Apr 14, 2022 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Edison Fraser, currently, IAM Transportation Coordinator, to serve as IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff. The creation of the Air Transport Territory, which will be led by Richard Johnsen, and the appointment of Fraser are effective May 1, 2022.
Fraser, a 19-year IAM member, has served as Transportation Coordinator since June 2021. Under the leadership of Johnsen and Fraser, the new Air Transport Territory will continue with the progress made toward securing strong contracts, organizing new members, increasing membership communications, and fighting for increased staffing and other on-the-job improvements for air transport workers.
“This is an exciting time to be a part of the IAM, the largest and most powerful air transport labor union in North America,” said Fraser. “I cannot wait to continue growing the strength of our membership through our organization.”
Fraser, who has also served as a Special Representative and Grand Lodge Representative, has worked on several successful organizing campaigns for Districts 19, 141, and 142. He was initiated into Baltimore IAM Local 846 as a Southwest Airlines Customer Service Agent in 2002 and held several local positions, including Shop Steward, Recording Secretary, and President.
“Edison is a leader and mentor for so many of our members,” said Johnsen. “Together, we are committed to transparency, communication, and constant interface with the membership.”
Fraser graduated from the National Labor College in 2014 with an associate degree, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree a year later, and in 2018 was one of the first two IAM members to earn a master’s degree through a partnership with SUNY Empire State College.
“The IAM Air Transport Territory leadership team represents our proud membership extremely well,” said Martinez. “We are going to continue to grow the IAM in strength and numbers in the air transport industry.”
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Apr 13, 2022 | iMail
Thirteen IAM Local 698 (District 60) members at Swissport are on strike for respect and a better contract at the Detroit Metro Airport. The strike began on Friday, April 1.
Members rejected a subsequent offer from the company on Tuesday, April 12. IAM Members at Swissport maintain and repair fueling equipment.
“The IAM mechanics and quality techs at Swissport are on strike for fair wages and working conditions,” said IAM District 60 Business Representative Heather Hildebrand. “Until the company addresses those issues, we will remain on strike.”
“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Swissport in Detroit,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “The IAM will utilize all of our resources to help them achieve a fair and just contract.”
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Apr 13, 2022 | iMail
The IAM is seeking answers to JetBlue’s possible misuse of funds from the Payroll Support Program (PSP), a component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
In 2020, as a response to the destruction of demand for air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act. The legislation, which included the PSP, provided approximately $50 billion in aid for U.S. airlines and mandated that the carriers not engage in involuntary layoffs, cut the salaries or reduce the benefits of airline workers.
JetBlue Airways received approximately $2 billion in aid, with most of it coming in the form of taxpayer-funded grants that do not have to be repaid. However, as they took the government funds, JetBlue management cut the working hours of its employees, which consequently cut their pay and benefits.
“We believe what JetBlue did was wrong,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “JetBlue cut the salaries of thousands of ground workers by at least 20 percent. These are frontline, essential workers who risked their lives coming to work during the height of the pandemic when no vaccine was available. They’re heroes in my book and deserve to be repaid with interest by JetBlue executives.”
The IAM’s Transportation and Legislative Departments are in communication with government officials to get specific answers to specific questions.
“JetBlue just came up with $3.6 billion to buy Spirit Airlines last week,” continued Johnsen. “Some of that money needs to be put back in the pockets of JetBlue workers and not used to shower money on greedy airline executives and shareholders.”
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America and represents over 600,000 members.
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Apr 12, 2022 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has announced the appointment of Chuck Herod, an 18-year IAM member and current Eastern Territory Grand Lodge Representative, as Eastern Territory Chief of Staff. The appointment is effective May 1, 2022.
“Chuck has tremendous experience organizing, negotiating and connecting with our membership,” said Martinez. “Our members in the Eastern Territory will be well served by his leadership and dedication in this new role.”
Herod joined the IAM Eastern Territory staff in September 2015 as a Special Representative and progressed to his current position as Grand Lodge Representative. Previously, he was appointed an apprentice organizer in January 2014 after serving as co-chair of the IAM District 65 Organizing Committee in western New York.
Herod initiated into the IAM in 2003 as an operating specialist at the West Valley Demonstration Project. He got involved in the union by serving as a trustee, steward and then chief steward at Local 2401 in West Valley, NY.
As previously announced, David Sullivan, current Eastern Territory Chief of Staff, will join the IAM Executive Council as Eastern Territory General Vice President on May 1.
“I’m so excited about the future of the Eastern Territory,” said Sullivan. “Myself, Chuck and the Eastern Territory Grand Lodge staff look forward to working with IAM leaders and members across the territory to continue the progress made under General Vice President Bryant.”
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Apr 12, 2022 | iMail
Courtesy of IAM District 751.
The Machinists Institute (MI), the training arm of IAM District 751, continues to make an impact and improve lives for those in the Puget Sound. In March, another group graduated from the Machinists Institute Youth Academy – energized to have learned skills to gain entry-level positions in the manufacturing/aerospace industry. The program is a partnership with Partner in Employment (PIE) to expose area youth immigrants to manufacturing processes and machining skills that can lead to a career pathway to middle-class jobs.
District 751 President Jon Holden congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments. He encouraged them to consider entering an apprenticeship program where you earn while you learn and can obtain a journey-level card that will open doors to middle-class jobs. He also emphasized the importance of seeking union-represented future jobs so you have rights on the job and can determine priorities with your co-workers.
Because the program was created as a vision of IAM District 751, every class teaches a segment on the benefits of union membership to gain rights on the job. This segment is missing from most other manufacturing programs, but should be taught so students can understand the advantage they will have if they have a union job (according to the Department of Labor, union jobs have nearly a 20% pay advantage, along with additional benefits, better health care and much more).
As a result of earlier Youth Academy success, MI and PIE are working to secure additional grants for the future. It is still in the development stages, but if the reaction of those graduating is any indication, the program is having an impact.
MI Instructor and Program Developer Batholomew Kimani clearly inspires students and pushes them out of their comfort zone to tackle more skills. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Over the 10-week course, students get hands-on experience with basic drilling, riveting, deburring and working on mini-lathes. They are exposed to various machining, robotics, CNC machining, programmable logic controllers, soldering, and safety practices while working in a shop environment. The training also introduced students to metrology, depth gauges and radius gauges to gain an understanding of measurement tools, as well as QA concepts. One of the first projects was using calipers to measure a strand of their own hair, which showed each hair had a different measurement. Students also learned fundamental building blocks of CNC programming by cutting their initials into material.
Each student also built an electronic resume that they can continually update as they learn new skills, get additional certificates or gain job experience. The students get to walk through and meet with area employers who are looking for entry-level workers to fill their manufacturing needs. The goal is to get the students interested in the various apprenticeship programs.
“It was such a great thing to learn about an industry that isn’t normally discussed in school. This 10-week program opened my eyes to what you can do not just in manufacturing, but in other industries as well,” said one graduate.
“It was profoundly gratifying to attend the graduation of the next generation of aerospace workers! I applaud District 751 for helping the community and investing in the future by creating the Machinists Institute,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “This work is inspiring, and I commend the leadership of 751 for their vision and determination in pursuing job security for Puget Sound.”
This is just one program offered by the Machinists Institute, which also provides training for our existing members to reach their career goals and is continually adding programs to ensure our aerospace/manufacturing workforce is prepared for challenges of the future.
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Apr 12, 2022 | iMail
District 77 is proud to announce the formation of its’ new Veterans Services Committee. Business Representative (BR) Sherman Phillips, a 34-year union member and U.S. Navy Veteran, was recently appointed by District 77 Directing Business Representative John Steigauf to chair the new committee.
“Job No. 1 of our committee is identifying our veterans in all IAM workplaces, then assisting them in obtaining their earned benefits,” said Phillips. “This is one of the most important member benefits we offer for those that selflessly served our country. Navigating through VA bureaucracy can be quite a task for veterans. Thanks to our new IAM Veterans Benefit Services program, we now have in house professional guidance to locate many benefits veterans might not otherwise know they are entitled to. Assisting them through the processes of obtaining their benefits is priceless.”
“Brother Phillips is a dedicated activist,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “His passion for representing our members is only equal to his passion for assisting veterans. This will be a great addition to our menu of IAM member benefits and services”
“We encourage all of our Local and Districts to form Veterans Committee’s,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Just last month, the IAM Veterans Services Program conducted its’ first certified Veterans Service Agents (VSA) training program. Machinists Veterans from across the organization stepped up to the plate to become veteran advocates. Every IAM member should be proud to know we are the first union to establish this type of program. Our in house VSA is capable to assist with all parts of the difficult process of properly filing government claims for our members who are veterans.”
The IAM is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the labor movement.
If an IAM member and veteran, or a family member, is interested in learning more about the IAM Veterans Services Program, please go to iam4.me/VeteranServices please call 1-866-IAM-4VET.
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