At this week’s 2022 IAM Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, union leaders from TCU, the Carmen Division, and IAM District Lodge 19 amplified our members’ voices by meeting with various elected officials from across the federal government. Our railroaders spoke at length with leaders from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Surface Transportation Board, and Congress.
Conference attendees heard speeches in the mornings from some of the most powerful leaders in Washington, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Sherrod Brown, and many others.
In the afternoons, railroaders took to the Hill to talk about our issues.
From local to national matters, all issues were on the table. Railroaders blasted the so-called “Precision Scheduled Railroading” business model that’s cost the jobs of 45,000 railroaders over the past 6 years, and the associated service declines. They talked safety issues in our yards and the locomotive and car shops. They spoke about how elected officials can better address assault prevention on our nation’s transit and passenger rail systems.
And, importantly, our members discussed ongoing national freight rail negotiations and the need to get all railroaders a raise and a fair contract!
Some of the highlighted meetings included:
• Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (D, OR-2nd)
• Jennifer Mitchell, FRA Deputy Administrator
• Robert Primus, Surface Transportation Board
• Senator Deb Fischer (Nebraska)
• Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D, CA-34th)
• Top staff from the Senate Commerce Committee
• And many others…
“I’m proud of our local and division leaders for pounding the pavement on Capitol Hill this week,” said TCU President Artie Maratea. “Our folks were able to speak directly to the key leaders that can change our members lives for the better – and THAT is what being a union is all about.”
TCU Nat. Vice President & Legislative Director Bill DeCarlo addressed the entire Legislative Conference on Wednesday morning:
“…Since taking the role at TCU, we’ve had one mission: Build.
Build our union’s power. Build support amongst our membership. Build a Legislative program that ensures we can punch above our weight.
The great turn out for this Conference is evidence of the progress we’ve made, and we will continue to build our power in Washington, DC, and continue to live up to the legendary reputation of the ‘Fighting Machinists’…”
For the first time, TCU and the Carmen Division joined forces with our brothers from the IAM’s District Lodge 19 under the umbrella of the newly-created IAM Rail Division. “I’m so proud of our TCU and District 19 guys stepping up to help represent our Rail Division in DC,” said Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President, IAM Rail Division. “And I want to thank the TCU Legislative team for their tireless efforts on behalf of all railroaders. Bill DeCarlo and Dave Arouca are a force in Washington, and we need their expertise now more than ever if we’re going to get our members a fair contract.”
Railroaders got to meet a few leaders that have been rockstars as of late, including T&I Chairman Peter DeFazio, who has long challenged the Class 1 railroads for their endless greed and treatment of their workforce. “Chairman DeFazio was the first person on Capitol Hill to really get it. He knows how this PSR model is hurting our railroads, rail service, and rail workers. Our guys were extremely glad to finally meet the one of the leaders that’s really chastizing the Class 1 CEOs,” said Don Grissom, Asst. General President of TCU’s Carmen Division. [In case you missed it, Grissom testified last week before the House Railroads, Pipelines and HazMat Subcommittee hearing on freight rail safety.]
STB Board Member Robert Primus also talked with our railroaders. Primus recently went viral amongst rank-and-file railroaders when he had a testy exchange with CSX CEO Jim Foote at the STB’s “Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service” hearing in April.
“These days, a lot of these CEOs run their railroads through fear, because a scared employee is an obedient employee,” said Greg Kocialski, TCU’s National Rep. covering CSX clerical and intermodal properties. “So it’s no surprise that Primus’ exchange with Jim Foote became legendary amongst railroaders. Our members have been through hell and back during COVID, deemed essential frontline workers from the get go – but all the railroads have offered is stricter discipline, massive forced overtime, and a $600 payday loan.”
Every Legislative Conference attendee contributed valuably to the week’s events and meetings: from Rudy Herrera telling his story to the FRA; Greg Burnett talking National Negotiations with Rep. Rick Larsen; Jason Cox detailing car inspection times with Sen. Sherrod Brown; and Josh Cox (no relation) bringing Nebraskan machinists issues home to Sen. Fischer and the entire State delegation.
As one staffer mentioned, “it’s truly amazing to see the range of accents from across the country – but you’re all telling the same story.”
Indeed, our shared plight is our shared fight. So let’s keep up that fight in DC and at home!
Approximately 175 IAM Local W384 (District 5) members at Motor Coach Industries (MCI) Pembina, North Dakota plant were told they will be out of work by the end of the year due to the company’s decision to close the facility.
“We were just in shock thinking back to all the things we’ve been told, the broken promises — how we’d never close because we were paid for and have so much to offer this community — things like that,” IAM Lodge W384 President Jennifer Winkler told the Grand Forks (ND) Herald.
Pembina is a very small town. The loss of these 175 family-supporting jobs will have a major impact on its area economy and the surrounding communities.
“We do not agree with the company’s assertion that they were unable to find skilled workers in Pembina,” wrote IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in a letter to North Dakota’s Senators and U.S. House Representative. “The IAM has also made efforts to meet that demand by offering to partner with the company to recruit and launch apprenticeship programs to meet the workforce needs.”
“MCI plant jobs sustain Pembina. We want to keep the plant open and keep our members working,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Any support we get for these members will help. We need to show MCI how important this plant is to Pembina’s community and the effect a shutdown would have.”
Members are still holding out hope that the company will decide to keep its plant open. Join us in supporting our brothers and sisters in Pembina by sending a letter to North Dakota’s congressional delegation, asking them to urge the company to reconsider its decision to close the plant.
IAM members and political activists from across the United States convened in Washington, DC this week for the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference, hearing from allies of the Machinists Union and lobbying members of Congress.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., as well as IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, welcomed Legislative Conference delegates after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are here this week in Washington, DC so that we can continue to help people live better lives. And we can’t leave what we learn this week here on Capitol Hill,” said Martinez. “You must take this home to explain to our members why we care about legislative issues and how their union is fighting for them.”
Martinez recapped the IAM’s support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Buy American, defense funding, stiffer penalties for assault on airline customer service agents, and more.
“Our nation has taken key steps forward, but so much more needs to be done,” said Pelosi. “Nearly half of non-union workers would organize if they could, we have to make sure they have that opportunity.
Back from the @MachinistsUnion#IAMLegComf after a short Metro ride home to VA. Man what an honor, treat, as well as a humbling experience to be able to reconnect with my fellow #unionstrong Fighting Machinists and take the Worker’s Word up to Capitol Hill. Feeling fired up! pic.twitter.com/nTWZExHKfh
Pleased to join @MachinistsUnion at #IAMLegConf. The strength of our economy comes from the collective strength of our workers, & Dems are committed to continuing our work w/ unions like IAMAW to defend workers’ rights & ensure folks have the tools they need to #MakeItInAmerica. https://t.co/pFLoGEWb0f
. @BettyMcCollum04 at #IAMLegConf: “It’s going to take #Machinists building it. We can’t do it without you. That’s why my focus is on you. Aerospace & ship building are critical to our national security. We need your input on the front lines.” pic.twitter.com/ZQH4c82WRz
. @RepRubenGallego: “We have the best planes, best ships, best defense – You can’t have that without the best workforce. It’s the the skilled labor for the last hundred years that made those defense companies the best. You, the #Machinists, are the base of that.” #IAMLegConfpic.twitter.com/itxyz5D6oW
Julie Frietchen, IAM Director of Women’s and Human Rights, talks about the recent Moral March on Washington. The Machinists Union supported the protest, along with thousands of others from around the country who converged on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Activists joined Rev. William Barber to speak out for the millions of Americans who struggle with systemic poverty.
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached a tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines that, for the first time in the carrier’s history, will put approximately 5,300 Alaska Airlines workers at the top of the airline industry’s pay scale.
The tentative agreement extension covers IAM members who work in Ramp, Stores, Clerical, Office and Passenger Service at the carrier. Alaska Airlines hubs include Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle-Tacoma; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; and Los Angeles.
If ratified by IAM members at Alaska Airlines, the four-year contract would:
Raise base wage rates for all classifications to between 8.9% and 17.4% on Aug. 10, 2022.
Further raise all base wages rates for all classifications by 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2023
Base wage rate will also increase a minimum of 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2024 and Aug. 10 2025, subject to an industry review.
In 2024 and 2025, the agreement calls for an industry review, which will give employees a minimum 2.5% base wage rate or the percentage required to match the top of the scale as the No. 4 airline, whichever is greater.
No changes to strong existing medical and other benefits.
Longevity pay increases starting after year 6 at 5 cents per hour, and topping out after year 12 and beyond at 35 cents per hour.
Strong existing job security language extended until Sept. 27, 2028.
IAM members at Alaska Airlines will vote on the tentative agreements in the coming weeks. IAM representatives will also hold contract educational meetings at locations across the country.
“The IAM’s tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines is historic for our union, the carrier, and the entire airline industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “IAM members have built Alaska Airlines into a perennial top-performing airline, and now, they have an industry-leading contract to vote on that rewards their dedication, skill, and sacrifice.”
“The IAM’s negotiating committee at Alaska Airlines has put in countless hours of hard work obtaining this tentative agreement,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John Coveny. “From our leadership to our membership and everyone in between, this tentative agreement is the result of our union’s strength and solidarity.”
“As the largest air transport labor union in North America, our membership knows that they have the strength of the entire IAM at the bargaining table,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “We are proud to present this industry-leading tentative agreement to our hard-working IAM membership at Alaska Airlines.”
“I could not be more proud of the IAM negotiating committee and our membership,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “We look forward to speaking to IAM members at Alaska Airlines from coast to coast about this industry-leading, historic contract.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is the largest and most powerful airline union in North America, representing more than 100,000 air transport members in North America. The 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.
The IAM is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of retired Machinist, Charlie (Gene) Bradford, at the age of 89. Bradford held many roles in the IAM in his 43-year career, and his 70 years with the IAM earned him the rare honor of a Gold Lifetime Membership card, bestowed upon members who reach 50 years of membership.
At the time of his retirement, he was the Director of Apprenticeship, Scholarship, Safety and Health, Community Services, Retirees as well as IAM CARES and IAM CREST.
“The IAM has lost a great union Brother and pioneer,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Brother Bradford’s mission in life was to serve those who were suffering or in need. He helped build programs in the IAM that addressed those issues, championed civil rights and assisted the disabled. On behalf of the Executive Council and the entire Machinists Union, I send our condolences to his wife, Dorothy, their daughter and our own IAM Info Systems Director Colleen Morgan, and the entire Bradford family.”
Bradford initiated into the IAM in 1952. He worked various union jobs including Anheuser Busch brewery, serving as President of his Local 41.
His devotion to assisting others transitioned him to take a job in 1968 with the Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI) of St. Louis to assist in the newly developed Civil Rights programs.
In 1972, Bradford took a position at the AFL-CIO’s HRDI program in Washington, DC where he became the Executive Director. In his final years at HRDI, he assisted the IAM in 1977 in the development and training of the first IAM Civil Rights department.
In March 1979, Bradford took a position at IAM Headquarters where he held many positions over the years. He participated in the first Organizing training program at the Winpisinger Center. He later developed the IAM CARES Program. He also began the IAM CREST program to provide safety/OSHA training onsite with major companies to keep the IAM members safe while on the job.
