Nov 17, 2022 | iMail
IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin, a 44-year member who has led IAM aerospace workers at the international and district levels, as well as the IAM’s Southern Territory, will retire from the IAM, effective January 1, 2023.
Blondin built a legacy as an expert aerospace negotiator, leading the IAM in numerous high-profile negotiations with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and other aerospace and defense multinationals. Blondin, the son of an IAM member, has served on the IAM’s Grand Lodge staff since 2007 and on the Executive Council since 2012.
“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve the IAM and the members who have become like family to me,” said Blondin. “From District 751 to the Aerospace Department and the Southern Territory, it has been my life’s work to fight for dignity and justice on the job for our members. I know that the IAM has a bright future ahead of it.”
After initiating into IAM Local 289 at a Seattle machine shop in 1978, Blondin was then hired as a toolmaker at Boeing Co.’s Renton, WA plant and became a member of IAM Local 751C. He held numerous local lodge positions, finding a passion for workplace health and safety and serving on the Renton Site Safety Committee.
In 1996, Blondin was elected Business Representative for IAM District 751, and in 2000 was elected District 751 President and Directing Business Representative. Blondin also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington State Machinists Council and was elected to the IAM Law Committee for the 2004 Grand Lodge Convention.
“Mark’s legacy will be one of preserving and growing the IAM’s unprecedented strength for aerospace and defense workers,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “He’s been a personal friend and ally to myself and so many others. We wish him the absolute best in his retirement.”
Blondin was assigned as an IAM Aerospace Coordinator in 2007, with the primary responsibility of negotiating all agreements between the IAM and Boeing throughout the United States and Canada. He served as chief IAM negotiator for all IAM/Boeing contracts from 2002 to 2011 until he joined the Executive Council in January 2012 as Aerospace General Vice President.
In July 2013, Blondin was assigned to lead the Southern Territory, covering 14 states, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico with collective bargaining agreements covering nearly 100,000 workers. Blondin served as Southern Territory General Vice President from 2013 until September 2018.
In October 2018, Blondin was reassigned to serve as Aerospace General Vice President. Leading a team of IAM Aerospace Coordinators, Blondin has presided over numerous historic contracts at major aerospace and defense companies, including the development of a blueprint for the future of the U.S. aerospace industry.
Blondin has also assisted the community as a board member and fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, and as a volunteer for Victims Support Services, a non-profit advocacy group for victims of violent crimes.
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Nov 17, 2022 | iMail
IAM Local 2003 in Alabama voted recently to establish five $1,000 scholarships that will benefit local students hoping to take Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) testing. IAM Local 2003 members at Fort Rucker maintain the helicopters used to train U.S. Army pilots operating worldwide.
The new scholarships will pay for A&P testing for five students attending Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) Aviation Campus in Ozark, AL for the 2023 school year. While many students receive student aid, testing fees are often not covered.
“These scholarships can assist with the expense of testing,” said IAM Local 2003 President Shane Davis. “Many ESCC graduates come to work at M1 Support Services at Fort Rucker and these scholarships will help to build a positive experience for potential new members.”
“My sincere thanks to the membership and leadership at Local 2003,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “This is a forward thinking way to potentially grow our membership and organize new shops.”
The post Alabama Local 2003 Starts Scholarship Program for Future Aerospace Workers appeared first on IAMAW.
Nov 17, 2022 | iMail
The winners of the 2022 IAM Photo Contest have been named and the 2023 Calendar, featuring the winning photos, is now available for order.
Winning photos are featured in the 2023 IAM Calendar. To order the 2023 IAM Calendar, download an individual order form or bulk order form for Lodges that want to order large quantities of calendars. Calendars are $7 for individual orders and $5 per calendar for orders of 100 or more. Two dollars from each calendar sold are donated to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.
This is a great way to promote the Machinists and the work we do, as well as help to bring independence and confidence to people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, and children with autism across North America.
View the winning photos.
The post Meet the 2022 IAM Photo Contest Winners and Order Your 2023 IAM Calendar Today appeared first on IAMAW.
Nov 17, 2022 | iMail
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, recently traveled to Barstow, CA to visit with members of IAM Local 706 (District 19).
More than 200 workers there are employed by BNSF railroad working at the Locomotive repair and maintenance facility. Hartford met with all three shifts and attended the Local Lodge meeting to give members a chance to ask any questions about the recently ratified rail contract.
Traveling with Hartford were two District Lodge 19 officers—Assistant Directing General Chair Andrew Sandberg and General Chair Juan Estrada.
The morning guided tour of the facility was headed by Local 706 President Alan Carrill.
“Overall this was a very good experience, said Carrill. “I believe for all of our membership this definitely has not gone unnoticed and a good step going forward.”
IAM Local 706 Chairman Ricardo Saenz and Recording Secretary George Cook also participated escorting the Machinist Leadership around the facility.
“I was very glad to have a chance to allow the members to share their concerns and explain the contract,” said Cook.
“This facility shop tour was important for the membership to allow them to talk directly to the Grand Lodge and District Lodge Representatives,” said Hartford. “I plan on visiting more facilities in the coming weeks.”
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Nov 17, 2022 | iMail
The IAM Air Transport Territory is excited to announce its New Hire Orientation Program, which is now being presented to new IAM members in the air transport industry.
“I am very excited to introduce our new hire orientation program,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “It is vital for our new members to receive a clear and consistent understanding on the importance and benefits of being an IAM member.”
Watch: IAM New Hire Orientation
The program was developed in early 2022 at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Maryland by about 40 airline and railroad members.
Watch: IAM Transportation, TCU/IAM Crafts Revamped Orientation Program for New Members
“We joined together to create a universal new hire program that will educate new members of our rich history and introduce them to the fantastic benefits of being an IAM member,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser.
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Nov 16, 2022 | iMail
November marks Native American Heritage Month to pay tribute to Native American people and their many sacrifices, diverse contributions and achievements.
The IAM is grateful and proud to celebrate Native Americans in our union and beyond, many of whom have been critical in advancing and defending workers’ rights.
The IAM has been critical to increase awareness of the issues affecting our Native American siblings in the workplace and their communities.
“We recognize that Native Americans face many labor and employment disparities compared to other communities,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM recommits to continue advocating for the inclusion and advancement of this resilient community not only in the labor movement but in the country as a whole.”
If you are an IAM member and want to get involved in Native American issues, you can reach out to Julie Frietchen, IAM Director, Women’s and Human Rights at (301) 967-4747 or jfrietchen@iamaw.org.
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