Leadership of the IAM Transportation Department recently spent time with members at New York’s Metro-North Railroad, including helping train new officers of Local 226.
The visit, which included time with Metro-North members at Grand Central Station in New York City, and a maintenance facility in Brewster, N.Y., is the latest stop in a station visit program launched earlier this year by Richard Johnsen, head of the Transportation Department.
The delegation was led by IAM Transportation Coordinator Edison Fraser. He was joined by Grand Lodge Representative Gary Naylor Jr., District 19 Directing General Chairman and Assistant to the President Andrew Sandberg, and IAM Local 226 President Gabriel Debraz.
The station visit comes just months after members ratified a strong labor contract. Fraser said the recent station visit included fielding questions about the new contract, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and staffing.
“This visit went very well, and the members were very excited to see us there,” Fraser said. “They were also excited that we spent the weekend with them as we also had the opportunity to conduct Local Lodge Administration training. I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with these hard-working members who have such an important role in keeping things moving in New York City.”
The station visit included participation in training and the swearing-in of Local 226 officers. The officer training was conducted with help from Special Representative Jorge Bonilla.
IAM National Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon recently chaired the Labor Roundtable at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). The NBCSL Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee members come together with members from different labor unions to discuss labor and workforce development issues pertinent to union members.
Examples include, but are not limited to, labor/management relations, minimum wage standards, so-called Right-to-Work initiatives, wage equality, employment security, family leave, and child care.
The NBCSL labor delegates concentrated on how to increase their collective voice at the NBCSL and pushing out messaging on vital issues for labor members, including the Build Back Better Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure package.
“We always say if your not at the table, you are on the menu,” said IAM Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon. “As chair of the Labor Roundtable, not only do we have a seat at the table – we also participate in setting the legislative agenda for state legislatures across the country.
On December 7, 1941, Japanese military planes bombed the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing at least 2,000 Americans. The attack was a pivotal point in American history because it marked the beginning of United States’ involvement in World War II, combat theater that lasted until 1945. More than 400,000 Americans died during the war, 16 million served and millions more supported the war effort here at home by manufacturing weapons, vehicles and military aircraft.
“My family has an interesting story,” said Gerald Guerena, IAM Local 727P Vice President.
Guerena’s parents, who were IAM members at IAM Local 755 in Chula Vista, CA during that time, embodied the era’s pride and patriotism. His late father, Joe, who worked at aircraft manufacturer Rohr Industries, joined the Marines after Pearl Harbor and was a machine gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator air bomber over the South Pacific. His mother, Jenny, was a historic Rosie the Riveter at Rohr and built military aircraft there from 1943 to 1946.
“While my dad went off to war my mom worked at the factory and produced electrical engine harnesses,” said Guerena, now a senior toolmaker at Lockheed Martin Skunkworks in California. “After the war my father came back and my mother became a housewife. My father continued working at Rohr until 1987.”
During the war Guerena’s father participated in intense combat in the Solomon Islands, Bougainville, New Guinea and the Battle of Guadalcanal, a tough victory against the Japanese that claimed the lives of 1,600 Americans and wounded 4,200.
“He was a very proud Marine,” said Guerena. “He was incredible. I have lots of pictures. My dad was really an incredible person.”
Gerald, who became an IAM member in 1978 at Rohr, recently took his 97-year-old mother to an aircraft museum in Southern California. The experience was nostalgic and brought back found memories of World War II.
“She looked up and said to me, ‘your father used to fly on planes like that. He flew on the planes and I helped build them,’” said Guerena. “One of the museum curators suddenly came up to her and congratulated her on being a Rosie the Riveter.”
The IAM has a long history of supporting U.S. defense. Over the years, Machinists have built iconic American military aircraft, ranging from the B-17 bomber in World War II to the fast and stealth F-35 fighter that currently serves our nation. The IAM also has the largest membership base of military veterans in the U.S. labor movement.
“As we reflect on Pearl Harbor, World War II and the war effort, it gives me great pride knowing that Machinists Union members like Gerald’s parents, and so many others, served our country with loyalty and distinction,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Brother Gerald’s parents truly embody American pride and patriotism.”
The IAM is joining the IndustriALL Global Union in calling for an end to gender-based harassment and violence, especially in the workplace.
The Machinists Union is specifically calling on the United States and Canada to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention Number 190 and Recommendation 206, the first international standards to recognize that everyone has the right to a workplace free from harassment and violence. The U.S. and Canada, among many other countries, have not yet ratified the standards.
The standards recognize that violence and harassment in the world of work can occur in the physical workplace, as well as during the commute, where workers rest and online.
Unions have an important role to play to make sure the Convention becomes part of national laws, as well as fills the gaps in existing laws. This toolkit provides ways for trade unions and other stakeholders to fight violence and harassment in the world of work.
“Gender-based violence is absolutely a workplace issue and one that unions have a critical role to play in stopping,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This important initiative leaves no one behind and protects all workers in all sectors. The IAM is committed to ending all harassment and violence.”
Last year, GDA completed a merger with Tender Loving Canines, and now provides hardworking service dogs for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, and individuals with autism to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility.
The organization’s services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
