Delegates from across Minnesota gathered recently for the Minnesota State Council of Machinists meeting. The meeting focused on the importance of staying engaged throughout the electoral process and outlined priorities for the membership. The attendees heard from a slate of dynamic speakers, including IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway, IAM Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon, and Minnesota top elected officials including Governor Tim Walz, State Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Secretary of State Steve Simon.
“This year’s state council meeting allowed us to come together and discuss our top priorities,” said Minnesota State Council of Machinists President John Steigauf. “This meeting featured dynamic speakers including a video from Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. When we come together, it allows us to keep reminding members of our priorities and stay engaged on the issues that matter in the lives of our members. Everyone left the meeting energized and committed to the issues facing our membership and the state of Minnesota.”
Members attending the Minnesota State Council meeting heard how vital the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) is for our union and state councils. Increasing contributions to the MNPL is always a big part of the Minnesota State Council’s agenda with the help of IAM staff from the political and legislative department. The voluntary donations to the MNPL help us get pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot elected in hopes of implementing a pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda in the state.
“I always look forward to attending the Minnesota State Council and engaging with the members on some of our top issues in our union,” said IAM Midwest Territory Vice President Steve Galloway. “The leadership of the Minnesota State Council should be commended for always taking a lead on some of the most difficult issues facing our nation. They should also be commended on their level of participation amongst the delegation – which included young, senior and retired members. I am proud of working alongside each and every one of them as we push through this very important time in labor’s history.”
The Minnesota State Council of Machinists represents more than 5,400 active and retired members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, representing nearly 600,000 active and retired members in manufacturing, aerospace, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking and other industries in both the U.S. and Canada.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) committee for advancing the nomination of two union-friendly members to the National Mediation Board (NMB), which includes longtime labor lawyer and former IAM Legal Fellow Deirdre Hamilton.
The HELP committee recently voted to approve the nomination of Hamilton and renomination of Linda Puchala, an action that moves both for a full Senate consideration. The IAM is now urging Senate leadership to swiftly move forward with a full floor vote to confirm the two NMB nominees.
“We thank each senator of the HELP committee who voted in favor of the Democratic nominees for this very important federal panel, which will help make sure the pendulum stays balanced in the efforts to smooth out disputes in the rail and airline industries,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “We also applaud the Biden administration for choosing a slate of very qualified members to the NMB panel, which would become Democratic majority. We are confident that Deirdre Hamilton and Linda Puchala will fight hard to protect the interest of the American worker.”
“We applaud the Senate HELP Committee for moving our labor-friendly nominees out of committee and we are now urging Senate Leadership to schedule a floor vote. The IAM’s Transportation Department stands ready to work to help get these nominees confirmed,” said Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President. “Both Hamilton and Puchala have shown to be advocates of workers, so I am confident that they will assure workers’ rights will be protected.”
The NMB is a three-member panel tasked with handling labor issues in the nation’s railroad and airline industries.
In January, the IAM joined 18 unions representing rail and aviation workers in sending a letter to the Biden administration asking for some immediate attention to confirm Hamilton and Puchala.
Approximately 280 IAM Local 588 (District 65) members from Garlock Sealing Technologies in Palmyra, NY ratified a new four-year contract today, ending a three-day strike.
The new deal includes significant wage increases, a signing bonus, automatic 2 percent employer contribution for all members to their 401k plan, seven full paid sick days under the New York State Sick Leave(NYSSL) policy and improvements to company medical contributions. The contract also removes discipline restrictions for job bidding, reverting to the original language. The attendance policy will go back to original point levels.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our Local 588 members for sticking together and showing the company what the Machinists are all about,” said IAM District 65 Directing Business Representative Ron Warner. “It was a tough fight, but we didn’t waver. Member activism was high and the bargaining committee was ready and well-prepared. This group was determined to get a good contract, and they did.
“Congratulations to the members of IAM Local 588 on their new contract,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “This contract was achieved because of the solidarity exhibited by our sisters and brothers on the picket line. I’d also like to thank District 65 Directing Business Representative Ron Warner and the Negotiating Committee for their tireless work and relentless pursuit of a fair and just contract.”
The new accord ended the strike which began when members rejected the company’s last proposal which included concessions, such as a freeze to the company pension and a change to the attendance policy.
IAM CREST provided a 3-day Setting Up a Joint Labor/Management Safety and Health Committee program for IAM District 166 and Local Lodge 2061 with Jacobs Space Operations Group at Kennedy Space Center, Florida from October 19 – 22, 2021.
The focus was to get labor and management on the same page to address past barriers and recognize the benefits of working together jointly by identifying and addressing hazards. Something we stress is that in order to have a successful joint labor/management committee you must start with a joint commitment which must be cat all levels (bottom up throughout each organization).
Class Participants: Matt Ammons, Joe Blumenthal, Doug Brownlee, Kaylee Colvin, Mike Easley, Robert Casey Ford, Brandon Giera, Stephanie Hansen, Steve Jezowski, John Jones, Jim LaRocque, Manny Martinez, Tiffany Osborne, Tyler Polk, Christine Raub, James Severson, Nicholas Smyth, Steven Starbird, Taylor Whalen, Jim Whitaker, Chris Zeuli.
IAM CREST Instructors: Teri McClendon, Shaun Trude,
Members of IAM Local Lodge 99, District 14 Negotiating Committee attended Negotiation Prep training at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3). The committee represents members at Weldco Heavy Industries in Fort Mackay, Alberta, Canada. Weldco does heavy mine maintenance on 400 ton trucks and shovels.
The committee’s courses included how to draft contract language, strategic planning, contract costing, and a negotiation simulation.
The committee lauded the information, skills, and the education center itself that included Chief Steward Broc MacWhirter. Brother MacWhirter travels to Fort Mackay every month for his 14-day rotation of 12 hour shifts, and was a key organizer for the bargaining unit in 2018 when the 95 new members joined the IAM.
“The facility is second to none,” said MacWhirter. “The staff out do themselves every single day to provide a safe, clean and extremely well maintained center. If you ever get a chance to partake in a course go out of your way to make it. I can’t wait for my next trip to the harbor.”
Brad Lesperance, a shop steward for the IAM at Weldco, was identified as an organizer in 2018 and lost his job in the fight for recognition with the IAM, but was able to return to work thanks to the efforts of the IAM organizing team. “It was a great honor and privilege to be able to take part in such a great training program,” said Lesperance. “The instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and the staff was willing to help in any way. The Winpisinger Center exceeded our expectations.”
Cody Caldwell, who also played a strategic role in helping the union get Brad his job back, said “The time I got to spend at the Winpisinger education & technology centre was an amazing opportunity. The knowledge and experience the instructors bring to the table really helped me prepare, and has boosted my confidence for our upcoming negotiations. I am truly grateful to be here.”
“It was a pleasure to accompany these first-time visitors to W3, said District 14 Business Representative, and Lead Negotiator Jim Patterson. “It’s always a good time going to classes and furthering my knowledge, but this was especially invigorating seeing the committee experience the school for the first time.”
“We are very glad that our Local 99 Weldco members are getting training at the Winpisinger Center,” said Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “This means that they will be better prepared to bargain with the employer and obtain a better contract. “The Winpisinger Education Center adds incredible value to being a member of the IAM.”
