The conference will host timely discussions led by experts about the most pressing issues facing our movement, determine how we can address these challenges, share best practices and provide attendees with the cutting-edge tools and knowledge they need to affect change.
The labor movement has always been a force for progress, and we will continue that legacy by standing in our power and fighting back against undemocratic, anti-worker attacks from extremist politicians and corrupt corporate interests.
We will step into the year with purpose and make it clear that working people will determine the direction of this country.
IAM District Lodge 6, Local Lodge 388, and Local Lodge 1191 sponsored a recent Quad City Storm minor-league hockey game in Moline, Illinois, to raise money for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
The union also sponsored custom, one-of-a-kind, Machinists Union and GDA/TLC branded jerseys for the players. After the game, the game-worn jerseys were auctioned to benefit GDA/TLC, and now replicas of the jerseys are only being sold for a limited time. Fifty percent of the online jersey sale proceeds go directly to GDA/TLC.
Machinists Union member volunteers sold foam pucks for “chuck a puck,” where spectators can throw pucks onto the ice to win prizes from different businesses. They also handed out free GDA/TLC branded “thunder sticks” to the first 1,000 attendees and sold raffle tickets for a jersey.
“Local Lodges 388 and 1191 have sponsored this great GDA/TLC fundraiser event for many years,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Rick Mickschl. “The memberships of both locals attend and cheer for the Quad City Storm Hockey Team, all while raising funds for GDA. This event is ‘Machinists Strong’ and shows that we are unionists with passion and support for the great mission of Guide Dogs of America.”
Approximately 300 IAM members were in the crowd for the Machinists Union night, and 40 members worked as volunteers. Many also participated in the post-game live player jersey auction.
“Visibility of our union in the community is so important,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This important event showcases the huge effort we put into raising money for GDA/TLC, a cause so close to many IAM members and community members’ hearts.
Midwest Territory Special Representative Brian Simmons was there with guide-dog-in-training Sheldon. Guide dog recipients Susie Halverson and Vanessa Grzywa attended as special guests with their guide dogs and performed the game-starting puck drop.
The guide dogs were also honored on the ice during a segment typically attributed to first responders. Because the dogs are their handlers’ first responders, they received this special recognition.
This was the fourth year the district and locals sponsored a Quad City Storm game to benefit GDA/TLC. The union has a special connection to the Storm. Retired IAM Local Lodge 388 member John Dawson owns the team.
“My experience in leadership with the Machinist Union prepared me for owning a hockey team,” said Dawson. “And it’s those good-paying, union jobs that give you the finances to make your dreams come true.”
Online jersey sales will end on December 20th at midnight.
The funds raised from the Machinists Union sponsored game night, live auction, and replica jersey sales will be totaled and announced shortly after jersey sales end.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Derrick Battle, a General Chairman since 2013, as a Rail Division Special Representative. The appointment is effective January 1, 2023. Battle initiated into Houston, TX IAM Local 2198 in 2007 when he was hired into Union Pacific Railroad.
“Brother Battle’s experience and leadership qualities will make him an ideal representative for our Rail Division members,” said IAM Special Assistant to the International President Josh Hartford. “Battle has not only proudly served the IAM but also our country. His experience and knowledge in the rail industry will greatly benefit our members.”
Battle has worked his way up through the ranks of the IAM, serving as a Committeeman, Assistant Local Chairman, and Local Chairman before being appointed General Chairman in 2013, and has successfully been reelected every subsequent four years. Battle currently represents members at many railroads, including Amtrak and Union Pacific.
“Brother Derrick has a tremendous passion and dedication for protecting the livelihoods of IAM Rail members,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Derrick has represented Rail members at numerous railroads and has accumulated a vast knowledge of the industry that will continue to help serve our members and grow our great union.”
In July 2022, he was appointed by IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the IAM Veterans Support Benefit Inc. and as a member of the IAM Veterans Support Steering Committee.
Battle enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987, starting his career at Fort Benning, GA. He did multiple tours of duty, including in 1989 in Panama for Operation Jump Cause and in 1991 for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His long and distinguished career culminated in 1993.
The Machinists Union is proud to stand in solidarity with the United Airlines Pilots as they demand a union contract they deserve.
On Wednesday, December 7, 100 members of the IAM District Lodge 141 and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) who also work at United stood in solidarity with the 200 United Airlines pilots as they held an informational picket during the airline’s board of directors meeting in Houston.
The United Airlines Pilots are demanding for a stronger contract that’s four years overdue.
Learn more about upcoming United Airlines pilots’ informational picketing events here.
IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD, haveset datesfor formal negotiations with Apple management.Formal negotiations will kick off onWednesday,Jan.11, 2023,and continue onJan.12, Jan.31,Feb.1, andFeb.2.
Both the IAM and Apple agreed to set collective bargaining negotiation dates that would not impact this year’s busy shopping season.
“Our IAM CORE negotiating team has worked on sitting across the table from the biggest company in the world,”saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.“Thegoal of our members is to get a first contract that allows them to worktogether with Apple and its management as equals in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.I recognize Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team for respecting this process and agreeing to these negotiation dates.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Kim Valliere as a Special Representative assigned to Ontario Canada starting January 1, 2023. Valliere will be responsible for providing service and support to our members in Ontario.
A 32-year IAM member, Sister Valliere became a member of IAM Local Lodge 2330 (now Local Lodge 103) in 1990, when she was hired by Long Manufacturing (Dana Canada) in Cambridge, Ontario. She became a steward in 1991, served in various positions such as, negotiations committee member, Health and Safety Co-chair.
Kim was a certified instructor for the Workers Health and Safety Center, and Vice President before becoming Local Lodge President in 2005. She served on the executive of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) first as an area Vice President and then becoming President from 2010 through 2016.
“Kim is very passionate about and is deeply involved in the labour movement,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “She is a shining example and mentor to women in the IAM across Canada and she brings a strong work ethic to our team, we are happy to welcome her aboard.”
In 2013, Kim was selected for the mentoring program at District Lodge 78 where she became a Business Representative/Organizer, Kim has been District Lodge 78 Directing Business Representative since 2019.
“Sister Valliere’s passion and drive for our union and its mission has made her an exceptional leader,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We’re so excited for the energy and work ethic that Kim is going to bring to our members across Canada.”
She has also served as executive board member on several community organizations such as; United Way, Labour Council, The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge NDP Provincial and Federal Riding Association.
Kim Valliere nommée représentante spéciale au Canada
Le président international, Robert Martinez jr. a nommé Kim Valliere à titre de représentante spéciale affecté à la province de l’Ontario au Canada à compter du 1er janvier 2023. Kim sera responsable de fournir des services et du soutien à nos membres en Ontario.
Notre consœur est membre de l’AIM depuis 32 ans, elle est devenue membre de la section locale 2330, qui est maintenant la section locale 103 de l’AIM en 1990, lorsqu’elle a été embauchée par Long Manufacturing (Dana Canada) à Cambridge, en Ontario. Elle est devenue déléguée syndicale en 1991, a occupé divers postes tels que membre du comité de négociation, coprésidente de la santé et de la sécurité.
Kim était formatrice certifiée pour le Centre de santé et de sécurité des travailleurs et vice-présidente avant de devenir présidente de la section locale en 2005.
Elle a fait partie de l’exécutif du Conseil provincial des machinistes de l’Ontario, d’abord à titre de vice-présidente régionale, puis à titre de présidente de 2010 à 2016.
« Kim est très passionnée et profondément impliquée dans le mouvement syndical », a déclaré le vice-président général canadien de l’AIM, David Chartrand. “Elle est un brillant exemple et un mentor pour les femmes de l’AIM à travers le Canada et elle apporte une solide éthique de travail à notre équipe, nous sommes heureux de l’accueillir à bord.”
Nous lui souhaitons la bienvenue.
En 2013, Kim a été sélectionnée pour le programme de mentorat du district 78 où elle est devenue agente d’affaires/organisatrice. Kim est agente d’affaires directrice du district 78 depuis 2019.
« La passion et le dynamisme de la consœur Valliere pour notre syndicat et sa mission ont fait d’elle une dirigeante exceptionnelle », a déclaré le président international de l’AIM, Robert Martinez Jr. « Nous sommes ravis de l’énergie et de l’éthique de travail que Kim va apporter à nos membres à travers le Canada.”
Kim a également été membre du conseil exécutif de plusieurs organisations communautaires telles que ; Centraide, Conseil du travail, Commission de planification de la main-d’œuvre de la région de Waterloo et l’association de circonscription provinciale et fédérale du NPD de Cambridge.
Mike Rose, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President assigned to the wood, pulp and paper sectors, will retire from the IAM, effective January 1, 2023.
Rose, a 42-year member, is renowned throughout the IAM and globally as a leading voice for working people in the wood, pulp and paper industry. He has spent the last 14 years on the IAM’s Grand Lodge staff, working in several roles to organize new members, negotiate contracts, and grow the IAM’s power on a global scale.
“The IAM and our members in the wood, pulp and paper sector have benefitted greatly from Mike’s leadership and expertise,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “His dedication, knowledge and first-hand experiences have resulted in countless victories on behalf of our membership. We wish Mike and his family all the very best in a well-earned retirement.”
Rose first initiated into IAM Local W261 in 1980 while working in the logging department of the International Paper Company in Gardiner, OR. He rose through the ranks of his local, serving as Shop Steward, Chief Shop Steward and Business Representative. From 1997 to 2008, Rose was a Business Representative and Organizer for District W1.
Rose joined the IAM Organizing Department in 2008, serving as an Organizer and then as a Grand Lodge Representative. Rose led several successful organizing drives at major employers in the wood, pulp and paper sector.
From 2014 until his retirement, Rose has served as Woodworkers Department Chief of Staff, where he has fought for the interests of tens of thousands of IAM members in the sector.
Rose has served on the boards of the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) World Council, the Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and the Oregon Board of Forestry. He is a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
December 8 is the day that marks when Latina women would have worked enough time to make the same amount of money as white, non-Hispanic men made in 2021. On average, Latinas make only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.
According to the National Women’s Law Center, Latinas would have to work more than 30 years to earn the same amount as white, non-Hispanic men earn over a 40-yr career. This wage gap will typically cost Latinas nearly $1.2 million over their career.
This wage disparity varies widely among women from different communities and U.S. experiences who are facing even larger wage gaps.
Union membership can drastically make a difference as a union contract promotes salary transparency and prevents wage discrimination. It is estimated that Latinas who are represented by unions earn $242 more than non-unionized Latinas.
“One of the best ways to ensure we close the wage gap is through a union and a negotiated contract,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.. “The IAM stands in support of Latinas and will continue to advocate for fair wages and equal pay.”
Through organizing and collective bargaining, we can not only help to close the gender wage gap but also win higher paying jobs and equal pay for equal work.
Chicago (December 7, 2022) — The workers and unions of United Airlines today announced the United Airlines Union Coalition to coordinate closely on bargaining and other issues, as four of the five unions are currently in negotiations. The leaders released the following statement:
“The 78,000 people who make United fly have more than earned our fair share of the profits we create. We still feel the sacrifices of bankruptcy, the squeeze of the merger, and the extreme challenges of the pandemic. At every turn, we did our jobs and we’ve fought hard for a bright future at United Airlines.
“Today is that day. Together, our unions form the United Airlines Union Coalition to coordinate closely on bargaining and other issues. None of us can do our jobs without each other. We have each other’s backs in bargaining and we will stand together until all of us have ratified contracts that reflect the world-class airline United should be.
“We will coordinate in this round of bargaining and we will stand together for our future too. We are United.”
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The United Master Executive Council of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) represents 25,000 of aviation’s first responders at United Airlines.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 141 represents approximately 28,000 Fleet Service, Passenger Service, Reservations, Stockroom, Central Load Planner, Maintenance Instructor, Fleet Technical Instructor, Emergency Procedures Instructor, and Security Officer workers at United Airlines.
The United Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) represents over 14,000 pilots flying a fleet of 700 aircraft every day all across the globe.
The Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA) UAL represents the nearly 423 FAA certificated Aircraft Dispatchers at United.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airline Division represents 10,000 United Airlines Technicians.
Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement:
“Today, Georgians once again stood up for a pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda. This election victory allows working families to work with members of the U.S. Senate to continue improving our economy and implementing historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure.
“Our members in Georgia and across the nation joined thousands of union members and community allies to knock on doors and make phone calls supporting IAM-endorsed U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. The work does not end with this runoff election. We have to build upon the infrastructure in Georgia created during the first historic campaign in 2020.
“Congratulations, Senator Warnock, on the people’s victory, and we look forward to working with you to provide solutions to workers across our nation.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among North America’s largest industrial trade unions and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the airline, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
