Aug 26, 2021 | iMail
International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Reggie Dixon, formerly President and Directing Business Representative of IAM District 112, as a Special Representative in the Southern Territory. The appointment is effective August 23, 2021.
Dixon initiated into IAM Local 759 when he was hired at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority in 2002. He graduated from an apprenticeship program in 2007, becoming a lead electronic technician at the transportation authority.
Dixon was elected Local 759 President in 2008, serving in that position until 2018 when he was appointed President and Directing Business Representative of District 112.
“Brother Reggie brings a wealth of experience in negotiating strong contracts and organizing new members into our great union,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Reggie has a tremendous passion for service and is driven by the premise that all working people should be treated fairly. Our members will benefit greatly from everything Reggie brings to table as the newest member of the Southern Territory’s team.”
Dixon’s assigned station will be Jacksonville, FL.
The post Dixon Appointed Southern Territory Special Representative appeared first on IAMAW.
Aug 25, 2021 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2021 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace, defense, and transportation union in North America, released the following statement applauding the passage of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 (VRAA).
“The IAM strongly believes that voting is a sacred pillar in our country’s democracy. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act would help eliminate racial discrimination in our elections. The same groups fighting to suppress voting rights are also pushing some of the most anti-worker laws in our nation. We must stand in solidarity to fight back against any voter suppression attempts in our great country.
“Our union will continue to help ensure that all our members have full access to the ballot box. Everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in a process that legendary and late civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis championed in the halls of Congress.
“In 2013, Congressman Lewis personally participated in the IAM’s 125th birthday commemoration in Atlanta. Speaking to IAM members there, Lewis encouraged us to fight against voter suppression. ‘We must not step backward to another dark period in our history. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society,’ Lewis said.’
“The IAM will work to carry on his legacy and fulfill the democratic promise of America.”
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, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
The post Machinists Union Applauds Passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act appeared first on IAMAW.
Aug 24, 2021 | iMail
The IAM is proud to be the largest aerospace, airline and defense labor union in North America. The recent evacuation efforts of thousands of U.S. citizens and allies in Afghanistan have been made possible by IAM members throughout the union.
Both commercial and military aircraft being used in the evacuation effort are built and maintained by IAM members. In addition, IAM members work side-by-side with the military on bases across the country that are housing Afghan refugees upon their arrival to the United States.
“Our union is proud to be a part of this important mission to safely return U.S. citizens back home and to keep our promises to Afghan allies,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran. “As a union with such a large percentage of military veterans, we are honored to once again play a vital role in supporting our men and women in uniform. I send my sincere thanks to every IAM member and our brave service members who make this effort possible.”
The IAM Veteran Services Department has compiled resources available to military veterans experiencing a wide range of emotions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The post How the Machinists Union is Critical to the Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts appeared first on IAMAW.
Aug 24, 2021 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2021 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace, defense, and transportation union in North America, released the following statement in full support of the Build Back Better Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill:
“We applaud Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats for helping move a historic pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda forward. Their courage will help uplift millions of working families through good union jobs that offer fair wages and benefits.
“We have an opportunity to strengthen our U.S. manufacturing sector and increase the amount of good-paying union jobs. Now we must roll up our sleeves and rebuild America’s infrastructure and workforce across all industries.
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, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Applauds Speaker Pelosi, House Democrats for Moving Pro-Worker, Pro-Democracy Agenda Forward appeared first on IAMAW.
Aug 24, 2021 | iMail
As the IAM, the labor movement and working people around the globe continue to mourn the untimely passing of Richard Trumka, the Machinists Union looks forward to working with the most diverse leadership team in the history of the AFL-CIO.
On Friday, August 20, the AFL-CIO Executive Council elected Liz Shuler as the first woman to hold the office in the history of the labor federation. Shuler, an IBEW member, had served as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer since 2009, where she was the federation’s chief financial officer and placed an emphasis on grassroots organizing and youth engagement.
“I am humbled, honored and ready to guide this federation forward,” said Shuler. “I believe in my bones the labor movement is the single greatest organized force for progress. This is a moment for us to lead societal transformations—to leverage our power to bring women and people of color from the margins to the center—at work, in our unions and in our economy, and to be the center of gravity for incubating new ideas that will unleash unprecedented union growth.”
The Executive Council also elected United Steelworkers International Vice President Fred Redmond to succeed Shuler as secretary-treasurer, the first African American to hold the No. 2 office. At the USW, Redmond oversaw the Civil and Human Rights Department, as well as the union’s shipbuilding, health care and public sector bargaining, and worked with USW allies across the country in responding to attacks on voting rights and in combating economic inequality.
“I could not be more excited to get to work with President Shuler so we can build on the labor movement’s legacy of change, writing a new chapter that brings the promise of union membership to workers across this country,” said Redmond. “This is the right team at the right time to help bring about the economic and social justice America is hungry for.”
Tefere Gebre will continue as executive vice president, rounding out the most diverse team of officers ever to lead the AFL-CIO.
The AFL-CIO is a federation of 56 unions and 12.5 million members across the United States, including the IAM.
The post Machinists Union Welcomes New AFL-CIO Leadership Team appeared first on IAMAW.
