Dec 15, 2021 | iMail
If federal funds are being used by American transit agencies to purchase things like rail cars or buses, those vehicles and their parts, should be made in America.
That’s the message coming from the Machinists Union, which is standing alongside other national labor unions to let Congress know that millions of good jobs, the country’s supply chains, and our global competitiveness are at stake.
“Our members are proud to manufacture equipment used by our government to take care its citizens across this nation. But if federal dollars are used to pay for it, it should made in this country, by workers in the United States, using American ingenuity. This should be non-negotiable,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Our elected leaders need to take action immediately to make sure we aren’t giving away our country’s competitive edge and endangering our national security.”
In a joint letter signed by the IAM, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Transport Workers Union of America, the United Steelworkers, and the United Auto Workers, the group outlined how detrimental it will be to the economy and our national security if this action remains unchecked, putting our country at risk for the future.
The letter is addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
“On behalf of millions of workers throughout the U.S. supply chain that supports our transportation infrastructure, we write in strong opposition to any policy actions that would weaken the Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act (TIVSA),” writes the coalition. “This law was enacted in 2019 to prevent the use of federal assistance administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from being used to purchase rolling stock equipment from China’s state-owned, -controlled, and -subsidized firms.”
The letter makes clear the importance of protecting the country’s supply chains and ensuring American manufacturing remains a global powerhouse, as well as safeguarding future interests such as emerging transportation infrastructure technologies including electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries and other clean energy platforms.
Click here to read the letter.
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Dec 15, 2021 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2021 – La Asociación Internacional de Maquinistas y Trabajadores Aeroespaciales (IAM), la unión de aerolíneas y transporte más grande de América del Norte, escribió una carta al Inspector General del Departamento de Transporte de los EE. UU. Pidiendo una investigación sobre el posible uso indebido de fondos recibidos a través de la Ley CARES por parte de Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC. El IAM escribió la carta en nombre de más de 200 mecánicos que trabajan en Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, en Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC.
La carta al Inspector General del Departamento de Transporte pide una investigación sobre la posible violación de la ley de parte de Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC en los compromisos relacionados con la nómina que les permitió recibir fondos de la Ley CARES, o tergiversar información que les permitió recibir fondos. Según la investigación de la IAM, parece que Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC recibió millones de dólares en subvenciones, mientras que los salarios y las horas de los empleados se redujeron de manera impermisible. Los datos apuntan a una falla y posible abuso de fondos destinados a beneficiar directamente a los trabajadores.
“La pandemia causó mucho daño al crecimiento de la industria de las aerolíneas, y se suponía que la aprobación de los fondos de la Ley CARES sería el salvavidas para los mecánicos de aerolíneas en Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC”, dijo Juan Negrón, Asistente Especial de la Presidente de IAM Internacional. “Pero en lugar de esperanza, se les dio unas cartas de despido y se redujeron las horas de trabajo. La Unión de Maquinistas nunca dejó de luchar para que esta injusticia saliera a la luz. Esperamos que esta exposición les dé a los trabajadores de Lufthansa y sus familias lo que se merecen por derecho.”
“La IAM intercedió agresivamente y ganó la aprobación exitosa de la legislación de la Ley CARES que brindó un alivio fundamental para los trabajadores de la industria de las aerolíneas durante la pandemia de COVID-19,” dijo el Vicepresidente General del Territorio Sur del IAM, Rickey Wallace. “Como la unión de aerolíneas más grande, que representa a más de 160,000 miembros activos y jubilados en las industrias de aerolíneas y ferrocarriles, la IAM está fuertemente invertida en cualquier posible fraude, desperdicio o uso indebido de los fondos de la Ley CARES”.
Lea la carta completa al inspector general del Departamento de Transporte de los EE UU, Eric J. Soskin (en inglés)
La Asociación Internacional de Maquinistas y Trabajadores Aeroespaciales (IAM) se encuentra entre las uniones industriales más grandes de América del Norte y representa a casi 600,000 miembros activos y jubilados en la industria manufacturera, aeroespacial, defensa, aerolínea, ferrocarril, transporte, construcción naval, carpintería, atención médica, y otras industrias.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Maquinistas exigen respuestas sobre el posible uso indebido de fondos de la Ley CARES por parte de Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico appeared first on IAMAW.
Dec 15, 2021 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2021 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest airline and transportation union in North America, wrote a letter to the U.S. Transportation Department Inspector General calling for an investigation into possible misuse of CARES Act funds by Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC. The IAM wrote the letter on behalf of more than 200 mechanics who work in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, at Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC.
The letter to the Transportation Department Inspector General calls for an investigation into Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC’s possible violation of payroll-related commitments that allowed them to receive CARES Act funds or misrepresenting information that allowed them to receive funding. Based on the IAM’s research, it appears Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC received millions of dollars in grants while employee wages and hours were improperly cut. The data points to a failure and possible abuse of funds intended to benefit the workers directly.
“The pandemic caused a lot of damage to the growth of the airline industry, and the passage of the CARES Act funding was supposed to be the lifeline for airline mechanics at Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico, LLC,” said Juan Negron, Special Assistant to the IAM International President. “But instead of hope, they were given pink slips and reduced working hours. The Machinists Union never stopped fighting to ensure this injustice was brought to light. We hope this exposure will give the workers at Lufthansa and their families what they rightfully deserve.”
“The IAM aggressively advocated and won the successful passage of the CARES Act legislation that provided critical relief for airline industry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “As the largest airline union, representing more than 160,000 active and retired members in the airline and rail industries, the IAM is heavily invested in any possible fraud, waste, or misuse of the CARES Act funds.”
Read the entire letter to the U.S. Transportation Department Inspector General Eric J. Soskin
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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Dec 14, 2021 | iMail
Monica Lee Silbas, a 30-year IAM member who has most recently served as IAM Assistant Political and Legislative Director, will become Chief of Staff to International President Robert Martinez Jr. The appointment is effective January 1, 2022.
Silbas is known throughout the IAM and the labor movement as a fierce advocate for working people and as one of the leading voices for labor on Capitol Hill. Before joining the IAM Political and Legislative Department in 2014, Silbas had served as the IAM Transportation Department’s Education Representative since 1999. Her deep experiences representing airline workers include being a part of many airline organizing campaigns.
Silbas initiated into IAM Local 2785 as a Customer Service Agent at Northwest Airlines in Los Angeles.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Monica as our new Chief of Staff,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Her broad experience at many levels of our union will bring a unique and powerful perspective to the Office of the International President. Every IAM member is going to benefit from Monica’s expertise, knowledge and passion for our great union.”
Fluent in Spanish, Silbas was one of the initial members of the Spanish Leadership Working Group who helped develop course materials for the Spanish Leadership Program and other classes held entirely in Spanish at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. Silbas currently serves on the executive board of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).
Silbas was recently elected as a principal member to the Executive Committee of IndustriALL Global Union, which represents over 50 million workers in 140 countries.
Silbas will take over for longtime IAM Chief of Staff Owen Herrnstadt, who is retiring January 1, 2022.
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Dec 14, 2021 | iMail
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has approved a petition for 130 workers at a Pathway Vet Alliance facility in Rochester, N.Y., to conduct a mail-in ballot election for representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
The proposed unit of 130 workers with titles like licensed veterinary technicians and surgery animal care attendants would be among just a few organized facilities in the veterinary medical business. Thrive Pet Healthcare, Previously Pathway Vet Alliance, is an Austin, Texas-based company with more than 400 locations. The company controlling shareholder is a private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.
The IAM’s bid for the NLRB election was successful due in-part from a partnership with Liz Hughston, president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union.
The NLRB mail-in ballots will be sent out on Dec. 16 and counted on Jan. 14.
The Thrive Pet Healthcare workers are seeking unionize due to unfair conditions in the workplace, including understaffing and stagnant wages despite rising costs for pet medical procedures.
“I love what I do as do my coworkers. We do it because we are animal lovers, just like our clients,” said Tara McGrain, an animal care assistant. “No one goes in to veterinary medicine for the money however, we should be able to expect livable and fair wages.”
“This election is great news for this hard-working staff who seek respect in the workplace,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “People trust in these workers to care for their pets, and it’s only fair that the company reward that with respect on the job. Every worker deserves the right to join a union. A group of Starbucks workers in New York recently won that right, and now it’s time for those at Pathway Vet Alliance to have the chance to vote for the same.”
“The crucial and honorable work of these technicians should be rewarded with good wages and respect in the workplace. Unfortunately, they’re being overworked and without fair wages, which is just wrong,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “These technicians are tasked with the care of beloved animals, and they deserve the right to focus on that priority, not low staffing and other bad working conditions at the hands of their employer.”
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