Sep 15, 2022 | iMail
Forty Instructional Systems Specialists at the Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD) for the Department of the Army at Fort Sill in Lawton, OK, voted to join the IAM. The workers voted to join the IAM to improve their working conditions and to have a voice in the workplace.
“We congratulate and welcome our newest members from Fort Sill who are aware of the benefits that come with a union contract,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “They have taken the first step toward a better future and we look forward to working hard on their behalf.”
These organizing efforts were led by Organizing Department Grand Lodge Representative Juan Eldridge, IAM Special Representative Chris Casteel and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) Local 273 leadership.
“I am pleased to be able to assist these critical federal civilian employees who were seeking to work under the protection of a collective bargaining agreement,” said Eldridge.
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Sep 14, 2022 | iMail
“That’s evidence that they are not focused on profitability. They are just focused on flying the airplane somewhere and having the government subsidize it.” -United CEO Scott Kirby
“Those airlines aren’t airlines. They’re international branding vehicles for their countries.” -Former United CEO Oscar Munoz
After years of highlighting the unfair business practices of state-owned enterprises (SOE) such as Emirates
Airlines and other Middle East carriers, United’s announcement of a new codeshare agreement demands scrutiny.
To protect the jobs of U.S. airline workers, there must be continued financial transparency and improved labor standards that ensure fairness is maintained in all Open Skies and codeshare agreements.
Since the beginning of their existence, Emirates Airlines has been sustained by massive government subsidies, unrelated to the global pandemic, used to expand far beyond what market forces could ever support. Their growth, including the Dubai-Athens-Newark service and Milan service, was only possible because of the enormous Emirati funding the airline received. These subsidies put U.S. airlines at a tremendous economic disadvantage and threaten U.S. airline workers’ jobs. American workers can compete with any foreign airline when on a level playing field. We cannot compete against entire countries.
Although the United States and United Arab Emirates signed an agreement in 2018 regarding these issues, the fact remains that there are currently no independent labor unions in the United Arab Emirates. This has led to a systemic, unacceptable assault on airline workers’ rights, with alarming accounts of unfair labor practices and intimidation by employers.
United Airlines employees and union leadership will be watching closely to ensure our scope provisions are rigorously followed and demand the highest labor standards are adhered to across all partnerships. We will act swiftly if needed to protect our long-term career security.
In Unity,
Ken Diaz MEC President AFA-UAL
Richard Johnsen General V/P IAM-UAL
Mike Hamilton Master Chair ALPA-UAL
Craig Symons President PAFCA-UAL
Joe Ferreira Dir. Airline Div. IBT-UAL
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Sep 14, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 14, 2022 – Robert Martinez, Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement following today’s House Education and Labor Committee hearing titled “In Solidarity: Removing Barriers to Organizing.”
“I want to thank Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott for holding this very important hearing, which highlights the many hurdles that workers in the U.S., must endure just to exercise their constitutional right to join a labor union,” said Martinez. “Our nation is long overdue for federal labor law reform that finally tilts the pendulum away from favoring corporations that work overtime with efforts to keep employees from collectively bargaining. Barriers such as the so-called right-to-work laws suppress wages and that is simply unfair. Today’s committee hearing also once again illustrates examples of why Congress should pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would help break down the barriers for working people to join unions. The PRO Act has already passed the House, and it’s time for the Senate to do the same.
“Today’s hearing also shows the need to increase funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to keep pace with the uptick in union representation elections and unfair labor practice complaints. The IAM firmly supports making sure the NLRB has the personnel and other resources needed to adequately ensure workers can exercise their right to join a labor union.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among North America’s largest industrial trade unions and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, and shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
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Sep 14, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2022 – Approximately 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 19 have voted to reject the Tentative Agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC).
IAM District 19 released the following statement:
“The Tentative Agreement has been rejected and the strike authorization vote was approved by IAM District 19 members. Out of respect for other unions in the ratification process, an extension has been agreed to until Sept. 29, 2022 at 12 p.m. ET. This extension will allow us to continue to negotiate changes with the NCCC in the hopes of achieving an agreement our membership would ratify.
“IAM freight rail members are skilled professionals who have worked in difficult conditions through a pandemic to make sure essential products get to their destinations. We look forward to continuing that vital work with a fair contract that ensures our members and their families are treated with the respect they deserve for keeping America’s goods and resources moving through the pandemic. The IAM is grateful for the support of those working toward a solution as our members and freight rail workers seek equitable agreements.”
IAM District 19 represents Locomotive Machinists, Track Equipment Mechanics and Facility Maintenance Personnel at NCCC freight rail carriers.
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Sep 13, 2022 | iMail
Architectural workers in New York recently marched in the New York City Labor Day Parade to honor workers and support Architectural Workers United (AWU).
On September 1, the IAM and management of Bernheimer Architecture announced in a joint statement that the employees of Bernheimer have organized the first private sector union of architectural professionals in the United States.
READ: New York City Architectural Workers Form Industry’s First Union
Bernheimer Architecture was proud to voluntary recognize the union: “We recognize that both the employer and employees in the field of Architectural work face constraints and challenges beyond the control of any individual firm and that by working together, we can uplift the profession and industry in ways that we could not by acting alone,” read the statement.
READ: Architects at a New York Firm Form the Industry’s Only Private-Sector Union New York Times
A group of NYC architectural workers marched in the parade, carrying AWU signs for AWU’s first time being represented in the historic, annual NYC Labor Day Parade.
The architectural workers also greeted Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as he walked through the crowd of unions marching in the parade.
See more on Twitter and Instagram.
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Sep 13, 2022 | iMail
Relentless wildfires continue to sweep in many locations across California and extreme heat, windy conditions and severe drought are making containment difficult.
After a devastating fire burnt down almost 100 homes in Weed, CA, three IAM/Woodworkers Local Lodge W12 members had their homes destroyed and lost everything. Help us lend a hand in their time of need!
“If you are able to do so, I encourage anyone and everyone to contribute to this cause,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “It is times like these where it is extremely important to band together in solidarity and help shoulder the burden of our Brothers and their families.”
You can help our Brothers rebuild their lives from the ground up by donating to the Local Lodge W12 GoFundMe page here.
If you or your respective Lodge, District or Territory wish to contribute outside of GoFundMe.com, you are encouraged to send a check made out to Woodworkers Local Lodge W12, to 3836 Altamont Dr, Klamath Falls, OR 97603. Please write “For Mill Fire” in the memo line of the check.
Now it’s the time for the IAM to come together to alleviate the suffering of our Sisters and Brothers affected by the wildfires across California: Contribute to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund today!
Any money donated through the IAM Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to IAM members and their families in need. Donations are tax-deductible. IAM Assistance is an IRS 501(3)(c) – Tax ID: 46-2575531 – (IAM Assistance (ID # 46-2575531)
Have you been impacted by the California Wildfires?
The IAM is here to help!
If your home has sustained damages from the wildfires making them uninhabitable or in need of extensive repairs you may qualify for assistance from the IAM Disaster Relief Funds.
You may also be eligible for a one-time $500 relief through Union Plus – this disaster relief grant that doesn’t have to be repaid.
IAM members in need can receive confidential help through the IAM Employee / Member Assistance Program. Services include but are not limited to, addiction, mental health, stress, depression and financial hardship. Contact the confidential IAM Assistance Helpline by calling 301-335-0735 or emailing iameap@iamaw.org.
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