IAM Local Lodge 219 and its District Lodge 1888 secured a significant win in its complaint that Solution One Industries unlawfully used temporary workers in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge found three ways Solutions One Industries breached its duty to bargain in good faith.
The case against Solution One Industries began when the IAM filed unfair labor practices in 2021. The decision in the IAM’s favor found that the company made changes in the terms and conditions of employment without notice to the IAM, failed to provide relevant information requested by the IAM, and failed to give effect to a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.
“Our members at Local Lodge 219 in Kentucky are happy about this important decision that impacts their working conditions and provides them clarity in the workplace,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I want to thank Grand Lodge Representative James Little and IAM District Lodge 1888 Business Representative Ryan McCarthy for their patience and drive to get justice on the job for our members. We hope this is a strong signal for this company and other companies violating collective bargaining agreements and secures the work for our members that the company intended to eliminate through the use of part-time employees.”
IAM Local 219 Members at Solution One Industries in Richmond, KY ship, receive, and warehouse equipment and supplies for the U.S. military special forces groups.
Members of IAM Local 971 employed at Aerojet Rocketdyne voted to ratify a new three-year deal recently.
The new accord features general wage increases of 6% in year one, with 1.5% of that raise coming July 30, 2022, 4% in year 2, and 3.5% in year three. Negotiators also maintained the $2,500, and $1,250 respective Health Savings Account employer payments for families and individuals per year over the life of the agreement, while holding the line on healthcare.
The new contract also features:
$1,000 ratification bonus
Three paygrades added
Improvements to bereavement time
Added optional unpaid holidays (UPH)
Improvements for UPH use
“These members deserved a contract that reflects the quality of work and their dedication,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “This contract does that, my congratulations, and thanks to the Negotiating Committee and District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco for a job well done.”
“IAM Local 971 members are proud of the work they do,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Thanks to the strength of this negotiating committee and the membership, they have secured a strong IAM contract that will secure the futures of our members and their families.”
“My thanks go out to the Negotiating Committee and the membership,” said District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco. “I’m proud of our work at the table, and the solidarity of the group behind the committee.”
The 100 IAM members build the RS-25, and the RL-10 engines that power rockets such as the Atlas V, and Delta IV Heavy Rockets, as well as the Space Launch System.
Aviation High School recently held its annual graduation ceremony, the first in-person event since the pandemic. 480 students received their high school diploma, with many earning their Airframe and Powerplant licenses certifying them to work as mechanics in the airline industry.
This year, the IAM awarded four tool boxes and two scholarships to graduates. There were several other airline representatives and sponsors that presented the graduates with donations and prizes, but the IAM remains the only labor organization that awards students with scholarships and toolboxes for their educational achievements.
“It was an honor to be in attendance,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “It’s rewarding knowing all the students have accomplished in this program already. Knowing they will be better prepared for the next step in their lives is priceless.”
Aviation High School, a New York City public school, has an incredible 93% graduation rate and many graduates have expressed a desire to work in the airline industry and become IAM members.
The IAM has enjoyed a long partnership with Aviation High School and SUNY Empire State College (ESC) and now a new partnership was recently developed with the help and support of the IAM, the United Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers. Visit the SUNY Empire State College website to learn more about this new and exciting program.
The late IAM Western Territory Grand Lodge Representative Maria Santiago Lillis was a tireless mentor and fierce advocate for workers’ rights, human rights, and social justice, tackling the most contentious issues with grace while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
In order to continue her mentorship and legacy and to encourage all representatives to emulate the extraordinary qualities she exhibited as an IAM representative, the IAM Executive Council has instituted the “Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day – A Commitment to Serve (ACTS).” ACTS takes place each year on August 10, which was Sister Lillis’ birthday. Each year on this day, we will engage in activities to strengthen our commitment to serve and to learn from Representatives who mirror Sister Lillis’ dedication, advocacy, compassion, and fairness.
This year on August 10, we will honor Maria’s commitment to serving by implementing a Day of Action and Community Service. The goal on this day is for IAM lodges to take action in their communities through service.
Many local lodge women and human rights committees are very involved in community service. Some examples include:
Adopting a park or beach to clean and beautify
Volunteering at veterans’ homes
Having a school supply drive to donate backpacks and school supplies for local school children
Pick a service and act of kindness that would best suit your community and take action! After your local Day of Action, make sure to share your stories and pictures with IAM Women’s and Human Rights Director Julie Frietchen at jfrietchen@iamaw.org. We want to share your community day of action with all of our union family. Let’s make this a memorable event to honor a memorable IAM Sister.
“Everyone knew that Maria was a champion of justice and fair play – all you had to do was talk to her for a few minutes, and you felt her love and support,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Her mentoring never stopped. She touched so many, and we will always keep her memory alive through a call to service.”
“The goal of this day will be to highlight the qualities that made Sister Lillis an outstanding advocate for working families and her commitment to serve,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Her work has left an indelible mark on the labor movement, and we need to carry her torch with the same compassion and dedication in her name.”
Approximately 2,500 members of IAM District 837 opened contract negotiations on July 6, 2022, with Boeing Defense. IAM members are spread throughout Boeing facilities in St. Charles, MO, St. Louis, and Mascoutah, IL.
These highly skilled members fabricate, assemble and build some of the world’s most advanced military and passenger aircraft and missiles.
The negotiating team will be discussing wages, healthcare, retirement, job, and income security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers were declared essential and did their part to protect this country.
“Our goal is to emerge from these talks with a contract that is both fair and equitable,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Our members were declared essential early on and expected to show up to work each day and they did. They were considered essential so we expect to see some essential treatment reflected in this contract.”
A priority for this group will being strengthening the 401(k) and eliminating a two-tier wage system.
“The inequities created by the two-tier wage system is not a real investment in Boeing workers,” said Galloway. “It is a de-valuing of American industrial jobs.”
“We need a lot more than what the company is giving right now to secure retirement,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “A strong 401(k) contribution by the company will help secure workers for decades, creating a long-standing and stable workforce.”
“I am proud of the hard work from the negotiating team leading up to these negotiations and confident we will bring a strong contract home to the membership,” said Tom Boelling, District 837 President and Directing Business Representative.
Negotiations are expected to run from July 6-15, 2022. A vote is scheduled for Sunday, July 24, 2022, the day the current contract is set to expire.
The IAM Local 2003 Legislative Committee hosted their first Alabama Primary Stakes at the Gate and second overall installment of this event recently. This particular event heard from candidates for local races such as Sheriff and Mayoral, State Senate and Secretary of State candidates, as well as candidates running for US House and Senate seats.
Each candidate was given an allotted time to speak on their platform to allow the audience the chance to hear their values directly, followed by questions from the members of Local Lodge 2003 and the community.
“What a great forum for our members and the community,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Engaging with our elected officials at all levels is one of the most important things we do. Grassroots efforts like this are the bedrock foundation for progressing legislative efforts.”
“The 2022 Stakes at the Gate was a great opportunity for our Local Lodge and community to hear from, speak to, and hold accountable Local, State and National candidates,” said Local 2003 President Shane Davis. “Stakes at the Gates has been dubbed as the largest political platform within the State of Alabama.”
“Our political platform is growing as shown by the quality and substance of the candidates today,” said Local Lodge 2003 Legislative Committee Chairman Patrick Wise. “We are representing every county outside of the Fort Rucker Gates and across our state. Our union brothers and sisters are socio-economically impacting our community and state directly.”
Local Lodge 2003 would like to thank Troy Cable for hosting this event on their cable channel and Kay’s Kitchen and Taco Mich for providing meals and desserts for all in attendance during the event.
