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“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of our Brother Rick Poulin (Q-tip) passing away due to complications from COVID-19. Q-tip was an Officer of IAM Local Lodge S6, with 31 years in the electric shop at Bath Iron Works. We lost our brother, our friend, and our family. Our hearts are with his wife Theresa, family, friends, and all who knew and worked with him. If you met Q-tip, you knew just how solid of a man he was. Caring, joyful, strong, and the kind of person you could always count on to make things fun. We will miss him every day and never forget how he touched our lives and made working with him unforgettable. We love you brother, rest in peace dear friend.”
IAM District 725 Area Manager/Business Representative J.P. Fletcher recently represented the Machinists Union during U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s speech on trade at the AFL-CIO.
Fletcher asked Tai an important question about how the Biden administration will combat outsourcing and retain Aerospace jobs in America. Tai’s speech, which focused on the importance of worker-centered trade, was hosted by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka during a virtual town hall.
“While aerospace workers are currently being laid off all over the United States, the aerospace industry in Mexico is growing exponentially,” said IAM District 725 Area Director/Business Representative J.P. Fletcher. “Many of these jobs were once our jobs and union jobs here in San Diego.”
Chula Vista, CA has been home to aerospace manufacturing since the 1940’s and at one time employed over 10,000 workers. When United Technologies (UTC) took over the operations, the company outsourced much of the work to its production site in Mexico. There are approximately 60,000 aerospace jobs now in Mexico, much of which used to be done by IAM members.
“Brother Fletcher did a great job representing the IAM during this call by posing a vital question to Ambassador Tai about the future of aerospace jobs in our great country,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It is imperative the Machinists Union continues to pressure this administration to keep their word of protecting the livelihoods of not only our Aerospace members, but every Machinist. The IAM will always be at forefront in leading the labor movement’s fight to keep American jobs here and against any outsourcing.”
“The outsourcing of good paying aerospace jobs to Mexico is tantamount to economic treason on the American worker,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “I will do everything in my power to continue to hold theses elected officials accountable to our members and our country.”
The IAM Midwest Territory raised $21,877 at two recent events benefiting the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, which provides service dogs free of charge to deserving individuals across the U.S. and Canada.
Both events were held consecutively on the weekend of May 22 and 23.
The IAM Midwest Territory’s 2nd annual Sporting Clays Shoot, held at Nilo Farms in Brighton, IL, drew a record 70 participants.
The 12th annual Spirit of Midwest “Rides for Guides” Classic Auto Show drew more than 111 cars to IAM District 837 in Hazelwood, MO.
The show included stock cars from as far back as the 1950s, trucks, corvettes and street rods. Trophies were given to the top three cars in each class, Best of Show and People’s Choice.
“After many events were cancelled in 2020, it was great to see so much participation from our membership in the 2021 ‘Rides for Guides’ car show and the sporting clay event,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “IAM members know better than anyone how to join together for a good cause, and we have once again shown that in the Midwest Territory. I’d again like to thank every participant and sponsor who helped us raise more than $21,800 for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.”
For more information on these and other IAM Midwest Territory events to benefit Guide Dogs of America, visit the Spirit of the Midwest website at SpiritoftheMidwest.org.
At the beginning of last year, GDA completed a merger with Tender Loving Canines, and now provides 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.
The IAM Midwest Territory raised $21,877 at two recent events benefiting the IAM’s favorite charity, 
“After many events were cancelled in 2020, it was great to see so much participation from our membership in the 2021 ‘Rides for Guides’ car show and the sporting clay event,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “IAM members know better than anyone how to join together for a good cause, and we have once again shown that in the Midwest Territory. I’d again like to thank every participant and sponsor who helped us raise more than $21,800 for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.”