Jul 19, 2022 | iMail
More than 100 JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmembers recently came out for an appreciation rally at JFK airport in New York.
The event was hosted by the Machinists Union Organizers assigned to JFK, which ground crews at JetBlue are seeking to join. The rally was attended by IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen and IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser.
“We are here to show our support and appreciation for these brave workers,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Johnsen. “People are tired of sitting on the sidelines. That’s why this campaign at JetBlue is so exciting, it’s a vital part of a larger movement to prove that working people deserve just as much respect as managers and executives, that’s why we have committed all the resources at our disposal for this effort.”
“These workers deserve the protections and benefits that an IAM contract can provide,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “Dedication on the job has earned them the right to a secure future for themselves and their families.”
Tristan “Lion” Dutchin, one of the lead organizers and founders of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), was also in attendance.
“I wanted to come out and show support for what Ground Ops is trying to do,” said Dutchin. “It’s not easy. Really, organizing with a union is impossible until suddenly it’s not.”
The rally was held to showcase union organizing at the airline and recognize ground crews currently working towards joining the Machinists Union. JetBlue Crewmembers participated in a raffle, were served an assortment of food items, and signed union authorization cards.
The post IAM Organizing Efforts Heat Up at JetBlue in Wake of Historic Union Victories appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 19, 2022 | iMail
IAM District 54 members recently attended President Biden’s recent announcement at Max S. Hayes High School in Cleveland. President Biden focused on his economic agenda, increasing vocational training opportunities, and building the economy from the bottom up and middle out.
IAM District 54 members Jim McClelland, Phil Baker, Mary Napier, Barbara Sherrod, and John Graf attended the event.
“So here’s the deal,” said Biden while addressing the Cleveland crowd. “The deal is quite simple. When I ran, I was criticized for the basis upon which I ran. I said I’m running for three reasons. One, to restore the soul of America — the decency and honor of this country. And two, to rebuild the backbone of the country. The backbone of the country is the working women and men, the middle class. And, you know, there’s a middle class for one reason: American unions.”
“It was meaningful to have President Biden visit Max S. Hayes High School, my alma mater and that of many of our members, and bring the spotlight on one of our few trade schools in the Cleveland area,” said T. Dean Wright, Jr., President & Directing Business Representative District Lodge 54. “His visit to our trade school is a signal of his commitment to investing in the middle class and Machinists Union members and their families.”
“Announcements like this are impactful for our members,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “A strong economic agenda is not only good for our members, but it is good for the nation. The policies implemented by this administration will positively impact our members here in Ohio and elsewhere for years.”
President Biden lauded the work of Democrats and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for their leadership.
The post Ohio District 54 Members Attend President Biden’s Economic Agenda Speech appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 19, 2022 | iMail
Honolulu, HI Sister Jan Suster was recently appointed by International President Robert Martinez Jr. to the position of Special Representative assigned to the Western Territory.
Sister Suster began her career with the Machinists Union in 2016 when she was hired as an Office Assistant for Local Lodge 1998 in Honolulu, HI. The late Sister Maria Santiago Lillis recognized the talent and potential Sister Jan exhibited and immediately began mentoring her. Suster was later appointed as Organizer in 2018 and in 2021 appointed as Business Representative.
“The future of the Western Territory burns bright with Sister Jan’s appointment,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary Allen. “Jan has shown continued growth from the moment she joined Team Hawaii and I am excited to see what she will accomplish for the IAM and the labor movement now and in the future. Sister Suster is one of the many young bright leaders in the Western Territory.”
Sister Suster has been an active part of the labor movement in Hawaii with her involvement in Appleseed, an organization dedicated to raising the minimum wage in Hawaii and serves as a delegate to the Pearl Harbor Metal Trades Council.
The post Jan Suster Appointed Western Territory Special Representative appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 19, 2022 | iMail
Since late 2021, the economy has suffered debilitating setbacks primarily due to wrinkles in the global supply chain. As a result, President Biden hosted a supply chain summit with 14 other countries that same year to begin tackling the immediate supply chain issues.
Fact Sheet: Global Supply Chain Summit
Machinists Union was invited to participate in the Labor and Workforce Development breakout of the two-day 2022 Ministerial Forum on Global Supply Chain Resilience, scheduled for July 19 and 20.
The event hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, focuses on ways to tackle the supply chain issues championed by President Biden.
Included in these discussions were geographic diversity of advanced manufacturing centers, fostering stakeholders in labor, small businesses, transportation, and logistics to improve supply chains. All while expanding global training to enhance readiness in workforce participation for all workers, including women and other underutilized minority groups.
2022 Supply Chain Ministerial
“The IAM made it clear that to improve supply chain issues, the next generation of workers must receive the skills they need to fill good middle-class jobs,” said Peter Greenberg, IAM Strategic Resources Assistant Director. “We need improved and consistent funding for apprenticeship programs and the continuation of Trade Adjustment Assistance programs for displaced workers.”
The overall goal for this global partnership is to reduce and end near-term supply chain disruptions. The Departments of State and Commerce are committed to building long-term solutions while easing future troubles in the global supply chain. Advocacy and education are needed at every level, from workers, city leaders, state, federal, and international leaders. In addition, the Biden Administration aims to secure custom supply chain solutions for businesses and workers in each locality – securing jobs for all workers.
Watch: The Modern World Doesn’t Work Without the Global Supply Chain.
The post Machinists Advocate for Middle-Class Jobs, Trade Adjustment Assistance at Global Supply Chain Forum appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 16, 2022 | iMail
ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2022 — Nearly 2,500 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 working at three separate Boeing defense locations in the St. Louis area could be forced to strike following a Sunday, July 24 membership vote on the “last, best, and final” contract offer from the Boeing Co. The major areas of contention are wage increases, auto progression rates, and 401(k) gains.
The contract is set to expire on Monday, July 25 at 12:01 a.m. CT. A seven-day waiting period stipulated in the current contract means IAM members would begin picketing on Monday, Aug. 1, if they vote to reject the contract and go on strike. The membership overwhelmingly passed the strike sanction vote on June 25 by 99 percent.
The IAM bargaining committee cannot, in good conscience, recommend a contract that is not fair and equitable as the company continues to make billions of dollars each year off the backs of hard-working members on the shop floor.
“The company failed to see the membership’s needs on various issues,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “We continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting ourselves and our families at risk to maintain production and ensure Boeing obtained the T-7 trainer and MQ-25 refueling drone. We have fought and sacrificed over the years to make this company successful. It’s time Boeing returns the favor and treats us with the dignity and respect we’ve earned and rightfully deserve.”
The IAM is determined to bring home a solid contract for the men and women who build and assemble some of the world’s most advanced weapons and military aircraft.
“We will fight for a contract the membership deserves,” said Boelling. “It’s important now more than ever for our members to trust the committee they elected. Let’s stand together and show this company what solidarity looks like.”
IAM members manufacture and produce the world’s finest weapons and military aircraft, including the F-15, F-18, T-7A trainer, and MQ-25 unmanned refueler.
Full details of all changes in the proposal will be provided by IAM District 837 early next week. IAM members are spread throughout Boeing facilities in St. Charles, Mo., St. Louis, and Mascoutah, Ill.
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
The post Machinists Union Recommends Rejection of Boeing Defense Labor Contract in St. Louis, Setting Stage for Potential Strike appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 12, 2022 | LL S6 Leadership Alerts
Brothers and Sisters,
Please find the latest Leadership Connection regarding Community Services.
Leadership Connection 7_11_22
In Solidarity,
Local S6 Leadership
Jul 12, 2022 | iMail
IAM Local Lodge 219 and its District Lodge 1888 secured a significant win in its complaint that Solution One Industries unlawfully used temporary workers in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge found three ways Solutions One Industries breached its duty to bargain in good faith.
The case against Solution One Industries began when the IAM filed unfair labor practices in 2021. The decision in the IAM’s favor found that the company made changes in the terms and conditions of employment without notice to the IAM, failed to provide relevant information requested by the IAM, and failed to give effect to a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.
“Our members at Local Lodge 219 in Kentucky are happy about this important decision that impacts their working conditions and provides them clarity in the workplace,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I want to thank Grand Lodge Representative James Little and IAM District Lodge 1888 Business Representative Ryan McCarthy for their patience and drive to get justice on the job for our members. We hope this is a strong signal for this company and other companies violating collective bargaining agreements and secures the work for our members that the company intended to eliminate through the use of part-time employees.”
IAM Local 219 Members at Solution One Industries in Richmond, KY ship, receive, and warehouse equipment and supplies for the U.S. military special forces groups.
The post IAM Local Lodge 219 Members in Kentucky Secure Major Win in NLRB Complaint Against Solution One Industries appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 12, 2022 | iMail
Members of IAM Local 971 employed at Aerojet Rocketdyne voted to ratify a new three-year deal recently.
The new accord features general wage increases of 6% in year one, with 1.5% of that raise coming July 30, 2022, 4% in year 2, and 3.5% in year three. Negotiators also maintained the $2,500, and $1,250 respective Health Savings Account employer payments for families and individuals per year over the life of the agreement, while holding the line on healthcare.
The new contract also features:
- $1,000 ratification bonus
- Three paygrades added
- Improvements to bereavement time
- Added optional unpaid holidays (UPH)
- Improvements for UPH use
“These members deserved a contract that reflects the quality of work and their dedication,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “This contract does that, my congratulations, and thanks to the Negotiating Committee and District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco for a job well done.”
“IAM Local 971 members are proud of the work they do,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Thanks to the strength of this negotiating committee and the membership, they have secured a strong IAM contract that will secure the futures of our members and their families.”
“My thanks go out to the Negotiating Committee and the membership,” said District 166 Directing Business Representative Kevin DiMeco. “I’m proud of our work at the table, and the solidarity of the group behind the committee.”
The 100 IAM members build the RS-25, and the RL-10 engines that power rockets such as the Atlas V, and Delta IV Heavy Rockets, as well as the Space Launch System.
The post Local 971 Machinists at Aerojet Rocketdyne Ratify Strong New Deal appeared first on IAMAW.
Jul 11, 2022 | LL S6 Leadership Alerts, Negotiations
Brothers and Sisters,
Please find the latest leadership alert below.
Leadership Alert 7_11_22
In Solidarity,
Local S6 Leadership
Jul 8, 2022 | iMail
Aviation High School recently held its annual graduation ceremony, the first in-person event since the pandemic. 480 students received their high school diploma, with many earning their Airframe and Powerplant licenses certifying them to work as mechanics in the airline industry.
This year, the IAM awarded four tool boxes and two scholarships to graduates. There were several other airline representatives and sponsors that presented the graduates with donations and prizes, but the IAM remains the only labor organization that awards students with scholarships and toolboxes for their educational achievements.
“It was an honor to be in attendance,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “It’s rewarding knowing all the students have accomplished in this program already. Knowing they will be better prepared for the next step in their lives is priceless.”
Aviation High School, a New York City public school, has an incredible 93% graduation rate and many graduates have expressed a desire to work in the airline industry and become IAM members.
The IAM has enjoyed a long partnership with Aviation High School and SUNY Empire State College (ESC) and now a new partnership was recently developed with the help and support of the IAM, the United Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers. Visit the SUNY Empire State College website to learn more about this new and exciting program.
The post IAM Awards Scholarships at Aviation High School Graduation appeared first on IAMAW.
