dentsply International , Des Plaines, Ill., 78 jobs lost
Eaton, Hutchinson, Kan., 149 jobs lost
Electrolux, Saint Cloud, Minn., 1,100 jobs lost
Fabick Machinery, Marion, Ill., 25 jobs lost
FreightCar America, Roanoke, Va., 198 jobs lost
Gear Works, Seattle, 85 jobs lost
Glenridge Machine, Willoughby, Ohio, 22 jobs lost
Goodman, Fayetteville, Tenn., 1,433 jobs lost
Grundfos Water Utility, Aurora, Ill., 45 jobs lost
Harley Davidson, Kansas City, 620 jobs lost
Ikea (Swedwood), Danville, Va., 275 jobs lost
Ingersoll Rand , Buffalo, N.Y., 360 jobs lost
Innio, Waueksha, Wis., 341 jobs lost
Jamestown Metal Products ,Jamestown, N.Y., 70 jobs lost
International Bildrite, International Falls, Minn., 32 jobs lost
Ken Behlmann Automotive Services, Hazelwood, Mo., 30 jobs lost
Koch Industries (Georgia Pacific Wood Products), Coos Bay, Ore., 100 jobs lost
Kroger Co., Columbus, Ohio, 41 jobs lost
Lake Country Foods, Oconomowoc, Wis., 9 jobs lost
Manitowoc Cranes, Manitowoc, Wis., 209 jobs lost
MillerCoors, Irwindale, Calif., 154 jobs lost
Modern Equipment, Port Washington, Wis., 35 jobs lost
New England Confectionery Co., Revere, Mass., 25 jobs lost
Niello Infiniti, Concord, Calif., 18 jobs lost
Prince Manufacturing, Sioux City, Iowa, 47 jobs lost
Regal Beloit, Valparaiso, Ind., 135 jobs lost
Rexnord Industries, Saint Rose, La., 55 jobs lost
Saint-Gobain (Certainteed Ceilings), Meridian, Miss., 96 jobs lost
Schneider Electric, Peru, Ind., 275 jobs lost
Siemens Dresser-Rand, Burlington, Iowa, 92 jobs lost
Siemens Dresser-Rand, Wellsville, N.Y., 312 jobs lost
Siemens Energy, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 30 jobs lost
Syncreon, Kansas City, Mo., 232 jobs lost
Torpedo Specialty Wire, Pittsfield, Pa., 23 jobs lost
Tronair (Columbus Jack), Columbus, Ohio, 28 jobs lost
Truck-Lite, Falconer, N.Y., 171 jobs lost
United Technologies Corp., Chula Vista, Calif., 553 jobs lost
Walter USA, Pewaukee, Wis., 32 jobs lost
Western Industries, Watertown, Wis., 77 jobs lost
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
and help give assistance to our Brothers and Sisters in need.”