Feb 10, 2022 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Peter Greenberg, formerly a Senior Research Economist, as the IAM’s Assistant Director of Strategic Resources. The appointment was effective February 1.
Throughout his career on the IAM’s staff, which began in the Strategic Resources Department in 2007, Greenberg has provided critical financial and economic analysis to support contract negotiations, lobbying and organizing efforts.
“Peter’s knowledge and experience gives the IAM a leg up on employers every time he is at the negotiating table,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I look forward to Peter, Director David White and the entire Strategic Resources Department continuing to provide top-notch service to our members, officers and staff.”
Greenberg has been a union activist since he joined IAM Local 2339-N in Newark, NJ in 2000, when he was hired at Continental Airlines. While working at Continental and serving as a local lodge officer, Greenberg pursued graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington, DC and completed his MBA degree.
The IAM Strategic Resources Department serves as an in-house research and knowledge source for IAM representatives across North America.
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Feb 10, 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, telling their story in the union.
Reggie Dixon initiated into the IAM in 2002 when he started working for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). He was elected as Local 759 Recording Secretary in 2005 and President in 2008. In 2012, he also became Vice President of District 112, serving in both roles until 2018. His dedication to the union resulted in his appointment to the Southern Territory as a Grand Lodge Special Representative in August of 2021.
“Brother Dixon has proven himself as a leader and dedicated unionist,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Brother Reggie heeded the call from his union when his District was in difficult times. The members of District 112 have benefited from his service and commitment to represent our membership to the best of his ability.”
“I have a long way to go and a lot more to learn, but every day has been truly a blessing, and the love and passion what I do that started in 2005 is still in me today,” said Dixon.
Unfortunately, like other Black union leaders, Dixon faced many obstacles along his path. Working three times harder to gain trust from local lodge members and companies, Dixon encountered members who said they did not want him to represent them because of the color of his skin. He overcame those battles by pressing ahead and winning their grievances.
Wallace recognizes the challenges faced by Dixon.
“Being from the South, Reggie has faced challenges above the normal day to day representation of our members,” said Wallace. “We still have a long way to go in our country and particularly in the South when it comes to racial equality, but I am so proud that Brother Reggie is a part of our Southern Territory staff. He is a great asset to our Organization.”
He also relied on others, such as his mentor, Steve Hernandez, who helped him professionally and personally, as well as Southern Territory Chief of Staff Craig Martin, who talked to him on Christmas Eve after a disgruntled member who hurled racial slurs at him. During the 2020 elections, when racial tensions were high, Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace reached out to check on him.
Brother Dixon says he admires President Obama for his place in history as the first Black president.
“He earned the people’s trust by his actions, and not by the color of his skin,” said Dixon.
He hopes others will see that we all are the same and stop judging each other due to race.
Dixon also serves as a co-chair on the JTA Outreach Program, which performs many community service activities like feeding the homeless and hosting speakers for local public schools. Dixon’s IAM Brothers and Sisters say that he has always had a caring heart and helping hand, and he serves the membership in an exceptional manner.
“Get involved, stay active in local lodge meetings, and become leaders in this union,” said Dixon.
He also urges other Black union members to become leaders, “because we need more minority leaders in this union, especially in the South.”
Dixon’s hope is for Black workers to continue their education and become active in their communities, leaders on their jobs, especially union jobs, and role models for our youth.
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Feb 9, 2022 | iMail
Each year, April 28 is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, a day for us to commemorate the thousands of workers killed, injured or sickened on the job. Your local can memorialize a fallen member with a personalized brick placed at the IAM Workers Memorial at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The deadline to submit personalized bricks is Friday, March 4, 2022.
Click here to order a personalized brick.
The brick can have two lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line (including spaces on each line) without the logo for $100. There’s also the option to purchase a brick with three lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with the IAM logo for $125.
There’s also the option to purchase a larger brick: an 8×8 can be purchased for $200. This option comes with four lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line without a logo, or with two lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with your own preferred logo or the IAM logo.
If your local has a member who died on the job, a complimentary brick will be placed at no cost. Please fill out and submit the complimentary brick order form.
The IAM Workers’ Memorial was completed in 2001. It was dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives while on the job. The bricks surrounding the Memorial bear the names of fallen members along with bricks donated from lodges and proud members of the IAMAW.
On or around April 28 each year, a ceremony is conducted at the memorial to remember those who lost their lives and rededicate ourselves to prevent on-the-job injury and death to workers.
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Feb 8, 2022 | iMail
Longtime Winpisinger Education and Technology Center Director Chris Wagoner has announced his retirement from the IAM, leaving a storied legacy of expanding educational opportunities in the union. IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Winpisinger Center Assistant Director Mary McHugh as the center’s new director.
Wagoner’s retirement and McHugh’s appointment are both effective July 1, 2022.
Over his 33-year career at the Winpisinger Center, Wagoner has continued to establish the Hollywood, MD campus, often referred to as the “crown jewel of the IAM,” as the leading union educational center in North America. Wagoner has overseen a massive expansion in programming at the center, including negotiations preparation, remote learning, and Spanish-language classes.
After hiring on as an education representative at the Winpisinger Center in 1989, Wagoner became the center’s assistant director in 2005. He has served as director since 2007.
“The impact that Chris Wagoner has had on the IAM and generations of members is nearly unrivaled in the history of our union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “For more than 30 years, Chris has been a familiar and friendly face to IAM members, officers and staff, serving as a mentor to so many along the way. His legacy at the Winpisinger Center will live on in the hearts and minds of members who have benefited from his teaching and passion for justice, diversity and equality. We will sorely miss his presence in our union, but wish him and his family all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
McHugh will become the fifth director, and first woman director, in the 40-year history of IAM’s Winpisinger Center on July 1.
After beginning her IAM career in 1995 as an associate general counsel in the Legal Department, McHugh became assistant director of the Winpisinger Center in 2006. She has taught a wide variety of subjects in staff, departmental and leadership programs at the Winpisinger Center.
McHugh, who was raised in a union household on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, will continue to adapt the Winpsinger Center to meet the needs of today’s working families.
“Mary knows the organization and she knows our membership,” said Martinez. “She is committed to making sure that IAM members, officers and staff have the skills they need to function effectively in a world that is rapidly changing. I look forward to Mary’s strong leadership as the Winpisinger Center continues to innovate and be a place where new ideas and approaches to growing and strengthening our union are discussed and implemented.”
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Feb 8, 2022 | iMail
The IAM mourns the loss of Anthony “Tony-Snuffy” Mastandrea who passed away January 30, 2022 at the age of 92. Mastandrea was a longtime Directing Business Representative of IAM Local 264. He also served as an Executive Board member of the Machinist Union Retiree’s Council.
Like many IAM members, Mastandrea was equally active in his community, serving on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board, a past President of the Sons of Italy, the Norwood Retired Men’s Club, Norwood Town Meeting member and a life member of the Norwood Democratic Town Committee.
“Snuffy was a dedicated member and a trade unionist to the core,” said retired District 15 Directing Business Representative Paul Salemme. “He worked tirelessly to better the work lives of countless men, and women who live better lives today because of the work he’s done.”
“Brother Mastandrea was a more than 70-year member,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “A lifetime dedicated to the IAM and helping working families everywhere, he was also a mentor to a multitude of Fighting Machinists.”
Brother Mastandrea will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery at 320 Winter Street, Norwood, MA 02062. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dogs of America online here, or by mail to 13445 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342.
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