WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s State of the Union address:
“As one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in the United States, the Machinists Union cares first and foremost about providing good, family-sustaining jobs for our members. And we believe that creating good union jobs here at home is the best way to revitalize our manufacturing sector, grow the middle class, stabilize our national security, and so much more.
“In his State of the Union address and through his actions leading our nation, it’s clear that President Biden shares our vision for helping working Americans build back better. For starters, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a president consistently say that unions are good for working people, the economy and our country. We couldn’t agree more.
“Amidst great challenges—a pandemic, inflation, a foreign war that has strained our supply chains, and more—the Biden-Harris administration has remained laser focused on delivering for working people.
“Since President Biden took office, the economy has created more than 12 million jobs, including more than 800,000 manufacturing jobs. The unemployment rate is at a 54-year low. Inflation has begun to ease and wages are catching up with higher prices.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the American Rescue Plan and more, this administration and its allies in Congress have truly put working people first. By listening to and acting on behalf of working people, instead of large corporations, the Biden-Harris administration has rewritten the rulebook for economic recoveries that benefit Main Street.
“And as we make record investments in our nation’s infrastructure, this administration is keeping its promise to strengthen Buy American and ensure the products of tomorrow are built here at home by union workers. The IAM is especially glad to hear that President Biden announced new guidance to ensure that critical materials, including aluminum, are made in America.
“We have a long way to go. It’s still too hard for American families to get ahead. Good jobs with strong benefits and secure retirements are still unattainable for far too many working Americans. As public support for unions is at a record-high, we join the president in urging our elected officials in Washington to put politics aside and finally take down the draconian barriers to joining and forming a union. We can start by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
“We know that President Biden, Vice President Harris and those fighting for working families in Washington can’t do it alone. The IAM will continue to advocate for the interests of our members and for workers across North America. Our agenda is America’s agenda—and we look forward to building on the progress of the Biden-Harris administration and protecting our democracy for the generations to come.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
The IAM and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) were important parts of two recent presidential visits announcing funding for projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
President Biden appeared next to an IAM-made Amtrak Acela locomotive in Baltimore, with the IAM logo proudly displayed. He announced that funds from the new law would replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel.
The White House says the project will address the largest rail bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor, create good-paying union jobs, improve reliability, and lower commute times. A project labor agreement will ensure the tunnel is constructed with union labor.
“The infrastructure funding is pushing the rail industry into the future with the enhanced improvements on some of our busiest corridors,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division. “The IAM was a strong proponent of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Biden-Harris administration has kept their word with funding these vital projects, and now our nation will benefit for generations to come.”
“When we tell our members that elections matter, we can point directly to these types of investments in our rail infrastructure,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “This legislation is a perfect example of what happens when both parties work together in the best interest of the American people. I applaud President Biden for highlighting the projects where so many of our members play an important role in maintaining these projects.”
The next day in a rail yard on the west side of Manhattan, IAM, and TCU/IAM members were by President Biden’s side, including IAM District 19 Assistant President and Directing General Chairman Andrew Sandberg and TCU/IAM National Representative Nick Peluso, when the president announced funding from the law to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.
“Today is a great day for our Union brothers and sisters, as well as commuters that ride the Northeast Corridor,” said TCU/IAM National Representative Nick Peluso. “Our members will directly benefit by having a shorter commute, but also increased ridership that will support and expand their jobs for decades to come.”
The Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project will replace a century-old tunnel that is a critical link for the Northeast Corridor, moving countless people and goods between New Jersey and New York.
“I was proud to be in the audience to witness the solution to eliminating the bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor,” said IAM District 19 Assistant President and Directing General Chair Andrew Sandberg. “Our members work hard every day to ensure the customers in the rail industry have an experience that exceeds expectations, whether the supplier or the rail passenger. We will continue to celebrate as more projects like this are completed using this worthwhile investment in the nation’s infrastructure.”
200,000 Americans take Amtrak or NJ Transit under the Hudson River every single day. They know what I do: it needs fixing.
IAM District 26’s joint apprenticeship program recently graduated 10 new members through its partnership with Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut.
The two-and-a-half-year Electronic System Service Apprenticeship program provides skills in the electronic service and repair of Pratt and Whitney machines and controllers.
The program contained 4,720 hours of training, which included:
– Academics from Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, CT
– Various original equipment manufacturer vendors
– Employee health and safety and internal courses
The on-the-job training was conducted in Middletown, CT, and East Hartford, CT in various machine tool service areas, where apprentices teamed up with experienced IAM members assigned to the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of machines and controllers.
“District 26 is extremely proud of our commitment to apprenticeship programs,” said IAM District 26 President and Directing Business Representative Jeff Perinetti. “These programs help bring the next generation of skilled journeymen and women into the aerospace industry.”
The apprentices earned a Connecticut Journeyman’s license in electronics, an IAM Apprenticeship Certificate, and a Pratt and Whitney Apprenticeship Certificate.
The apprenticeships are a joint agreement between Pratt and Whitney and IAM District 26. The collective bargaining agreement also includes a machine repair apprenticeship program, which will conclude in 2024.
“We are so proud of these new District 26 apprenticeship graduates for jump-starting their careers,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “These are the kinds of opportunities that help grow our union and good, family-sustaining jobs.
The IAM District 26/Pratt and Whitney Electronic System Servicer Apprenticeship graduates are Victor Bui, Jan Targonski, Patrick Kana, Timothy Shafer, Ryan Doyle, Robert Leone, Naurel Koce, Luke Gravlin, Kendrick Loeu, and Vangter Lor.
IAM Rail Division Special Representative Derrick Battle recently joined IAM District 19 General Chairman Danny Tavares in visits with IAM railroad members who work at Keolis and Amtrak in the Boston metro area.
IAM Rail Division leadership toured facilities where IAM members are responsible for different key functions in the facilities, including, but not limited to engineering, locomotives and maintenance.
“We are proud of our members who make sure commuter rails remain safe and keep our communities moving,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division. “These visits allow us to get to know our members at a more personal level, their concerns, their suggestions for improving their workplaces, and what they expect from us as their representatives.”
These visits are helping the recently created IAM Rail Division to connect with members and address their concerns.
“We need to get to know our fellow Railroad Brothers and Sisters to best meet their needs and this type of engagement gives us an opportunity to achieve that,” said Battle. “IAM members provide essential skills, dedication and commitment, which is why Keolis and Amtrak keep succeeding.”
Battle and Tavares visited members at various Keolis and Amtrak facilities in South Boston and Cambridge.
Recently, mental health awareness has taken a front seat in society’s mainstream and here at the Machinists Union. In 2019, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. created the IAM Addiction Services Program to help IAM members and their families struggling with alcohol and drug dependency.
“Calls to our mental health hotline have more than doubled since we first started this program. “We are currently putting 15 to 20 members a month in treatment,” said Vincent Ceraso, Director of the IAM Addiction Services Department. “The help is out there and the people that need the help are out there too.”
Since the pandemic, the world has seen an uptick in mental health cases. In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)was changed to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Like 911, the 988 number is shorter and much easier to remember. The hotline connects callers to mental health professionals who are trained to handle anyone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. You can also call if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
As part of the new launch, a text and chat option was added and has proven to be one of the most popular ways of accessing help, especially for the younger generation. Later this year video chatting will be offered as an option.
Also added was a specified Veterans Crisis Line, which can be accessed by dialing 988 and pressing 1 or texting 838255.
By far the system has made improvements, but no rollout is perfect. For this service to be effective states have to have adequate funding and resources, and right now they don’t. “The 988 number only had $24 million dollars in funding in each of the first two years, but this year Congress has funded it with $442 million,” said Ceraso.
Aside from the 911 and 988 services, IAM members have an added resource at their fingertips. However, they don’t take the place of 988 or 911.
“Call 988 for crisis intervention, substance abuse, or mental health issues, and 911 if you’re going to hurt yourself, or someone else or end your own life,” said Ceraso. “Call the IAM’s mental health hotline if you are experiencing non-emergent physiological issues such as depression or anxiety. You will be connected to a doctor. When you call the addiction services hotline, you will get me. I will treat it like an emergency, but not 911 worthy, and get you into treatment within a day or two,” he added.
While the world has opened back up and returned somewhat back to normal, unfortunately, our mental health won’t bounce back as easily. The IAM remains dedicated to providing help and support to our members and their families.
The IAM Metal Health Hotline is 301-335-0735 and the IAM Addiction Services hotline is 1-800-240-4IAM or (4426).
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Billy Barnwell, a longtime IAM activist, and officer in Georgia, as a Special Representative in the IAM Woodworkers Department. The appointment is effective February 1, 2023.
Barnwell, a 20-year IAM member, has served as President and Directing Business Representative of IAM District 131 since 2017. During his tenure, Barnwell has led negotiating committees in contract talks for members in a variety of industries, including wood, pulp, and paper.
He has also presided over several successful organizing campaigns for members across Georgia. The district’s shop steward training program, instituted by Barnwell, has brought up numerous new IAM leaders.
“Brother Barnwell knows what it takes to build union power and stand up for our membership,” said Martinez. “His knowledge and passion for our union are going to help us grow and strengthen the IAM in this critical sector.”
Since 2017, Barnwell has also served as President of the IAM Wood, Pulp, and Paper Council, helping to bring together IAM members in the sector from coast to coast. He is passionate about the cause of Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, helping to institute a new annual BBQ fundraiser for the IAM’s favorite charity.
Barnwell was initiated into IAM Local 1034 in Macon in 2002 after being hired as a maintenance mechanic for Graphic Packaging. He has served as a Shop Steward, Local Lodge Trustee, District Delegate, Chief Steward, District Trustee, and District Organizer before leading District 131.
Barnwell holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in literature from Southern New Hampshire University.
