Mar 28, 2022 | iMail
Approximately 7,000 IAM-represented workers at Southwest Airlines will be voting on a contract that delivers industry-leading job protections and pay scales for members at the carrier. The IAM represents Customer Service Employees, including Customer Representatives, Customer Service Agents and Source of Support Representatives, at Southwest Airlines.
The four-year tentative agreement also provides better mandatory overtime rules and creates a better quality of life for IAM members. The IAM negotiating committee unanimously recommends a “yes” vote.
“Our members should be proud to have stood strong for a contract they deserve,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “Thanks to this negotiating committee and the solidarity of our membership, we were able to secure a much stronger tentative agreement that will benefit our members at Southwest Airlines, their families and communities.”
Read highlights of the agreement here.
“I want to thank every member who has stood strong and made their voices heard through surveys during this process,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John M. Coveny Jr. “We have listened to the needs of our membership and are extremely proud of this tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines.”
In the coming days, the full version of the tentative agreement will be provided to members.
“We are very grateful to the membership, negotiating committee, District 142 leadership, Airline Coordinator Tom Regan, Grand Lodge Representative Jeff Tobius and National Mediation Board Mediator Gerry McGuckin,” said IAM Transportation Coordinator Edison Fraser. “We also want to thank Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan and his team for being partners toward securing a strong tentative agreement.”
The IAM will also hold informational meetings for contact explanation as soon as all ratification vote locations and dates are confirmed.
“It has been an honor to work with this negotiating team,” said IAM Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “Every IAM member at Southwest Airlines should be proud of the work done on their behalf to secure this industry-leading tentative agreement.”
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Mar 24, 2022 | iMail
Take up the fight in our nation’s capital for policies that benefit working people. Join hundreds of your fellow IAM members at the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference from June 20 to 22, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001.
You must complete reservations by Friday, May 13, 2022, to guarantee the IAM hotel room rate.
Get the official call letter, registration information, and hotel booking details here.
As part of the conference schedule, attendees will lobby members of Congress and remind them who they were elected to represent. In addition, machinists will hit Capitol Hill and talk about the issues that affect IAM members most, including the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Buy American, transportation, trade, defense funding, retirement security, healthcare costs and more.
During general sessions, delegates will also hear from allies in Congress and attend a congressional reception hosted by the IAM.
Make a difference by participating in this important conference.
Register today.
The post Registration for the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference is Now Open appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 24, 2022 | iMail
“The Pup Pack is Back!” Dust of your tuxedo (black tie optional) and join us for a tribute to the classics of Old Las Vegas.
Guide Dogs of America (GDA) invites you to the 41st annual William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet on Saturday, November 19, 2022. The banquet will be held at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas.
Guide Dogs of America is extremely proud to announce the 2022 “Gift of Sight” honorees:
- Brian Bryant, IAMAW, GVP Eastern
- Jon Holden, District 751, President
- BNY Mellon
More details to follow as they become available.
Guide Dogs of America is the IAM’s favorite charity providing service dogs for people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, children 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 post Save the Date for GDA’s Las Vegas Charity Weekend appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 24, 2022 | iMail
During Women’s History Month this year, the IAM is highlighting current trailblazers in the union. Are you an IAM Sister interested in taking a more active role in your union? Reach out to your District leadership about the IAM Leadership Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) Program.
Maria Schoening first got involved with the IAM when she and her coworkers were in the process of choosing between another union and the IAM. Schoening educated herself about why being a member of the IAM was better and the election was successfully won by the IAM.
She began volunteering around the local and getting involved with IAM CREST and the hazardous materials worker’s awareness train the trainer program. She advocated for the materials to be translated to Spanish in order to reach more members. Following that, she had the opportunity to go to other stations and help train. Schoening also had the opportunity later that year to go to Winpisinger Center and translate a hazardous material under a government grant.
In January 2022 she became Local 845 president.
“I am lucky enough to have an executive board that consists of five women out of the eight executive board members,” said Schoening. “These strong, intelligent, hard-working women along with the rest of my executive board have been amazing helping me and guiding on this new position.”
Schoening credits many mentors along the way, including her former chair at United Airlines and former Local 845 Vice President Scott Meixner.
“Scott is kind enough to answer any question at any time,” said Schoening. “He is a phone call or text away.”
She also says how her ramp chair and Local Trustee Rod Fields is always there for a contract question or a Local Lodge issue. She says she cannot forget her Assistant General Chair Kyle Carroll, who has been a huge help assisting her and supporting her in every position she has held.
“Maria has been a fine example as a leader,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “I am so honored to call her my sister in arms. As the first female president of Local Lodge 845, I could not be more proud to see her take on that leadership role.”
Some of the obstacles Schoening has faced is others who don’t believe she can or should be doing the job.
“As a Latina, my first language is Spanish. I speak with an accent,” said Schoening. “There are people that see that as a weakness, my accent as an obstacle. I have no choice but to work hard and let my dedication speak for itself.”
Schoening admires and can relate to Luisa Capetillo, a women’s rights activist and a labor organizer in Puerto Rico at a time when women were supposed to be seen at not heard in the early 1900s.
Sister Schoening’s advice to other women is to “get involved, don’t be afraid of making mistakes.”
“Help each other out,” said Schoening. “Don’t be afraid to reach out when you need to. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing and happy to help.”
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Mar 23, 2022 | iMail
DAVENPORT, Iowa, March 22, 2022 – International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) released the following statement on the end of the strike for Machinists Union Locals 388 and 1191 Members at Eaton Mission Systems Division of Davenport:
“A strike has ended for more than 400 Machinists Union Local 388 and Local 1191 (District 6) members who work at Eaton Mission Systems Division of Davenport. The new contract includes improved wages and other items that will positively affect our members, their families and the community.
“We are proud of our members for standing strong and fighting for a contract to improve their lives. Our members build world-class products at Eaton Mission Systems. They look forward to getting back to work beginning tomorrow. We want to thank the Quad Cities community for their commitment and support during this process.”
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 Strike Ends For Machinists Union Locals 388 and 1191 Members at Eaton Mission Systems Division of Davenport appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 23, 2022 | LL S6 Leadership Alerts, LL S6 Upcoming Events
Brothers and Sisters,
Local S6 Leadership is currently in discussions with the Company regarding transportation and parking. As such, we are interested in CDL qualifications from the membership. Please review the survey below. Any feedback you provide is most appreciated.
CLICK HERE CDL SURVEY
In Solidarity,
Local S6 Leadership
Mar 22, 2022 | iMail
After a challenging negotiation process, approximately 500 IAM Local 2699 (District 131) members have ratified a new agreement with the Molson Coors Beverage Company in Albany, GA.
The membership voted to accept an agreement that included wage increases over three years. The members also worked to strengthen their retirement security with the company’s continued participation in the IAM National Pension Fund. In addition, Molson Coors Beverage Company will contribute over 13% of the members’ gross pay towards retirement funding.
Other wins included improved language around discipline and discharge procedures, a hard cap on insurance costs, limits on temporary employees, and preserving the right to one day at a time vacation after threats of removal. The members are part of one of the richest open shop agreements in the Southern Territory.
“I am amazed at how strong the membership stayed during this tense negotiations,” said IAM District 131 Directing Business Representative William Barnwell. “I am proud of this group, which are 100% dues-paying members in a right work state, fighting to preserve their retirement security and increase their wages. I want to applaud the negotiating committee for their dedication and attention to detail. They did an outstanding job representing the membership. These members should be confident about the future for themselves and their families.”
The negotiating committee consisted of Local 2699 President Bill Young, Ken Bragg, Lacy Frazier, Matthew Davis, Sergio Trevino, and Ethan Anderson, who all did an outstanding job representing this membership.
“I want to congratulate our members on a hard-fought negotiation,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “The solidarity displayed by IAM Local Lodge 2699 and District 131 provides a blueprint for others in the Southern Territory.”
The post Georgia Local 2699 Members Ratify Strong Agreement at Molson Coors appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 22, 2022 | iMail
Georgia is going to be an important state in the upcoming political season. The Georgia State Council of Machinists is making sure the candidates running are good for labor and will fight and protect the best interests of workers and their families in the Peach State.
The post Georgia State Council of Machinists appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 22, 2022 | iMail
During Women’s History Month this year, the IAM is highlighting current trailblazers in the union. Are you an IAM Sister interested in taking a more active role in your union? Reach out to your District leadership about the IAM Leadership Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) Program.
Melone Wey was a dues paying member for three years before she attended a union meeting.
“When I showed up, the Chief Steward said ‘oh you only come to a meeting when it affects you?’” said Wey. “This hit me hard and I made it a priority to get more involved.”
She began her union career as a steward when working at Gerber Baby Foods in Fort Smith, AR. She held many different positions before going to work for District 171 as a Business Representative.
Wey admits encountering obstacles along the way.
“One of the hardest things is not everyone will thank you and sometimes you have to educate members it’s about the good of the body not just individuals,” said Wey.
“Sister Wey stepped into a District leadership role as a business representative when there were only a few female reps in the Southern Territory,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Sister Melone soon earned a reputation as a no-nonsense representative at the bargaining table that would get as aggressive as necessary to represent her members. She is viewed as an example of a Sister who has walked the walk and earned the respect and admiration of her co-workers throughout the Southern Territory. This Sister is truly an example for other Sisters who inspire to advance in our union.”
Wey’s mentor is retired Pat Harmon.
“Pat told me on her last day with the company to stay involved in the union,” said Wey. “That I would do great things.”
Wey says she admires Rosa Parks because she took a stand, no matter the cost.
She says that other women remember that “just because women have always been portrayed as a supporting role to men, it does not mean it’s not our time to rise up.”
Wey’s hope for the future is that “we get more involvement from women. From the local lodge all the way to the international level.”
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Mar 22, 2022 | iMail
The Machinists Union scored a huge legislative win for IAM Local 778 Members at the Olin-Winchester Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, MO. Proposed budget cuts, now cancelled due to the IAM’s advocacy, would have had a devastating impact on the 1,700 workers at the facility.
The fiscal year 2022 budget unwisely included a 30 to 50 percent reduction in these munitions compared to 2021.
At the time, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate appropriators, urging them to reject the effort to cut funding for U.S. Army ammunitions, and asking them to restore adequate funding for the procurement of small caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army
“The IAM’s victory ensures that our military will continue to have access to quality ammunition,” said IAM Local 778 Directing Business Representative Joe Capra. “Our highly skilled members take great pride in their work to make the finest ammunition in the world.”
“Our members can be assured that the IAM is fighting for their jobs at every level,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This was a tremendous effort on everyone’s part.”
“This crucial funding secures the work of our members,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “My thanks go to all involved, especially our Political and Legislative Department, whose efforts made a huge difference.”
The Independence facility manufactures the Army’s 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50-caliber rifle ammunition.
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