IAM District 26’s joint apprenticeship program recently graduated 10 new members through its partnership with Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut.
The two-and-a-half-year Electronic System Service Apprenticeship program provides skills in the electronic service and repair of Pratt and Whitney machines and controllers.
The program contained 4,720 hours of training, which included:
– Academics from Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, CT
– Various original equipment manufacturer vendors
– Employee health and safety and internal courses
The on-the-job training was conducted in Middletown, CT, and East Hartford, CT in various machine tool service areas, where apprentices teamed up with experienced IAM members assigned to the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of machines and controllers.
“District 26 is extremely proud of our commitment to apprenticeship programs,” said IAM District 26 President and Directing Business Representative Jeff Perinetti. “These programs help bring the next generation of skilled journeymen and women into the aerospace industry.”
The apprentices earned a Connecticut Journeyman’s license in electronics, an IAM Apprenticeship Certificate, and a Pratt and Whitney Apprenticeship Certificate.
The apprenticeships are a joint agreement between Pratt and Whitney and IAM District 26. The collective bargaining agreement also includes a machine repair apprenticeship program, which will conclude in 2024.
“We are so proud of these new District 26 apprenticeship graduates for jump-starting their careers,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “These are the kinds of opportunities that help grow our union and good, family-sustaining jobs.
The IAM District 26/Pratt and Whitney Electronic System Servicer Apprenticeship graduates are Victor Bui, Jan Targonski, Patrick Kana, Timothy Shafer, Ryan Doyle, Robert Leone, Naurel Koce, Luke Gravlin, Kendrick Loeu, and Vangter Lor.
IAM Rail Division Special Representative Derrick Battle recently joined IAM District 19 General Chairman Danny Tavares in visits with IAM railroad members who work at Keolis and Amtrak in the Boston metro area.
IAM Rail Division leadership toured facilities where IAM members are responsible for different key functions in the facilities, including, but not limited to engineering, locomotives and maintenance.
“We are proud of our members who make sure commuter rails remain safe and keep our communities moving,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division. “These visits allow us to get to know our members at a more personal level, their concerns, their suggestions for improving their workplaces, and what they expect from us as their representatives.”
These visits are helping the recently created IAM Rail Division to connect with members and address their concerns.
“We need to get to know our fellow Railroad Brothers and Sisters to best meet their needs and this type of engagement gives us an opportunity to achieve that,” said Battle. “IAM members provide essential skills, dedication and commitment, which is why Keolis and Amtrak keep succeeding.”
Battle and Tavares visited members at various Keolis and Amtrak facilities in South Boston and Cambridge.
Recently, mental health awareness has taken a front seat in society’s mainstream and here at the Machinists Union. In 2019, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. created the IAM Addiction Services Program to help IAM members and their families struggling with alcohol and drug dependency.
“Calls to our mental health hotline have more than doubled since we first started this program. “We are currently putting 15 to 20 members a month in treatment,” said Vincent Ceraso, Director of the IAM Addiction Services Department. “The help is out there and the people that need the help are out there too.”
Since the pandemic, the world has seen an uptick in mental health cases. In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)was changed to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Like 911, the 988 number is shorter and much easier to remember. The hotline connects callers to mental health professionals who are trained to handle anyone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. You can also call if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
As part of the new launch, a text and chat option was added and has proven to be one of the most popular ways of accessing help, especially for the younger generation. Later this year video chatting will be offered as an option.
Also added was a specified Veterans Crisis Line, which can be accessed by dialing 988 and pressing 1 or texting 838255.
By far the system has made improvements, but no rollout is perfect. For this service to be effective states have to have adequate funding and resources, and right now they don’t. “The 988 number only had $24 million dollars in funding in each of the first two years, but this year Congress has funded it with $442 million,” said Ceraso.
Aside from the 911 and 988 services, IAM members have an added resource at their fingertips. However, they don’t take the place of 988 or 911.
“Call 988 for crisis intervention, substance abuse, or mental health issues, and 911 if you’re going to hurt yourself, or someone else or end your own life,” said Ceraso. “Call the IAM’s mental health hotline if you are experiencing non-emergent physiological issues such as depression or anxiety. You will be connected to a doctor. When you call the addiction services hotline, you will get me. I will treat it like an emergency, but not 911 worthy, and get you into treatment within a day or two,” he added.
While the world has opened back up and returned somewhat back to normal, unfortunately, our mental health won’t bounce back as easily. The IAM remains dedicated to providing help and support to our members and their families.
The IAM Metal Health Hotline is 301-335-0735 and the IAM Addiction Services hotline is 1-800-240-4IAM or (4426).
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Billy Barnwell, a longtime IAM activist, and officer in Georgia, as a Special Representative in the IAM Woodworkers Department. The appointment is effective February 1, 2023.
Barnwell, a 20-year IAM member, has served as President and Directing Business Representative of IAM District 131 since 2017. During his tenure, Barnwell has led negotiating committees in contract talks for members in a variety of industries, including wood, pulp, and paper.
He has also presided over several successful organizing campaigns for members across Georgia. The district’s shop steward training program, instituted by Barnwell, has brought up numerous new IAM leaders.
“Brother Barnwell knows what it takes to build union power and stand up for our membership,” said Martinez. “His knowledge and passion for our union are going to help us grow and strengthen the IAM in this critical sector.”
Since 2017, Barnwell has also served as President of the IAM Wood, Pulp, and Paper Council, helping to bring together IAM members in the sector from coast to coast. He is passionate about the cause of Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, helping to institute a new annual BBQ fundraiser for the IAM’s favorite charity.
Barnwell was initiated into IAM Local 1034 in Macon in 2002 after being hired as a maintenance mechanic for Graphic Packaging. He has served as a Shop Steward, Local Lodge Trustee, District Delegate, Chief Steward, District Trustee, and District Organizer before leading District 131.
Barnwell holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in literature from Southern New Hampshire University.
Zoom Sessions:
Wednesday, February 22 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET | Zoom link
Wednesday, February 22 | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET | Zoom link
Thursday, March 2 | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET | Zoom link
Advanced registration is required. Please email sandh@iamaw.org or call 301-967-4707 to register and for more information.
This training is presented under grant number SH-36972-HA1 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.
