IAM and Other Transportation Unions Raise Concerns About Customer Assaults

The IAM joined other transportation unions in raising urgent concerns regarding assaults against passenger service agents working across airports in the United States. The letter was addressed to President Biden, U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

READ: Unions urge Biden to protect airport agents from unruly passengers The Hill

The letter urges governmental action to address the increase in assaults against passenger service agents, including the prosecution of abusive passengers.

“Airline gate agents are a vital part of a multilayered airline security and safety process at the airport,” reads the letter. “Our members are responsible for checking passengers into their flights, checking luggage to comply with airline weight and balance limits, and boarding passengers onto the aircraft in an orderly and structured way.”

Over the past few months, passenger service members across the country have experienced serious physical and verbal assault and harassment incidents, with few repercussions for the offending passenger imposed by law enforcement.

The FAA has reported a total of 5,981 passenger incidents in 2021, which is up sharply from previous years.

“The IAM supports the push for more substantial penalties against unruly passengers who assault passenger service agents and other airline workers,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President.

“Our union continues to ring the alarm and highlight the need of enforcing the laws for assault against all airline workers. The best way to curb these unfortunate incidents is for the interagency working group to listen to the impacted workers in the airline industry. We must all work together to end the assaults that afflict our members.” 

The labor coalition expressed the need for all frontline gate agents to expect a safe workplace, free from the threat of violence, and increased cooperation is required to improve the safety of these employees.

Read the complete letter

 

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IAM and TCU/IAM Meet with FRA Administrator Bose

Leaders from the IAM and TCU/IAM recently met with Amit Bose, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Administrator Bose and the agency are responsible for allowing safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods.

“TCU/IAM was one of the first unions to support Amit Bose to head the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and for good reason: he believes that rail safety begins and ends with its frontline workforce,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “Mr. Bose has the understanding and institutional wherewithal to reform and rededicate the FRA to its core mission of safety for railroad workers and the general public.” 

“Administrator Bose will serve as an advocate for railroad workers and listen to a workforce that has been neglected over the past few years,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “The IAM looks forward to working with him and his staff to address the safety issues that remain unsolved in our industry.”

Click here to read the bio of Amit Bose on the DOT website.

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Florida State Council Convenes to Engage Members

Florida State Council Convenes to Engage Members

IAM members, officers and staff recently gathered in Tallahassee to attend the Florida State Council of Machinists Conference. The conference focused on the importance of staying engaged in the legislative process by contacting state and federal lawmakers on bills that protect or harm union working families.

Among the council’s endorsements was U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), a longtime champion for IAM families, for U.S. Senate.

Attendees heard from a slate of dynamic speakers, including IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace and IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon. Attendees also heard from six labor-friendly legislators throughout the sessions.

“I want to thank every officer and delegate who attended for three days, who put in long hours lobbying their legislators and attending committee meetings at the Capitol,” said Mike Phillips, Florida State Council of Machinists President. “I am very proud of the commitment that each delegate and officer showed for the conference duration. I was also honored to walk the halls of the Capitol with my brothers and sisters of the great state of Florida who fight for justice, dignity, and a better way of life.”

“It is always a great honor attending the Florida State Council and joining in great conversation with our members on some of the most important issues our union and the labor movement face,” said IAM Southern Territory Vice President Rickey Wallace“I thank the council leadership for always facing these difficult issues head-on. I also congratulate them for such a great turnout, especially in these trying times.”

Members attending the Florida State Council meeting heard how vital the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) is for our union and state councils. Increasing contributions to the MNPL is always a big part of the Florida State Council’s agenda with the help of IAM staff from the Political and Legislative Department. The voluntary donations to the MNPL help the IAM get pro-worker candidates elected in hopes of implementing a pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda in the state.  

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IAM Fights to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

The IAM, along with 90 other organizations representing patients, consumers, seniors, unions, small businesses, large employers, physicians, and disease advocacy groups, wrote a letter urging the Senate to immediately advance a reconciliation package that includes the reforms to lower prescription drug prices agreed to in the Build Back Better Act.

Rising prices for prescription drugs have been a top concern for IAM members and retirees.  

“If Congress lets the pharmaceutical industry overcharge Americans and dictate astronomical prices for brand-name drugs in our country, then patients, workers, employers, and taxpayers will continue to shoulder the burden of prices that are nearly three times what people in other comparable nations pay,” states the letter. “Congress has repeatedly promised to address this problem, and the American people need the help now more than ever.

“Enacting the drug price reforms agreed upon in the Build Back Better package will mark a truly historic shift in the U.S. drug pricing policy. Not only will it break the pharmaceutical industry’s unilateral power to dictate prices to the American people, but it will also save lives, improve health, fight inflation, and put more money back into the pockets of American seniors, workers, and businesses.”

The IAM will continue to advocate for lower prescription drug prices reforms included in the Build Back Better Act.

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IAM Local 777 Ratifies a Strong First Contract at St. Louis Dealership

Seventeen IAM Local Lodge 777 (IAM District 9) members recently ratified a three-year solid agreement, their first after organizing with the IAM, at David Taylor Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in St. Louis, MO.

The membership voted overwhelmingly to accept the tentative agreement, which includes District 9 healthcare with no premium cost to the employee, the District 9 defined contribution pension plan and wage increases of $2 per hour over the three-year contract.

“As the DBR of District 9, I am so impressed and proud of not only our organizer Bob Beloit and Business Representative Dwight Terry, but also the members at David Taylor that stood together to support their common interests for a fantastic first contract,” said Dave Weaver, District 9 Directing Business Representative.

“The strength of the guys at David Taylor and the prep work that Organizer Bob Beloit did allow us to negotiate a great first contract,” said Dwight Terry, District 9 Business Representative. “As the group said that day, we voted this contract as a great place to start.”

“This was a strong group from the beginning with the lead coming from one of our members,” said Bob Beloit, District 9 Organizer. “The company put up a strong fight hiring an anti-union attorney who brought in a full-time union-busting consultant. The group held strong through the campaign delivering a win on election day that found us all coming together for a fish fry at a local park.”

“This is a great first contract for our members, one in which will serve as a strong foundational template for future negotiations,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I congratulate the members of David Taylor for their solidarity in overcoming the company’s anti-union campaign and winning major job improvements for themselves and their co-workers. Special thanks go to District 9 Organizer Bob Beloit, Directing Business Representative Dave Weaver, Business Representative Dwight Terry, and all of the District 9 staff who provided leadership and guidance throughout the organizing and negotiations processes.”

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