Feb 22, 2022 | iMail
This year, for Black History Month, the IAM is highlighting some of our current history makers within the organization. All this month, we will be running stories on current Black activists in the IAM.
IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff LaToya Egwuekwe-Smith joined the IAM in 2008 as a Communications Representative at the Grand Lodge after having previously worked as a political television news reporter/anchor and producer for many years. In 2016, she joined the IAM Midwest Territory as a Communications Representative.
This afforded her the opportunity to dive even deeper and work closer with the membership, where she says she “learned first-hand the importance of effective servicing and how the work we do directly impacts our membership and their families.”
In this role, Egwuekwe-Smith helped develop and implement cutting-edge programs for contract negotiations, organizing and political communications for the Midwest Territory.
Egwuekwe-Smith grew up in a union household. Her father, a Nigerian immigrant, and her mother both retired from AFSCME. Her mother also retired from the Chicago Teachers Union. Smith says her parents were her mentors and inspiration.
“Together they raised five strong black women, of which I am the youngest,” said Egwuekwe-Smith. “Even though we grew up in an area that was not always the safest place to raise a family, they were able to shield my sisters and I from a lot of what was going on in the streets. Their union jobs allowed all of us to attend top elementary and high schools, and each of us went on to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was my parents who taught me the importance of hard work. It was my parents who taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be. For that, I am forever grateful.”
In 2020, Egwuekwe-Smith was appointed Midwest Territory Chief of Staff, the first Black woman to hold the position. Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway says that in the summer of 2020, Egwuekwe-Smith “was on the top of his list” for the job when then former Chief of Staff Luther Williams made the personal and unselfish decision to retire from the IAM.
“My decision was very easy, as LaToya showed leadership qualities from the time she joined the IAM,” said Galloway. “Her expertise, dedication, and respect throughout the IAM was only equaled by her cultural pride and fight for justice. LaToya’s knowledge, tenacity, work ethic and leadership qualities are second-to-none. Her proven ability to multi-task and work with our staff and membership exemplifies how well respected she is in the IAM. LaToya’s ability to build relationships and mentor others throughout her career in the IAM proves that she is an effective leader that will only continue to grow stronger for our organization.”
Egwuekwe-Smith notes that effective leadership does not exist without obstacles.
“Being a woman of color in a room or at a table where no one else looks like you has its own set of challenges,” said Egwuekwe-Smith. “My round-the-clock work ethic, being a huge stickler for the details, and keen ability to meet people where they are, while at the same time share mutual respect for every human being I come across is how I’ve been able to overcome many challenges as a leader. From a cultural standpoint of being an African-American woman, I’ve always simply stood in my truth: I’m Black. And I’m a woman. And I make no apologies for either of those two facts.”
Egwuekwe-Smith’s advice to members is to “be the change you want to see,” as Gandhi once said.
“Representation is important,” said Egwuekwe-Smith. “An organization in which its leaders don’t reflect its membership lessens that organization’s effectiveness.”
For Black History Month, COS Smith reflects that “Oftentimes, you hear people say, ‘I’m colorblind. I don’t see race or color.’ While such a statement may seem honorable and politically-correct, the truth is I need you to see my color. I need you to see my race. Because that’s what makes me me. It’s a part of who I am.”
“It’s important that we as a country recognize that Black History is U.S. history,” said Egwuekwe-Smith. “It would be great if we all committed to digging deeper into the contributions of African Americans this Black History month. If we could commit to learning something new that perhaps we never learned before. While we as a country will forever be indebted to the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks and Oprah Winfrey and Frederick Douglas, we cannot forget the hundreds of other unsung Black heroes that tend to get overlooked.
“Folks like Henrietta Lacks, who unbeknownst to her, her immortalized cancer cells have become the backbone of modern-day medicine. Her family has yet to be compensated. Or, that some of the United States’ most symbolic buildings – the White House, the U.S. Capitol, Georgetown University – were built by slaves. This history should not only be important to African-American people. It should be important to all people,” said Egwuekwe-Smith.
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Feb 17, 2022 | iMail
Approximately 2,500 IAM members at Hawaiian Airlines, represented by IAM Districts 141 and 142, have overwhelmingly ratified strong five-year collective bargaining agreements with the carrier. The agreements win the best job protections and largest pay raises for Clerical and Related Agents, Ramp, Aircraft and GSE Mechanics and Related in the history of Hawaiian Airlines.
“Our members at Hawaiian Airlines and across the transportation sector have kept the world moving through this pandemic,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “They deserved a contract that gives them the respect they have earned, and I’m proud to report that this has been accomplished.”
On Wednesday, February 16, a ratification vote was held across the whole Hawaiian Airlines system.
Highlights of the agreements include:
– An increase in the base rate of pay on date of ratification by a minimum of 10%, and increases each year over the five years of the contract by 2% each year.
– Limits the contributions employees will pay for health care.
– Increases the number of day trades available for members.
– Raises mandatory overtime pay.
– For part-time workers, the agreements will bring more fairness and expand healthcare options.
“The IAM’s strength as the largest and most powerful airline union in North America was on full display during these negotiations,” said IAM Transportation Coordinator Edison Fraser. “Our congratulations go to all IAM members, Hawaiian Airlines, the negotiating committee and support staff who made it all possible.”
The contracts cover nearly 1,000 members who work as Aircraft & GSE Mechanics, Inspectors, Line Servicemen, Aircraft Appearance, and Contract Service personnel, as well as more than 1,500 members in Cargo, Central Reservations Control, Crew Scheduling, Guest Services, Ramp, Purchasing, and Records.
“I saw firsthand the dedication and commitment of the members of our negotiating committee,” said IAM Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “This is a model collective bargaining agreement that will benefit the entire airline industry. Congratulations to every IAM family at Hawaiian Airlines for their strength and solidarity.”
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Feb 17, 2022 | iMail
The IAM continues to prepare for its 40th Grand Lodge Convention, to be held October 2-7, 2022 at the Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World.
As part of the preparations, the IAM Executive Council has voted on and come to consensus on a 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention logo and theme, which will be “IAM Standing Strong.”
“Our union has overcome so many great obstacles in the past few years,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Despite all the challenges we have faced, we have remained strong and united toward our goals of justice and dignity for every IAM member and family. We look forward to showcasing these great victories at our 40th Grand Lodge Convention under the theme of ‘IAM Standing Strong.’”
The 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention Official Call will be mailed to Local Lodges in the coming weeks.
“The Western Territory and the Grand Lodge Convention Host Committee are fully mobilized in preparation for a great convention in Las Vegas this October,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Our Grand Lodge Convention logo and theme both speak to the power and pride of our membership in the Western Territory and across North America. We continue to look forward to welcoming IAM delegates to Las Vegas.”
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Feb 17, 2022 | iMail
The employees at Integra Pool Covers in Burlington, Iowa knew they needed a union, no matter the outcome.
“It was that bad in the plant that the workers were willing to put everything on the line to make sure the next generation of workers didn’t have to endure what they did,” said Midwest Territory Special Representative Chris Tucker. “That’s the type of people we are talking about here. Men and women who risked their livelihoods to make the world better.”
Respect, wages and consistency of work rules were the three areas that needed to be addressed. So in November 2021, this small group of workers took a large step in the right direction and filed a petition to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM.)
But since joining the IAM, these workers have been put to the test by the company.
Immediately after filing a petition to join the union, the company launched a retaliation campaign against this group of employees. Assigning them to do meaningless tasks like pulling weeds in the company parking lot or digging snow in temperatures dipping below freezing, the company was trying hard to get these workers to quit. Within a few months, Integra stopped nearly 90% of production at their Burlington facility, announcing they were closing the plant and moving to another state.
But with the Machinists in their corner, this group kept their promise to right the injustices that were happening behind closed doors, and their solidarity kept them fighting. The IAM is not leaving them to fight alone.
“These workers have been through hell and we are going to do everything we can within our power to help them,” said Tucker. “This company should know they can’t hide. We know they treat workers bad in their facilities and we are going to make sure the rest of the world knows what is really going on. You can’t abuse a person’s human rights without consequences.”
So far, the IAM has filed two unfair labor charges against Integra with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on behalf of these workers. And the Machinists Union will continue to work on getting these employees all they rightfully deserve.
“This is the core of the Machinists Union; we fight to protect workers whose rights are being trampled on,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “We intend to do that for the employees of Integra Pool Covers who were not only brave enough to stand up and say we need a union but also put everything on the line to make sure the next generations of workers in their community will never have to go through this again.”
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Feb 17, 2022 | iMail
This year, for Black History Month, the IAM is highlighting some of our current history makers within the organization. All this month, we will be running stories on current Black activists in the IAM.
Helena Thornton started her career in August 2006 with US Airways in Charlotte, NC as a part-time fleet service agent. She was elected as a Shop Steward in 2008, and in 2010, she ran for Victory Lodge 1725 Conductor Sentinel—and lost by only three votes.
Despite the obstacles of working in a male-dominated field and being a single mom, Thornton never gave up.
“If nothing else, this gave me the strength, drive and the determination to overcome any obstacle,” said Thornton.
Her hard work and determination to learn more paid off when she ran again in 2013 for Conductor Sentinel and won. She also became a delegate for her Local Lodge and attended her first Grand Lodge Convention in Toronto, as well as the Transportation Conference and the Women’s and Human Rights Conference. During this time, she served on her Local Lodge’s Women’s Committee, where she worked to revamp the committee’s mission.
In 2016, Thornton was elected to serve as Local 1725’s Recording Secretary. She formed the Community Service Committee after attending the Community Service Program at the William W Winpisinger Center. She was a delegate to the 2016 Grand Lodge Convention in Chicago, and attended the Transportation Conference and District Lodge 141 Conference as a delegate.
During her term as Recording Secretary, she was appointed to be an auditor to District 141 by President and Directing General Chair Michael Klemm. In 2019, Thornton was one of the three honorary recipients of the Community Service Award from the Women’s Department at the IAM Women’s Rising Conference. In 2022, Thornton was elected as the first woman president of her lodge.
Thornton notes that she was fortunate to be given all the training to ensure that members were represented to the best of her ability. She also notes the help she received from her assistant general chairs, who got her more involved on the district level. She also credits IAM women in leadership roles, and how they were always supportive of any and all women in whatever role they wanted.
“Without a doubt, the mentorship and leadership that I received from the William W. Winpisinger Center is one that could never be replaced,” said Thornton. “I can honestly say the relationships that are built there are for a lifetime.”
“Helena is a very determined individual who has time and time again proven herself to be a strong union leader,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “Becoming the first woman President of Local Lodge 1725 is a significant accomplishment, and I applaud her.”
Thornton admires and can relate as a mother to Mamie Till-Mobley, an American civil rights activist whose son, Emmett Till, was kidnapped and murdered after being wrongfully accused of whistling at a white woman at a grocery store. She fought to bring justice for her son and educate people on discrimination.
Thornton’s advice to members is to get involved. She encourages her IAM Brothers and Sisters not to get discouraged and feel like they may not fit in, because every person has a place in their local, as well as their union.
“At the heart of it all, it’s about unionism and what we stand for,” said Thornton. “Always strength in numbers as Fighting Machinists do.”
Her hope is for people is “to learn to respect everyone no matter of race, ethnicity, gender and equality. Because everyone bleeds red, so we’re not as different as people want us to be. Let’s just respect and love each other.”
Thornton also encourages people to learn the Black history for themselves, not what others perceive it to be.
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