The IAM Midwest Territory raised more than $19,000 at two recent events benefiting the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, which provides service dogs free of charge to deserving individuals across the U.S. and Canada. Both events were held consecutively on the weekend of May 21 and 22.
Threatening skies couldn’t keep participants from the IAM Midwest Territory’s 3rd annual Sporting Clays Shoot, held at Nilo Farms in Brighton, IL, which drew 70 participants. The weather shortened event is rescheduled for August 27, 2022.
The 13th annual Spirit of Midwest “Rides for Guides” Classic Auto Show drew 85 cars to IAM District 837 in Hazelwood, MO.
The show included stock cars from as early as the 1950s, trucks, corvettes and street rods. Trophies were given to the top three cars in each class, Best of Show and People’s Choice.
“IAM members know better than anyone how to join together for a good cause, and they have once again shown that in the Midwest Territory,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “My sincere thanks to every participant and sponsor who helped us raise more than $19,000 for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.”
For more information on these and other IAM Midwest Territory events to benefit Guide Dogs of America, visit the Spirit of the Midwest website at SpiritoftheMidwest.org.
Washington, June 16, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for approving the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321). The bi-partisan legislation, introduced by committee chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), would strengthen Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of commercial airline repair facilities outside the United States.
The panel’s action advances the legislation for full House floor consideration of DeFazio’s bill, which would include measures such as unannouncedFAA inspections of foreign repair stations, and set minimum qualifications for mechanics and other workers, including drug testing and background checks.
“Our hard-working members take pride in making sure their work at carriers such as American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and others focuses on safety regulations set by the federal government,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “It’s only fair that their counterparts working at facilities overseas abide by such high U.S. standards.”
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America, representing over 100,000 airline workers.
“I want to thank Chairman DeFazio for introducing this very important legislation that will help ensure airline passenger safety is a top priority globally,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “The lack of uniform regulatory standards and oversight sets an unlevel field with carriers increasingly enticed by the financial incentives to push this work overseas. This results in job losses in the U.S. and risks passenger safety.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 900 aircraft maintenance and repair stations have been certified by the FAA outside the U.S., which includes countries such as China, Singapore and Brazil.
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.
The Machinists Union delegation, led by International President Robert Martinez Jr., took center stage at the AFL-CIO’s 2022 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. An IAM Delta Air Lines organizer also inspired activism at the convention.
Martinez submitted, and the convention passed, a constitutional resolution calling on the federation to:
Develop a comprehensive aerospace manufacturing strategy;
Enhance supply chain security;
Strengthen Buy American requirements;
Strengthen rules of origin in trade agreements;
Protect the aerospace and defense industries.
“Right now, there are more than 40,000 low-wage aerospace jobs in Mexico—work that used to be done by well-paid IAM members right here in the United States,” said Martinez. “And, because of misguided corporate technology transfer deals, the Chinese Communist Party is quickly developing aerospace technology that threatens hundreds of thousands of U.S. aerospace and defense jobs.”
Martinez also presented a resolution, which passed, calling for global solidarity with Ukraine. Martinez was joined on stage by Ukrainian labor leaders.
“We join the global labor movement in continuing to campaign for the release of independent trade union leaders—wherever they may be—who call for workers’ rights, human rights, democracy and peace,” said Martinez. “Thank you to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who have worked under such difficult circumstances to show your fellow Ukrainians and all of us the meaning of solidarity.”
Felix McGee, a Delta Air Lines employee and IAM organizer, called for delegates to support workers who are trying to get union representation in their workplace.
“Rise up, Brothers and Sisters,” said McGee. “Rise up and show the world that we will continue to fight for brothers and sisters who lost elections just like me, workers that desperately want a union contract.”
President Joe Biden, U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams also took the stage, advocating for strong unions and praising the federation for being the backbone of the American economy.
“I’m a Buffalo kid and a Machinist at heart, and fighting is what #Machinists do!… Rise up, brothers and sisters, for workers that desperately want a union contract!” – our brother Felix McGee speaking at #AFLCIOConv#MachinistStrongpic.twitter.com/WtrOwrIIEM
“America has always counted on union workers. You have never ever let the country down. We’re counting on you again to build this country for all of us” – @POTUS at #AFLCIOConvpic.twitter.com/LyglxfX9OL
Cherry Point, N.C., June 16, 2022 — 82 aircraft technicians and related workers at Vertex Aerospace in Cherry Point, NC., overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday, June 15, to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
Vertex Aerospace workers at the facility help with thermal engineering analysis, design, and test support for industry and government throughout the US.
“The IAM is a leader in the aerospace and defense industries, and our success was due to the teamwork of the IAM Organizing Department and Southern Territory,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “ We are one union and one organizing team in the IAM. This campaign featured many brave individuals in the 82-person unit who sacrificed their time to ensure we were on the winning side of this election. I want to thank IAM Special Representative Andy Powell for his dedication and hard work. I also want to thank IAM District 2020 Business Representative Wilbert Woods and Grand Lodge Representative Joe Cicala for their tireless efforts to educate and maintain solidarity among the group. This victory is the first step to getting them a fair contract that reflects the group’s will. The IAM is committed to ensuring the group gets a voice in their workplace.”
“We congratulate the Vertex Aerospace workers for choosing to join the Machinists Union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This victory is a win for workers in the South and serves as a beacon of hope for others who are attempting to make their lives better. I want to thank IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo and his amazing organizing team for giving Vertex Aerospace workers the opportunity for respect and dignity in the workplace.”
“This victory means a lot for the Vertex workers and IAM District 2020,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I congratulate our Organizing Department for leading this effort and District 2020 Business Representative Woods for representing the Southern Territory. We look forward to getting a first contract that reflects the will of the newest members of the IAM.”
“In all my years of organizing, this group has been the most proactive internal organizing team I have seen over the past decade,” said IAM Special Representative Andy Powell. “I commend them for their solidarity and support throughout the campaign. We look forward to adding an additional 30 subcontractors that currently work with Vertex.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
