Oct 19, 2020 | iMail
In July of 2018, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) informed IAM Local 755 they were going to lay off approximately 300 members from their Chula Vista, CA facility. IAM members have been making aerospace components at that location since 1941.
“They’ll go to the cheapest corner of the world to make a profit,” said Juan Villalobos, IAM Local 755 member and 20-year employee who is laid off.
UTC has been steadily outsourcing the work performed at the plant to facilities in Mexico. UTC in Chula Vista is one of dozens of IAM-represented facilities that have closed during the Trump administration.
“When I was there they were getting 118 pesos, which was less than $10, a day,” said Villalobos. “Not an hour, a day.”
“When is it going to be important for us to have U.S.A made stuff,’” said Local 755 member and 22-year employee Kimberly Lepper. “I thought Trump was going to save my job, and I wish he would’ve.”
Watch the IAM’s video about UTC outsourcing IAM jobs to Mexico on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Watch all the IAM’s “Broken Promise” videos.
“Unfortunately we live in a time where corporate greed knows no boundaries and hard-working American families are the ones who suffer,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We need elected officials who will hold these companies accountable for offshoring jobs, not reward them with tax breaks like the current administration does. This employer and all others shipping our jobs to Mexico and elsewhere should be ashamed of themselves, putting corporate profits over American jobs”
“It makes my blood boil every time another U.S. based corporation sends our work across the border or overseas, these corporations are guilty of economic treason against the United States,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “We need leaders in Washington that will hold corporations accountable and penalize these companies for the economic devastation caused by outsourcing and off-shoring good paying union jobs. My heart goes out to our members who fall victim to the greed of this country’s elite – it’s time to fight back at the ballot box!”
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Oct 19, 2020 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2020 — Machinists Union International President Robert Martinez Jr. released the following statement regarding a reported “mini” U.S.-Brazil trade deal:
“If recent reports are true, the Trump administration is working on a trade deal that will send more U.S. jobs out of our country, this time to Brazil. As reported today, in announcing the new pact, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ‘urged U.S. companies to learn more about the incentives that Brazil is offering to attract more foreign investment from the U.S.’”
“Despite all of his promises and all of his boasts, this deal is yet another example of Trump’s broken promises to U.S. workers. Dozens of Machinists Union-represented facilities have closed since Trump took office.
“We are still waiting for all of our jobs to come back from Mexico and China, as Trump promised they would. Instead, U.S. jobs continue to flow to Mexico and China unabated. As recently reported, Carlisle Companies is shutting down its assembly plant in Kent, Wash. and throwing nearly 600 people out on the street. Guess where they are moving the work? Mexico and China, where wage rates and labor standards are low, and in some cases, non-existent.
“U.S. workers are tired of an administration that says one thing and then does another. Americans cannot afford four more years of Donald Trump.”
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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Oct 16, 2020 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2020 – Eighty-nine Machinists Union (IAM) Local 1855 members at AstenJohnson in Appleton, Wis. began striking for a fair contract today at 7 a.m. CT.
The striking IAM members at AstenJohnson, who produce specialty fabric for the paper industry, are seeking reasonable healthcare expenses and cost sharing.
IAM Local 1855 members rejected company contract proposals on Oct. 14 and Sept. 30. Despite mediator assistance, the company refused to budge off its concessionary proposals.
“The reasonable offer put forward by our negotiating committee would have benefited our members, the Teamsters and non-union employees at the facility, and the company as a whole,” said IAM District 10 Business Representative Jeremy Terlisner. “I am proud of our Local 1855 membership and the negotiating committee for standing strong for what they deserve—a fair contract.”
“Because of the pandemic, affordable healthcare is now more critical than ever,” said IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative Alex Hoekstra. “These increases in cost put our members, their families and public health as a whole at risk. I stand shoulder to shoulder with the skilled workers at AstenJohnson in their fight and I call on management to come back to the table and negotiate a fair contract.”
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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Oct 15, 2020 | iMail
Shortly before 2 p.m. on an otherwise normal day on January 18, 2019, Prince Hydraulics corporate executives called IAM Local 1426 (District 6) members into a breakroom.
Management read a brief statement informing employees that the plant, which had roots in Sioux City, IA since 1941, would be closing.
“Pack your stuff and get out,” Kurt Lambing, a 30-year employee and IAM Local 1426 member, remembers the company saying.
By 2:30, the locks had been changed at the plant.
“That place is like family down there, and they took that all away,” said Rick Pickens, a 31-year employee and IAM Local 1426 member.
Prince Hydraulics in Sioux City, which made hydraulic cylinders, valves and pumps, is one of dozens of IAM-represented facilities that have closed during the Trump administration.
Watch the IAM’s video about the Prince Hydraulics closing on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Watch all the IAM’s “Broken Promise” videos.
“President Trump told our members that he would stand up to companies that slash our jobs in search of even greater corporate profits,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Time and time again, that promise has been broken and working families and their communities have suffered the consequences.”
“Working families have paid a heavy price for Trump’s broken promises,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Sadly, the hemorrhaging of jobs and the closing of U.S. plants has not stopped. More than 53 Machinists Union plants have not been saved, as promised. Thousands of IAM brothers and sisters, and their families, have been destroyed. Our country will continue to see this decline as long as the Trump corporate tax cuts and other anti-worker policies are still on the books. What union members need in the White House is a candidate who will put workers before corporations.”
READ: Iowa Prince Hydraulics Shutters Plant after 78 Years
“It’s been almost a year now since I had to find employment again,” said Lambing. “The wages aren’t what they were with the union, that’s for sure. I miss the union. I miss being a part of that.”
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Oct 15, 2020 | iMail
IAM District 776 raised more than $100,000 for the Machinists Union’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, in the 8th annual Bob Martinez Charity Golf Tournament.
The tournament brought together 120 golfers and dozens of volunteers on Saturday, October 10 at Squaw Creek Golf Club in Willow Park, TX. All proceeds benefit GDA/TLC.
“I want to thank Brother Eloy Rodriguez, Sister Anna Ritchey and all the volunteers who put together another tremendous event for such a great cause,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I am so proud of District 776 and every participant and sponsor for joining together to support the important mission of Guide Dogs of America.”
“During these difficult times, it is a testament to the generosity of our membership at District 776 and across the Southern Territory that we continue to support Guide Dogs,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “This important work will do wonders for the men and women who benefit from the services of GDA/TLC.”
“Top Dog” Sponsors: IAM Grand Lodge, IAM Southern Territory, IAM Aerospace Department, IAM District 776, Texas State Council of Machinists, Employee Benefit Systems, The Granger Family, Spirit AeroSystems, Elbit Systems.
At the beginning of this year, GDA completed a merger with Tender Loving Canines, and now provides hardworking service dogs for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, individuals with autism, and facilities to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility. Their services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
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