The Maine Lobstering Union (IAM Local 207) and the IAM Political and Legislative Department have won a provision that delays instituting regulations that would have destroyed Maine’s lobster industry. With the assistance of the Maine Congressional Delegation, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill that includes this provision.
The IAM and its allies have long shown that lobstering practices in the Gulf of Maine are not harming right whales and that proposed regulations unfairly target the Maine lobstering industry.
“IAM Local 207 members and the entire Maine lobstering industry have shown again that when we stand together, we win critical victories for our state, community and livelihoods,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “We’re so thankful for the IAM Political and Legislative Department—specifically Assistant Director Loren Almeroth and Local 207 Political Director Virginia Olson, for their diligence in this effort—the Maine congressional delegation and all of our allies in this fight.”
The provision protects the lobster industry by delaying NMFS’s newly recommended regulations for six years, until enough data is collected to determine what the appropriate regulations should be for the Gulf of Maine and if the existing regulations prove sufficient.
“Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of Maine,” said the Maine delegation. “They have invested in countless precautionary measures to protect right whales, including removing more than 30,000 miles of line from the water and switching to weaker rope to prevent whales from being entangled. And the fact is— there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear. We know the right whale population can be protected along with a thriving fishery because Maine lobstermen are already doing it.”
In October, IAM Local 207 called on the Biden Administration to protect Maine’s lobster fishery being threatened by the proposed regulations. The Maine delegation also sent letters to President Biden, urging him to take action to save thousands of jobs.
“It bears repeating that Maine’s lobster industry is an economic engine for the state, generating approximately $1.4 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods of 4,500 lobstermen and thousands of Mainers employed through lobster dealers and seafood processors, vessel and trap manufacturers, restaurants, and other coastal businesses,” reads U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s letter to the president.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed longtime IAM officer and staff member Robert D. Walls to serve as the IAM’s Woodworkers Director. The appointment is effective January 1, 2023.
Walls has served on the Woodworkers’ Department’s Grand Lodge staff since 2015 as a Special Representative and then as a Grand Lodge Representative.
“Brother Walls has a long history on the shop floor, at the negotiating table, and in halls of power around the world advocating for IAM wood, pulp, and paper members,” said Martinez. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our power and grow our footprint in this critical sector.”
Walls, a member since the Woodworkers affiliated with the IAM in 1994, served as a shop steward and business representative for IAM Local W33 in his hometown of International Falls, MN. He was appointed District W3 Business Representative in February 2000 and became the district’s Assistant Directing Business Representative in 2009.
Walls serves on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Resource Committee (SFI), the Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee, the Machinists Wood, Pulp & Paper Council, and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC.) In October 2022, at the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) Congress, Walls was elected Vice President of BWI’s North America Region.
The IAM’s Winpisinger Center conducted two Organizing I programs this past December. Forty-four members broke into groups of English and Spanish-speaking classrooms.
Members were instructed on how to organize and grow our union in the week-long, information-packed course. Two members, Julissa Salas of Local 1930 and Robert Evans of IAM Local 4, speak out in this week’s video report about the importance of the class and what they learned.
Before the holidays, military veterans from IAM Local 4 participated in Wreaths Across America Day 2022 at Joy Chapel Cemetery in Hollywood, MD.
The Hollywood United Methodist Church congregation collected donations to buy wreaths through Wreaths Across America, and community members laid them on the graves of U.S. military veterans buried in the Joy Chapel cemetery.
“I did over a hundred military funerals when I was in the Army National Guard,” said Local 4 Vice President Bob Chase, who participated in the wreath laying. “I like to hear the eulogies and learn about history through family members’ memories. It’s important to remember people, especially around the holidays.”
Hollywood United Methodist Church Pastor Matthew Tate delivered instructions and a prayer, asking that as participants lay their wreath, they say the veteran’s name and thank them for their service.
“I attended because I just thought it’d be nice to do. I’ve never done it before, and I really liked it and would do it again,” said Local 4 member Kerry Beamesdefer. “I was assigned to lay my wreath at the grave of a fellow Marine, which was meaningful for me. I hope more members from the local join us next time.”
“While not as big as Arlington or even national cemeteries, this ceremony means just as much for the members of this small community who participated, including friends and family of the veterans laid to rest at Joy Chapel Cemetery,” said IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Rich Evans.
“More than 80% of IAM Local 4 members are veterans,” said Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This local is very passionate about honoring the nation’s veterans and they’re always finding new ways to support veterans in the Southern Maryland community. I appreciate the effort they’ve put in to pay tribute to veterans on behalf of the IAM. They’re setting an example for us all.”
Members of Puerto Rico’s IAM Local 2725 working at Frito Lay recently ratified a new contract that strengthens salaries, benefits and working conditions.
After intricate negotiations, the workers won a contract that includes significant increases, weekly sales incentives and more.
“We are proud of the IAM members at Frito Lay for standing together to improve everyone’s future,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “This contract will serve as a footprint to set higher standards for workers in the industry everywhere.”
The IAM members employed at Frito Lay serve as merchandisers for the chipmaker.
Miembros de la IAM de Puerto Rico en Frito Lay ratifican sólido convenio colectivo
Los miembros de la Local de la IAM 2725 de Puerto Rico que trabajan en Frito Lay ratificaron recientemente un nuevo convenio colectivo que fortalece los salarios, los beneficios y las condiciones de trabajo.
Después de negociaciones muy complicadas, los trabajadores ganaron un contrato que incluye aumentos significativos, incentivos semanales y más.
“Estamos orgullosos de los miembros de la IAM en Frito Lay por unirse para mejorar el futuro de todos”, dijo Rickey Wallace, Vicepresidente General del Territorio Sur de la IAM. “Este convenio colectivo servirá como un ejemplo para establecer estándares más altos para todos los trabajadores de la industria”.
Los miembros de la IAM en Frito Lay trabajan como merchandisers para la compañía.
International President Robert Martinez, Jr. has appointed Tiffany Lopez, Tom Marshall, Rachel Arnold, Marilyn Soto, Ducarmel Pierre and Carmelo Benedicto as Associate Organizers assigned to the IAM Air Transport Territory.
“We are thrilled to welcome each of these talented organizers whose background and expertise will strengthen the IAM,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “As our union moves forward and continues to grow, these appointments will allow us to meet the challenges ahead.”
“The new Associate Organizers’ wealth of experience will benefit our current and prospective members enhancing the IAM’s organizing goals,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “We look forward to their contributions toward improving the lives of working Americans.”
Tiffany Lopez worked for United Airlines for approximately 24 years and has served as a shop steward in reservations for almost her entire career. Lopez has been an active member of IAM Local Lodge 141 and her roles included serving in the community service committee, Local Lodge Educator, Recording Secretary, Vice President and Local Lodge President.
Tom Marshall was hired with US Airways (now American) in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. Within that same year he became an IAM member and a shop steward. Marshall served as a District 141 Educator and Vice President of IAM Lodge Local 1776.
Rachel Arnold worked for American Airlines since 2015. Arnold started as a ramp agent then transitioned to become a tower planner. In addition to serving as shop steward and committee person for IAM District 141, Arnold is also a trustee and a Safety Steward for Local Lodge 1322.
Marilyn Soto started her career with Continental Airlines as Passenger Service in 1996 and then became a United IAM union member in 2012. Soto has served the membership as a shop steward , union organizer and educator participating in the Spanish Leadership Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center. Soto attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Middlesex County College where she received her Associate’s Degree in Business Management. Soto is a proud member of Local Lodge 914.
Ducarmel Pierre started his career in the airline industry when he worked for Continental Airlines in Newark, NJ, in the 1980s through the 1990s. Pierre then worked for US Airways as a Ramp agent, lead agent and trainer. Pierre became a shop steward and then chief steward for IAM Lodge Local 1776. Pierre continued to advocate for his fellow colleagues in the air transport industry while working to organize new members at JetBlue.
Carmelo Benedicto worked for United Airlines for 17 years. Benedicto has been active in lAM Local Lodge 914 as shop steward, auditor and currently as an organizer. Benedicto received one of the 2021 Top Organizing Awards during the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention for his active involvement and contributions to the IAM’s organizing efforts. Benedicto is currently involved in the IAM’s JetBlue and Swissport Campaigns.
