Four members of IAM 778 helped Kansas City Parks and Recreation clean up a large section of the Indian Creek Trail, as a part of the IAM Midwest Territory’s “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing.
Local 778 members picked up trash along the Indian Creek Trail in Kansas City, MO, and is a part of IAM Local 778’s continued dedication to helping in the community in which they live.
“What a great way to give back to the community,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “My thanks go out to Local 778 Directing Business Representative Scott Brown and all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to their community, all while helping the environment.”
“It’s nice to be able to help in the community. This trail runs along Indian Creek so any help we can provide to keep the trail and waterways clean and free of garbage is well worth the effort,” said Brown. “It was nice to see active and retired members volunteer for this cleanup project and we look forward to every opportunity to assist the community.”
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ (IAM) Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), the first Apple workers to join a union, filed an Unfair Labor Practice chargeat theNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB)against Apple for excluding IAM CORE members in Towson, Md.from certain educational and medical benefits being offered to all other Apple employees starting next year.
IAM CORE recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook expressing disappointment about not following the prior practice of including Towson employees in corporate-wide enhancements after consultation with the union.
“Our union will fight to ensure all labor laws are followed throughout this negotiation process,”saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “One of the reasons the employees in Towson joined the IAM was because they knew our union would use every resource to protect them. We are hopeful that this won’t be the normal procedure before we sit with Apple at the negotiating table. Our members in Towson want to be heard in the workplace, and securing a first contract will be the first step towards achieving that goal.”
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 Local 620 has secured over $17,000 to compensate nine members working at Union Pacific Dolores Yard in Long Beach, CA, for a violation of their collective agreement.
The local filed a grievance after the company brought contractors on the property to change out traction motors twice. The company’s action was a violation of the collective agreement’s clause that stipulates that advance notice must be given for subcontracting work.
“When an employer fails to enforce a policy that is part of the collective bargaining agreement, we can hold them accountable,” said Juan Estrada, IAM District 19 General Chairman. “This hard-fought union contract continues to pay off and is a perfect example of why an IAM contract is so valuable.”
The subcontracting grievance information was gathered by IAM Local 620 leadership, including Vice President George Lopez and Local Chairman Art Aguirre, while the claim was filed by District 19 General Chairman Juan Estrada.
“If language was not in place, Local 620 members would not have been compensated correctly,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President. “We will continue to fight for robust grievance procedures and workplace protections. We are very proud of Local 620 leadership and their commitment to make sure our members have rightfully earned what they deserve.”
Delegates from across Ohio and West Virginia gathered in Cleveland last week for the annual Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM) meeting. A full house gathered to prepare for the 2022 midterm elections.
“IAM members know the issues,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Engaging our rank and file members in the political process can be a challenge, but it’s important work, and this election is too important to sit on the sidelines. Working families across the country must participate to ensure their issues are important to any candidate seeking office.”
IAM Headquarters General Vice President Brian Bryant spoke about the importance of getting involved in the election process by encouraging our members to vote for candidates who support our issues.
“We endorse our candidates not by the letter next to their name, but by where they stand on the issues we care about,” said Bryant. “We know that our work can make a difference in close elections, and we expect the margins in Ohio’s races to be close.”
“Working families from across Ohio and West Virginia all know what is at stake in the midterm elections,” said President T. Dean Wright, Jr. “Our members are educated on the issues and the candidates, as well as the process and making sure their vote is counted.”
Other speakers included candidate for governor, Nan Whaley, telling delegates they “deserve an Ohio where one good job is enough to provide for our families; ensuring that the benefits of good jobs are available to everyone, no matter their race, sex or zip code.”
There was also a bowling event to benefit Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC). Dozens laced up their bowling shoes to raise more than $23,000 for GDA.
The Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM) is an organization of 32 local unions that represent over 20,000 manufacturing, steel, automotive, aerospace and other workers across Ohio and West Virginia. On July 1, 2016, the West Virginia State Council of Machinists was affiliated into the Ohio State Council of Machinists.
Recently at the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention, Local 751F member Alberta England had a life-changing event take place for her autistic son, Jackson.
Russ Gittlen, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines President introduced England and her son to the service dog, Bobby, at the right time. The incredible event, captured on video, tells the whole story of how these animals are changing people’s lives.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2022 – IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. released the following statement:
“The Machinists Union sends our profound congratulations to President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the people of Brazil. Like the labor movement, Lula’s life story is one of perseverance. As a young man who took machinist training courses and then rose to the top of the Metalworkers Union, Lula will again bring a workers’ perspective to the Brazilian presidency.
“After wrongful persecution that took his freedom, Lula never wavered in his fight for a better future for his country, to maintain democracy and to advocate for the working people of Brazil. The IAM, which has worked closely with Brazilian unionists, including exchange trips of labor activists, looks forward to continuing our global advocacy for social justice alongside Lula and a Brazilian government that will once again fight for working people.”
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 manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
Machinists Union members have made thousands of calls and knocked on thousands of Machinists Union members’ doors.
With less than two weeks until Election Day, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers(IAM) Labor 2022 campaign has already mobilized hundreds of volunteers to knock on thousands of doors.
The Machinists Union’s member-to-member program, which has been active since September, has made thousands of calls to Machinists Union members in Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, andNevada. In addition to calls, hundreds of Machinists have been deployed to the battleground states to knock on doors and gain support for endorsed candidates and issues. The Machinists Union’s member-to-member 2022 membership political education campaign is engaging in a wide range of GOTV actions, including robocalls, text messages, emails, phone banks, and leafleting at worksites.
“I want to thank all IAM members who are participating in the get out the vote efforts in the battleground states,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Our union is dedicated to getting worker-friendly candidates elected to office. The Biden-Harris administration needs a Congress that will move an agenda that benefits workers. We have one of the labor movement’s best Legislative and Political departments, and their political education efforts are allowing us to reach thousands of our members.”
“Our union must have a political education program that mobilizes our members to vote at the polls,” said IAM Headquarters General Vice President Brian Bryant. “We have activated the majority of our staff at our headquarters to help with the get-out-the-vote efforts in the states. We must work to get worker-friendly candidates elected up and down the ballot.”
The Machinists Union will leverage thousands of volunteer hours to reach their members in key battleground states in the remaining days before Tuesday, Nov. 8. The Labor 2022 IAM member-to-member program is crucial to help elect pro-worker candidates across the country.
After years of hard work and dedication, IAM District 19 was able to win 400 hours of straight-time pay for IAM members at North Little Rock Union Pacific – Jenks Shop (NLR). The award is due to the carrier’s wrongful subcontracting of IAM work.
The carrier subcontracted out two engine overhauls that were to be done at NLR. The local team stepped into action and gathered the necessary information to progress two great claims. Their hard work was then turned over to District 19 where two claims were filed.
After a long battle with the carrier, it was finally set to be heard by a Public Law Board. In July of this year, District 19 was finally able to present this case to the board. The board ruled in the favor of the Fighting Machinists, awarding members listed in claims 400-man hours at the straight time rate of pay. This gives each member in the claims an estimated $400.
“This is a tremendous victory for our members,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “My thanks go out to Local Chairman Robert Roush along with his team, General Chairman Kenny Krause, and retired General Chairman Jim Davis.”
“Not only did this award give our members much-deserved money in their pockets, but it also gave us some language that states that we own the engine overhaul work at North Little Rock Union Pacific,” said IAM District 19 General Chairman Kenny Krause. “This is definitely in our favor should the carrier try to take on the Fighting Machinists again with this issue.”
If you plan to celebrate Halloween, don’t forget to buy union-made in America treats.
See the handy list of union-made candy and sweets below, provided by the AFL-CIO.
These treats are made by companies that treat their workers fairly. When you consume these, you will be supporting the hardworking people in our union family.
Union-Made Candy
Annabelle Candy Company
Abba-Zaba peanut
Big Hunk
Rocky Road S’mores
U-No
American Licorice
Red Vines Black Licorice
Red Vines
Red Vines Ropes, all flavors
Bachman
Jax Cheese Curls
Keystone Party Mix
Pretzels
Ferrero
Baby Ruth
Butterfinger
Laffy Taffy
Nestlé Crunch
Ghirardelli Chocolate
Chocolate Squares, all filled and nonfilled
Chocolate Bars, all filled and nonfilled
Chocolate Chips
Hershey Products*
Hershey’s Kisses: Milk Chocolate, Candy Cane, Cookies and Cream, White Chocolate, Special Dark Chocolate
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds Bars
Hershey’s Nuggets
Hershey’s Chocolate Santa Claus Claus Shaped Chocolate
Hugs
Pearson’s Candy
Mint Patties
Nut Goodie
Salted Nut Roll
Sconza Chocolates
Boston Baked Beans
Chocolate
Chocolate Cherries
Jaw Breakers
Jordan Almonds
Lemoncello Almonds
See’s Candies
Assorted chocolates
Brittles and toffees
Candy bars
Lollypops
Nuts and chews
Truffles
Tootsie Roll Industries
Tootsie Pops, all sizes and flavors
Tootsie Rolls, all sizes and flavors
Wilbur Chocolate
Peter’s Caramel
*Union-made only if produced in the West Hershey plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
To view a more comprehensive list of more union-made sweets, visit Union Plus here.
