SIDNEY, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2022 –A strike that began on Saturday, Oct. 15, at noon has ended for approximately 700 members of theInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1529 (District 15) who work for Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney, NY.
The new contract includes improved wages, the elimination of the two-tier wage system, and improved paid leave.
“Our members stood strong to secure a contract that created fairness in the workplace and improved their quality of life. They are back at work and are thankful for the outpouring of support from the community,” said IAM District 15 Directing Business Representative Norman Shreve. “The elimination of the two-tier wage system through progression was a huge accomplishment. We want to thank the IAM Local 1529 negotiating committee, IAM District 15, and the IAM Eastern Territory for giving our members the resources they needed to make the best decision for them and their families.”
“I am extremely proud of our members for the spirited dialogue to help us achieve this improved contract,” said IAM District 15 Business Representative Kevin Weidman. “We have a proud history at IAM Local 1529, and the solidarity displayed throughout this process will help strengthen our union. I was touched by the support we received from businesses and community members. It’s an honor to advocate on behalf of our members to improve their lives and help make our community a better place to live.”
“IAM Local 1529 members should be proud of the stand they took to get a better contract offer for the membership,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.“Our entire union pitched in to ensure that our members received the dignity and respect they deserve. The IAM Eastern Territory will always stand by our members for standing strong for a fair and respectable contract agreement.”
IAM District Lodge 15 is one of the largest districts in the IAM, representing approximately 19,000 active and retired members in several different industries.
A group of 12 members from IAM Local 623 spent a recent Saturday building wall shelving for Promise Neighborhood Central (PNC), a community organization in St. Cloud, MN.
Promise Neighborhood Central is an important community hub for low-income families in the area. It provides year-round academic programs for youth and resources and training for adults.
District 77 organizer Brittany Anderson arranged the IAM H.E.L.P.S. project with help from Grand Lodge Representative Geny Ulloa and District 77 Directing Business Representative John Steigauf, recruiting Local 623 members who weren’t previously active in union events.
“We had a few young members who hadn’t been involved before,” said Anderson. “They saw the flyer and it resonated with their values, so they participated, got to know their union siblings and now they are involved.”
The volunteers replaced unstable free-standing shelves with wall shelving in four different rooms.
“The shelves they had before took up a lot of room and didn’t quite fit the space,” said Anderson. “Our members are super handy, from both their work and home improvement in their free time, so they had the know-how to install shelves directly into the walls and customize them to fit the space specifically for what PNC needed.”
The new shelving created more space in PNC’s library and greatly increased the capacity of its food and diaper pantries.
“As union members and leaders, community service is crucial for building relationships with our members outside of work,” said Steigauf. “It reminds people that the union is a resource made up of workers who want to help.”
“Giving back to the communities in which we work and live is an important value within the IAM Midwest Territory,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Thank you to the members of IAM Local Lodge 623 for their commitment to the IAM H.E.L.P.S. program and their continued efforts to serve all those around them.”
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) recently conducted an outdoor hike in Great Falls, VA. Some 20 people attended from various labor unions, including the IAM.
USA Communications Manager Kate Nation organized the morning hike along the Potomac River. The beautiful scenery of the waterfalls and changing color of the leaves made the fall hike something the participants will always remember.
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is a conservation group created by union members for union members. The USA helps communities by organizing area unions to help build fishing piers for the disabled, restoring picnic pavilions, maintaining hiking trails, and many other projects.
The main goal of the USA is to protect and preserve the great outdoors for future generations. The IAM is proud to be one of several founding charter members of the USA. Kate Nation informs the viewers in the video ( insert link) that as a benefit IAM members get free membership to the USA. For more information visit unionsportsmen.org.
Through a partnership with Humana, the IAM offers a Group Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage available to all IAMAW Medicare-eligible retirees, their spouses, surviving spouses, and Medicare-eligible dependents.
The exclusive Passive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Group Medicare Advantage plan is rich in benefits and has nationwide coverage. Participants can see any doctor and receive any treatment at facilities that accept traditional Medicare, and the in-network and out-of-network benefits are identical.
The annual enrollment period for Medicare began October 15 and is open until December 7. For questions regarding the exclusive IAM-Retiree Medicare Advantage Planor to enroll, call 1‐800‐833-2411, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET, to speak with an IAM-Humana representative.
The IAM issued a scorecard to all the sitting members of Congress for their actions and stand on critical issues that affect working Americans including workplace protections, voting rights, government agency funding, and more.
The fundamental purpose of the report card is to ensure that IAM members are fully informed about the performance of federal lawmakers.
The report includes the voting record for 10 IAM-supported bills that were voted in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 117th Congress, which convened on January 3, 2021.
The document also includes four IAM-supported bills that had a floor vote in the U.S. Senate and the chamber’s votes to confirm nominees for top labor-related posts in the Biden administration.
“This scorecard allows IAM members, affiliates, and partner organizations to learn more about Congress members’ legislative records,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM wants to ensure that our Congressional lawmakers are fully aware that their key votes on issues of particular significance to working families will be monitored.”
The scorecard ratings to date are calculated based on IAM-supported votes that have been taken during the 117th Congress.
“We recognize that this Congress has delivered great pieces of legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more,” said IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon. “The goal of this scorecard is for IAM members to remain vigilant and informed so they can hold their elected officials accountable and make educated decisions.”
“The IAM places a high priority on the education of its membership,” said Winpisinger Center Director Mary McHugh. “After attending programs, members return home ready to contribute to their Local Lodge, in their workplace and in the broader community. We look forward to engaging first-time and returning participants in 2023.”
Officers can register participants for Leadership I, Leadership II, Advanced Leadership and Train-the-Trainer using our web-based registration link. Participants can use the same link to register for Leadership I and Leadership II online.
Leadership Programs fill up quickly and members are encouraged to talk with their lodge officers concerning the registration and enrollment process. Members must be registered by an officer of their local lodge.
Questions about the registration process, enrollment status, and travel to the Winpisinger Center can be directed to Donna Hudson at 301-373-8820.
