IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. submitted testimony in support of funding from Washington state for an aluminum smelter restart project. The project will restore aluminum manufacturing jobs in Whatcom County, reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and increase energy efficiency.
Nearly two years ago, 700 union members at IAM Local 2379 (District 160) were laid off at the Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum smelter production plant in Ferndale, WA.
“The Western Territory never gave up hope to bring back good union jobs to Whatcom County,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The IAM, along with our partners and stakeholders, are staying focused on the mission and to bring relief to our highly skilled members who previously worked in this aluminum manufacturing plant. We will continue to ensure that this project makes it over the finish line.”
From the moment to facility was shuttered, the Machinists Union has been working with all willing partners and stakeholders in an effort to reopen the smelter and restore these high-quality union jobs.
“The Machinists Union and our partners are making substantial progress in our efforts to restart operations at the Intalco facility, restore more than 700 direct Union jobs and return sustainable manufacturing to Washington State,” testified Martinez. “However, the funding included in the FY22 Washington State Capitol Budget to modernize the point feed system is critical to the successful reopening of the smelter. For all of these reasons, I strongly support this budget provision and respectfully urge you to retain this vitally important funding in the final budget. I want to thank IAM Local Lodge 2379 Secretary Brian Urban, IAM member and WA State AFL-CIO President Larry Brown for their testimony.”
The National Labor Relations Board vote count was announced live on a Zoom call with Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers, members of the IAM, and the National Veterinary Professionals Union.
Thrive Pet Healthcare owns VSES. The unit of 130 workers is made up of licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, front desk staff, and other critical staff. The company’s controlling shareholder is a private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.
“I am so excited for everyone who fought to achieve this life-changing victory,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Mike Evans. “The group stayed focused during a pandemic and aggressive anti-union campaign to overcome the tremendous hurdles that exist in the veterinary industry. The long hours and difficult conversations over the last few months will change the lives of many.”
It’s a beautiful thing!
130 Veterinary Emergency Hospital workers in Rochester, N.Y. just became the newest members of our union! https://t.co/h18KjsmMa7
“The IAM’s bid for the NLRB election was successful due to a partnership with Liz Hughston, president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “This grassroots campaign has been several months in the making. It has included the tireless work of several of the IAM’s Organizing Department members, including IAM Grand Lodge Representatives Michael Evans, Kathy Petersen and Jason Woodward. I would also like to commend IAM Associate General Counsel Bill Haller for his pivotal work in getting the appropriate bargaining unit approved by the NLRB.”
Some of the significant issues for Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers included unfair working conditions, including understaffing and stagnant wages, despite rising costs for pet medical procedures.
“This historic election resulted from courageous workers in the veterinary industry who not only wanted to make change for themselves but wished to set an example for veterinary workers all across the nation,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I congratulate Liz Hughston and the National Veterinary Professionals Union for their partnership to make this victory a reality. Today’s victory put the veterinary industry and private equity investors on notice about making sure their business model is based on equity and respect. We can’t afford to let this industry go the path of so many other industries destroyed by private equity investors. Now the hard work begins. The IAM will lend our full resources to obtain a first contract for the Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers.”
“The pandemic has exposed several issues impacting workers in veterinary medicine,” said Liz Hughston, president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union. “These issues have created a significant crisis in our industry. The only solution to combat this crisis is what the workers at VSES have done by creating a voice in their workplace. This labor-management partnership will make VSES a hospital that is better for employees, pet owners, and the pets they serve in the Rochester community.”
“I am pleased to welcome the newest IAM members at VSES,” saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “I applaud this group for their courage by not only standing up for workers in Rochester, but the entire veterinary industry. We look forward to getting a good first contract and solving many of the workplace issues that were amplified during the pandemic.”
The Senate may vote as soon as TODAY on voting rights. People have died for democracy and the right to vote. So, it’s our duty to tell Senators to sideline the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
The right to vote for who we want to represent us is the foundational cornerstone of our democracy. Our ability to cast our ballot each Election Day is fundamental to our system of government. Yet, in 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. American democracy is under attack.
Congress has stopped bad election laws before, and they can do it again, if they can get out of their own way.
Tell them who you are, where you are from, and urge them to end the filibuster and support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
The U.S. Senate is considering the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would:
Require early voting in all fifty states
Create a national standard for mail voting
Give Americans a public holiday to vote
Establish clear federal redistricting standards to stop gerrymandered districts
Create automatic voter registrations
“The right to vote is a sacred pillar in our nation’s democracy and is so critically important to the very fabric of what defines the United States of America,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in a letter to U.S. Senators. “Unfortunately, a steady stream of state lawmakers are threatening our nation’s democracy by enacting measures with the goal of thwarting millions from reaching the ballot box. That’s why the U.S. Congress must act with urgency. Passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act will restore the voting rights to protect the democracy of this great nation.”
Each member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council signed alettercalling on the Senate to reform the filibuster and pass critical voting rights legislation.
This weekend, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a tireless advocate for working people and unions. Dr. King knew that any inequality and injustice were dangers to our democracy.
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The pandemic continues to test all of us, but IAM Transportation members on the frontlines remain steadfast in joining in his fight for equality, peace and economic justice for all. Thank you for all each and every one of you do to make this a more fair and just world.
In solidarity,
Richard Johnsen
Chief of Staff to the International President
