IAMAW Local Lodge 873 has opened negotiations with John Deere Horicon Works in Horicon, WI.
Representing nearly 750 members, the IAM members support, test and manufacture world-class lawn and garden equipment and utility vehicles.
“Our union members at John Deere Horicon Works have worked tirelessly over the last two and a half years to support the company’s production needs while the company has lacked in hiring appropriate staffing due to inadequate wages and benefits,” said IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative Alex Hoeksta. “The company must agree to place an emphasis on retirement benefits, take the necessary actions to make Horicon a premier employer in the area, and eliminate 3rd party insourcing.”
“Our members at Local 873 have the full resources and support of the IAM at their disposal to get the contract they deserve,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Our team has prepared for months for these negotiations. The continual focus on protecting and growing the workforce in Horicon is paramount.”
“Our negotiating team has prepared for over nine months for these negotiations,” said Joe Terlisner, IAM District 10 Assistant Directing Business Representative. “Approximately 60% of the membership has never participated in the process of negotiating and ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement. A key component of our strategic plan is to make sure our membership understands the process, what they are voting on, and the impacts their vote has on themselves and their families over the years to come.”
The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on October 1, 2022.
JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines this morning announced that the two airlines plan to merge to create the nation’s fifth largest carrier. Spirit Airlines shareholders yesterday rejected Frontier Airlines’ bid to merge and cleared the way for JetBlue’s $3.8 billion all-cash offer to combine the two carriers.
“As we know from the history of airline mergers and acquisitions, top executives will promise the world to gain regulatory approval. But, when the dust is settled and approval is granted, airline workers almost always get the short end of the stick,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The Machinists Union is the most powerful and experienced union when it comes to defending airline workers’ rights during mergers. We have done it before and we will do it again. IAM members at Spirit Airlines and future IAM members at JetBlue Airways will have their interests defended, just as every IAM member has during previous mergers.”
It’s expected that the proposed merger will face stiff regulatory approval from the Biden Administration. JetBlue already faces opposition from the Justice Department, which has sued to break up its commercial agreement with American Airlines Group Inc. The regulators allege that the partnership — which targets the New York and Boston markets — is anti-competitive.
“I want all IAM members at Spirit Airlines to know the Machinists Union will ensure your contract is enforced during this process and that your rights will be defended,” continued Johnsen. “I also want all the JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmembers to know that your campaign to gain IAM representation takes on even more importance now. It is urgent that you have a seat at the table, so you’re not on the menu.”
Last week, Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) officers, delegates, and guests gathered in Las Vegas for their 36th Regular Convention. Several TCU/IAM members comment on event highlights and the information-packed week.
The IAM and the Washington State Council of Machinists, along with several allied organizations in defense of IAM woodworkers and others in the wood, pulp, and paper industry, have successfully beat back an attempt to take forest management away from the people of Washington state.
The Washington state Supreme Court recently unanimously ruled that the Washington Department of Natural Resources continues to have the fiduciary duty to manage working forests, known as state trust lands.
The case, Conservation Northwest v. Hilary Franz, upholds more than a century of precedent of public lands being used to both sustain the environment and protect good jobs, which help fund schools, local economies, and more.
“This is a victory for every IAM woodworker, their families, and the countless Washington state communities who rely on this critical industry,” said IAM Woodworkers Department Chief of Staff Mike Rose. “I’d like to thank every ally in this fight, especially the American Forest Resource Council and the IAM Legal Department, for standing up and winning in the face of this attack on our livelihoods.”
The IAM represents approximately 2,000 members in the wood, pulp, and paper industry in Washington state.
“The IAM will always stand for policies that both grow good jobs and sustain our environment,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “IAM woodworkers and the communities who manage our treasured forests have rightfully won a huge victory for the future of sustainable forest management. Let this victory serve notice that the Fighting Machinists will fiercely defend our member’s interests anywhere anytime!”
Washington state’s foresting industry depends on the sustainable source of timber provided by the state trust lands to stay in business, support thousands of family-wage jobs, and produce climate-friendly wood products that help reduce Washington’s carbon emissions.
Last week, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, USFS Chief Randy Moore, and Undersecretary Homer Wilkes outlining recommendations to permanently fix the housing situation for Forest Service employees. NFFE-IAM gathered data on specific housing issues from its members working for the Forest Service, as well as solutions that employees recommended.
There are several changes that the Forest Service can implement immediately to improve living conditions in the short term that are identified in the letter, including expediting repairs for government housing, adding simple amenities and new furnishings, waiving rent payments for housing that is below living standards, establishing housing stipends, purchasing campers, and building new housing.
In the longer term, the letter suggests making permanent, adequate, and affordable government housing available for all Forest Service employees, including space for workers’ families. Further, the letter recommends standardizing housing requirements so that all housing has proper amenities, furniture, Wi-Fi, heating, and air conditioning, allowing for safety, privacy, and respect for workers.
“Fixing the housing problems in the Forest Service will require allocation of additional financial resources, however, this is necessary for the agency to attract and retain the workforce it needs to accomplish its critical mission,” continued President Erwin. “The current state of housing represents a certain degree of neglect via programmatic funding to maintain housing conditions and adjust for modern life, such as access to electronic communications, or in the interests of family responsibilities to prevent firefighters from choosing between a career or a family.”
About 35 San Diego-area auto technicians from IAM Local 1484 (District 190) are on an unfair labor practices strike at Mercedes Benz of San Diego. An unfair labor practice (ULP) strike occurs when workers strike over an employer’s unfair labor practice. The ULP strike began on June 16.
“Our members are on the picket line to stand up for fairness in the workplace,” said IAM Local 1484 President Rudy Morales. “They are making a huge sacrifice to ensure every member gets treated with respect and dignity. Our members’ stand is noble because this fight is not only for themselves but for auto technicians throughout Southern California.”
IAM Local 1484 members became the first union at a Mercedes Benz dealership in Southern California when they voted to join the IAM in 2010. The members fought hard but didn’t receive their first contract until 2016.
Members at Local 1484 have experienced and reported unilateral changes in working conditions, direct dealing, unlawful interrogations, and unlawful terminations.
Mercedes Benz of San Diego recently fired 20 out of the 35 auto technicians.
“I, along with the rest of the members, want respect and dignity for the work we provide for the customers and the dealership,” said IAM Local 1484 Chief Shop Steward Pedro Gomez. “We went out on strike due to unfair labor practices. This ULP strike is a case of David versus Goliath. Our members stand united and will keep up the fight as long as it takes to get justice on the job.”
“IAM Local 1484 members are the true definition of grit and determination,” said IAM District 190 Area Director Kevin Kucera. “These hard-working mechanics are fighting not only for our members at this dealership but for auto technicians throughout Southern California. IAM District 190 will dedicate our full resources to ensure they get these unfair labor practices discharged and the members who were wrongfully terminated get their careers back.”
IAM Local 1484 members and Mercedes Benz of San Diego are scheduled to resume negotiations with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) on Aug. 4.
“I am proud of the courage displayed by our members at Local 1484,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The solidarity of this group makes every IAM member honored to be associated with the auto technicians on the picket line. The Western Territory will provide any support needed to get a victory for our members in Southern California.”
