The IAM is supporting legislation sponsored by Maryland State Del. Steve Johnson (D-34A), which would provide a consistent process for employees of unorganized public library systems in Maryland to form a union and collectively bargain. Senator Nancy King (D-39) is cross-filing the legislation in the Senate.
“All of our state’s hard-working library workers deserve a voice in the workplace,” Sen. King said. “These public servants are so important to their communities, and they deserve a process to collectively bargain if they wish to do so.”
This legislation, House Bill (H.B.) 65, does not guarantee union organizing or require library system employees to form a union. H.B. 65 enables Maryland library workers to organize for union representation, should they wish to do so.
“This is a constitutional bill,” Del. Johnson said. “This important piece of legislation gives our state’s unorganized public library workers a clear and consistent pathway to use their constitutional right to join a labor union if they wish.”
In 2022, the IAM ratified its first collective bargaining agreement covering about 460 Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) employees. The one-year collective bargaining agreement, which was overwhelmingly ratified by BCPL employees in May, includes pay increases and paid leave, among other significant improvements.
The plight of BCPL workers seeking a pathway to organize also gained the attention of President Joe Biden, who invited a BCPL member to speak before the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
“Library workers in every county of Maryland should have the same ability to join a union if they choose,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr.in a letter to members of the Maryland Assembly. “Library workers’ ability to exercise their right to join a union in the state of Maryland should not be based on the county system in which they work, but instead on the universally-recognized right to freedom of association. This freedom should be available to any library worker who wishes to seek the option.”
The IAM is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of retired Grand Lodge Representative Michael Woltz. He passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at the age of 76.
Woltz, a nearly 60-year member of the IAM, initiated into IAM Local 1045 in 1964, at Snap-On Tools and was a member of IAM District 6. He was also active in the IAM Reps Association (IAMRA), serving as its president for a number of years.
“Brother Woltz was a true trade unionist,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “His service to the membership spanned decades and touched the lives of countless working families.”
The Woltz family requested that donations be made in Michael’s memory to Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines in lieu of flowers. Please keep the Woltz family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Brother Woltz’s obituary can be found here.
The Machinists and our labor allies fought for and won a funding increase for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). After receiving the same appropriation since 2014, Congress funded the NLRB at $299 million for 2023, an increase of $25 million. The much needed boost comes at a time when cases are surging at the agency. The IAM has been on the frontlines in calling for increased funding for the NLRB.
In fiscal year 2022, the NLRB saw a 53% increase in union representation petitions from the prior year, as well as a 19% increase in unfair labor practice (ULP) charges.
The agency’s 9% gain may be the first increase in years, but still is less than President Joe Biden’s 16% hike request and is also slimmer than what the House and Senate budget panels proposed this summer.
“The increase in funding to the NLRB will impact millions of American workers,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez, Jr. “The increase in union elections and ULP complaints should be met with the resources needed for the NLRB to process them.”
The NLRB is an independent agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer and enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The agency is tasked with protecting the rights of most private-sector employees who seek to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions, and is responsible for enforcing the law when it comes to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices, and safeguard workers right to organize.
The Winpisinger Center is excited to announce the call for the inaugural IAM Education Conference, to be held Sunday, March 26 through Friday, March 31, 2023, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The conference will provide an opportunity for IAM educators at all levels to learn and share training techniques, materials, and strategies. Local or District educators, members of education committees, and other Local, District, and Grand Lodge leaders who currently provide training or want to expand training in their lodges are encouraged to attend.
The overall goal of the Education Conference is to advance and strengthen the IAM’s long commitment to building power through member education and training.
Conference topics will include methods and techniques of labor education, organizing, and steward and officer training, among others. Discussions about the labor movement’s role in politics and economic systems are planned to round out the curriculum. The conference will also allow the Winpisinger Center to learn more about the educational goals of the membership so that the curriculum can be refined and expanded to better meet their needs.
The Winpisinger Center has removed the vaccination requirement as of December 1, 2022. Provided that current conditions do not substantially change, proof of vaccination is no longer required from members or guests. Our complete list of COVID protocols can be found on the Winpisinger Center website in the FAQ section.
The deadline for registration is February 15, 2023. Questions about the IAM Education Conference should be directed to Assistant Director Joe Gruber (jgruber@iamaw.org). Questions about registering for the program should be directed to Registrar Tracy Woodburn (twoodburn@iamaw.org).
Four IAM members recently visited the IAM’s Winpisinger Center to prepare for upcoming negotiations this March. IAM Local 2011 President James Deaton, of Dallas-Fort Worth, reports about the training class and the important work that Local 2010 and 2011 members do to provide weather reports and air notification bulletins for pilots. The 150 IAM members are based near Washington Dulles and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airports.
Thanks in large part to the IAM’s relentless efforts, the recently passed Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Department of Defense Appropriations bill include extensive funding for defense programs that are built and maintained by IAM members.
The legislation, recently signed into law by President Biden, provides for record funding levels for defense spending totaling $858.4 billion for national defense programs.
Each year, the NDAA authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring our troops have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions.
Thanks to the IAM’s lobbying efforts, the 2023 NDAA and DoD Appropriations bill provides robust funding for the following IAM- built and maintained programs:
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
F-18 Super Hornet
C-130J Super Hercules
F-15 Eagles
KC-46 Tankers
P-8 Poseidons
DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers
Virginia-class Attack Submarines
Columbia-class Ballistic Submarine program
IAM-built missile system and ammunition manufacturing
The annual legislation also authorizes significant funding for federal employees in this year’s iteration, including many priorities for NFFE-IAM members.
NFFE-IAM supported many provisions of the 2023 NDAA, including the continuation of the one-year probationary period for DoD workers, the extension of a waiver on annual pay caps for international DoD workers, resources for Child Development Centers available to DoD employees, and the insertion of both the Plum Act and the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. Two specific priorities contained in the final bill that NFFE promoted were funding for new workloads at Army depots, including $183 million for the Red River Army Depot, as well as new presumptive illness provisions for federal firefighters.
The Machinists will always fight for robust funding for these programs and improvements in the ongoing negotiations over defense appropriations.
Each year, April 28 is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, a day for us to commemorate the thousands of workers killed, injured, or sickened on the job. Your local can memorialize a fallen member with a personalized brick placed at the IAM Workers Memorial at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The deadline to submit personalized bricks is Friday, March 1, 2023.
The brick can have two lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line (including spaces on each line) without the logo for $100. There’s also the option to purchase a brick with three lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with the IAM logo for $125.
There’s also the option to purchase a larger brick: an 8×8 can be purchased for $200. This option comes with four lines of lettering with up to 20 characters per line without a logo, or with two lines of lettering with up to 15 characters per line, along with your own preferred logo or the IAM logo.
If your local has a member who died on the job or because of the job, a complimentary brick will be placed at no cost. Please fill out and submit the complimentary brick order form.
The IAM Workers’ Memorial was completed in 2001. It was dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives while on the job. The bricks surrounding the Memorial bear the names of fallen members along with bricks donated from lodges and proud members of the IAMAW.
On or around April 28 each year, a ceremony is conducted at the memorial to remember those who lost their lives and rededicate ourselves to prevent on-the-job injury and death to workers.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division, recently attended New York IAM Local 754’s Annual Fellowship and Awards Banquet, which honored members with 15 to 50 years of service with the Machinists Union. Local Chairman Billy Hunt presented Thomas “Tommy” Cappetta with his 50-year Gold Membership Card and pin. Brother Robert Geffken was also supposed to receive his card and pin but, unfortunately, passed away just a few days prior to the banquet.
“Congratulations to Brother Cappetta for dedicating 50 years of service to our great union,” said Hartford. “Fifty years is a great accomplishment, and I applaud him for his exemplary service. My condolences go to Brother Geffken’s family. His commitment to the IAM and his union sisters and brothers will leave a proud legacy.”
Also, during the event, Hartford presented Local 754 with their 2021 Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) Achievement Award for raising more than $17 per member.
“It’s great to see this local knows and understands the importance of having a voice in the political arena and voluntary donations from members to MNPL ensure the IAM Rail Division will continue to have a strong voice,” said Hartford.
While in New York, Hartford, accompanied by District 19 Assistant President and Directing General Chairman Andrew Sandberg and Local Chairman Billy Hunt, met with several members at many different locations across the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The visits included stops at a diesel shop where members maintain and rebuild LIRR’s diesel locomotive fleet, the LIRR West Side Yard where members operate the new wheel true machine, and the Hillside facility where our members build and repair air brake components and train wheel sets, fabricate new parts in the machine shop, and the welding shop.
“I always look forward to meeting IAM members on the shop floor, who are the heartbeat of our union,” added Hartford. “The LIRR is the busiest commuter rail company in the U.S. and Machinists members work hard in providing an invaluable service keeping New York commuters moving.”
