FERNDALE, Wash., May 19, 2022 –IAM Local 2379 (District 160) members at Intalco Works, a Washington State aluminum manufacturing plant, have overwhelmingly ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement with Blue Wolf Capital Partners, one of the last steps toward reopening and modernizing the facility and restoring hundreds of jobs in Whatcom County.
The final remaining hurdle for IAM Local 2379 members in Ferndale, WA, is the absence of a power agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The BPA previously provided electricity for Intalco Works for 50 years. A reopened and modernized aluminum manufacturing plant would be one of only two green aluminum smelters in the United States. The reopening of this plant would also reduce aluminum imports from Russia, China, and the Middle East.
The agreement builds upon the previous collective bargaining agreement with improvements to wages and benefits, quarterly bonuses, and job protections.
“Our members at IAM Local 2379 have endured so many ups and downs over restarting the aluminum plant and securing an agreement with the Bonneville Power Authority,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Our members need elected officials in the state of Washington and Washington, DC to help bring relief for hundreds of working families in Whatcom County. The members earned this contract that will serve a model in the aluminum manufacturing industry.”
Highlights of the agreements include:
Improvements in wages, performance bonus plan, paid sick leave, paid vacation, overtime distribution, and new employee starting wages.
Quarterly retention bonuses
Seniority will be honored for previous employees, meaning they don’t have to start over with wages, vacation, etc.
Guaranteed equity in the new company; if there is a sale in the future, employees and retirees will get a payout.
Generous 401(k) contribution and match
“The IAM has committed our full resources to help restore the hundreds of strategic manufacturing jobs at Intalco Works,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We need our allies to do everything possible to reopen the facility. Restarting the operations at Intalco Works is an opportunity to reverse bad policy decisions and secure a victory under the policies implemented by the Biden-Harris Administration. Our union is urging the U.S. Department of Energy and the Bonneville Power Administration to restore the power agreement to help make our nation less reliant on aluminum imports from foreign enemies.”
The IAM will continue working with the State of Washington, former members of management, and Blue Wolf Capital Partners to reopen and modernize the Intalco Works.
TheInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workersis 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, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2022 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement on the mass shooting at the Buffalo Tops Supermarket:
“The Machinists Union is deeply saddened by the horrific act of domestic terrorism this past weekend at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, NY. We want to express our deepest condolences to the victims’ families, including our union sisters and brothers at the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), affected by this hate crime. The IAM represents hundreds of members in the Buffalo community who stand united in condemning this horrific mass shooting. The IAM will always speak out against hate and racism in our society and embrace solidarity and inclusion. We must always stand together to fight against the scourge of discrimination and intolerance.”
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, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
Chandra Williams, Georgia State Council of Machinists executive vice president and member of the IAM Local 709 legislative committee, was recently honored by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) for her outstanding work in the labor movement and community.
Sen. Ossoff presented Williams with a certificate during a community roundtable held in Cobb County, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Williams is well known in the Atlanta area for her community advocacy and a strong voice on behalf of working men and women at Local 709 and in the Atlanta metro area. Williams also serves on the AFL-CIO Atlanta Central Labor Council as an executive board member.
“I am humbled to receive this certificate of achievement from Senator Ossoff,” said Williams. “I appreciate his connection to what is happening to working families all over Georgia. Our state has many issues that we need to address, including workers’ rights, student loan interest rates, and voters’ rights. I look forward to ensuring the voices of Georgia Machinists and others in my community are heard in the state capitol and the halls of Congress.”
Chandra remains dedicated to helping the community stay engaged on the issues that matter most in their lives.
“We are proud of Chandra’s work on behalf of our members at IAM Local 709,” said IAM Local 709 Directing Business Representative Jason Schroeder. “Chandra continues to be an integral part in moving our interests forward and developing solutions to our issues. IAM Local 709 members are grateful for how she keeps us updated on labor issues and connects us with political allies that support the labor movement.”
“Sister Williams has always been an important voice in the Southern Territory, so this achievement does not surprise us,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “This shows why we must keep strong ties in our communities throughout the Territory. Chandra fights every day to protect workers’ rights and their families in the state of Georgia. Our union is thankful for her advocacy.”
“Chandra Williams has been an absolute delight to have our board,” said Atlanta Labor Council Executive Director Sandra Williams. “She has been engaged in every facet, including the Atlanta labor council on the political side and community. Especially during the pandemic, where I couldn’t be more thrilled about her recognition from Sen. Ossoff. Chandra Williams is a pillar in the labor community.
That tournament raised more than $100,000 for capital improvement projects for U.S. military veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Southern Maryland.
Those funds also made it possible to completely renovate the home’s overgrown courtyard. Professional landscapers were hired to build two water fountains and overhaul the entire space.
“Because we have members who work here and because International President Martinez is a veteran himself, this time he chose to have the proceeds of the tournament benefit Charlotte Hall,” said IAM District 4 Business Representative Mark Duval.
Local 4 represents the maintenance crew, Restorative Nursing Aides (RNAs), Certified Medicine Aides (CMAs), and Geriatric Nursing Aides (GNAs) who work at Charlotte Hall Veterans home.
Richley Delahay, Facility Manager for the IAM’s Winpsinger Center, offered to have Winpisinger Center staff Chuck Lowe, John Wibel and Benny Johnson complete the sign installation at Charlotte Hall.
“The Winpisinger Center has been inviting members of the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home for lunch a couple times a year for the last six or seven years, so that was our first association with the veteran’s home,” said Winpisinger Center Lead Groundsperson Chuck Lowe, who was there helping install to the sign. “It’s just a way to give back to veterans. We have a lot of veterans in the IAM. President Martinez is a Navy veteran himself so it’s a big priority for him, and it’s nice for us to be able to help in our local community.”
“The IAM is incredibly proud of our military veteran members and the members who work at Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home. It is important to the IAM and to me, personally, that our union supports military veterans in our communities,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I’m very thankful to everyone who stepped up to make this fundraising initiative a huge success. The IAM will continue to find ways to support those who have served our country.”
Minnesota Local 459 President Keith Handt talks about the tour he and other Machinists at Bell Lumber and Pole gave of their plant during the Wood, Pulp and Paper Conference. The site visit was an opportunity to see firsthand how telephone poles are Machinist-made.
