IAM members across the United States have hit the ground, advocating to fellow Machinists Union members for pro-labor candidates running in the 2022 Midterm Elections.
In the weeks leading up to November 8, IAM political volunteers have been going door-to-door in battleground states like Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada, to remind IAM members to vote, and to vote specifically for candidates that support workers and workers’ rights.
But members aren’t just delivering info on labor-supported candidates at doorsteps, they’re also making calls and talking to the other members in their shops about the importance of electing worker-friendly public officials.
As part of the Machinists Union’s member-to-member program, which has been active since September, member volunteers have made thousands of calls to IAM members to remind them to vote.
Labor rights are on the ballot, and IAM’s political team and volunteers are making sure every Machinists Union voter has the information they need to help elect candidates who will support workers and their families.
Make your plan to vote and get information on the labor-supported candidates, here: https://aflciovote.org/.
Machinists are on-the-ground in Georgia going door-to-door in support of the battle-ground state’s pro-labor candidates, Senate candidate @SenatorWarnock & Governor candidate @staceyabrams.
IAM District 98’s Kermit Forbes met with 31-year member Scotty Leber who’s retired from LL#175 (Harley Davidson’s York plant) to remind him to vote for PA’s pro-labor candidates #IAMStandingStrong#IAMVotingpic.twitter.com/RNKYEndUpy
Shaq is with me in our home town of Pittsburgh today (looking very serious) with 2 pieces of advice for PA union members: 1. VOTE 2. Vote for Pro-Labor Candidates!
IAM Locals 2135 and 174 at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) formed a coalition with other unions representing BEP workers to express serious concerns with their working conditions and BEP’s noncompliance with Executive Order #14003 and policies of the Biden Administration regarding collective bargaining.
The coalition sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen asking for intervention as BEP refuses to bargain in good faith.
In the letter, the local unions describe how BEP’s failure to follow the executive order has “resulted in increased violations of contracts, policies, and regulations.”
The local unions are eager to negotiate new contracts, but BEP management has delayed bargaining new contracts and hasn’t attempted negotiations about unilaterally-implemented workplace policies, resulting in the unions filing multiple grievances.
“Every day without renewed contract negotiations is a message from management that they do not respect the collective bargaining process—which is a clear departure from the Biden Administration’s stated policies and requirements,” states the letter. “And every day that management is permitted to pretend it has no obligation to bargain in good faith with the unions that represent its employees, workplace morale continues to fall.”
The BEP has facilities in Texas and Washington, D.C. and recently announced plans to open a new facility in Maryland. The local unions are seeking the Maryland senators’ help in bringing BEP to the bargaining table to remedy the situation.
The letter is signed by IAM Local 2135 President Carl L. Snyder, IAM Local 174 President Benjamin Bright, GCC/IBUT Local 1C President Danny Whitmer, GCC/IBUT Local 4B President James Mularkey, Washington Plate Printers Union Local 2 President Robert Suplee, Local 24 President Kenneth Garner, FOP Lodge 50 President Michael Pupalalaikis, and GCC/IBUT Local 285M President William Mark Poole.
Four members of IAM 778 helped Kansas City Parks and Recreation clean up a large section of the Indian Creek Trail, as a part of the IAM Midwest Territory’s “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing.
Local 778 members picked up trash along the Indian Creek Trail in Kansas City, MO, and is a part of IAM Local 778’s continued dedication to helping in the community in which they live.
“What a great way to give back to the community,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “My thanks go out to Local 778 Directing Business Representative Scott Brown and all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to their community, all while helping the environment.”
“It’s nice to be able to help in the community. This trail runs along Indian Creek so any help we can provide to keep the trail and waterways clean and free of garbage is well worth the effort,” said Brown. “It was nice to see active and retired members volunteer for this cleanup project and we look forward to every opportunity to assist the community.”
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ (IAM) Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), the first Apple workers to join a union, filed an Unfair Labor Practice chargeat theNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB)against Apple for excluding IAM CORE members in Towson, Md.from certain educational and medical benefits being offered to all other Apple employees starting next year.
IAM CORE recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook expressing disappointment about not following the prior practice of including Towson employees in corporate-wide enhancements after consultation with the union.
“Our union will fight to ensure all labor laws are followed throughout this negotiation process,”saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “One of the reasons the employees in Towson joined the IAM was because they knew our union would use every resource to protect them. We are hopeful that this won’t be the normal procedure before we sit with Apple at the negotiating table. Our members in Towson want to be heard in the workplace, and securing a first contract will be the first step towards achieving that goal.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
IAM Local 620 has secured over $17,000 to compensate nine members working at Union Pacific Dolores Yard in Long Beach, CA, for a violation of their collective agreement.
The local filed a grievance after the company brought contractors on the property to change out traction motors twice. The company’s action was a violation of the collective agreement’s clause that stipulates that advance notice must be given for subcontracting work.
“When an employer fails to enforce a policy that is part of the collective bargaining agreement, we can hold them accountable,” said Juan Estrada, IAM District 19 General Chairman. “This hard-fought union contract continues to pay off and is a perfect example of why an IAM contract is so valuable.”
The subcontracting grievance information was gathered by IAM Local 620 leadership, including Vice President George Lopez and Local Chairman Art Aguirre, while the claim was filed by District 19 General Chairman Juan Estrada.
“If language was not in place, Local 620 members would not have been compensated correctly,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President. “We will continue to fight for robust grievance procedures and workplace protections. We are very proud of Local 620 leadership and their commitment to make sure our members have rightfully earned what they deserve.”
#IAMStandingStrong #IAMVoting pic.twitter.com/dY8RTAn7m0
