In early January of this year, the IAM Veterans Services program launched an effort to identify IAM member-veterans throughout the organization. Application forms were sent to all districts and locals across the country.
The project continues its success through outreach into all IAM represented workplaces. This brings forth increased awareness, interest and participation. Our objective remains to identify and register IAM-member veterans within every Territory in the organization. We want veterans to know the IAM Veterans Services Steering Committee (VSSC) is here for them.
The committee, formally established by convention action in 2016 is assigned to:
Provide assistance, guidance, and pertinent information on all issues and concerns related to the rights to employment, retention, military benefits and the betterment of IAMAW military veterans.
Help identify and report on current and emerging barriers for IAMAW military veterans.
Develop and support communications and networking opportunities to share information on pertinent matters related to IAM-Military Veterans.
Strengthen the IAM by building solidarity and commitment among IAMAW military veterans.
Encourage District and local lodges to form Veterans Services Committees.
The IAM Veterans Services Program seeks your assistance to accomplish this mission. For easier access, we upgraded the system to an electronic registration process.
The IAM and three other unionsunited to support a proposal to construct the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCC) in Superior, WI. The letter, addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, highlighted the need for Fraser Shipyards to replace existing cutters in order to expedite commerce on U.S. inland waterways, thereby helping to relieve some of the current congestion and supply backlogs on U.S. waterways.
The IAM, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have joined the effort.
“The workers at Fraser Shipyards are well known for their years of superior service in the maritime industry and excellent customer support,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM, along with our labor allies, are fighting to ensure this highly- skilled workforce can continue to be instrumental in producing quality products for use on the waters of our nation. We are standing together to protect the high labor standards under Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and help provide fairness in the solicitation process.”
Awarding this solicitation to the Upper Midwest-based facility will deliver geographic diversity to the Coast Guard’s procurement processes and, therefore, contribute to national security. Over the last 15 years, most awards have gone to shipyards in a small region of the Gulf Coast.
“Fraser Shipyards utilizes a highly-skilled union workforce, which can accomplish the work productively, safely, and competitively,” reads the joint letter. “Given the key role that the Waterways Commerce Corridor fleet plays in supporting trade and good jobs, it only makes sense to maximize the economic development impact of the program through this solicitation by awarding the construction of the WCC to Fraser Shipyards.”
Being part of the labor movement is about being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about taking care of your family and your community, and that doesn’t stop when you clock out of work.
Stronger unions mean stronger communities. Across the IAM, our members live by these words. It’s why the Midwest Territory of the Machinists Union created the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program, which stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.
For this group, there was no question how they would celebrate the holiday season. They were going to give back to their neighbors and friends. And they did so by spending a morning volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a group that’s been feeding Chicagoans for more than four decades.
“Being union comes with the responsibility of taking care of your family and community. That’s not just a motto for the Machinists Union, those are words we take to heart, especially in the heartland of this great country,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The Midwest Territory staff continues to set the bar for what it means to be true, trade unionists. They live by example and I am so proud that they always answer the call to help each other and their neighbors. To all my union brothers and sisters out there taking care of each other, thank you for the extraordinary work you do when no one is watching.”
On the day the Midwest staff volunteered, the agenda was rice. More specifically, repacking this food staple which goes a long way for families trying to make ends meet. In total, the group helped to package nearly 5,400 pounds of rice, exceeding the Depository’s group average of 3,000-4,000 pounds. The IAM group loaded more than 220 boxes of the grain and completed five full pallets for distribution. The Midwest Territory was proud of the work accomplished that day, but more grateful for the families across Chicago that it would feed.
“Being able to provide for those in need is a cornerstone of the IAM and the overall purpose of what we do as unionists,” said Grand Lodge Representative and H.E.L.P.S. Co-Coordinator Kevin Murch.
“Every day, Machinists take on different projects to help the neighborhoods in which they live and work. Without recognition or fanfare, they do it because that is what solidarity is all about; lifting each other up,” said Grand Lodge Representative and H.E.L.P.S. Co-Coordinator Geny Ulloa.
IAM Midwest Territory Districts and Locals have hosted more than 25 “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” events, with more than 500 volunteers across the Territory. Each District and Unaffiliated Local is tasked with hosting at least one event per year. For more information on the IAM Midwest Territory’s “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program, click here.
Shop Steward nominations for the above classification(s), shift, and facility are now open. Petitions may be picked up beginning on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at the Local S6 Union Hall.
You must be a member in good standing for one (1) year to run for Shop Steward and the petition must be signed by ten percent (10%) of the members in the classification(s) affected.
All petitions must be returned to the Recording Secretary (Ryan Ryder) no later than 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Owen E. Herrnstadt, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President, will retire from the union, effective January 1, 2022. Herrnstadt will also step down from his role as the IAM’s Director of Trade and Globalization.
In his 34-year career on the IAM’s staff, Herrnstadt has served as an invaluable resource to IAM members, officers, staff and leadership. His work to advance global trade and human rights that benefit working people has been internationally recognized inside and outside of the labor movement.
“On behalf of the IAM Executive Council and our entire membership, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Owen for all he has given our great union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Owen has contributed to solving many of the most important issues facing our union for more than three decades. We are a stronger organization because of his work, and his legacy will withstand the test of time as our union moves into the future. I wish Owen and the Herrnstadt family all the very best in this new chapter of their lives.”
Herrnstadt first came to the IAM in 1987, serving as Associate General Counsel. In 1996, he was named IAM Director of Trade and Globalization. In 2014, Herrnstadt became Chief of Staff to the International President. He has served on a variety of federal advisory committees and has written and made presentations on numerous topics including trade, human rights, corporate social responsibility, manufacturing, U.S. and international labor and employment law and other matters.
