Feb 17, 2022 | iMail
Thank you to IAM District 751 for sharing this information from the Aero Mechanic.
The Machinists Institute, which is the training arm of our Union, continues to expand opportunities to support education and training for our members and community residents for training in manufacturing and aerospace.
On November 22nd, the Machinists Institute Youth Academy (MIYA) program held its first graduation celebration for students completing the pre-employment manufacturing training. Two classes of students ages 16-24 completed this 8 to 10-week training and the evening was an opportunity to celebrate their success.
District 751 President Jon Holden and Machinists Institute Executive Director Shana Peschek addressed the graduates – congratulating them on their accomplishments.
The Machinists Institute provided the training, in conjunction with Partner in Employment, to provide youth from the immigrant and refugee community skills to gain entry-level work and a pathway into the aerospace and manufacturing industry.
“The Machinists Institute Training Program is a great vehicle for young, motivated youth to learn valuable skills if they choose a career in either the aerospace or manufacturing sectors,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Jon Holden, PDBR and the entire leadership are to be commended for their vision! The IAM has always emphasized training our current members and providing prospective Machinists with the tools to get their careers started. District 751 continues to establish innovative training programs that serve the aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive industries.”
The event took place at the MI Tukwila Training Center. These graduates had the honor of being in the two inaugural classes – where the program and equipment were literally being built around them as the program progressed. Before the formal ceremony, those attending had an opportunity to tour the facility, where students could demonstrate what they learned on the various equipment. Students recognized the opportunities this initial training provided and were excited to showcase their skills.
For the majority of the students, this program was the first time they had been exposed to potential careers in manufacturing. The program spurred several to pursue a career in manufacturing after getting hands-on experience and touring several nearby companies that are looking to hire individuals.
At least one of the graduates plans to pursue an internship they learned about during the program. Once the internship is completed, the company will place individuals on a hiring list – giving the student a clear pathway to a career in manufacturing.
One of the parents attending was nearly in tears as she noted that this program “opened doors for my daughter and got her interested in pursuing a manufacturing career. Before this hands-on program, she was in the house doing online training and feeling very isolated. Now, she is energized and excited at the possibilities for her future thanks to this training.”
During the 8 to 10-week program, students got hands-on experience in basic drilling, riveting, and deburring, as well as the chance to work on mini-lathes that cut steel and aluminum. In addition, students got to experience coding and work with benchtop mills. The curriculum also included six workstations for soldering – each teaching a different lesson in electronics. During the class, students assembled a Bluetooth stereo speaker they were allowed to keep. Students also assembled a 6-axis robotic arm, which they then had to program.
Another aspect of the training, introduced students to metrology, depth gauges and radius gauges to gain an understanding of measurement tools, as well as QA concepts. The class also had a segment on tool control so students would become acquainted with how to check tools in and out since this can be a big issue in a manufacturing environment.
Throughout the training, students learned the importance of precision work and paying attention to detail. Students also worked on a resumé.
Finally, the program also incorporated a segment on worker rights to educate students on the advantages of Union membership – something missing from most other training programs.
The class gave the students great exposure to a variety of manufacturing processes, equipment, and principles. Batholomew Kimani, who taught the course, is very knowledgeable and has a great rapport with the students – getting them engaged, asking questions and understanding the relevance of each activity as it pertains to manufacturing and industry standards. His love of the topic is evident – making him a great fit to help encourage others on the pathway to manufacturing careers.
This is just one of the exciting programs the Machinists Institute is delivering to serve the aerospace, manufacturing and automotive machinists industries. Established by IAM District 751, the Machinists Institute proudly serves current and future workers to reach their career goals and provides cutting-edge education and training to build a highly skilled and diverse workforce to meet employer demand.
The post Celebrating Graduates of the District 751 Machinists Institute Program appeared first on IAMAW.
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.
Richard Jackson started his IAM career in 1997 as a Union Steward at Local 751A. A few years later he was chosen to be a part of a newly negotiated work transfer group.
The group was charged with fighting to keep work for their Local Lodge members that Boeing sought to offload. Jackson also held position as a Local Lodge auditor and District Council delegate, and is a current Delegate for the AFL-CIO. In May 2007, he was appointed to the position of Business Representative and secured this position when he was elected one year later. In 2014, Jackson took on the dual roles as Business Representative and the first Black District 751 Secretary-Treasurer.
Although Jackson cannot recall any roadblocks that stopped or held him back, he says that none of the past leaders or anyone on staff looked like him until 1990 and again 10 years later in 2000. Jackson understands what hard work is after being raised by a single working Black mother who worked two and three jobs to support him and his sister.
“Brother Richard Jackson is a fine union representative and exemplifies the values of integrity and compassion,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “He consistently gives of himself without reservation and serves our members with dignity and grace.”
Jackson credits Bruce Spalding, a previous Business Representative, for his mentorship and encouragement. Jackson says that Spalding believed that he could be a leader and afforded Jackson different opportunities in the union. He also credits District President and Directing Business Representative Jon Holden for teaching him the intricate details of negotiating a first contract and Holden’s confidence in him by assigning him to lead contract negotiations, which help better the lives of working families.
“Be bold, step up and get involved with your Local and District at all levels,” said Jackson. “You have a right to be there, and our union is better off with leadership that looks like its membership. Don’t be discouraged by what you see. What you see today does not determine where we’ll end up in the future.”
Jackson grew up in the 1960’s on the west side of town. He not only felt the financial struggles of his family, but experienced discrimination.
“I look at my life and my future and what I would like to leave behind as a professional legacy, and my desire is to change the tapestry of the Machinists Union and make sure all people are recognized for their hard work and efforts along the way, instead of just maintaining the status quo,” said Jackson. “I was given great opportunities throughout the years of service to our great union, and I want the same for the Brothers and Sisters who also deserve the recognition and opportunities to grow and advance. We have to be purposeful in our endeavors to cultivate change, and I will continue to work towards this greater purpose and help others who also want to advance this legacy.
“The knowledge, understanding and benefit of being in a union will no longer be blinded by the lies of corporations and the wealthy who don’t want us to know the truth,” said Jackson. “The truth is, people of color are better off financially when they have protections on the job and have better pay and benefits by being in a union. Unions are an equalizer and ensure workers are paid for the job they perform. I also hope that current leaders at Local Lodges and Districts across the country begin to reach out and ask people of color to be involved. I didn’t know I was wanted until someone asked me to join them.”
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Feb 15, 2022 | iMail
BOSTON, Feb. 15, 2022 – Thirty members of Machinists Union Local Lodge 447 are on strike for a fair contract at Cummins locations in Dedham, Mass., Scarborough, Maine, and Concord, N.H. The strike began on Saturday, Feb. 12. Members are currently on the picket line.
Machinists Union members at Cummins voted almost unanimously to reject the company’s offer to extend the contract and voted 100% to strike after Cummins management insisted on a contract that put into place inconsistent and subjective pay for performance policies.
“Machinists Union members at Cummins are determined to get a fair contract that reflects the current economic conditions,” said IAM District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian. “Our members are trying to do the right thing and fight for a contract that will make life better for their families and they are a huge part of Cummins’ success. They risked the health of themselves and their families by working through a pandemic to service generators that helped keep our senior citizens in nursing homes safe and supporting our frontline workers throughout New England to save lives. We hope that they will present us with an offer that values the hard work of our members.”
“We stand in solidarity with our members at Local 447,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “The IAM will utilize all of our resources to ensure our members at Cummins receive a contract recognizing their hard work in making this company successful.”
IAM District Lodge 15 is one of the largest districts in the IAM representing approximately 19,000 active and retired members in a number of different industries.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Feb 15, 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.
Nicole Tappenden started her IAM membership in 2017. She began attending Local 2323 monthly meetings, and then was nominated and elected to be a shop steward shortly after. She went on to become the chair of the Young Machinists (YM) Committee and Co-Chair of the Community Service committee, as well as a member of the Human Rights, Political Action, and Health and Safety committees in her Lodge.
Tappenden says her main obstacle in chairing Local committees was not having the budget available to do what was needed. She decided that her very first campaign would be to raise money to achieve the committees’ goals.
Tappenden attributes a lot of her involvement to her former Local Lodge President Dave Flowers.
“He was an excellent resource and truly lived the life of an activist for the workers,” said Tappenden.
Flowers empowered Tappenden to exercise her autonomy to lead the committee in a direction she felt would work in helping her local’s members and community.
Tappenden’s goal is to make the work place and the policies that govern the work place better for everyone. She wants to be known as being an activist, being fair, and being persistent to get things done.
“Taking ’no’ for an answer when the answer should be ‘yes’ is not something I will ever get accustomed to and will always push the boundaries to make things better,” said Tappenden.
“I’m very pleased with the dedication and personal commitment that Nicole has demonstrated in defending her fellow workers rights and how she has been advocating for social justice as well as justice in the workplace,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “Nicole is truly an inspiration for a new generation of community and labor leaders. She truly personifies the word solidarity and brings pride to the IAM.”
Tappenden’s advice is to keep things in perspective.
“Being a minority shouldn’t be seen as being disadvantaged, instead bring your perspective and learn from others,” said Tappenden. “You will see workers tend to have similar issues that cross color.”
She also notes that sometimes we find allies in different places, and that union members trying to contribute to their union should rely “on their natural instincts, talents, skills and resilience to contribute to being a unionist and activist to drive change.”
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Feb 15, 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.
Sheldon Barber started down the union leadership path a couple of months after his shop was organized. At the time, the current shop steward felt Barber would serve the position better than she would and asked if he would become a shop steward if she stepped down. He has always admired her for that.
“It takes a selfless person to put their ego aside and admit, without provocation, that someone else would serve the membership better,” said Barber.
Growing up in a very proud union household, Barber knew from the day his IAM Local 4 shop was organized that he was going to be involved and wouldn’t just sit on the sidelines. His father was very active in his union and served on his Local Lodge Executive Board.
In addition to his time as a shop steward, and later as Chief Steward, Barber has served on various Local Lodge committees. He became Local Lodge Vice President in 2014, and one year later was elected as Local Lodge President. He also was a District Delegate and State Council Delegate. In February 2021, Barber was appointed Business Representative for District 4 in the Eastern Territory.
Barber feels the only obstacle he had to overcome was inexperience, but time and dedication fixed that. He is humbled for all that he has learned over the years. He attributes the mentoring, support and advice of District 4 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mark Duval as being invaluable to his success.
“I want to thank Brother Barber for his words on what this month means to him, through the eyes of a Black man in our union, the IAM,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “I have watched him progress through the ranks at Local 4 up to President, and then as a Business Representative at District Lodge 4. I am proud to call him my union Brother, colleague and friend.
“While it is easy to say that Barber earned the positions he has held in our union, we would be doing a disservice to him if we fail to acknowledge that it was more difficult for him, and all of our Black Sisters and Brothers, to earn their peers’ confidence to be their union representative,” continued Bryant.
“The IAM is not unlike most AFL-CIO trade unions. While we were one of the first unions to grant full membership to our Black Brothers and Sisters, we cannot, and should not, hide our history on race in the IAM. We are a better union today because our doors were opened to all workers, and we are a better union when our Black Sisters and Brothers participate in all levels of our organization,” said Bryant.
“As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s celebrate the contributions and accomplishments that all our Black Brothers and Sisters have made in the IAM and across the entire labor movement over the history of our great union,” concluded Bryant.
Barber is inspired by and admires the self-discipline of Malcom X.
“Malcom X was a polarizing figure who went from a poor farm boy in Nebraska, to a street hustler in Boston, then to one of the most prominent and influential non-politicians of the 20th century,” said Barber.
Barber’s advice to Black members is to “jump in with both feet.”
“Don’t assume someone else will do it or let your lack of experience or knowledge stop you,” said Barber. “The main thing you need is to care about the issues facing you and your coworkers. If you care about the conditions at your job, you have enough to get started.”
His hope for the future is “true equality; not only in compensation but in recognition and input.”
Barber believes the wage inequity between Blacks and Whites in America is “criminal,” and the difference between Latin Americans and Whites is even greater.
“Without unions, the disparity would be immeasurably worse,” said Barber.
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