Oct 11, 2022 | iMail
One of the benefits that come from being a union member are the protections guaranteed by collective bargaining agreements to prevent unjust dismissals or terminations.
In 2021, KCS (Kansas City Southern) Railroad dismissed five machinists from their Diesel Repair Facility in Shreveport, LA, mostly for minor offenses.
On September 16, 2022, the IAM Rail Division and District 19 scored a victory, when an arbitrator overturned the unjust termination for three of the Machinists that were affected and will be returning to work in the coming days. These three IAM members had no previous discipline history or reasonable evidence for their dismissal.
“We will not be silent when due-paying members face injustices in the workplace, they have a voice!” said IAM District 19 General Chairman Derrick Battle. “I will continue to fight to win more cases like these hoping that would change KCS’ mindset of issuing unjustified dismissals.”
IAM District 19 General Chairman Derrick Battle appealed their cases and represented them at the arbitration hearings. One of the main arguments was KCS’ precedent to dismiss seven percent of machinists in one year and then hiring new workers to fire them sometime later. The arbiter agreed with Battle that the dismissals were harsh, excessive and arbitrary.
“It pays to be an IAM member and thanks to their union contract, these workers can return to work,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President. “We praise the dedication and ingenuity of General Chairman Battle to protect IAM members from being treated unfairly.”
The post IAM Rail Division and District 19 Reverse Unjust Terminations of IAM Members appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 6, 2022 | LL S6 Elections, LL S6 Leadership Alerts
Brothers and Sisters,
Please click the link below for the 2022 Shop Steward election results.
Steward Election Results 2022
In Solidarity,
Local S6 Leadership
Oct 5, 2022 | iMail
IAM Local 873 members in Horicon, WI, have voted to ratify a new agreement negotiated with John Deere Horicon Works with historic wage and benefit gains.
The membership overwhelmingly voted “yes” to a new four-year contract. The many advancements in this groundbreaking agreement include general wage increases of over 32% throughout the life of the agreement, elimination of all health care premiums for everyone, increases to all retirement benefit packages, and a ratification bonus.
“The Fighting Machinists of Local Lodge 873 supported the negotiating committee and showed their solidarity Thursday, passing a contract that we feel was well deserved, after a long seven years, a pandemic, and many logistical challenges,” said IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative Alex Hoekstra. “This vote demonstrates the pride of these skilled and hardworking members who have been producing premium riding lawn equipment, attachments, and utility vehicles here in Horicon for decades. These workers are proud of our small town feel in such a large company like Deere.”
“Congratulations to the members of IAM Local Lodge 873 in negotiating and securing an industry-leading contract with John Deere,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I’d like to extend a special thank you to the Bargaining Committee, IAM District 10 Assistant Director Joseph E. Terlisner, and IAM District 10 District Business Representative Alex Hoekstra for all their hard work in what will undoubtedly set a new standard for IAM members, the Horicon community and beyond.”
The IAM Local 873 negotiating committee thanks its members for their support in the year-long preparation in getting to the negotiating table. The historic contract took effect on October 1, 2022.
The post Solidarity Pays Off in New Contract for Wisconsin Local 873 Members at John Deere Horicon Works appeared first on IAMAW.
