As part of a partnership with the minor league Quad City Storm hockey team, there is a limited time offer to bid online on game-worn IAM hockey jerseys. These Quad City Storm jerseys are a Special Machinists Union design made ONLY for this game. All proceeds will benefit the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America-Tender Loving Canines.
The online auction, which includes autographed jerseys, is open NOW and will CLOSE on Wednesday, February 2 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. So bid now for a great cause!
IAM Local 388 and IAM Local 1191 (District 6) sponsored the recent Quad City Storm hockey game, which included numerous fundraisers for GDA-TLC.
“I’d like to thank IAM Locals 388 and 1191, as well as IAM District 6 and Grand Lodge Representative Rick Mickschl for all they did to sponsor this great Guide Dogs of America fundraiser with the Quad City Storm,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Now, we call on all IAM members to pitch in and bid on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to support GDA-TLC.”
Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines provides service dogs for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, children with autism, and facilities to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility. Their services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) recently applauded the Biden-Harris Administration for implementing pay raises to guarantee all federal employees earn at least $15 per hour. The Office of Personnel Management announced that agencies are directed to make pay adjustments by January 30, affecting nearly 70,000 civilian employees.
Nearly 70k federal workers are getting a raise, including the wildland firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect this country. Thanks to @NFFE_Union who never gave up the fight to get these workers a much-deserved raise. https://t.co/wNYqMXTWPf
“This is a tremendous stride towards ensuring all federal workers are paid a living wage that allows for them to provide for their families,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “No employee working for the federal government should be struggling to make ends meet. As these pay increases take effect in the coming days, there is no doubt that these workers will be given some much needed and well deserved relief.”
The pay adjustments will increase wages for more than 56,000 workers at the Department of Defense, as well as many employees at Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture, among others. Roughly 130 wildland firefighters will have their pay increased to at least $15 an hour, a policy which NFFE-IAM has been pushing for over the past several years.
“Since our first wildland firefighter bargaining unit was formed, this union has been advocating for federal wildland firefighters to be fairly compensated for the grueling and life-risking work they do to protect our country,” continued President Randy Erwin. “Early in his presidency, President Biden promised to ensure no federal firefighter was paid less than $15 an hour. Today, the President fulfilled that promise. Not only for our wildland firefighters, but for all government workers.”
“This administration understands that a strong, apolitical federal workforce is critical to maintaining a democracy that is open to everyone. From day one, President Biden has been committed to preserving and advancing the interests of government employees. We are grateful that the President’s vision for the federal workforce is coming to fruition with momentous executive actions like those announced today.”
Negotiating committee members from IAM Local 201 (District 947) recently attended Negotiation Prep training at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) to prepare for upcoming contract negotiations with Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). The non-profit group, which entered their first contract negotiations last week, unanimously voted to join the IAM in October 2021.
CAUSE is a base-building organization committed to social, economic, and environmental justice for working-class and immigrant communities in California’s Central Coast. They build grassroots power through community organizing, leadership development, coalition building, civic engagement, policy research, and advocacy.
Respect and equality in the workplace are two values the 13 new members of IAM District 947 in California want in a first contract with CAUSE.
“I’m so excited to be representing my coworkers and their families through the negotiation process,” said Alex Garcia, CAUSE Community Organizer and IAM Negotiation Committee member. “We want to ensure that our social justice work and love for our community continue in ways that are healthy and sustainable.”
“I’m excited to represent my coworkers and to elevate our mission of making sure community organizing moves forward in a safe, equitable, and sustainable way,” said Wendy Santamaria, CAUSE Community Organizer and IAM Negotiation Committee member. “A win for labor anywhere is a win for our communities everywhere.”
“We look forward to negotiating and partnering with an organization that does a lot for their community like CAUSE does,” said Milton Duena, IAM District 947 Business Representative. “That starts by uplifting our new members’ voices and ensuring their rights are protected in their first contract.”
The CAUSE Negotiating Committee was the first class in about two years to visit IAM Headquarters (social distancing protocols were followed). They spoke with IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., who encouraged them in their fight for a first contract.
“It was an honor to meet some of our members from CAUSE and personally welcome them into our IAM family,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “CAUSE workers share the same core principles as the Machinists, fighting every day for social, economic and environmental justice. I assured them they will have every resource available to achieve a great first contract.”
“I am humbled the workers at CAUSE overwhelmingly chose to join the IAM,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Their work for a non-profit organization is a testament to their mission in life, bringing equality and hope to those who might not be able to achieve that themselves. I thank IAM District 947 President/DBR Sal Vasquez for his vision and leadership in targeting this sector over the last few years. Business Representative Milton Duena, IAM District 947 Assistant Directing Business Representative Gabe De Alba, and the whole staff at District 947 are to be applauded for their support and guidance of our new members at CAUSE.”
The Winpisinger Center works with several departments at IAM Headquarters, including Strategic Resources, Legal, and Communications, to amplify the importance of roles for the members, stewards, and negotiating committees.
While many of us will never be Super Bowl Champions, there is another way for you to be a legend or rather, top dog. By purchasing a square in the Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC) Super-Puppy Bowl Squares Pool, you too can be a winner and help an organization that is changing the world.
So here’s how it works. The GDA will assign random numbers 0-9 for each Super Bowl team. On Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10 a.m. PST, a live drawing will be held on the GDA Facebook page to assign numbers to squares. If your number matches the final score at the end of each quarter of the big game, you win a prize and the ability to sponsor some service pups that are making life easier for thousands of people across North America. Each square will cost $100 and participants can reserve as many as they wish – the pool is limited to 100 total entries. Reserve a square and become top dog today!
Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines provides service dogs for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, children with autism, and facilities to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility. Their services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
