WASHINGTON, July 5, 2022 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
“Recently, the media reported that a few employers announced they will pay workers to travel to other states for medical care as a result of the Dobbs decision. Radical politicians across the country have even indicated that this decision opens the door to further restrict women’s and other rights, including contraceptive rights. This underscores that the Court’s decision threw these vital healthcare issues and costs back to our members at the bargaining table. This is just one of many reasons the IAM opposes this decision and supports each woman’s right to choose. The IAM is proud to have a long track record of securing health plans for our members that gives so many families access to quality, affordable healthcare and allows our members and healthcare professionals to make decisions about their wellbeing.
“Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has inserted itself into a critical healthcare decision by continuing its assault on working people and overturning nearly 50 years of precedent in the Dobbs case, which will significantly impact working women. The court has further signaled that it is willing to overturn long-standing precedents, attack other fundamental human rights and undermine the rule of law in this country. The Dobbs ruling is another step back for working families.
“Our union has a motto that we stand by—an injury to one is an injury to all. We believe workers’ health care plans should always provide quality and the necessary healthcare required by an individual. The Supreme Court ruling has delivered a blow to healthcare as a fundamental human right. Now more than ever, working people need unions to protect their rights in a binding collective bargaining agreement.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
IAM Local Lodge 811’s Women’s Committee recently dropped off a large donation of toys from their latest toy collection project for Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
In previous years the local donated any type of toy to all children at the hospital, but this time, the committee chose to collect specific toys for bed-ridden pediatric cancer patients: puzzles, word games, books, and hand-held electronics.
IAM Local 811 Secretary-Treasurer Sarah Monderoy Garcia has been on the Women’s Committee since 2013. She, Lodge 811 Vice President Nelson Yanes, Trustee Adrienne Coleman, Charlotte Lazard, and Evelita Everitt make up 811’s Women’s Committee, which is continually collecting donations for different organizations.
“We’re always doing some type of drive, whether it’s toiletries, clothing, or toys. We like to target different areas of need in the community,” said Garcia.
The committee encouraged members to bring donations to union meetings and advertised with flyers on the break-room bulletin boards at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (IAH) where IAM Local 811 members work for United Airlines as ramp service employees, ground crew, and stores material specialists (members who work side-by-side with mechanics to provide parts for planes).
The committee strategically decides to host their toy drives in the summer time, the “off-season,” because hospitals typically receive an abundance of toy donations over the holidays but are running low and have new patients come summer.
“The hospital said our timing for the toy donation was like a breath of fresh air,” said Garcia.
Back in 2013 the Women’s Committee started off with small fundraisers, like hot-dog sales, to help members who were going through hard times. Their service to the entire community grew from there.
Now, in between toy drives the committee collects donations of toiletries for women’s shelters and clothing for those in need, and in July they’ll partner with 811’s sister lodge, IAM Local 2198, to conduct their annual “United Against Human Trafficking Seminar” where they educate coworkers, community members, and families about human tracking because as a major metropolitan city, Houston is a hotspot for human trafficking.
“As airport workers dealing with the traveling public, people in our profession should be aware of the signs of human trafficking,” said Garcia. “We want men and families to attend the event, any parent and children of age. Everyone should be able to know the signs. Knowledge is power. It is important to get this information out; it’s heavier but still needed.”
During Heart Health Awareness Month (February) the committee hosts a day-long event at the union hall to promote healthy living and educate people about heart disease and how heart attacks affect women differently.
“811’s Women’s Committee always impresses me,” said IAM Air-Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “Their attitude about giving back as union members and their innovative thinking towards community service is admirable; they’re an example to us all.”
“The Women’s Committee of Local Lodge 811, like so many IAM women’s committees, has a strong presence in their local and community,” said IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, who started with the union as a member of Lodge 2198. “These committees show the power of women in labor and communities. I’m incredibly proud of 811’s constant effort to make the IAM known in the community and garner member engagement for the good of the community.”
Guide Dogs of America-Tender Loving Canines continues to advocate and serve Americans and service members in need. June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day, to which GDA-TLC works to bring awareness to military veterans coping with PTSD.
With many IAM members serving in the armed forces, the Machinists Union will continue to be a driving force in securing assistance for veterans and their families. Tender Loving Canines and the PTSD Companion program is yet another way to support our service members when they return home.
Located in Sylmar, CA, the Guide Dogs of America-Tender Loving Canines training program costs the organization $60,000 to breed and train a PTSD Companion. Additionally, the program requires a 3-week online training program and a ten-day in-facility course to prepare veterans and their service companions.
To learn more about the program and how you can donate, help raise a puppy and advocate for veterans needing a PTSD companion, you can visit the Guide Dogs of America – Tender Loving Canines website here.
Machinists Local Lodge 350 members employed at Spirit AeroSystems in Kinston, NC ratified a new 5-year deal recently. The new accord also features a combined cash, and stock signing bonus for a total of $9,000 bonuses in retirement and cash.
The membership voted overwhelmingly to accept the new five-year deal, which includes:
$1 per hour GWI in January 2023, and future wages protected for inflation with a 2% minimum and a maximum of 4%.
Accelerated wage progression of .25 cents every 13 weeks.
Shift premium, Lead premium, and promotion pay increased.
A one-time $4,000 retirement incentive lump sum.
$3,500 company stock.
$1,500 signing bonus.
The deal also features a new company match to 401(k) and increased IAM National Pension Fund (IAMNPF) from 75 cents to 90 cents over the life of the agreement. Health savings account participants will see a $100 increase on the start of each year of the agreement, while holding the line on health care benefits. The package also includes paid paternity and maternity leave, the first of its kind to be included in a collective bargaining agreement at Spirit AeroSystems in the U.S.
“Congratulations to the members and representatives of Local 350,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “My thanks go out to Grand Lodge Representative Joe Greaser, and the Negotiating Committee for a job well done – the proof is in the results.”
“My thanks to the membership,” said Grand Lodge Representative Joe Greaser. “Their quality of work along with a long partnership with management made it possible to make the gains the members wanted at the table.”
The IAM Women’s and Human Rights Department will offer the Human Rights Program from October 23-28, 2022. The program will be held at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
Recognizing that justice and equality can only be achieved through an organized and empowered working class, the Human Rights Program will help enable members to become human rights activists. Through the establishment of human rights committees focused on fair treatment on the job and within the union we can work together to support true equality in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
The Human Rights Program trains committees to be active in local and district lodges; to improve worker rights through engagement in the legislative process; and to identify opportunities to participate in organizing campaigns that include traditionally under-represented workers. Participants will learn effective intervention strategies when dealing with workplace harassment, whether from coworkers or management. The program also provides members an overview of resources available to them.
Human rights committees encourage involvement of a diverse membership in lodge administration and provide membership with practical strategies to advocate for diversity, mutual respect, fairness, and equality in the workplace and the union.
“It’s important for our members to have the knowledge and tools to advocate for a diverse workforce,” said Julie Frietchen, Director of the IAM Women’s and Human Rights Department. “This program is essential if we want to fulfill the IAM’s core principle of ‘Justice on the Job, Service to the Community.’”
