The Machinists Union family mourns the loss of longtime IAM member and Kansas City, MO labor leader. Herbert “Herb” Johnson passed away suddenly on October 18, 2021.
Last week, the Heartland Radio Forum, which Johnson actually helped establish, hosted a round table call in of his friends in memory of his extraordinary contributions as a labor advocate, Machinist leader and Alliance for Retired Americans leader.
Johnson’s illustrious labor career began in 1960 when he initiated into the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, continued as a Machinists member and somewhat ended in 2012 when he officially retired as Secretary-Treasurer of the Missouri AFL-CIO, a position he held for 15 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) and served as Missouri ARA chapter Vice President continuing the fight for worker and retirees’ rights.
Johnson, a devout trade unionist initiated into the IAM in 1964 as a member in Local 1650 (District 142), where he spent the majority of his career at Trans World Airlines working at the Kansas City, MO TWA overhaul base facility for more than 34 years. During his employment at TWA, he was elected to and served in many union positions, ranging from shop steward, grievance committeeman, local president and fulltime organizer. Shortly after the American Airlines takeover of TWA in 2002, he transferred and maintained membership in Local 688 (District 9) in St. Louis.
In 1997, he was elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Missouri AFL-CIO. Johnson tirelessly recruited affiliate unions into a statewide coalition to establish Labors’ role in legislative action at the state capitol in Jefferson City, MO. He lobbied elected officials, testified before committees and was appointed to numerous state, regional, city councils, boards and committees by multiple Missouri governors.
For the span of nearly six decades, Johnson feverously organized union members throughout the state combating anti-labor legislation. He brought masses of AFL-CIO member affiliates together to fight dark money influence and corporate outsiders as they pushed to impose anti-worker initiatives such as right to work, airline deregulation and NAFTA.
In spite of his official retirement from the Missouri AFL-CIO, Johnson continued as a great influence in the labor movement. As a retiree, Johnson quickly stepped up and became an integral part of the Alliance for Retired Americans by serving as the Vice President of the Missouri Alliance. As reported during the labor forum, he continued working to assemble labor activist meetings with union leaders state-wide, via text up to and on the final day of his life.
Johnson possessed the unique ability of educating fellow unionists and workers on all facts from both sides of issues. He revealed the truth and intent behind pro or anti-labor legislative sentiments. His mentorship transformed countless workers from being labeled as mere policy protesters into diehard activists and life-long union advocates.
He understood well the power of grass roots movements and combined interests. This insight brought state-wide union leaders and trades’ workers into unified forces on several occasions. These collective actions were proven most successful in the defeat of ongoing attempts of imposing so-called right-to-work initiatives from the late 1970’s to present date in Missouri.
“The IAM and the state of Missouri mourn the loss of a dedicated Machinist and labor leader,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Brother Johnson’s career was devoted to bettering the lives of his coworkers and fighting for their futures. He leaves an unsurpassed legacy that will continue to inspire present and future Machinists.”
From beginning to end, Brother Johnson’s union spirit and devotion to uphold the rights of all working women and men remains his legacy forever. May we all continue by his example, in the same spirit, serving our sisters and brothers and stand strong as a united force in honor of his countless contributions and achievements toward the betterment of all workers.
Usually, Machinists Union members working at Cape Canaveral in Florida are making headlines for helping NASA reach the stars and making dreams come true. Today, we celebrate their work on the ground, still helping to reach for the stars, but in a different way. This holiday season, our IAM family in Florida once again spent time making some Christmas dreams come true for the children in foster care with the Brevard Family Partnership.
“Every year, it never ceases to amaze me how our members step up to take care of the community,” said District 166 Directing Business Representative Robert Miller. “This is what it means to be part of a union. We are family here in Florida and we will always take care of each other.”
For the 16th year, our union family at IAM Local 2061, IAM Local 610, IAM Local 773, District 166 and numerous corporate sponsors joined together for this year’s annual holiday toy drive, raising more than $31,000 to help bring some holiday joy and presents to nearly 400 kids currently living in foster care in Brevard County, FL. Even without being able to hold various fundraising events as they’ve done in the past due to COVID-19 restrictions, our brothers and sisters at the Cape showed once again that no task is out of reach for our membership.
“Our members at the Cape help turn dreams into reality for a living each and every time they put a rocket in the sky or help NASA reach places thought to be out of reach. But the passion they have for their work and their community doesn’t stop when their shift is over,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “That sense of pride and service shows in everything they do. The Machinists Union will always answer the call and help make dreams come true whenever possible.”
The Machinists can’t take all the credit for being able to stand in for Santa when needed. Special thanks goes to everyone in our IAM family who gave their time, money and holiday spirit to make this happen. And the IAM thanks all the sponsors who joined them, including Target for its donation and for letting our elves shop their shelves, Herndon Solutions Group, LLC and Bass Pro Shops in Daytona for their yearly support. And as always, the friends and neighbors at the Cape who have always made the IAM feel at home, we couldn’t do it without you.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the U.S. Senate for confirming longtime labor lawyer and former IAM Legal Fellow Deirdre Hamilton to serve on the National Mediation Board (NMB), a three-member panel tasked with handling labor issues in the nation’s railroad and airline industries.
“We thank each senator who voted in favor of confirming Deirdre Hamilton for a seat on this very important federal panel,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “As a seasoned lawyer, and an alum of the Machinists Union, Ms. Hamilton has shown time and time again that she is well qualified for the task of ensuring fairness for workers in our nation’s airline and railroad industries.”
“The confirmation of Deidre Hamilton to the NMB panel is a great step to make sure workers’ rights are protected,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “Ms. Hamilton is a great advocate for working people, and I am confident she will serve airline and rail workers well.”
“This confirmation is good news for our union members. Ms. Hamilton is greatly qualified for the NMB post, and I am confident she will make sure workers come first,” said TCU-IAM National President Artie Maratea. “As an appointed member of the Dunlop Committee I look forward to working with Deirdre. We need champions like Ms. Hamilton to protect our nation’s workers, and I know with confidence that Ms. Hamilton is up to the task of making the rail industry work for everyone.”
In January, the IAM joined 18 unions representing rail and aviation workers in sending a letter the Biden administration asking for some immediate attention to confirm Hamilton and Puchala.
The winners of the 2021 IAM Photo Contest have been named and the 2022 Calendar, featuring the winning photos, is now available for order.
Winning photos are featured in the 2022 IAM Calendar. To order the 2022 IAM Calendar, download an individual order form or bulk order form for Lodges that want to order large quantities of calendars. Calendars are $7 for individual orders and $5 per calendar for orders of 100 or more. Two dollars from each calendar sold are donated to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.
This is a great way to promote the Machinists and the work we do, as well as helping to bring independence and confidence for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans and children with autism across North America.
The National Mediation Board (NMB) has authorized an election for approximately 35 National Airlines Flight Attendants to form a union with the IAM. The Flight Attendants sought out the IAM’s assistance, citing a lack of respect from National management, poor work rules and sub-standard pay and benefits.
“National Airlines Flight Attendants just want to be treated with the respect they have earned and deserve,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “They can be assured that the IAM will use its full power and resources to bring their quest to form a union with the Machinists Union to fruition.”
The NMB will mail ballots to the flight attendants on December 9, 2021. The voting period will take place from December 16, 2021 through January 20, 2022, with the final tally being held on January 20.
National Airlines, an Orlando-based carrier, has supported industry and governments, aided military forces and provided subsistence logistics solutions to some of the most remote global locations. National Airlines has grown from a small, regional U.S. cargo airline, to one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers, and ultimately into a passenger airline.
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America, representing over 100,000 airline workers.
