A group of about 200 District 776 shop stewards at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas recently took part in a day-long program in preparation of the upcoming contract negotiations covering about 5,000 workers at the North Texas facility.
The members met at the District 776 room named after IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., for the field training program. The program addressed the negotiation process and member involvement. The program was offered by the William W. Winpisinger Center.
The field training is the latest part of preparations for next year’s negotiations for a new contract for members at the F-35 fighter jet production facility. The current five-year, eight-month contract ends on April 24, 2022. Contract negotiations are planned to start in February.
The program began with remarks from IP Martinez, a longtime member, activist, and former worker at the Lockheed facility. A U.S. Navy veteran, Martinez began his IAM career in 1980 as a member of Local 776A after being hired as an aircraft assembler at the Lockheed facility.
“This is going to come down to you. We all will have to fight to make sure our members get the best contract they deserve,” Martinez said. “I know it’s in us as the Fighting Machinists. We have to work together to make sure we are united and we stand strong as we seek everything from wages to workplace protections that will improve the lives of each and every member in the shop.”
The recent steward training program also included presentations from staff of IAM’s communications and strategic resources departments. Discussion of the legal issuesin collective bargaining was provided by attorney Rod Tanner.
“This field training is so important to get everyone up to speed on the importance of their involvement in this negotiations process,” said Winpisinger Center director Chris Wagoner. “This is a team effort that will require the shop stewards to help get out the message to members on the shop floor.”
“This training will help everyone work as a unit to fight for the best labor contract possible,” said District 776 President and Directing Business Representative Paul Black. “Our negotiating committee is ready to head to the table with Lockheed and it’s great to know they have the support of the stewards at their back.”
“We are gearing up for a very important contract at this Lockheed facility and it’s important that everyone is ready to do their part to make sure members get the best contract,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “This contract will set the pace for others in the aerospace industry, so we stand ready to help where we can to make sure it’s a great one that represents the hard work of each of our members.”
“We are strongest when in solidarity, and preparing our stewards at Lockheed will help us work collectively for the best contract for our hard-working men and women in that facility,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I’m proud of the work as we prepare to win a strong contract that rewards our members for their hard work.”
“There are many of our members in the Lockheed facility who are new to the contract negotiations process,” said IAM Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett. “That’s why education is so important as we prepare for negotiations that will include member participation. With solidarity, I feel confident that we can win the economic provisions as well as the workplace protections our members are demanding in a new contract.”
Leadership of the IAM Transportation Department recently visited with airline members at Denver International Airport (DEN), the latest stop in a station visits program launched earlier this year by the new leadership.
Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President, spent part of last week with members of IAM Local 1886, including participating in its annual member appreciation day and retiree luncheon that included members of airlines such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Ground Express. Johnsen was joined by a delegation that included Grand Lodge Representative Sean Ryan as well as leaders of District 141 and Local 1886.
The week’s activity also included a visit with airline members at Denver International Airport, including workers at United Airlines. Johnsen urged members to prepare for upcoming contract talks, including encouraging participation in the member survey that will help sculpt provisions to be proposed at the negotiations table. The current five-year labor contract runs through 2021.
“These visits are a very valuable learning experience for me and our members. I’m always excited to share information with members while fielding their concerns and suggestions for improving their workplaces,” Johnsen said. “There’s a great family atmosphere among our members at Denver International Airport. It was a pleasure to spend time with these hard-working men and women who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure passengers get to their destinations safely.”
Johnsen says that Transportation Department staff is making similar station visits as a means to proactively connect with members and address any concerns.
The string of recent station visits also comes as Johnsen and other department leaders are aggressively advocating for improved airline safety measures for ground crew members, prompted in-part by a rise in passenger violence against workers.
Johnsen recently authored an op-ed in USA Today newspaper addressing unruly passengers and the understaffing issues in the airline industry.
We must stop passenger rage in the air and on the ground. Frontline airline workers deserve better.
“Now it’s up to the airlines to demonstrate that this is their priority, too, by fixing the chronic understaffing causing delays and cancellations and making the air rage, and ground rage, worse,” Johnsen wrote.
President Biden spoke from the White House about a new plan to keep pressure on U.S. supply chains, during which he thanked Machinists Union members and other transportation workers on the front lines.
The IAM has long called for investment in the transportation industry that benefits workers, passengers and consumers, as well as Buy American regulations that strengthen supply chains, especially during global crises like a pandemic. The IAM is in full support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Act, which would provide historic investments in the airline, transit, aerospace, manufacturing and other critical industries.
“President Biden recognizes the critical role our members have in keeping America and the world moving,” said Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President. “The President knows that working men and women are the vital component in our supply chains, and that our members are working hard and remain committed to the job at hand.”
The IAM is the largest transportation union in North America, including in the airlines and freight and commuter railroads.
A few Machinists State Council meetings were held across different territories over the past month. Machinists State Councils are located across the country, in cities and states where Machinists are represented. The Machinists State Councils help fight for legislation that is good for working people.
Legislation enacted and decisions made by elected officials impact our work lives and the ability of our union to fight for better pay and benefits for our families.
In the past few weeks, the Machinists State Councils that gathered in their respective states were Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska, Colorado, and Florida State Councils.
Members of the councils meet to swear in new officers and discuss some of the most pressing legislative and political issues facing IAM members in their states.
The photo gallery contains photos from Machinists State Councils around the IAM.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2021 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Georgia Democratic congressional delegation, led by U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), are working to help firefighters and facility safety technicians at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA, fight to save their jobs.
Lockheed Martin recently announced that it plans to outsource fire protection at the Marietta facility. The 41 firefighters and three safety technicians are members of the IAM Local 709. The majority are U.S. military veterans and have provided fire protection for the facility since 1961.
During the pandemic, one of the first responders lost their life due to COVID-19, and another member was hospitalized for months. During the pandemic, the group worked nonstop and was considered essential personnel.
“The firefighters and safety technicians in the Lockheed Martin Fire Department are essential workers and we hope to save the jobs of these faithful first responders,” said IAMSouthern General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “They risk their lives every day to keep the facility and the personnel inside safe from harm. The thousands of IAM members inside the facility will stand in solidarity with our impacted members. Outsourcing should be the last thing on Lockheed Martin’s agenda. The company should focus on putting out great products that help keep our nation safe and relying on experienced personnel to keep the workers safe. We will commit our full resources to fight back this outrageous outsourcing scheme. I applaud Congresswoman Williams and other members of the Georgia congressional delegation for sticking by our members during this difficult fight.”
Rep. Williams is leading the Georgia Democratic congressional delegation in an effort to protect union workers at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Marietta.
“The Lockheed Martin Marietta facility employs over 5,000 Georgians working across a 900-acre campus with myriad buildings, entryways, and corridors,” the letter reads. “As firefighters, first responders, and EMTs, the Marietta Fire Safety Department has decades of training and experience protecting the safety and health of the workforce, as well as the government funded assets, located on this large and complex campus. These workers have the institutional knowledge of this campus that is necessary to best protect their colleagues. We are concerned by the risks that could come with replacing this highly trained and experienced safety team with outside contractors with little knowledge of the facility.”
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.
IAM Local 709 members build C-130 and C-130J military transport planes, along with center wing assemblies for F-35 fighters.
