Jan 13, 2023 | iMail
The IAM is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of retired Grand Lodge Representative Michael Woltz. He passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at the age of 76.
Woltz, a nearly 60-year member of the IAM, initiated into IAM Local 1045 in 1964, at Snap-On Tools and was a member of IAM District 6. He was also active in the IAM Reps Association (IAMRA), serving as its president for a number of years.
“Brother Woltz was a true trade unionist,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “His service to the membership spanned decades and touched the lives of countless working families.”
The Woltz family requested that donations be made in Michael’s memory to Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines in lieu of flowers. Please keep the Woltz family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Brother Woltz’s obituary can be found here.
The post Machinists Union Mourns Loss of Retired Midwest Territory Representative Michael Woltz appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 12, 2023 | iMail
The Machinists and our labor allies fought for and won a funding increase for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). After receiving the same appropriation since 2014, Congress funded the NLRB at $299 million for 2023, an increase of $25 million. The much needed boost comes at a time when cases are surging at the agency. The IAM has been on the frontlines in calling for increased funding for the NLRB.
In fiscal year 2022, the NLRB saw a 53% increase in union representation petitions from the prior year, as well as a 19% increase in unfair labor practice (ULP) charges.
The agency’s 9% gain may be the first increase in years, but still is less than President Joe Biden’s 16% hike request and is also slimmer than what the House and Senate budget panels proposed this summer.
“The increase in funding to the NLRB will impact millions of American workers,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “The increase in union elections and ULP complaints should be met with the resources needed for the NLRB to process them.”
The NLRB is an independent agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer and enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The agency is tasked with protecting the rights of most private-sector employees who seek to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions, and is responsible for enforcing the law when it comes to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices, and safeguard workers right to organize.
The post Machinists Win Funding Victory for National Labor Relations Board appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 12, 2023 | iMail
The Winpisinger Center is excited to announce the call for the inaugural IAM Education Conference, to be held Sunday, March 26 through Friday, March 31, 2023, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The conference will provide an opportunity for IAM educators at all levels to learn and share training techniques, materials, and strategies. Local or District educators, members of education committees, and other Local, District, and Grand Lodge leaders who currently provide training or want to expand training in their lodges are encouraged to attend.
The overall goal of the Education Conference is to advance and strengthen the IAM’s long commitment to building power through member education and training.
Conference topics will include methods and techniques of labor education, organizing, and steward and officer training, among others. Discussions about the labor movement’s role in politics and economic systems are planned to round out the curriculum. The conference will also allow the Winpisinger Center to learn more about the educational goals of the membership so that the curriculum can be refined and expanded to better meet their needs.
The Winpisinger Center has removed the vaccination requirement as of December 1, 2022. Provided that current conditions do not substantially change, proof of vaccination is no longer required from members or guests. Our complete list of COVID protocols can be found on the Winpisinger Center website in the FAQ section.
The deadline for registration is February 15, 2023. Questions about the IAM Education Conference should be directed to Assistant Director Joe Gruber (jgruber@iamaw.org). Questions about registering for the program should be directed to Registrar Tracy Woodburn (twoodburn@iamaw.org).
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Jan 12, 2023 | iMail
Four IAM members recently visited the IAM’s Winpisinger Center to prepare for upcoming negotiations this March. IAM Local 2011 President James Deaton, of Dallas-Fort Worth, reports about the training class and the important work that Local 2010 and 2011 members do to provide weather reports and air notification bulletins for pilots. The 150 IAM members are based near Washington Dulles and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airports.
The post IAM Members Who Help Pilots Navigate Weather Prepare for Upcoming Contract Talks appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 12, 2023 | iMail
Thanks in large part to the IAM’s relentless efforts, the recently passed Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Department of Defense Appropriations bill include extensive funding for defense programs that are built and maintained by IAM members.
The legislation, recently signed into law by President Biden, provides for record funding levels for defense spending totaling $858.4 billion for national defense programs.
Each year, the NDAA authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring our troops have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions.
Thanks to the IAM’s lobbying efforts, the 2023 NDAA and DoD Appropriations bill provides robust funding for the following IAM- built and maintained programs:
- F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
- F-18 Super Hornet
- C-130J Super Hercules
- F-15 Eagles
- KC-46 Tankers
- P-8 Poseidons
- DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers
- Virginia-class Attack Submarines
- Columbia-class Ballistic Submarine program
- IAM-built missile system and ammunition manufacturing
The annual legislation also authorizes significant funding for federal employees in this year’s iteration, including many priorities for NFFE-IAM members.
NFFE-IAM supported many provisions of the 2023 NDAA, including the continuation of the one-year probationary period for DoD workers, the extension of a waiver on annual pay caps for international DoD workers, resources for Child Development Centers available to DoD employees, and the insertion of both the Plum Act and the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. Two specific priorities contained in the final bill that NFFE promoted were funding for new workloads at Army depots, including $183 million for the Red River Army Depot, as well as new presumptive illness provisions for federal firefighters.
The Machinists will always fight for robust funding for these programs and improvements in the ongoing negotiations over defense appropriations.
The post Machinists Win Critical Funding for IAM-Built Defense Programs appeared first on IAMAW.
