Tuesday, March 9, marks Asian-American Women’s Equal Pay Day. While many of these workers thrive in the economy, thanks in part to lucrative union contracts negotiated by the IAM, others, who are often unorganized, struggle and are paid far less than men on the job. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, the average Asian woman in the U.S. is typically paid $0.90 for every $1.00 earned by white male counterparts. The disturbing pay gap could ultimately amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income.
“These sobering statistics are frustrating and need to be addressed,” says Director of the IAM Women’s and Human Rights Department Carla Siegel. “The Machinists Union bargains for great wages that’ve uplifted working women for decades. But there’s still lots of work to do in non-union sectors.”
According to data by National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, an average Guamanian woman only makes $0.66 for every dollar earned by her white male coworkers. Hawaiian women make even less averaging of $0.63. Siegel says the solution is simple: “Unions ensure all workers, no matter the gender, are paid fairly. We should be equally paid for the same job classification.”
The IAM is also addressing the problem by partnering with union constituency groups such as the Asian Pacific Labor Alliance, an organization that has been fighting for worker rights since 1992. Additionally, the Machinists Union broke racial barriers in 1964 when it endorsed the late Rep. Patsy Mink, a democrat from Hawaii. With the support of the IAM, Rep. Mink, a Japanese-American from Maui, would serve in Congress for almost 25 years where she’d become a powerful advocate for gender pay equality.
The AFL-CIO has six constituency groups that fight for workers from underrepresented groups. This video features four. Watch to learn more about APALA, CLUW, LCLAA and Pride at Work.
For more information about the A. Philip Randolph Institute and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), visit APRI.org and CBTU.org.
All six groups need your time, talent and expertise in the fight for workers’ rights.
“Local Lodge S6 is deeply saddened by the loss of a great soul, our Brother Angel Fisette. Angel was a kind hearted-brother, with almost 35 years of service at Bath Iron Works. He left us too early, and his smiling face and happy-go-lucky personality will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace Brother. Our hearts, prayers, and thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Bobbye Jo Martinez, loving mother of IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., passed away on March 1, 2021.
She was with her sons and continues to be surrounded by the love, prayer and well wishes from family and friends. Bobbye Jo was a Christian and a mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother and much more to everyone she knew.
Bobbye Jo was an avid supporter of the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America. She was incredibly proud of her son Robert’s rise through the IAM and the union’s mission of fighting for working families.
An avid cook, Bobbye Jo always made Sunday family meals and cared for many children and families through her home day care. She worked through the week, nights and weekends to provide for her kids and grandkids.
“Myself and the Martinez family are so touched by all the thoughts and prayers that have come from our Machinists Union family,” said International President Martinez. “Thank you for helping us get through this difficult time as we grieve and remember the life of my mother. I will always remember your kindness and sympathy.”
Visitation will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9 at Mount Olivet Fort Worth (2301 North Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76111). Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10 at Good Shepherd (1000 Tinker Road, Colleyville, TX 76034) with graveside service to follow.
Last week, 14 Hospice Chaplains from the CHI Franciscan Hospice Care Center in University Place, WA voted overwhelmingly to join the IAM, becoming the first group of Chaplains to be organized by the IAM.
Hospice Chaplains, who provide counseling and emotional and spiritual support to patients, families and staff throughout King, Pierce and Kitsap Counties, were inspired to join the IAM because their belief of putting human dignity first and foremost aligns with the IAM’s.
“I am honored these workers trust me and the vision of the IAM to aid them in a better working life for generations of Chaplains to come,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Gabby Rogano. “They collectively came together to ensure the values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence are kept at the forefront of their work providing patient care.”
“This Chaplain organizing victory proves that everyone needs to have the security and protection of a collective bargaining agreement, regardless of their role within the company,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “Adding the Chaplains to our other newly organized groups at CHI Franciscan Hospice Care only makes us stronger.”
“It only makes sense to open our arms to these new members,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “As a man of faith myself, it is my belief that we have very common values in as such as we help and serve those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all. I know that DL 751 will help make their work lives easier while helping them accomplish their mission.”
These organizing wins have been a result of the IAM’s initiative to grow its footprint in the healthcare sector with the creation of the IAM Healthcare Department.
