Machinists Union Reaches Tentative Agreement for Over 2300 Members at McGee Air Services, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines

Dec 20, 2022 | iMail

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2022 –The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached a two-year tentative agreement extension with McGee Air Services, an Alaska Airlines subsidiary, that will put over 2300 IAM members at McGee Air Services workers at one of the highest pay scale levels for airline operation vendors in the industry. 

The IAM organized McGee Air Services in July 2016. The tentative agreement extension covers IAM members who work in Phoenix, AZ; San Jose, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Paine Field, WA.

If ratified by IAM members at McGee Air Services, the two-year extension would:

• Provide a 5% wage increase at all steps in all locations on the date of ratification.
• Additional wage steps for employees with +48 months and +60 months (an additional $.25 increase at each step.)
• Contractual Pay raises in accordance with the contract in July 2024, July 2025, and during the amendable period.
• $1275.00 ratification bonus payable within thirty (30) days of ratification.
• Increased lead differential from $2.50 to $6.00
• Increased PTO accruals and maximum hours banked.
• 401k plan to be implemented 6/1/2023
• $50,000life insurance policy for all employees paid for by Company effective 6/1/2023
• Enhanced grievance procedure

Read the complete highlights of the tentative agreement here.

IAM members at McGee Air Services will vote on the tentative agreements in the coming weeks. During that period, IAM representatives will also hold contract educational meetings at the McGee Air Services stations. 

“The IAM’s tentative agreement was long overdue for our members who give so much to carry out the mission of McGee Air Services,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “This agreement came about after meeting and listening to our member’s concerns during station visits this year. IAM members’ ramp service work is vital in making Alaska Airlines one of the top-performing airlines.”  

“Excellent way to close out the year by presenting an agreement extension called for by the membership,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John Coveny. “Once again, our IAM leadership provided the necessary resources to help obtain a tentative agreement that will impact other companies similar to McGee Air Services. I appreciate the dedication of our IAM negotiating committee and the entire support staff for their work in getting improved wages and benefits. The next steps include meeting with the members to answer any questions about this agreement extension.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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Holiday Greetings from the IAM Air Transport Territory

Dec 19, 2022 | iMail

Sisters and Brothers,

The holiday season is one of joy and gratitude. Many of us will reflect on the year passed and gather with friends and family to celebrate the coming of a new one.

I am always proud of the IAM Air Transport membership, but the holidays bring a refreshed appreciation for you, as many of you will be on the job, moving goods worldwide and making sure our loved ones can safely travel to gather.

You make the holidays possible, and I want to express my sincere gratitude for the hard work and commitment you bring to your jobs, every day and especially now. 

Our union has had many wins this year, including airline industry-leading contracts that set the bar high.

We hope to add almost 3,000 JetBlue GO workers to our IAM Air-Transport family in the New Year, as they begin the voting process December 21. Please give your solidarity and support to these workers in their fight to join our union.

Your IAM Air Transport Leadership pledges to continue working for the betterment of our union with good contracts and strong representation.

I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday. Thank you for your work and solidarity.

In solidarity,

Richie Johnsen

IAM Air Transport General Vice President

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IAM Mourns Passing of GDA|TLC President Emeritus Merrill “Bud” Melvin

Dec 19, 2022 | iMail

The IAM is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of GDA|TLC President Emeritus Merrill “Bud” Melvin. Bud passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 92. Few people are more important to GDA|TLC’s history than Bud.

Bud began his career in Los Angeles as a railroad machinist, working his way up from the shop floor to General Chairman of District Lodge 19. In 1982, Machinists (IAM) President William W. Winpinsinger tasked  Bud with saving the school. When Bud assumed his role as President, International Guiding Eyes (IGE) had only $7,000 in the bank, yet it cost $70,000 a month to operate. 

Bud immediately started working to save the school from bankruptcy. His first accomplishment was securing an interest-free loan from the IAM, saving IGE $1.3 million in interest payments. Bud famously created the first Las Vegas fundraiser, asking attendees not to come to reduce costs. The dinner raised over $100,000.

“The IAM and GDA/TLC family have lost a legend and amazing railroad machinist,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Brother Melvin’s vision helped keep the IAM’s favorite charity GDA/TLC, in good standing. “He dedicated his life to bettering the lives of countless students and their guide dogs. “Our union is also grateful for his service to the IAM and thousands of Fighting Machinists working on the railroad.”

Bud worked to get IGE recognized as an official charity for the combined federal campaign, allowing federal workers to make monthly donations. He solicited involvement from Hollywood, orchestrating publicity from stars such as Betty White, David Hasselhoff, and Heather Thomas. As proud as Bud was of the financial rebound, he was even more proud of another statistic: IGE was graduating 60 teams of guide dogs and students each year.

Before he retired, Bud had one final contribution to make to IGE. Noticing that other Guide Dog schools were raising significantly more from the combined federal campaign, he realized the school’s name was confusing people and inhibiting fundraising. At Bud’s direction, the school changed its name in 1992 to Guide Dogs of America.

“The school’s turnaround under Bud’s leadership was nothing short of remarkable; without his perseverance and dedication, the school would most likely not exist today,” said Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines President Russ Gittlen. “I stand on the shoulders of President Emeritus Melvin. We might not exist without his leadership and the relationships he created to help the GDA/TLC organization continue our mission of transforming lives.”

The Melvin family requested that donations be made in Bud’s memory to GDA|TLC in lieu of flowers. Please keep Bud’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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Machinists Union Fights for Robust Funding in NDAA

Dec 19, 2022 | iMail

The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) yesterday. The FY 2023 NDAA has now passed the House and the Senate and heads to President’s desk for his signature.

Thanks in part to the IAM’s efforts, the legislation provides for record funding levels for defense spending totaling $858.4 billion for national defense programs, including extensive funding for IAM-built 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 authorizes 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 Machinists will continue to fight for robust funding for these programs and improvements in the ongoing negotiations over defense appropriations for the fiscal year 2023. 

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A Holiday Message From International President Martinez

Dec 18, 2022 | iMail

Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends of the IAM,

As the holiday season is upon us, it is a time for reflection on our great union’s past year. We have concluded another successful convention and overcame many obstacles while we continue to make strides in growing our union. We have organized many diverse groups and have promising organizing campaigns on the horizon.

I look into 2023 and beyond with hope and enthusiasm for what lies ahead for the Machinists Union. We will continue to defend those who need us and lead the march to better the lives of working-class people and their families.

All this cannot be achieved without our members setting an example daily on the shop floor. Your tireless effort championing workers’ rights and providing a voice on the job is what makes our union as strong as it is. 

I’d also like to extend my sincerest appreciation to those IAM members who will be working during the holidays. You sacrifice time away from your families so millions of travelers can be with theirs. 

Watch our Happy Holidays video.

From myself and your Executive Council, we wish you, your families, and loved ones peace, love, and a healthy holiday season.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Robert Martinez Jr.
International President

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