IAM District Lodge 6, Local Lodge 388, and Local Lodge 1191 sponsored a recent Quad City Storm minor-league hockey game in Moline, Illinois, to raise money for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
The union also sponsored custom, one-of-a-kind, Machinists Union and GDA/TLC branded jerseys for the players. After the game, the game-worn jerseys were auctioned to benefit GDA/TLC, and now replicas of the jerseys are only being sold for a limited time. Fifty percent of the online jersey sale proceeds go directly to GDA/TLC.
Machinists Union member volunteers sold foam pucks for “chuck a puck,” where spectators can throw pucks onto the ice to win prizes from different businesses. They also handed out free GDA/TLC branded “thunder sticks” to the first 1,000 attendees and sold raffle tickets for a jersey.
“Local Lodges 388 and 1191 have sponsored this great GDA/TLC fundraiser event for many years,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Rick Mickschl. “The memberships of both locals attend and cheer for the Quad City Storm Hockey Team, all while raising funds for GDA. This event is ‘Machinists Strong’ and shows that we are unionists with passion and support for the great mission of Guide Dogs of America.”
Approximately 300 IAM members were in the crowd for the Machinists Union night, and 40 members worked as volunteers. Many also participated in the post-game live player jersey auction.
“Visibility of our union in the community is so important,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This important event showcases the huge effort we put into raising money for GDA/TLC, a cause so close to many IAM members and community members’ hearts.
Midwest Territory Special Representative Brian Simmons was there with guide-dog-in-training Sheldon. Guide dog recipients Susie Halverson and Vanessa Grzywa attended as special guests with their guide dogs and performed the game-starting puck drop.
The guide dogs were also honored on the ice during a segment typically attributed to first responders. Because the dogs are their handlers’ first responders, they received this special recognition.
This was the fourth year the district and locals sponsored a Quad City Storm game to benefit GDA/TLC. The union has a special connection to the Storm. Retired IAM Local Lodge 388 member John Dawson owns the team.
“My experience in leadership with the Machinist Union prepared me for owning a hockey team,” said Dawson. “And it’s those good-paying, union jobs that give you the finances to make your dreams come true.”
Online jersey sales will end on December 20th at midnight.
The funds raised from the Machinists Union sponsored game night, live auction, and replica jersey sales will be totaled and announced shortly after jersey sales end.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Derrick Battle, a General Chairman since 2013, as a Rail Division Special Representative. The appointment is effective January 1, 2023. Battle initiated into Houston, TX IAM Local 2198 in 2007 when he was hired into Union Pacific Railroad.
“Brother Battle’s experience and leadership qualities will make him an ideal representative for our Rail Division members,” said IAM Special Assistant to the International President Josh Hartford. “Battle has not only proudly served the IAM but also our country. His experience and knowledge in the rail industry will greatly benefit our members.”
Battle has worked his way up through the ranks of the IAM, serving as a Committeeman, Assistant Local Chairman, and Local Chairman before being appointed General Chairman in 2013, and has successfully been reelected every subsequent four years. Battle currently represents members at many railroads, including Amtrak and Union Pacific.
“Brother Derrick has a tremendous passion and dedication for protecting the livelihoods of IAM Rail members,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Derrick has represented Rail members at numerous railroads and has accumulated a vast knowledge of the industry that will continue to help serve our members and grow our great union.”
In July 2022, he was appointed by IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the IAM Veterans Support Benefit Inc. and as a member of the IAM Veterans Support Steering Committee.
Battle enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987, starting his career at Fort Benning, GA. He did multiple tours of duty, including in 1989 in Panama for Operation Jump Cause and in 1991 for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His long and distinguished career culminated in 1993.
The Machinists Union is proud to stand in solidarity with the United Airlines Pilots as they demand a union contract they deserve.
On Wednesday, December 7, 100 members of the IAM District Lodge 141 and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) who also work at United stood in solidarity with the 200 United Airlines pilots as they held an informational picket during the airline’s board of directors meeting in Houston.
The United Airlines Pilots are demanding for a stronger contract that’s four years overdue.
Learn more about upcoming United Airlines pilots’ informational picketing events here.
IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD, haveset datesfor formal negotiations with Apple management.Formal negotiations will kick off onWednesday,Jan.11, 2023,and continue onJan.12, Jan.31,Feb.1, andFeb.2.
Both the IAM and Apple agreed to set collective bargaining negotiation dates that would not impact this year’s busy shopping season.
“Our IAM CORE negotiating team has worked on sitting across the table from the biggest company in the world,”saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.“Thegoal of our members is to get a first contract that allows them to worktogether with Apple and its management as equals in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.I recognize Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team for respecting this process and agreeing to these negotiation dates.”
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 International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Kim Valliere as a Special Representative assigned to Ontario Canada starting January 1, 2023. Valliere will be responsible for providing service and support to our members in Ontario.
A 32-year IAM member, Sister Valliere became a member of IAM Local Lodge 2330 (now Local Lodge 103) in 1990, when she was hired by Long Manufacturing (Dana Canada) in Cambridge, Ontario. She became a steward in 1991, served in various positions such as, negotiations committee member, Health and Safety Co-chair.
Kim was a certified instructor for the Workers Health and Safety Center, and Vice President before becoming Local Lodge President in 2005. She served on the executive of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) first as an area Vice President and then becoming President from 2010 through 2016.
“Kim is very passionate about and is deeply involved in the labour movement,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “She is a shining example and mentor to women in the IAM across Canada and she brings a strong work ethic to our team, we are happy to welcome her aboard.”
In 2013, Kim was selected for the mentoring program at District Lodge 78 where she became a Business Representative/Organizer, Kim has been District Lodge 78 Directing Business Representative since 2019.
“Sister Valliere’s passion and drive for our union and its mission has made her an exceptional leader,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We’re so excited for the energy and work ethic that Kim is going to bring to our members across Canada.”
She has also served as executive board member on several community organizations such as; United Way, Labour Council, The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge NDP Provincial and Federal Riding Association.
Kim Valliere nommée représentante spéciale au Canada
Le président international, Robert Martinez jr. a nommé Kim Valliere à titre de représentante spéciale affecté à la province de l’Ontario au Canada à compter du 1er janvier 2023. Kim sera responsable de fournir des services et du soutien à nos membres en Ontario.
Notre consœur est membre de l’AIM depuis 32 ans, elle est devenue membre de la section locale 2330, qui est maintenant la section locale 103 de l’AIM en 1990, lorsqu’elle a été embauchée par Long Manufacturing (Dana Canada) à Cambridge, en Ontario. Elle est devenue déléguée syndicale en 1991, a occupé divers postes tels que membre du comité de négociation, coprésidente de la santé et de la sécurité.
Kim était formatrice certifiée pour le Centre de santé et de sécurité des travailleurs et vice-présidente avant de devenir présidente de la section locale en 2005.
Elle a fait partie de l’exécutif du Conseil provincial des machinistes de l’Ontario, d’abord à titre de vice-présidente régionale, puis à titre de présidente de 2010 à 2016.
« Kim est très passionnée et profondément impliquée dans le mouvement syndical », a déclaré le vice-président général canadien de l’AIM, David Chartrand. “Elle est un brillant exemple et un mentor pour les femmes de l’AIM à travers le Canada et elle apporte une solide éthique de travail à notre équipe, nous sommes heureux de l’accueillir à bord.”
Nous lui souhaitons la bienvenue.
En 2013, Kim a été sélectionnée pour le programme de mentorat du district 78 où elle est devenue agente d’affaires/organisatrice. Kim est agente d’affaires directrice du district 78 depuis 2019.
« La passion et le dynamisme de la consœur Valliere pour notre syndicat et sa mission ont fait d’elle une dirigeante exceptionnelle », a déclaré le président international de l’AIM, Robert Martinez Jr. « Nous sommes ravis de l’énergie et de l’éthique de travail que Kim va apporter à nos membres à travers le Canada.”
Kim a également été membre du conseil exécutif de plusieurs organisations communautaires telles que ; Centraide, Conseil du travail, Commission de planification de la main-d’œuvre de la région de Waterloo et l’association de circonscription provinciale et fédérale du NPD de Cambridge.
