There are heroes throughout the corridors of Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and at airports and railroads across the country.
On Labor Day, leadership of the IAM Transportation Department visited with airline members at Houston’s busy hub. Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President, and Edison Fraser, IAM Transportation Coordinator, joined representatives from IAM District 141, Local 811 and Local 2198 to meet with members on the job and thank them on a day that honors working people.
“The airline industry has survived crisis after crisis because of one reason—the dedication and sacrifice of airline workers,” said Johnsen, a 33-year member who began his career as a United Airlines mechanic. “We are going to fight for our members like never before, raising the bar in contract negotiations and putting the interests of IAM members and passengers ahead of corporate profit.”
IAM representatives and members under an IAM District 141 tent offered snacks and refreshments to members. Hundreds of members wore “IAM Houston Strong” T-Shirts, a reminder that the city braved another crisis just four years ago when Hurricane Harvey struck the region.
“There’s nowhere else we wanted to be on Labor Day than with our members on the frontlines,” said Fraser, a 19-year member who started as a customer service agent at Southwest Airlines. “They deserve to see their leadership at every level, and we’re proud to have their backs through this pandemic and going forward.”
Members of Puerto Rico’s IAM Local 2725 Negotiating Committee recently completed a week-long negotiation preparation course ahead of collective bargaining for a new labor contract covering Frito-Lay salesmen (vendedores) at PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc.
The hands-on negotiation preparation, held in San Juan, was extremely valuable, said Jose Rodriquez Baez, Service Representative.
The panel was comprised of many first-time bargaining committee members. The lessons were taught in Spanish by instructors such as Jorge Bonilla from the IAM’s Winpisinger Center, Associate General Counsel Laura Ewan, Strategic Resources Senior Research Economist Peter Greenberg and Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Javier Almazan.
Negotiation committee members participated in simulated bargaining sessions that could be applied to real negotiations talks to come. Lessons included membership communication, drafting contract language, presenting proposals, analysis of the company and identifying sources of leverage in negotiations.
“These training are viable and allow us to negotiate better collective bargaining agreements for our members in Puerto Rico,” said Juan Negron, Special Assistant to the International President.
The committee members are expected to start contract negotiations in early September to replace a current labor contract that expires on Oct. 18.
The committee is seeking a new contract that will improve wages, as well as working conditions and the length of the workday.
“Puerto Rico is a strong and growing part of our union. These in-person, hands-on negotiation prep courses are very valuable for our members to get the best contracts,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I’d like to thank the Local 2725 negotiating committee and the Winpisinger Center Director Chris Wagoner, General Counsel Carla Siegel and the Strategic Resources staff for their work preparing for these important negotiations.”
Miembros del Comité Negociador del IAM Local 2725 de Puerto Rico, recientemente completaron un curso semanal de preparación para las próximas negociaciones con PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc. Las negociaciones colectivas para un nuevo contrato laboral cubrirán a los vendedores de Frito-Lay.
Las preparaciones negociadoras en persona, que tomaron lugar en San Juan, fueron extremadamente valorables dijo Jose Rodriguez Baez, Representante de Servicios.
El panel consiste de muchos miembros que son primerizos a un comité negociador. Las Lecturas fueron enseñadas en español por los instructores Jorge Bonilla Educador del Centro de Educación y Tecnología de Winpisinger, Laura Ewan Asociada Cónsul General del IAM, Peter Greenberg Senior Investigador Economista de Recursos Estratégicos y Javier Almazan Representante de la Gran Logia.
Los Miembros del comité negociador participaron en ejercicios que simulan sesiones de negociación que pueden aplicarse a las negociaciones reales por venir. Las lecturas incluyeron comunicación con la membresía, redacción de lenguaje contractual, presentación de propuestas, análisis de la compañía y como identificar fuentes de apalancamiento en las negociaciones.
“Este Entrenamiento es viable y nos permitirá adquirir un mejor Acuerdo de Negociación Colectivo para nuestros miembros en Puerto Rico” dijo Juan Negron, Asistente Especial del Presidente Internacional Bob Martinez.
El Comité Negociador espera empezar las negociaciones contractuales a principios de septiembre para reemplazar el actual contrato laboral que se expira el 18 de Octubre del 2021.
El comité va en busca de un contrato que mejorara los saldos, las condiciones de trabajo y el periodo de tiempo que dura el día de trabajo.
“Puerto Rico es un lugar fuerte y de crecimiento para nuestra Union. Estos cursos de preparación en persona son muy valorables para que nuestros miembros puedan obtener los mejores contratos,” dijo el Vicepresidente General del Territorio del Sur Rickey Wallce, “Me gustaría agradecer al comité negociador del Local 2725, Chris Wagoner Director del Centro de Educación y Tecnología de Winpisinger, Carla Seigel Consul General del IAM y al departamento de Recursos Estratégicos por el trabajo que hicieron en la preparación de estas importantes negociaciones”
Success stories inspire because they show the power to change lives and that change is so much sweeter when it’s due to solidarity.
IAM Local 459 (District 77) members in Minneapolis ratified a one-year agreement on August 2 that eliminates a divisive two-tier wage system at Culligan. A two-tier system pays one group of employees a higher rate than another for the same job classification.
“Everyone was pretty much on board,” said Shop Steward Kyle Lokkesmoe. “They all knew it had to go away. It wasn’t going to move ahead smoothly if we still had a two-tier pay scale in our shop.”
Lokkesmoe knew that he and other Tier 1 employees had to compromise.
“Those on the first tier were okay with maybe not getting exactly what they wanted to just have a one-tier shop,” said Lokkesmoe.
That flexibility made all the difference.
“It just showed that we were all in it together, doing the right thing,” Lokkesmoe said.
The company compromised, as well, by showing a willingness to sit down at the bargaining table, share financial information and work together to make it happen. Negotiations began in mid-July and lasted about two weeks.
IAM District 77 Directing Business Representative John Steigauf says the company hadn’t been following the two-tier wage structure anyway, so it was easier to argue the facts at the bargaining table.
“They were bringing people in above the starting rate,” said Steigauf.
The local pushed how unfair the system was and bombarded the company with facts.
“We started hammering on a fairness factor,” said Steigauf.
“I’m so proud of Local 459, District 77 and the strong membership at Culligan for achieving what they deserve,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This shows what solidarity can mean for our members, families and communities.”
Business Representative Andrew Peltier says the biggest thing going into negotiations is finding out what the people want.
“You have to ask for what people want, be able to justify it and have a lot of strong arguments,” said Peltier.
Low-morale and animosity on the shop floor are now things of the past, as members look forward to continuing a relationship with Culligan that began with a first contract in 1967.
The IAM Executive Council has met and unanimously voted to hold the 2022 IAM Grand Lodge Convention at the Las Vegas Hilton Resorts World from October 2-7, 2022. A letter will be sent to Local Lodges soon with further information on delegates and constitutional proposals.
The Grand Lodge Convention had previously been scheduled to take place in San Diego in September 2021. The convention was postponed to protect the safety and health of convention delegates and guests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the IAM’s efforts, the previous venue in San Diego was unable to adequately accommodate the IAM Grand Lodge Convention in 2022.
“Myself and the entire IAM Executive Council are excited for the 2022 Grand Lodge Convention in Las Vegas,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I know that the Western Territory and the Host Committee will do a tremendous job transitioning to Las Vegas, a proud union city with a strong IAM footprint.”
“While we are saddened that it proved impossible for the IAM to hold a successful convention in San Diego, the Western Territory is looking forward to a great convention in Las Vegas,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “This decision gives IAM members the best opportunity to participate in a productive and meaningful Grand Lodge Convention. Our Host Committee is ready and excited to get to work on behalf of IAM delegates from across North America.”
