Oct 13, 2020 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2020 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today began a video series exposing the human cost of President Trump’s broken promises that U.S. workers “won’t lose one plant” and declarations that “[plants] are all coming back.”
The first video highlights workers at Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) Local 6016 in Roanoke, Va. FreightCar America announced in July 2019 that it would be closing and laying off 198 TCU/IAM members. The work moved to Mexico and Alabama.
In September 2020, FreightCar America announced that its Alabama facility would also be closing and shifted production to Mexico.
Watch the video on the IAM’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
“President Trump told our members and the nation that he would not only stop our jobs from going overseas, but that he would bring jobs back that we’ve lost,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “These promises have been broken time and time again over the past three years. This administration has turned their backs on tens of thousands of our members and their communities. We need a White House that walks the walk and will defend critical U.S. manufacturing jobs.”
“Trump’s broken promises are on full display at FreightCar America,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “It’s a damn shame that our government continues to let these greedy corporations ship our jobs to Mexico. For some corporations, simply being profitable is never enough – especially when they can ship jobs overseas and pay workers pennies on the dollar. With these kind of broken promises from the Oval Office, I fear the days may be numbered for all the hard-working people in this country.”
“That was one of the things that Trump was really big on, about not letting companies go across the border or overseas,” said TCU/IAM Local 6016 member John Peake. “So, I mean, what’s the deal? Step up and do your job. Stop letting these companies run all over the American people.”
Click here for the IAM’s full list of plant closings under the Trump administration.
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.
Paid for by Machinists Non-Partisan Political League PAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Oct 13, 2020 | iMail
Nearly 20 members of IAM Local 435, District 60 voted to protect their retirement and accept a one-year contract this week, bringing an end to a three week strike with Miller Tool and Die in Jackson, MI. Their employer was attempting to cancel their pension contributions and withdraw from the pension fund, forcing the group of machinists to strike.
The new one-year contract extension protects their pension and includes a $1,000 signing bonus.
“The solidarity of this membership is what made this contract possible,” said District 60 Business Representative Thurman Crider. “They were willing to do whatever was needed to keep their retirement intact, and weren’t going to take no for answer. I’m proud of what they were able to accomplish in these difficult times.”
“I am very proud of this group of Fighting Machinists for standing up and protecting their pension and their future,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro Sr. “They have shown IAM members across the country how to fight when employers attack their retirement security. These members did what was needed to secure the benefits of a dignified retirement, not just for themselves, but for their families. There is honor in that.”
“The members of Local 435 showed what can be accomplished through solidarity,” said International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I’m proud of these members for drawing a line in the sand when it comes to their retirement and fighting for their futures. It was quite an accomplishment that deserves recognition.”
The post Michigan Local 435 Members Reach Agreement to Retain Pension, End 3 Week Strike appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 13, 2020 | iMail
Last week, the Joe Biden for President “Made in America” tour kicked off with a press conference in Burlington, IA, where 92 IAM Local 1010 members who worked at the former Siemens plant lost their jobs to India and Europe in 2018. The press conference highlighted Biden’s plan for re-investing in good-paying union jobs, while outlining Trump’s failures, broken promises and plant closings.
“The many failed policies of the Trump administration have decimated not only the livelihoods of these 92 IAM members, but thousands of working-class families around the country,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Union workers have always been the backbone to a strong American economy, and on November 3, we must take the first step in creating jobs and revitalizing our workforce by electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
IAM Special Representative and former Local 1010 President Chris Tucker, joined by former Local 1010 member Bob Morrison, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and other local labor leaders, discussed the impact of closed factories and outsourced jobs across eastern Iowa.
“I was a machinist for over 31 years here working in Burlington until Siemens shut our factory down and shipped our jobs overseas,” said Morrison. “They shipped our jobs to the Czech Republic, India, and a non-union plant in North Carolina. In October 2015, President Trump came to Burlington and he made a promise to American workers that he would be the best jobs president God ever created, and no more good American jobs will be shipped overseas — not on his watch.”
READ: ‘Made in America’ in-person event with Congressman Dave Loebsack and local union officials focuses on Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ campaign The (Burlington, IA) Hawkeye
“They moved to China, they moved to Mexico, they moved to India. And they did it to exploit workers and make money off their hard work,” added Tucker. “We’re tired of it. We want to stand up for middle-class Americans, middle-class workers, and take back what’s ours. Joe Biden said he was going to be the best president for working-class America that we’ve ever seen. It’s time we put the power back where it belongs — with unions and working families.”
All speakers said they back Biden’s Build Back Better economic recovery plan to give working families the tools, choices and freedom they need to recover from the economic and social impact of COVID-19.
Read IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.’s statement supporting the Biden-Harris “Buy America” plan.
Read IAM Policy Paper on the Failure to Reshore U.S. Jobs
The post Biden Campaign’s ‘Made in America’ Tour Visits Closed Iowa Siemens Plant Where IAM Members Lost Jobs Under Trump appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 8, 2020 | iMail
The IAM continues to push Congress for an extension of the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) and keep tens of thousands of IAM members employed.
“There is strong bipartisan support for an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) in both the House and Senate, but a bill still has not been passed,” said Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Republicans in both chambers have nixed standalone bills that would have ensured the futures of our airline members.”
Keep Up the Pressure!
Continue to call your Representative at 202-224-3121 to urge them to extend the airline Payroll Support Program through March 31, 2021, and to save hundreds of thousands of frontline airline workers’ jobs.
The IAM, along with a coalition of airline unions and carriers, yesterday sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to enact legislation to extend the airline PSP.
“Airline workers are already experiencing the impact of inaction and simply cannot wait any longer for federal aid,” the joint letter reads.
The post IAM Pushes Congress for Urgent Airline Relief appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 6, 2020 | iMail
The Boeing Co. on Thursday made official its decision to consolidate the production of the 787 Dreamliner in South Carolina.
“IAM District 751 believes this is the wrong decision and just another in a string of bad decisions Boeing has made that fails to capitalize on the strengths of our workforce,” said IAM District 751 President Jon Holden. “Boeing leaders discount the efficiency, quality, and productivity of our Puget Sound workforce.”
“We fully support our talented and dedicated membership at District 751,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Our members in the Puget Sound have made Boeing successful for generations and will be key to getting the company through this historically difficult time in the aerospace industry. We are extremely disappointed that Boeing management has decided against keeping this work with IAM members.”
“I stand with my Brothers and Sisters of District Lodge 751 in condemning this shortsighted and vindictive decision by Boeing,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “If they want the best aerospace workers on the globe, they’re in Puget Sound where the best aircraft in the world are built.”
Boeing management chose to end 787 productions in the Puget Sound, despite an objective study showing that Washington State remains far and above the best place for aerospace design and manufacturing.
“For decades, talented and dedicated engineers, machinists, and workers across our region proudly contributed their skills and ingenuity around the clock to power Boeing, our economy and this country to new heights,” said U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). “The company’s misguided decision to dishonor workers throughout the Pacific Northwest by turning their back on our region is wrong.”
“Boeing’s decision to pull its 787 productions out of Washington state is shortsighted and misplaced,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA). “The Pacific Northwest is home to the best aviation and aerospace workforce in the world.”
The post IAM District 751, Congressional Allies Say Boeing Wrong on 787 appeared first on IAMAW.
