Mar 3, 2022 | iMail
Thank you to IAM District 751 for sharing this information from the Aero Mechanic.
You don’t have to be a doctor to save someone’s life; often times you just have to take action. In fact, quick responses by 751 members saved a fellow union member’s life earlier this year. The incident occurred outside the Renton factory following second shift. 751 member Oudom Khanphongphane left work as he did any other night. On the way to his car, Oudom suffered a heart attack, fell to the concrete, hit his head and lost consciousness.
Thankfully, 751 members, who were also leaving work around that time, found him on the pavement and jumped into action. 751 member Dustin Roads recognized that time was of the essence and immediately began administering CPR, which he continued until the first responders arrived. 751 member “Lilliy” Chhoeup Thorng, called 911 and Boeing security and stayed on the scene until Oudom was transported to the hospital.
If Dustin and Lilliy had not stopped to help, Oudom might not have survived, and his ability to recover as quickly as he did is solely because of the courageous efforts two members took to help a stranger.
Oudom spent three days in a coma before regaining consciousness and remained in the hospital ICU six additional days. Once discharged, he remained home for several months doing speech, occupational and cardiac therapy. Oudom returned to work initially just part time while he continued rehabilitation on his road to a full recovery.
When he returned to the Renton factory, one of his first priorities was tracking down Dustin and Lilliy to give his personal thanks.
“I am so grateful Dustin and Lilliy found me within minutes of my heart attack and jumped into action without hesitation. Their quick thinking saved my life and ensured there wasn’t more damage,” said Oudom. “I was very lucky, Dustin was there and performed CPR. He was at the right place at the right time. I think about that a lot and what might have happened if I had been driving my car at the time.”
Dustin credits CPR training from his last job at an ambulance company and noted, “This was the first time I have actually performed CPR on someone in a life and death situation. Thankfully, I did well under pressure. I knew once I started CPR, I couldn’t stop and had to keep it going until the first responders took over. In the heat of the moment, you just have to trust you will do it correctly because there is no other choice. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“I am proud of our members, Dustin and Lilliy, for stopping and having the courage to help someone in distress,” said IAM District 751 President and Directing Business Representative Jon Holden. “They didn’t know what had transpired before they arrived but because of their quick action a fellow member survived and is now back to work and able to live a full life.”
“I commend Brother Dustin and Sister Lilliy for exhibiting such courage and calm under extreme duress while saving Brother Oudom’s life,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “This is an amazing story and another example of how Machinists are always there to help one another. Brother Oudom’s recovery has been a long and arduous one, but through his unparalleled perseverance, he has returned to work and inspired us all.”
Our Union is submitting Dustin and Lilliy for Red Cross Hero Awards for their quick action that saved Oudom’s life or at a minimum ensured he did not have permanent damage.
According to the Red Cross, more than 350,000 people suffer from cardiac arrest every year and only 10% survive. Dustin’s training in CPR and willingness to jump in to help someone in need allowed him to save the life of a stranger who turned out to be a union brother. Hopefully other members will take first aid classes to be prepared should they find themselves in a similar situation.
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Mar 3, 2022 | iMail
The 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention will be held in Las Vegas in October 2022. An important part of the Convention will be the 2022 IAM Commemorative Convention Book, and a popular feature of the book will be ads from our own Local and District Lodges. Proceeds from the ads will help offset the cost of the Convention.
Therefore, we are asking each IAM Lodge, if they haven’t already, to consider purchasing an ad. You can design your own ad, or select one of the ready-made options from templates, which can be personalized by submitting print quality photos of your lodge members.
For an order form and detailed information on ad choices, pricing, specifications and sizes, please contact Communications Department Office Assistant Terri Crutchfield at 301-967-4520 or tcrutchfield@iamaw.org. You can also submit your ad online here.
Ads and payment must be received by the IAM Communications Department on or before Friday, May 6, 2022.
The post How Your Local Or District Can Support The 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 1, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2022 – International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Robert Martinez Jr. released this statement after President Biden’s first State of the Union address:
“The IAM was proud to endorse President Biden through a first-of-its-kind, rank-and-file membership vote. Through the activism of our members and so many worker-friendly allies, we now have a true ‘union man’ in the White House. For the first time in generations, we are witnessing an all-of-government approach to putting the interests of working families first.
“We are emerging from the pandemic with historic job growth. Working people are finally able to tip the scales in their favor, demanding higher wages and better benefits from their employers. The President promised to rebuild America and expand Buy American—and he is delivering for the best workers in the world. American manufacturing is back, and the IAM and our allies in the labor movement are just getting started. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create even more good jobs, while investing in our aging airports, public transit systems and more.
“But as the President said tonight, there is far more work to be done. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine makes even more clear, we must immediately strengthen our domestic supply chains, especially in the defense industry. We must take measures to lower consumer prices, broaden access to apprenticeship programs, create a national paid family and medical leave program, and protect our sacred right to vote. For the millions of Americans who want to join a union today, we also must pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
“These should not be partisan issues. This is about a better life for working families. We stand with the Biden administration and all allies of working people to create a brighter future for the generations to come.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union: Let’s Continue President Biden’s Historic Progress Toward a Brighter Future for Working Families appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 1, 2022 | iMail
Thousands of IAM aerospace jobs have been saved or protected thanks to the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP), a federal aerospace job protection program championed by the Machinists Union. The U.S. Transportation Department recently announced $482.3 million in funding to 313 businesses, including approximately 20 IAM-represented employees, including Spirit AeroSystems, Pratt and Whitney, Hexcel Corp., and Learjet.
The IAM aggressively advocated for and won the successful passage of the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP), which is part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. The program provides $3 billion in payroll support funding to aviation manufacturing employers, allowing them to keep aerospace manufacturing workers on their payrolls, avoid additional furloughs, and re-hire workers previously furloughed during the pandemic. For example, the USDOT provided $75.5 million to Spirit AeroSystems, estimated to save 3,214 jobs. Spirit, based in Wichita, KS, is a significant supplier for the Boeing Co.
“The IAM played a vital role in passing this critical legislation,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This program ensures that the aerospace industry continues to thrive, as well as the working men and women who make it successful.”
The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection program establishes a temporary relief plan for aerospace supply chains affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The program provides up to 50% of both pay and benefits for the thousands of furloughed due to the pandemic. In addition, companies receiving these funds must commit not to conduct any layoffs or furloughs during the six-months in which the funds are in use.
Machinists Union members were among many workers in the aerospace industry who experienced layoffs and furloughs because of COVID-19. While air travel dropped significantly during 2020, so did the need for parts, repairs, modifications, and other services, hurting aerospace supply chain companies.
Other IAM employers who participated in the AMJP program include Arrow Gear LLC, Cytec, Jones Metal Products, Magellan Aerospace New York, NWI Nashville, NWI Wichita, Orizon Aerostructures, and 10 SAFRAN locations. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest Aerospace Union in North America.
The post IAM Advocacy for Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program Saves Thousands of Aerospace Jobs appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 1, 2022 | iMail
The Western Territory is proud to announce that two first contracts have been reached providing economic security for Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) in North Carolina and Colorado. MFLCs provide vital mental health services to members of all branches of the military and their families.
The North Carolina agreement, negotiated by Grand Lodge Special Representative Paul Shepherd, includes a retroactive base salary equity increase of approximately 13.6%, plus a locality premium of 6.5%, with an additional 2% base salary increase on May 1 and then each additional May for a 3-year deal. The agreement also includes bonus and incentive programs, paid time off and holiday increases, flex time, and job security improvements.
“It really was an honor working with these members and seeing their passion for the important work they do,” said Shepherd. “They save the lives of struggling Marines and their families on a daily basis.”
The Colorado agreement, negotiated by Grand Lodge Special Representative Steven Van Wie, includes increased seniority protections, first year wage increases ranging from 7% to 13%, 3% general wage increases the following two years, $2,000 yearly tuition assistance, and a training pay premium for MFLCs tasked with training new employees.
“It ultimately boiled down to the resolve of the committee at the bargaining table who refused to settle for anything less than what they deserved,” said Van Wie. “It was heartening to witness their solidarity in commanding the respect of their employer.”
“These hard-won contracts further cement our presence and our contribution to the Healthcare Industry,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Military and Family Life Counselors provide an invaluable service to the military community. I am pleased that their selfless dedication is finally being recognized and compensated fairly.”
The post IAM Western Territory Secures Two Strong Contracts for Military and Family Life Counselors appeared first on IAMAW.
