IAM District 112 recently conducted two shop steward training classes in Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL. The highly successful sessions were attended by 85 members, who took time out of their busy schedules to learn what it takes to be an effective shop steward.
District 112 Educator Steve Hernandez conducted the training at both locations and expressed that “this was by far the best turnout I have ever seen.”
“The most exciting part is that many of these members left the training fired up and ready to get involved,” said Matthew Murdaugh, District 112 President and Directing Business Representative. “I’ve had multiple members contact me expressing their desire to expand their knowledge even further by attending class at the Winpinsinger Center, in which a few have already been enrolled. We had stewards and executive board members from locals that are historically very difficult to get involved and send multiple attendees whom all left with a wealth of knowledge.”
“I am excited and very grateful for the tremendous turnout we had from our members for these shop steward training classes,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “It’s a great sign that our members are taking the initiative and being proactive in learning what it takes to become an effective steward. I want to give a special thanks to Brothers Murdaugh and Hernandez for their efforts in making these classes such an overwhelming success.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees applauds the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act. Introduced by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), the bill establishes a presumption that federal firefighters with at least five years of service who develop serious health conditions, such as cancers and long-term illnesses, did so due to on-the-job exposure to smoke and other hazardous materials. The legislation also includes proactive measures to ensure that diseases suffered by federal firefighters are better reported and studied.
“For over 20 years, NFFE has advocated for legislation that guarantees federal firefighters who develop severe illnesses resulting from their service to the country receive adequate workers’ compensation benefits,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “This issue finally has the bipartisan support necessary to be passed into law, and we are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Salud Carbajal and Don Bacon in advancing the bill through the House. We urge the Senate to take action on the bill quickly, and deliver a necessary benefit for our brave federal firefighters who risk their wellbeing protecting the nation.”
IAM Local W33 in International Falls, Minn. hosted their first ‘Coloring Contest’ for kids in the community and awarded six winners from different age groups with a brand-new bicycle.
Jeff Hoopman, recently-elected Chief Steward of W33, came up with the idea and took it to the executive board where all members were fully supportive. At the end of March they got to work delivering packets of the coloring page and rules for the contest to four area schools. They were even able to make the local CVS a packet pick-up location so that homeschooled children could enter too.
Each of the 261 submissions are displayed in the large windows of the union hall and on May 1 the contest winners were invited to the union hall to pick up their bikes.
“The coloring contest was really well received by the community,” said IAM District 5 Directing Business Representative Jeremy Pearson. “Parents were overwhelmed and the kids had the biggest smiles.”
“Union building and community building go hand-in-hand,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway about the project. “Unions lift their communities up, and when we need the community’s support, they’re there for us too. I’m proud of Local W33 and District 5 for putting so much effort into the union’s relationship with their community.”
The local is planning to do another project over the holidays; they’re hoping to have Santa give away presents at the hall, and they want to revive their float in the community’s Christmas parade.
“The executive board has been budgeting carefully over the last few years to allow for projects like the coloring contest and the Christmas parade float. We want to put our union’s name back on the map and teach the younger generation that unions are important,” said W33 President Brian Wichner. “If the union wasn’t here, these jobs wouldn’t be paying thirty dollars an hour, and we wouldn’t have the family-supporting benefits that we have. Unions are so important and we’re showing the community what the union will do for you.”
The IAM has enjoyed a long partnership with Aviation High School and SUNY Empire State College (ESC) and now a new partnership was recently developed with the help and support of the IAM, the United Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers.
Representatives from the organizations, including IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, signed the new partnership last week. The program will award Aviation High School graduates who earn their Federal Aviation Administration airframe or powerplant license with up to 29 college credits towards a bachelor’s degree in transportation management or labor studies, roughly the equivalent of one year of college before enrolling in courses at SUNY Empire State College.
“The IAM is happy to partner with both schools and our labor allies in education,” said Cervantes. “This new partnership will create future aviation leaders with the educational tools and labor rights background they need to have a successful aviation career.”
Since 2014, the IAM has partnered with ESC to offer associate and bachelor’s degrees in labor studies through the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies in New York City. The partnership also provides a master’s degree in work and labor policy. Degree programs are conducted online, with week-long residencies that occur once a semester at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
“I’ve had a long history with Aviation High School,” added Cervantes. “For more than 20 years, the IAM would fly 30-40 students each year to the W3 Center to participate in a partnership program that would provide students with an overview of the opportunities their A&P certification could provide.”
Visit the SUNY Empire State College website to learn more about this new and exciting program.
IAM District 776 in Fort Worth, TX recently held the fifth annual General Vice President Mark Blondin’s Path to Freedom Car show, which raised almost $27,000 for Guide Dogs of America / Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
“Thanks to GVP Blondin for always supporting us, Gary Kennermer for running a great Texas Hold’em card game, and Mark Miller and his BBQ cookers, Machelle Lopez and Johnnie Shugg, who put on a great and filling BBQ competition,” said Chub McCrory, IAM District 776 Organizer. “The Sweet Dreams Car Club provided some real nice-looking cars for the car show, and the motorcycle run was a highlight. I would also like to thank everyone who showed up, participated, and donated, with a special thanks to the vendors, the VFW 5616, United Way, the White Settlement Police Department, and JC Parker from the IBEW. See you next year.”
“The team at District 776 really outdid themselves this year by creating such a unique, fun event, which provided an opportunity to contribute to this great charity,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “A special thank you to Chub, Gary Kennermer and Anna Richey for an outstanding job. The Aerospace Department is always honored and readily available to help support the Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines.”
Guide Dogs of America is the IAM’s favorite charity. In 2020, GDA completed a merger with Tender Loving Canines and now provides hardworking service dogs for people who are blind/ visually impaired, veterans, and individuals with autism, and facilities to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility. Their services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
“Union building and community building go hand-in-hand,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway about the project. “Unions lift their communities up, and when we need the community’s support, they’re there for us too. I’m proud of Local W33 and District 5 for putting so much effort into the union’s relationship with their community.”
