May 5, 2022 | iMail
Apple store employees in Towson, Md. who recently organized a union called Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE), with the assistance of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) filed for a union representation election yesterday with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Over one hundred employees should be eligible to vote in the election.
READ: Second Apple Store officially files petition to hold union election The Verge
“IAM is proud to support the employees at the Apple store in Towson on their union effort,” says IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We represent customer service employees in multiple industries and are excited about the new wave of organizing efforts in the tech and service industries. These workers, like all workers, have the federal right to union representation and we are happy to see CORE file for election.”
CORE and IAM recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook informing him of the decision to organize their union, listing “access to rights we do not currently have” as a driving reason for the move, which has strong support from a majority of the workers.
“As other large companies in the service and tech sectors continue to organize we are also proud to take this step,” reads the letter. “As our store approaches its 20th year anniversary we think about the history of this company and how we have always been different; because we have always thought differently. Today we are asking you to do the same and to pledge not to use your resources to engage in an anti-union campaign to dissuade us. We ask that you voluntarily recognize our union so we can begin working together as equals in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.”
The Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE) is requesting that Apple follow the same neutrality requirement laid out in its Supplier Code of Conduct under the section “Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining” so that employees can obtain their rights to information and collective bargaining that the law affords through unionization.
READ: Maryland Apple Store Employees Move to Join the IAM IAM
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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.
@ACOREUNION | @ACOREUNION Instagram | goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Maryland Apple Store Employees File for Election to Join Machinists Union appeared first on IAMAW.
May 3, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2022 – Apple store employees in Towson, Md. have organized a union called Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE), with the assistance of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
CORE and IAM recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook informing him of the decision to organize their union, listing “access to rights we do not currently have” as a driving reason for the move, which has strong support from a majority of the workers.
READ: Apple store in Maryland becomes third to launch union drive The Washington Post
“As other large companies in the service and tech sectors continue to organize we are also proud to take this step,” reads the letter. “As our store approaches its 20th year anniversary we think about the history of this company and how we have always been different; because we have always thought differently. Today we are asking you to do the same and to pledge not to use your resources to engage in an anti-union campaign to dissuade us. We ask that you voluntarily recognize our union so we can begin working together as equals in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.”
The Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE) is requesting that Apple follow the same neutrality requirement laid out in its Supplier Code of Conduct under the section “Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining” so that employees can obtain their rights to information and collective bargaining that the law affords through unionization.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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.
@ACOREUNION | @ACOREUNION Instagram | goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Maryland Apple Store Employees Move to Join the IAM appeared first on IAMAW.
May 3, 2022 | iMail
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge from a Cadillac dealership in Naperville, IL, giving IAM Local 701 a huge win stemming from a strike against the Chicago New Car Dealer Committee in 2017. The recent ruling upheld a lower court decision which found the dealership unlawfully threatened an IAM Local 701 mechanic when a manager told the mechanic “things would not be the same” if he went on strike.
“This is a great victory for the labor movement and this decision protects our right to strike without any intimidation from management,” said IAM Local 701 Directing Business Representative Sam Cicinelli.
“Unions have the right to strike free from intimidation and threats, and this decision by the Supreme Court to reject the dealership’s frivolous protest affirms bullying tactics from management will not be tolerated against our members exercising their rights,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The Machinists have, and always will, fight back against any scare tactics against our members.”
The post High Court Rejects Cadillac Dealership’s Challenge to Ruling That it Threatened IAM Local 701 Mechanic Going on Strike appeared first on IAMAW.
May 3, 2022 | iMail
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace and defense union in the United States, continues its advocacy for robust funding of the F-35 Lightning II program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 defense budget.
Partnering with Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) and the U.S. House of Representatives Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, the IAM continues to build congressional support for the F-35 Program. Most recently, the IAM and its partners supported a Congressional letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in advocating for continued support of the F-35 program. The letter, which was signed by 154 members of Congress, expressed the critical need for Congress to provide the necessary program funding to support an increase in the production ramp rate towards full-rate production and continued investment in modernization and sustainment in the upcoming defense authorization and appropriations bills for the Fiscal Year 2023.
The F-35 Lightning II program provides for tens of thousands of Machinists Union jobs at Lockheed Martin and across the F-35 supply chain, supports nearly 300,000 total jobs nationwide, and accounts for more than $65 in annual economic activity. In addition to its vitally important job creation and economic impact, the F-35 program is essential to ensuring U.S. national security and ensures that our men and women in uniform are supported by the most capable fighter jet known to man.
“The F-35 is an engineering marvel that continues to set the bar in the defense and security of this Nation,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The Machinists Union will always do whatever it can to advocate for this program. Thousands of our highly-skilled members working at Lockheed Martin facilities across the country are honored to be a part of the defense of our country and proud that their strong, union job allows them to take care of their own at home. The F-35 is much more than a job for Machinists Union members; it’s a shining example of American and union pride.”
For the IAM, supporting the F-35 Lightning II Program is key to taking care of our proud members across the country who build this peerless aircraft.
“The F-35 is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, setting the trajectory for our country’s future defense and security,” said Martinez. “For our members on shop floors across the U.S.A., the F-35 Lightning II Program represents much more than that. It symbolizes what it means to be union, providing thousands of highly-skilled, union jobs that allow our proud members to take care of their families, their communities, and this great country.”
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 Proudly Supports Robust Funding of the F-35 Lightning II Program appeared first on IAMAW.
May 3, 2022 | iMail
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Angela Colaizzi as a Headquarters Communications Representative, effective May 1, 2022.
Colaizzi joins the IAM from the United Steelworkers (USW), where she has worked in the USW’s New Media Department since 2015, aiding in strategic and digital campaigns.
“Angela’s experience in a wide variety of communication channels will be incredibly valuable to the IAM’s Communications Department and our membership,” said Martinez. “We look forward to our members, staff and leaders benefitting from her expertise and passion for the labor movement.”
Colaizzi will hit the ground running on the IAM’s social media, building digital campaigns and promoting the union and its resources to members and the public. She will also help with internal and external communications, digital campaign strategy, and writing for IAM publications.
At the USW, Colaizzi coordinated the USW Cares Jefferson Awards program and supported multiple USW initiatives through her work in New Media, including Next Generation and Veterans of Steel. She also assisted the Strategic Campaigns, Organizing, and Rapid Response departments with mass-texting, mass-email, website building and social media.
Colaizzi holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.
The post Angela Colaizzi Appointed IAM Communications Representative appeared first on IAMAW.
May 3, 2022 | iMail
This week at the IAM’s Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3), a negotiations prep was conducted for the newly organized non-profit group Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE). The IAM recently was certified January 7, 2022 to represent these hardworking dedicated educators.
The five LEE negotiations members who travelled to the Winpisinger Center and met for the first time and each other were Alex Totten, German Cash, Art Phung, William Netherland and L Driskell. The team is working and being briefed on contract structure, language and legal ease to prepare them for bargaining.
LEE, which is nominally progressive, provides training to individuals seeking elected leadership positions in education. The bargaining unit is all non-supervisory employees who are a younger, diverse demographic and work all over the country.
“This group of stewards is an exquisite example of the younger generation smashing down archaic walls and crushing corporate norms to stand up and say enough is enough,” said IAM District 160 Business Representative Tommy Hunt, who also attended the negotiations prep. “They are all incredibly competent and even in the face of high stress and anxiety, they are all more than capable of turning that pressure into the proper leverage needed to secure a strong first contract. “
The LEE members were excited and engaged in the training.
“I have found the training sessions, as a brand new steward who is new to organizing, bargaining and all of it, to be so incredibly empowering,” said William Netherland, a negotiating committee member. “Not only in the sense of knowledge and information, but in terms of affirmation and encouragement. I will leave knowing that I can do this!”
“I’m very proud of the LEE negotiations team members and District 160. They’re a very focused and determined group,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The Machinists Union is totally committed to backing them up with any and all resources to help them achieve their first collective bargaining agreement.”
The post District 160 Educational Equity Members Prepare for First Contract at Winpisinger Center appeared first on IAMAW.
May 2, 2022 | iMail
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md., May 1, 2022 – Approximately 460 Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) employees who recently organized with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to ratify their first union contract. Full and part-time BCPL employees at the administrative office and the 19 county library branches are part of the agreement.
The one-year collective bargaining agreement includes pay increases, and paid leave, among other significant improvements. Among several work rule improvements, the agreement creates a labor-management committee.
The first contract with BCPL comes after years of organizing, including the IAM winning a new state law allowing BCPL employees to collectively bargain. The law, sponsored by State Del. Cathi Forbes and State Sen. Shelly Hettleman, went into effect on July 1, 2021.
“We are so happy to reach this day,” said Anita Bass, a BCPL Circulation Assistant III at the Essex branch. “Ratifying this contract gives us a seat at the table. We are looking forward to having a voice in making the Baltimore County Public Library the best it can be.”
“Baltimore County Public Library employees have worked hard to obtain a first contract that will give them a bigger voice in the workplace,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bridget Fitzgerald, lead organizer of the campaign. “I am so proud of these dedicated individuals for standing strong through this difficult process. Not only will the families of the Baltimore County Library employees benefit, but the Baltimore County community will benefit tremendously.”
“Our Baltimore County Public Library members demonstrated patience and solidarity throughout the negotiation process,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “ I want to applaud IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bridget Fitzgerald, the entire Organizing Department staff, and IAM staff members for supporting the BCPL employees. This first contract will serve as a model for other library employees throughout Maryland.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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.
BCPLunited.org | @BCPL_United | goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Baltimore County Public Library Employees Vote to Ratify First Machinists Union Contract Following Groundbreaking Organizing Campaign appeared first on IAMAW.
May 2, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2022 – Nearly 700 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) working at three separate United Launch Alliance (ULA) sites overwhelmingly voted yes to a new three-year contract. The contract covers Machinists Union members from IAM Local 610 in Cape Canaveral, FL, Local 44 in Decatur, AL, and Local 2786 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, who build rockets such as the Atlas V, work on launch teams and maintain facilities across the United States.
“ULA Machinists are the hardworking men and women who ensure that America’s launch capability remains second to none by not only manufacturing but launching some of the best and safest rockets in the world,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “They deserve a contract that acknowledges the decades of skills and expertise they bring to the job. I am proud to say that’s what we were able to bring home to the membership by standing in solidarity and being prepared for the bargaining table.”
Wage increases, health care plan improvements, a ratification bonus, 401(k) gains, strengthened progression rates, and more are a few of the contract advancements, which take effect May 2, 2022.
“This negotiating team started preparing for these negotiations more than a year ago with the full might of the Machinist Union supporting them,“ said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “From the Strategic Resources and Communications departments to Director Chris Wagoner from the William W. Winpisinger Education Center who led the bargaining preparation class, the mission was clear – to bring home a strong IAM contract, and that’s what they did. This is the power of solidarity.”
“I am proud of this negotiating team who honorably represented our shop floor members at the bargaining table,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “These workers are the best of the best, helping ULA maintain a 100% mission success rate for launches. They deserve a contract that compensates them for all they have given to this country. In this agreement, we achieved gains such as stronger wages, benefits, and working conditions, but we were also able to safeguard the future. Increases to the 401(k), which sets a path for future generations to thrive, seniority protections, and securing fair and equitable work rules are some hard-fought achievements we reinforced and preserved.”
In 2018 during the last negotiations, a much different scene played out at the bargaining table when the IAM and ULA came to an impasse, and the workers at all locations went on strike for close to two weeks. But lessons learned in the past cemented the goals of IAM members in the present. With one voice, all involved understood what was imperative to the membership; to safely build and launch some of the best rockets in the world, ensuring that ULA and the work of the Machinists Union continues to set the standard in the aerospace industry.
“Our members work hard to launch some of the most expensive technology into space, and their work serves to better our society,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “They deserve a great contract for the recognition of their work.”
For more on negotiations or to view all contract changes, log onto IAM/ULA Negotiations.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post ULA Machinists Union Members Launch a New Three Year Deal appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 28, 2022 | iMail
The IAM gathered at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD to remember 46 members that will be added to the hallowed memorial grounds.
With more than 100 IAM members attending, Monica Lee Silbas, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President, delivered the keynote address.
Silbas called on members to remember those who have passed and to commit to making things better at work.
“We do this for transportation workers, aerospace workers, healthcare workers, airline workers, government employees, factory workers, railroad workers, woodworkers and any worker we have lost,” said Silbas. “Commit yourself to improving the lives of all workers for the future of our children and our grandchildren.”
For weeks, Winpisinger Center groundskeepers have been preparing the area with love and care placing new bricks around the main memorial. IAM C.R.E.S.T. and Safety and Health Department coordinates the program each year.
“Just look around at the beautiful grounds that were built by IAM members,” said Silbas. “They built it with their hearts in their hands. It’s just too sad that more blocks more bricks had to be built. Remember the fight never stops not while we are still here.”
Immediately after the names were read out loud as a bell tolled each time in remembrance of a life lost.
The post IAM Commemorates Fallen Members on Workers’ Memorial Day appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 28, 2022 | iMail
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 – Matt Hollis, National Vice President and Special Assistant to the President for Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), testified before the Surface Transportation Board on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Hollis testified on behalf of the IAM Rail Union to address urgent issues in the freight rail service. Other speakers included U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, and Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel of the Federal Maritime Commission.
WATCH: STB Hearing on Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service- April 26 and 27
The Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and IAM District 19, which together represent tens of thousands of rail workers, will become part of the IAM Rail Division on May 1, 2022.
The testimony highlighted three specific crafts in the rail industry that reveal the impact of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) on the workforce and current issues with freight rail service.
“From my position at TCU/IAM, I have had a front-row seat to the complete and utter degradation of our nation’s Class 1 railroads over the past six to seven years,” said Hollis. “I’ve watched as private equity firms have acquired controlling stakes in railroads only to use their power to deploy business models that extract as much wealth as possible, to the detriment of the railroads’ workers, their customers, and ultimately, the public interest. The Class 1 railroads have deployed their variations of the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) business model – a misnomer, as any real railroader would tell you that PSR is neither precise nor well-scheduled and hardly resembles what they would call ‘railroading.’ A more accurate description would be doing ‘less with less’ – or moving fewer carloads with drastically fewer employees.”
Read Hollis’s full testimony here.
The Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) represents approximately 46,000 members in the U.S., most employed in the railroad industry.
IAM District 19 represents 11,000 active machinists across the country at every Class 1 commuter railroad, Amtrak and others. Members primarily maintain and repair locomotives and track maintenance equipment both in shops and on the line of road. They also perform complete overhauls of locomotives and many assemblies and sub-assemblies used in all aspects of railroading.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post IAM Rail Division Testifies Before the Surface Transportation Board on Precision Scheduled Railroading, Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service appeared first on IAMAW.
