Sep 20, 2022 | iMail
On September 15, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes was presented with the inaugural 2022 Pioneering Woman of Labor Award by Emerge, a leading organization that trains and mentors aspiring women leaders to get involved in politics and run for office. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride also received the award.
The award recognized the critical role the recipients have played in the labor movement and their passion and commitment to protecting and advancing working rights.
“[We] recognize what unions bring to our labor force and communities.” said A’shanti Gholar, Emerge President. “I have the privilege of honoring these amazing women.”
Cervantes has served as IAM General Secretary-Treasurer since 2015 and became the first woman and first Latina to hold the position in the history of the IAM. Cervantes has used her position as a woman union leader to improve the lives of IAM members and empower Latinos in the union and beyond.
“We have to stand up and fight. We need people that look like us… Yes, I am a pioneer, a trailblazer, a first, but I certainly won’t be the last. If I can serve as an inspiration or mentor to other Women, Girls and Sisters, then I have served a greater purpose.” Cervantes told the audience.
“The women in our movement are standing strong,” said Shuler. “Let’s keep tapping into that network of strong women, helping each other, helping them run, helping win and helping them lead.”
In addition to honoring these trailblazers, the event also served as an opportunity to highlight the reasons why women empowerment in politics is necessary.
“It’s important to think globally and run locally,” said McBride. “Run, whether it’s for union office or for public office.”
The post GST Cervantes Receives Emerge’s ‘Pioneering Woman of Labor’ Award appeared first on IAMAW.
Sep 20, 2022 | LL S6 Elections, LL S6 Leadership Alerts, LL S6 Upcoming Events
Brothers and Sisters,
Please find the attached candidate nomination/acceptance list and related candidate materials for the upcoming officer elections.
Officer Candidate Nominations List 2022
Officer Candidate Information 2022
In Solidarity,
Local S6 Leadership
Sep 20, 2022 | iMail
IAM Local 2600 (District 19) members, their families and union siblings of other crafts recently gathered for food, fun and music at the first annual IAM Local 2600 Summer Block Party.
Executive board members voted earlier this year to move their annual membership solidarity event from the holiday season in December to the summer months; and this decision turned out to be a big success.
“We are a smaller local and we just never had a good turnout for our annual event,” said IAM Local 2600 President Mark Barco. “We want to make sure we are being responsible with our local funds and giving back to the members through our event as much as possible. Holding our annual membership event this summer was a huge success. This event had the largest turnout of any membership event in the last several years.”
This year, the board also voted to honor a member, Derek Rieckmann, who has exemplified service to other members, leadership on the job and solidarity within the local.
“Derek is a lead machinist and has stepped up in his role when working with new hires; guiding and training them in the best way possible,” said IAM Local 2600 Financial Secretary Mike Reilly. “Even though he is not an officer, he takes charge when need be if there are not any officers on shift. He also took the initiative to research parts for the new Siemens locomotive fleet. He created a list with part numbers and procedures for preventative maintenance on the new locomotives, printed it out and posted it in the foreman’s office.”
In addition to Machinist families, union members of other crafts in the shop were invited to join the event. Mike Gallardo, a SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) union member in attendance at the event, said he appreciates all the work IAM members have done in the shop to bring solidarity among all of the crafts.
Gallardo emphasized that it is important to bring all union members together, regardless of what their craft and union, because, at the end of the day, they are all working side by side, and fighting for the same things – fair compensation in wages and benefits, and safety and dignity on the job. Events such as these help to strengthen that bond and help all unions stand together and have each other’s backs in the workplace.
The Summer Block Party also helped raise money for Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines through member and visitor donations.
“It was great seeing the solidarity amongst our membership and rail labor, which is stronger now than ever,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “We’re so thankful to IAM Local 2600 for holding this tremendous event for the membership to benefit Guide Dogs of America.”
“I think the event was phenomenal and it was great that we were able to contribute to Guide Dogs of America as well,” said IAM Local 2600 Vice President Robert Mendez. “I definitely look forward to doing it again next year.”
The post Chicago IAM Rail Local 2600 Honors Member, Raises Funds for Guide Dogs at Local’s First Annual Summer Block Party appeared first on IAMAW.
Sep 15, 2022 | iMail
IAM’s Corporation for Re-Employment and Safety Training (CREST) will present training on setting up joint labor/management safety committees for small employers. The training will be held over Zoom On Thursday, September 22, at 1:00 pm EST,
The training is possible due to the Susan Hardwood OSHA Capacity Building Pilot grant for workers and managers of small employers with a collective bargaining contract.
The participants will learn the benefits of having a joint labor/management safety & health committee and how to overcome barriers to working together in the interest of safety.
For those interested in joining, please send an email to SandH@iamaw.org to register.
View the Training Flyer.
This training is presented under grant number SH-37163-SH1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
The post IAM CREST Presents Training for Workers & Managers of Small Employers with a Collective Bargaining Contract appeared first on IAMAW.
Sep 15, 2022 | iMail
Approximately 1,100 members of IAM District W24 are on strike against timber company Weyerhaeuser after rejecting the company’s concessionary offer.
IAM District W24 represents Weyerhaeuser workers in Washington state and Oregon with 14 different contracts in locations from Aberdeen, Longview, and Raymond in Washington state to Coos Bay, Springfield, and Cottage Grove in Oregon.
Sawmill workers, log yard scalers and equipment operators, mechanical loggers, and log truck drivers, including a host of maintenance, mechanical, and electrical workers represented by IAM District W24 have been working under an expired contract since May 31, 2022.
In Weyerhaeuser’s last proposal, general wage increases were too low, vacation time was cut, and healthcare costs increased.
“We wanted to come to an agreement that would reflect changes and improvements that need to happen in order to recruit and retain high-quality workers so that Weyerhaeuser can continue to make record profits,” said IAM District W24 President and Directing Business Representative Brandon Bryant. “Those profits don’t happen unless the work happens, and the work only happens if our members do it. We are taking that work away from Weyerhaeuser in order for them to see us, see our value, see the actual people that make their profits.”
“Our District W24 members are fighting for proper respect from Weyerhaeuser. Our members work hard every single day to make sure that Weyerhaeuser succeeds and unfortunately their contract offer has failed to recognize their contribution to that success,” said IAM General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “We call on Weyerhaeuser to fairly recognize our members’ contribution to their record-breaking profits. We stand in full solidarity with our membership and will continue to provide all resources necessary to obtain a strong contract.”
The post IAM District W24 Members in Pacific Northwest Strike Weyerhaeuser for Fair Contract appeared first on IAMAW.
