Ohio Local 1943 Apprenticeship Program is a Major Success for its Members

Nov 2, 2021 | iMail

55 IAM Local 1943 members recently graduated from the Maintenance Apprenticeship program, receiving their Maintenance Mechanic Journeyman certificates from the State of Ohio. The program included on-the-job training with the Mobile Maintenance Department, and related instruction from IAM Local 1943 members who have been certified as instructors and are experts in pipefitting, hydraulics, welding, mechanics and electrical work.

These graduates along with those from the recently completed HVAC Apprenticeship program have afforded about five dozen members this year with the opportunity to advance their careers and ensure their future livelihoods.

“The Apprenticeship programs our Local helped develop have really been a home run for our members,” said IAM Local 1943 President and Directing Business Representative Neil Douglas. “It is a testament to all those who have been involved with this program’s inception that State Representatives came to speak to us at our luncheon for the graduates about the importance of apprenticeships and advancing education in the manufacturing sector.”

“Local 1943 members have established a training program whose success hopefully will be a template that can be used by other locals and the companies for which they work,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “Their Apprenticeship program has advanced the careers of dozens of Machinists and illustrates that the best trained worker is one trained by a fellow union brother or sister.”

The Ohio AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute supported IAM and AK Steel, now Cleveland-Cliffs, to register their apprenticeship and provided resources for program development.

The IAM/AK Steel Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship standards were approved by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in April 2018.

Click here to read more about Local 1943’s Apprenticeship program.

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Local 2003 Fort Rucker Machinists Ratify Strong Contract

Nov 1, 2021 | iMail

The IAM ratified a strong new agreement between IAM Local 2003 and M1 at Fort Rucker in Alabama. Approximately 3,500 members perform aircraft maintenance and flight support at M1.

Highlights of the three-year contract include wage increases of 4 percent, 3.5 percent, and 3.5 percent in each year of the agreement. Other enhancements include continuation of $5 per hour contributions to the IAM National Pension Fund (IAMNPF), and $2 per hour contributions over the life of the agreement to a new 401(k) plan, all while holding the line on health care.

Other improvements include increased vacation schedule for all members, new premiums for CDL holders, lead pay and NDI Inspector pay.

“This contract rewards our members for their dedication, and hard work,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “The negotiating committee and our membership earned the recognition for their skills and commitment to this program, and this agreement does that.”

“My thanks go out to Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett and Aerospace Coordinator Tony Wirth who led this negotiation with the assistance of Strategic Resources Director David White and District 75 Business Representative Randy Garrett,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “The Local 2003 Negotiating Committee did an outstanding job obtaining this agreement – they were prepared and the proof is in the results.”

“This Negotiating Committee, and our Shop Stewards were all part of the field negation prep class,” said District 75 Business Representative Randy Garrett. “The solidarity started there, and their hard work paid off at the negotiating table and on the shop floor.”

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