Mar 2, 2023 | iMail
ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 2, 2023 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the Maryland House of Delegates today for passing H.B. 65/S.B. 352, an IAM-led bipartisan bill that would give unorganized public library workers a fair, clear and consistent process to utilize their constitutional right to freedom of association by forming a union, if they wish to do so.
Current Maryland state law does not provide all library workers collective bargaining rights. Instead, in the past this has been handled on a county-by-county basis, requiring the state legislature to repeatedly contemplate similar legislation.
A handful of jurisdictions currently allow library workers the right to collective bargaining. Baltimore County Public Library System (BCPL) employees are the most recent group who fought for this right through the Maryland State Legislature. In 2021, they earned the right to collective bargaining, choosing to organize with the IAM. They even gained the attention of President Joe Biden, who invited a BCPL employee bargaining team member to speak before the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
“The House passage of H.B. 65 is a huge step toward giving these hard-working public servants the right to a voice in the workplace and a seat at the table for the vitality of the library systems to thrive for the communities that count on them,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “I want to thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman Del. Ben Barnes (D-21) and Oversight Committee on Personnel Chairman Del. Jazz Lewis (D-24) for championing for the passage of this bill. I thank all delegates on both sides of the aisle who voted for the passage of this pro-worker bill. Now it’s up to the Senate to do the same and honor library workers with the collective bargaining rights they want.”
The legislation, introduced by Del. Steve Johnson (D-34A) and cross-filed in the Senate by Majority Leader Sen. Nancy King (D-39), does not guarantee union organizing or require library system employees to form a union. The bill simply enables Maryland library workers to organize for union representation, should they wish to do so.
“To protect and preserve our libraries, all across the state, workers need a seat at the table. A voice in the room. We need to be regarded and respected as experts in our fields, alongside our administrators. The passing of H.B. 65 by the House is an important step to get us there,” said Morgan Michael, a Library Associate II with the Harford County Public Library.
The passed legislation has support of groups such as the Maryland Library Workers United; Baltimore County Public Library-IAM United (BCPL-IAM); Harford County Public Library United (HCPL United); Maryland State & D.C. AFL-CIO; Metro Washington Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Maryland State Education Association (MSEA); and Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Applauds Maryland House Passage of Statewide Library Worker Collective Bargaining Legislation appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 2, 2023 | iMail
The Employee Assistance Program Class or EAP is a four-part course offered at the William W. Winpisinger center designed to help members at work who may be experiencing personal or work-related issues.
The post IAM’s Employee Assistance Program Saves Jobs and Changes Lives appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 28, 2023 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding the introduction of the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), H.R. 20:
“Today, Democratic Leaders in the House and Senate reintroduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill would become the first national labor law reform in nearly a century that would expand workers’ rights. The bill would make it easier for unions to organize employees and weaken employers’ ability to resist unionization while protecting workers’ rights to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.
“Before this reintroduction, the Machinists Union worked tirelessly to mobilize the labor movement to meet this moment. The rights our parents and grandparents fought for have been chipped away over time by the same anti-worker forces who will oppose this bill. The PRO Act would reverse decades-long attacks on working people and strengthen federal worker protections.
“The IAM thanks the cosponsors of this bill. We will continue publicly making a case for the PRO Act to their constituents and do everything we can to see its passage. We also want to make it clear this bill is a necessity.
“We must seize this moment and pass the PRO Act. We intend to organize and mobilize the thousands of workers in this country who have signed on to our campaign to demand that Congress pass this bill.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Calls for Passage of Protecting the Right to Organize Act appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 28, 2023 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s nomination of Julie Su to serve as U.S. Labor Secretary.
“President Biden has again selected a champion of working people to lead the U.S. Labor Department. Julie Su’s experience as an attorney, then by leading labor agencies in California, and now serving as the No. 2 official in the Labor Department, has prepared her to fight for working people nationally.
“Julie Su has been a critical advocate for working families as the Biden administration and the Labor Department under Secretary Walsh has put unions and working people at the center of its policy-making decisions. She understands that unions help create family-sustaining jobs that treat workers with respect and dignity.
“The labor movement is at a pivotal point in history. To match our growth with the favorable opinion of labor, we must have an agency focused on protecting and safeguarding our nation’s workforce. Now is not the time to turn back the wheels of progress.
“We know that as Secretary, Julie Su will continue to champion unions as the answer to historically high inequality and aggressively take on employers that trample on the rights of workers. The Machinists Union urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm Julie Su as the next Secretary of Labor.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Applauds President Biden’s Nomination of Julie Su as U.S. Labor Secretary appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 28, 2023 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s nomination of Julie Su to serve as U.S. Labor Secretary.
“President Biden has again selected a champion of working people to lead the U.S. Labor Department. Julie Su’s experience as an attorney, then by leading labor agencies in California, and now serving as the No. 2 official in the Labor Department, has prepared her to fight for working people nationally.
“Julie Su has been a critical advocate for working families as the Biden administration and the Labor Department under Secretary Walsh has put unions and working people at the center of its policy-making decisions. She understands that unions help create family-sustaining jobs that treat workers with respect and dignity.
“The labor movement is at a pivotal point in history. To match our growth with the favorable opinion of labor, we must have an agency focused on protecting and safeguarding our nation’s workforce. Now is not the time to turn back the wheels of progress.
“We know that as Secretary, Julie Su will continue to champion unions as the answer to historically high inequality and aggressively take on employers that trample on the rights of workers. The Machinists Union urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm Julie Su as the next Secretary of Labor.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Applauds President Biden’s Nomination of Julie Su as U.S. Labor Secretary appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 25, 2023 | iMail
PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Feb. 25, 2023 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), North America’s largest aerospace and defense labor union, has reached tentative agreements with the Lockheed Martin Co. covering nearly 4,000 workers at several of the company’s Aeronautics, Space, and Advanced Development Programs, or “Skunk Works,” sites across the country.
The tentative agreements cover IAM members at Lockheed Martin facilities in Marietta, Ga.; California (Palmdale, Sunnyvale, Vandenberg Space Force Base and Santa Cruz); Meridian, Miss.; Clarksburg, W.Va., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. Members will vote on the tentative agreements at their local sites on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
The IAM negotiating committee, which unanimously recommends members accept the agreements, was able to deliver on its goals of strong wage increases, reduced health insurance costs and increased retirement security.
Highlights of the tentative agreements include:
Historic Pay Increases
Six-year contract
- Marietta: 41.5% average pay increase over life of contract ($55.04 average wage)
- Clarksburg: 45.8% average pay increase over life of contract ($46.64 average wage)
- Meridian: 46.3% average pay increase over life of contract ($45.90 average wage)
Five-year contract
- Palmdale: 34.7% average pay increase over life of contract ($53.15 average wage)
- Sunnyvale: 33.6% average pay increase over life of contract ($58.91 average wage)
- Vandenberg Space Force Base: 34.4% average pay increase over life of contract ($56.37 average wage)
- Santa Cruz: 37.6% average pay increase over life of contract ($52.48 average wage)
- Cape Canaveral: 36.9% average pay increase over life of contract ($51.51 average wage)
- Rate progression for members below the maximum moves from three times to four times a year, for a total of a $1 hourly increase each year.
- $5,000 ratification bonus for all members. Extra $1,000 ratification bonus in the sixth year for Marietta, Clarksburg and Meridian members. All bonuses are deferrable to the 401(k) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Annual cost of living supplement increased from $800 to $1,000.
Healthcare Cost Reductions: Maintained comprehensive healthcare coverage with an average annual premium savings of more than $700 per participant. Secured caps on High Deductible Healthcare Plans (HDHP), allowing for more financial security for our members.
Increased Retirement Security: At the average pay rate, company 401(k) automatic contributions will more than double – to roughly $6,500 in the first year. The company’s matching contributions will also increase. If employees contribute 8%, the company will match 4%, roughly $3,500 at the average rate – for all employees. Defined benefit pension plan multiplier will increase to $105 per month per year of service retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023.
More details of the tentative agreements with site-specific information will soon be posted on iamlockheed.com.
“The IAM has proven once again that we are most powerful aerospace and defense union in the world,” said IAM Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett. “This Negotiating Committee put everything they had into securing a fair and equitable agreement for our membership. They have succeeded in delivering an agreement for our members’ consideration that will improve the well-being of them, their families and their communities.”
IAM members at the Lockheed Martin sites covered by the tentative agreements perform critical functions for the company and the U.S. military, including military aircraft maintenance and production, space operations, and other military support.
“IAM members at Lockheed Martin put their immense dedication and skill into producing the most advanced military products in the world—and this agreement ensures the company treats them with the respect they’ve earned,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Robert Barnwell. “We are so grateful for the help we’ve received throughout this process from IAM Grand Lodge Departments and Territories, as well as the support of the IAM Executive Council.”
Contract talks took place over the past two weeks in Palm Springs, Calif.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Machinists Union Reaches Strong Tentative Agreements with Lockheed Martin Covering 4,000 Workers appeared first on IAMAW.
