Jan 28, 2021 | iMail
Attention all IAM members who enjoy taking photos. The 2021 IAM Photography contest is now open, so get out your cameras or smartphones and start snapping some pics of your Union sisters and brothers.
Submit your pictures of IAM members in their workplace, union function or performing community service for a chance to win a cash prize have your photo featured in the 2022 IAM Calendar. Entry deadline is May 7, 2021.
Two dollars from each calendar sale is donated to Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
Download the Official Call and Entry forms.
Visit the IAM Contests webpage for information on all the IAM Communications Department’s contests.
The post Submit Your Entries for the IAM Photo Contest appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 26, 2021 | iMail
The newest railcars for Metra, the Chicago area commuter rail carrier, will be built by Machinists members from District Lodge 19, Local Lodge 2741 in Hornell, NY. The Metra Board of Directors last week approved the purchase of up to 500 state-of-the-art railcars from Alstom Transportation Inc.
“The contract for these cars speaks to the quality and craftsmanship of the work of Local 2741 members,” said International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The talent, skills and work ethic of this membership gives Alstom the ability to secure these large projects. This is great news for our members, Alstom and the community of Hornell.”
“This purchase is the news we needed to kickstart our year,” said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “The Machinists at Local 2741 are renowned for their unmatched workmanship in their industry and this large, long-term project will provide work and security for our members at Alstom for years to come.”
Local 2741 members at Alstom are also building Amtrak’s new Acela fleet, as highlighted in the IAM Journal.
The new cars will have two entranceways on each side with doors nearly level to the platform, thereby requiring only one step to enter instead of multiple steps on the old gallery cars. These changes will improve passenger flow, increase safety and reduce time spent boarding and deboarding at each station. The cars will also be wheelchair accessible for people with disabilities, deploying lifts to bridge the slight difference between the platform and entrance.
The first car is expected to be delivered 42 months after the contract is finalized, with the full base order completed 30 months later.
The post New York Machinists to Build New Chicago Metra Trains appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 26, 2021 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has announced the appointment of Craig Martin to Chief of Staff of the Southern Territory. Martin replaces Chief of Staff Jeff Smith, who was appointed Special Assistant to the General Vice President on January 1, 2021.
“Brother Craig will be a great asset to the IAM and particularly the Southern Territory,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Craig has the leadership qualities and deep roots in the South to be an effective leader for our Territory and our Union. He has the experience of working with many of our Locals and Districts during his time as District 161 DBR and a GLR. I look forward to working with another dedicated trade Unionist who is committed to improving the lives of our members and growing our Union.”
Martin attended the Industrial Machine Shop Program at Sowela Technical Community College and began his career at PPG Industries in Lake Charles, LA as a machinist apprentice. He got involved right away and worked his way from Shop Steward at Local 470 to eventually taking on the position of District 161 Directing Business Representative in August 2008.
Martin held almost every union position available during his career including Local Lodge Communicator, President, District 161 Financial Secretary, President of Louisiana State Council of Machinist, Executive Board Member of the Southwest Louisiana Central Trades and Labor Council Executive Board Member of the Louisiana AFL-CIO from 2006 to 2018.
Former Chief of Staff Smith will retire later this year after over 40 years in the IAM. He served as the Southern Territory Chief of Staff since January 2010.
“Brother Smith has served our Union with distinction and a dedication that has earned him the admiration of his peers,” said Wallace. “Jeff is known throughout our organization for his work ethic and intellect, and has been a mentor to myself and many others across our Union. He will be sorely missed.”
Smith joined the IAM in 1980 as a member of Local 2003 at Fort Rucker, AL, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. In addition to numerous responsibilities at the local level, Smith was elected Business Representative for District 75 in 1998. He was appointed to the Southern Territory staff in 2004 and specialized in handling NLRB cases for the Southern Territory office.
The post Martin Appointed to Southern Territory Chief of Staff appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 26, 2021 | iMail
Calling all IAM District and Local Communicators. The IAM is encouraging you to take part in the 2020 IAM Newsletter and Website contests. The contest is a great opportunity for your hard work to be recognized by your brothers and sisters across the Machinists Union.
Enter using the link below:
2020 Newsletter and Website Contests
The IAM Newsletter and Website Contest is open to all local and district lodges in good standing, having publications that are regularly distributed or mailed to members and/or maintain regularly-updated IAM websites.
This contest will consider newsletters published between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and websites operating online during the judging period. The deadline to submit entries is April 2, 2021.
An independent panel of judges will review submitted entries and select the winners. Contact the Communications Department at 301-967-4520 if you have any questions.
The post Time to Enter the 2020 IAM Newsletter and Website Contests appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 26, 2021 | iMail, LL S6 Leadership Alerts, LL S6 Upcoming Events
Brothers and Sisters,
There will be a gate collection this Thursday, January 28th for YO2 Garrett Bailey, one of our brothers who was critically injured on the job. We will be at all gates, all facilities, all shifts and encourage any and all support for a brother in desperate need.
Additionally: we have attached a link below to a GO FUND ME page for additional support.
https://gofund.me/9be9a5d4
We have collaborated with the District Lodge 4 as well as the IAM who will be making contributions and have agreed to share the GO FUND ME link across the entire country.
Let’s all do what we can to send a powerful message of support and what it means to be a proud Union Brother or Sister.
In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Leadership
