Machinists Union Members at Sulzer Pumps in Barboursville Successfully Protect Job Security, End Strike

Oct 14, 2021 | iMail

BARBOURSVILLE, W. Va., Oct. 14, 2021 – Fifty members of Machinists Union Local 598 (District 54) who had been on a two week strike for a fair contract at Sulzer Pumps in Barboursville have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new, improved collective bargaining agreement. Machining and foundry workers will return to work on the night of Sunday, Oct. 17.

Highlights of the new three-year agreement include:

–       Fully secures seniority rights that protect good West Virginia jobs

–       Wage increases in each year of the agreement, including back-dated wage increases from the beginning of strike

–       A new pension plan with an employer match

–       Stabilizes healthcare for life of the agreement

“I’m so proud of IAM Local 598 members for standing strong and winning the contract that themselves and their families deserve,” said IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr. “Thanks to their determination and the support of the community, we have protected some of the best careers in the area. Our members look forward to getting back to work building a great product right here in Barboursville.”

IAM District 54 represents more than 14,000 active and retired members in West Virginia, Ohio, northeastern Indiana, and Michigan.  

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. 

@DistrictLodge54 | @MachinistsUnion

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Southern Territory Wins Multiple Organizing Campaigns Totaling 200 New Members

Southern Territory Wins Multiple Organizing Campaigns Totaling 200 New Members

Oct 14, 2021 | iMail

Organizing campaigns initiated by the Southern Territory came to fruition last week as three separate groups, totaling approximately 200 workers overwhelmingly voted to join the IAM.

Flight Instructors from the Flight Safety Service Corp, NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, the Helicopter Maintenance H53 Rest Unit from Vertex Aerospace MCAS New River, North Carolina and the Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Day and Zimmerman located in Fort Hood, Killeen, TX all work under the Service Contract Act (SCA), providing service to the U.S. military,

“I worked under the SCA and understand the importance of the work performed by these men and women, many are also former U.S. Military themselves,” said Ramon Garcia, Southern Territory Organizing Leader. “Joining the IAM and having a collective bargaining agreement is a critical tool to guarantee benefits, raises and dignity on the job. It made a difference for me. Welcome to the IAM!”

“I want to welcome our new members who provide an invaluable service to our country into our Machinists family,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Credit for these organizing wins goes to our Organizing Leader Ramon Garcia, Grand Lodge Representative Joe Greaser for leading the campaign at Vertex, District 776 Directing Business Representative Paul Black and his staff at Fort Hood and District 75 Directing Business Representative Steve Jordan and his staff at Whiting Field. These teams worked countless hours with our new members, giving them the tools and resources necessary to fulfill their quest to join the IAM.”

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Machinists Union Applauds Social Security Benefit Increase

Oct 14, 2021 | iMail

Millions of Social Security beneficiaries, including many IAM members, will receive a 5.9 percent cost-of-living increase in 2022. The average retired worker can expect to receive an additional $92 per month.

Active and retired IAM members have long called for an increase to earned Social Security benefits and for measures that secure the solvency of Social Security. As Machinists, we continue our fight to ensure Social Security continues to pay retirees their life-long earned benefits. The IAM remains committed to the fight to achieve dignified retirement benefits for our members and all seniors.

Union retirees were instrumental in some of the first significant Social Security benefit increases and the implementation of Medicare.

“While this is welcome news for IAM members, retired Americans, disabled veterans and millions more Social Security beneficiaries, we must do more to ensure to help older Americans and others in need make ends meet,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We can start by passing the Build Back Better Act, which would lower the cost of prescription drugs. It is also past time to make the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share into Social Security.”

Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

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