IAM District 776 in Fort Worth, TX recently held the fifth annual General Vice President Mark Blondin’s Path to Freedom Car show, which raised almost $27,000 for Guide Dogs of America / Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
“Thanks to GVP Blondin for always supporting us, Gary Kennermer for running a great Texas Hold’em card game, and Mark Miller and his BBQ cookers, Machelle Lopez and Johnnie Shugg, who put on a great and filling BBQ competition,” said Chub McCrory, IAM District 776 Organizer. “The Sweet Dreams Car Club provided some real nice-looking cars for the car show, and the motorcycle run was a highlight. I would also like to thank everyone who showed up, participated, and donated, with a special thanks to the vendors, the VFW 5616, United Way, the White Settlement Police Department, and JC Parker from the IBEW. See you next year.”
“The team at District 776 really outdid themselves this year by creating such a unique, fun event, which provided an opportunity to contribute to this great charity,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “A special thank you to Chub, Gary Kennermer and Anna Richey for an outstanding job. The Aerospace Department is always honored and readily available to help support the Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines.”
Guide Dogs of America is the IAM’s favorite charity. In 2020, GDA completed a merger with Tender Loving Canines and now provides hardworking service dogs for people who are blind/ visually impaired, veterans, and individuals with autism, and facilities to become trusted companions that bring confidence, independence, and mobility. Their services are provided free of charge to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) urged Members of Congress to support a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, calling for increased funding for National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The bipartisan effort is respectfully requesting $368 million, at a minimum. The increased funding would also address the NLRB’s regional office staffing crisis and remove the barrier prohibiting the board from implementing an electronic voting system to conduct union representation elections. The IAM fully supports the call for increased funding.
“The IAM greatly supports efforts to ensure workers have the workplace rights they greatly deserve, and that includes an NLRB with the funding and resources the agency needs,” IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., wrote.
The requested increase in funding would provide long-overdue resources to allow the NLRB to accomplish its primary mission. Since FY2010, the NLRB’s budget remained stagnant and has decreased 25 percent in real dollars adjusted for inflation.
“Overall staffing levels have dropped by 39 percent over the past two decades and field staffing has been cut in half. These cuts come while there has been a dramatic increase in labor activity which has caused a higher caseload for NLRB staff,” according to the letter congressional members sent to appropriators.
The NLRB is an independent agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer and enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA is the primary and largely exclusive federal statute governing labor relations in the private sector. It serves the public interest by effectively and efficiently reducing disruptions to commerce caused by labor disputes.
This past Friday Mike Rose Chief of Staff to the International President, Woodworkers Department met with members of the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI). The BWI is the Global Union Federation grouping free and democratic unions with members in the Building, Building Materials, Wood, Forestry, and Allied sectors. The IAM is a proud member of BWI.
WASHINGTON, 22 de abril 22 de 2022 –Cientos de mecánicos y afines que trabajan enLufthansa Technik, Puerto Rico, LLC. en Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, están votando en una elección de la Junta Nacional de Mediación (NMB, por sus siglas en inglés) para unirse con la Asociación Internacional de Maquinistas y Trabajadores Aeroespaciales (IAM), la unión de aerolíneas y transporte más grande de América del Norte
La NMB envió las boletas por correo el 10 de marzo de 2022. El período de votación de la elección es del 10 de marzo de 2022 hasta el 5 de mayo de 2022. El conteo final será en las oficinas de la Junta en Washington, DC el 5 de mayo de 2022.
A principios de este ano, la Junta Nacional de Mediación (NMB, por sus siglas en inglés) determinó que la IAM tenía suficientes muestras de interés para proceder a una elección por correo. Los trabajadores de Lufthansa Technik han soportado tácticas agresivas antisindicales y peticiones para detener el derecho de los trabajadores a unirse a la IAM.
Recientemente, el Presidente Internacional de la IAM, Robert Martinez Jr., y el Vicepresidente General del Territorio del Sur de la IAM, Rickey Wallace, visitaron a mecánicos y afines de Lufthansa Technik.
“Estos trabajadores de Lufthansa que trabajan arduamente están haciendo un trabajo fantástico organizando a sus compañeros y los insté a votar por la IAM en esta elección por correo,” dijo Martínez. “Se enfrentan a muchos problemas en el lugar de trabajo, que incluyen horas de trabajo reducidas, reglas de trabajo irregulares y salarios y beneficios inadecuados. Con la IAM como su representante legal, podemos ayudar a abordar estos problemas con la gerencia.”
“Los trabajadores nos explicaron cómo esta empresa los ha desilusionado año tras año,” dijo Wallace. “Los trabajadores de Lufthansa Technik merecen salarios y beneficios competitivos.”
“Nuestra esperanza es hacer un cambio positivo,” dijo Juan Negrón, Asistente Especial del Presidente Internacional de la IAM. “Sabemos que representaremos los mejores intereses de los trabajadores y sus familias.”
Mecánicos de Lufthansa Technik y afines proveen servicios para United Airlines, Allegiant, Spirit, Avianca y, recientemente, JetBlue.
La Asociación Internacional de Maquinistas y Trabajadores Aeroespaciales (IAM) se encuentra entre las uniones industriales más grandes de América del Norte y representa a casi 600,000 miembros activos y jubilados en los sectores de fabricación, aeroespacial, defensa, líneas aéreas, ferrocarriles, transporte, construcción naval, carpintería, atención de la salud, y otras industrias.
While waiting for a response to our recent request to the National Mediation Board that a proffer of arbitration be issued by the Board to move our contract dispute to the next level, CBC unions participated in two additional days of mediated bargaining sessions with NCCC this week.
Once again, the nation’s class 1 rail carriers showed just how far removed they are from the realities that their employees and shippers are experiencing. Without regard for the beating that these rail carriers took in front of the surface Transportation Board a week ago, and ignoring their continued record profit reports, the rail carriers continue to advance proposals at the bargaining table that they have previously been told are unacceptable to the CBC Unions and our members.
Due to the NCCC’s refusal to negotiate a fair agreement in good faith, all CBC Unions again request that the NMBproffer arbitration to the parties to stop the endless delays by the rail carriers.
As we advised in January and April, we had hoped that the involvement of the NMB would cause the industry to refocus on addressing the legitimate needs of the men and women whose labor generates their positive financial returns. That has not happened, and there is no indication that it will without allowing the remaining steps of the Railway Labor Act to play out to compel a favorable settlement.
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The unions comprising the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition are: the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA); the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen / Teamsters Rail Conference (BLET); the brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS); the International Association of Machinists (IAM); the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB); the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU (NCFO); the InternationalBrotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); the Transportation Communications Union / IAM (TCU), including TCU’s Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division (BRC); and the transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART–TD).
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2022 –More than 200 mechanics and related who work in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, at Lufthansa Technik, Puerto Rico, LLC.voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest airline and transportation union in North America.
“This election is the voice and feeling of all of our co-workers who desire to progress here on the island without the need to abandon our families.,” said Lufthansa Technik Senior Aircraft Mechanic Jonathan Diaz. “It is very important for those who in the beginning and after so much training to try and reach their dream to feel proud of working in the aviation industry. A dream of many but at the same time so few attain it in the country. We will demonstrate that in Puerto Rico we do good and be better not only as humans but as workers.”
“We congratulate the Lufthansa mechanics and related work for choosing to join the Machinists Union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This victory is a win not just for the Lufthansa workers, but for all workers in Puerto Rico who are trying to make their lives better. We urge Lufthansa to respect the decisions its workers have made and come to the negotiating table in good faith. I want to thank the amazing IAM team on the ground, including Javier Almazan, José “Lole” Rodríguez-Báez, and Juan Negron, for their dedication to getting the Lufthansa workers an opportunity for union representation.”
The National Mediation Board (NMB) election results come months after aggressive tactics and appeal to stop Lufthansa Technik workers’ right to join the IAM. Last year, Lufthansa mechanics and related sought IAM representation due to various workplace issues, including reduced work hours, irregular work rules, and inadequate wages and benefits.
“The highly skilled aircraft mechanics and related at Lufthansa Technik have overcome many challenges over the past two years,” said Juan Negron, IAM Special Assistant to the International President. “I am proud of their courage and strength. It is time to sit down at the table and get a first contract to benefit the workers and their families. We will utilize the IAM’s full resources to ensure the workers at Lufthansa get what they deserve with a voice in the workplace and respect and dignity on the shop floor.”
“The Lufthansa Technik workers have spoken loud and clear,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “They now have the legal right to negotiate a contract that will improve their quality of life and give them respect and dignity. The IAM is fully committed to achieving a first contract at Lufthansa Technik.”
Lufthansa Technik mechanics and related provided service for United Airlines, Allegiant,Spirit, Avianca, and JetBlue until recently.
“Today we are full of hope because finally after overcoming so many obstacles, the day is here that we the Lufthansa Technik employees in Puerto Rico are united in one voice,” said Lufthansa Technik Aircraft Mechanic Carlos Santiago. “With this victory, all the employees working at Lufthansa will gain better working conditions.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
The IAM is joining the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to help collect donated food in more than 10,000 communities across the country. The 30th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is set for Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Just leave non-perishable food donations next to your mailbox on May 14 and your mail carrier will take care of the rest. Donations will stay in your community to help those who do not have enough to eat.
Access to nutritionally adequate and safe food is limited or uncertain for 1 in 6 Americans. Many households include single working parents with young children, grandparents helping to raise their grandchildren, college students or households with one parent actively serving in the military.
With more than 50 million people facing hunger every day in America, including nearly 17 million children, this drive is one way you can help those in your community who need help.
If you or your local lodge wants to become more involved, visit the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Tool Kit webpage by clicking here. On the site, you can help NALC by purchasing union-made grocery distribution bags, print out food drive posters and flyers, and contact your local NALC food drive coordinator.
Capture your hard work on or before Saturday, May 14, by sharing your best photos on social media with the hashtag #StampOutHunger. Your pictures could get posted on one of the official food drive accounts on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Today, we celebrate the 134th anniversary of our great union. In 1888, 19 Machinists met secretly in a locomotive pit in Atlanta declaring themselves “The Order of United Machinist and Mechanical Engineers.”
A year later, 40 local lodges were established, and in 1889, the first Machinists Union Convention was held at the state capital in Atlanta, with 34 locals represented. Our 40th Grand Lodge Convention will be represented by more than 800 locals this October.
Our founders would be proud of how our union has grown, both in size and diversity, as Machinists Union members now work in over 200 industries across North America.
As we reflect on our past accomplishments today, we also continue our preparations for the future. The core principles which built the IAM—justice on the job and service to the community—remain true to this day.
We will continue to hold corporations and politicians accountable, so working families can have a voice on the job, safer working conditions, and improved livelihoods.
