IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Jeff McLeod from Local 698 as an Education Representative at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD, effective May 1, 2022.
“I am proud to assign Jeff to the Winpisinger Center,” said Martinez. “He climbed the ladder from rank-and-file member to District 60 President/Directing Business Representative and brings with him knowledge and experience that will directly benefit our membership. I know his hard work at the Local, District, and state levels has prepared him to teach our members how to become leaders.”
McLeod initiated into Local 698 in 1996 while working as an automotive mechanic for UPS, and served the local as an alternate steward, conductor sentinel, communicator, president, business representative, and member of the negotiating committee.
“Jeff’s familiarity with Local and District Lodge procedures and the organizing, negotiating, and servicing skills he developed and refined as a Business Rep will allow him to make an immediate and positive impact at the Winpisinger Center,” said Director Chris Wagoner. “We are excited to bring him on as an instructor and know his contributions to member education will be significant and lasting.”
McLeod comes to the Center from District Lodge 60. As President/Directing Business Representative since January 2022, he oversees servicing of locals across the state of Michigan. He was elected vice president of the Michigan State Council of Machinists in 2015 and its president in 2021
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.
Kim Valliere began her union career as a member of Local 103 in Ontario, Canada. In the past 32 years, she has been involved in many different roles for our union, including Shift Steward, Health and Safety Co-Chair, Negotiation Committee member, Local Lodge President, Labour Council Delegate, President of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) and to now currently serving as District 78 Directing Business Representative (DBR).
Valliere says there have been obstacles, especially as she became more involved. She admits time away from home and her two small children was challenging and is thankful she had support at home and that her family allowed her the time to get involved and take on more and more responsibility.
“I can’t say that there haven’t been challenges, or difficult situations over the years,” said Valliere. “I lost elections, it’s hard to take, but I never walked away. I ran for other positions, I volunteered when I could, I wanted to stay involved”.
“Kim is a shining example of the classic labour expression ‘up from the ranks,’” said IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “She worked hard and stayed involved in her union, despite the many obstacles society places in front of women in general. She now stands as a model for IAM women everywhere. With the number of women increasingly joining the IAM, she stands out as an exceptional leader and sets a great example for a new generation. Kim’s resilience and perseverance have proven that with these qualities and hard work you get results. We are especially pleased she is being recognized this month and know she will continue working for our members with all the creativity, energy and dedication she has demonstrated throughout her career. The future is bright!”
Valliere has had a few mentors along the way that have come in many different ways.
“Sister Pauline Pegnam who was, and continues to be the driving force of the OPCM,” said Valliere. “Pauline’s knowledge and guidance benefits me to this day.”
Valliere says that she doesn’t feel the mentoring was intentional.
“They were just doing the work,” said Valliere. “They included me, and for that I will always be grateful.”
Valliere says she experienced first-hand their knowledge, ability and integrity representing the members while holding the employer accountable.
“I can’t talk about mentors without mentioning the Winpisinger Center,” said Valliere. “The leadership classes at W3 changed my life. When I first went to the W3 my eyes opened, connections were made, a spark was ignited and the realization that I belonged to this amazing union working together to better the lives of our members and workers everywhere was inspirational.”
Valliere says she admires Winpisinger Center Assistant Director Mary McHugh.
“The first time class I had with Mary at the W3 was a ‘wow’ moment,” said Valliere. “Mary is so dedicated to improving the lives of working people. She has a ‘do the work’ spirit that’s truly infectious when you are in her company.
Valliere remembers advice that McHugh gave her after a leadership class.
“Mary said to me, ‘you are a leader; I won’t be surprised to see you as a rep. someday,’” said Valliere. “Little did I know then, but with the support and guidance along the way from people like Mary, I’d be a rep.”
Valliere’s advice is to keep doing the work, since there is always opportunities for leaders in the IAM.
“Continue to raise your hand and volunteer,” said Valliere. “If you’re not successful in your run for a position, don’t give up, keep getting involved. Continue to participate, and let people know you want to be involved.”
“Women are a large percentage of our membership,” continued Valliere. “As we encourage more women to become involved, we have to be considerate and identify the systemic barriers or challenges that make it difficult for some of our sisters to participate and remain involved. As mentors we must encourage others as we ourselves were encouraged, lets help grow this great union.”
Valliere’s hope is that more and more women will become involved, aspire to be leaders and make it into leadership positions
“Hopefully one day the question will be ‘What is your hope for all workers,’” said Valliere. We’re not there yet. There is still a lot of work to be done. We will only get there together.“
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.
Little did Nina Baldridge know she would be a union member, let alone the first woman president at her local lodge. Baldridge’s first experience with the union was on her second day of the job, when Business Representative Dempsey Jackson met with her and handed her a union card. Baldridge gladly signed.
Baldridge would go on to serve as IAM Local 470 Recording Secretary for 18 years until being elected Local President.
Baldrige admits meeting obstacles along the way.
“I was a single mom, plus my facility and my craft, instrument technician, is a predominately male field,” said Baldridge. “I know the women that came before me helped pave the way for my and others’ future.”
“Sister Baldridge has been a leader in her Local for many years, including being very active in her District, formerly District 161 and now District W2021,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Working in a primarily male dominated industry, Sister Baldridge has served her union with determination and represented our members with a commitment that has earned her the respect of her co-workers and fellow members. I am extremely proud to see this Sister step up to president of her Local and continue to being a leader in our great union.”
Although she didn’t realize it at the time, her greatest mentor was and still is retired Business Representative John Savoie.
“I had the honor of serving with John my first year as Recording Secretary, he had to really show me the ropes,” said Baldridge. “I did not know the structure of the local, much less what a bylaw was or their meaning. John had extensive knowledge on the collective bargaining agreement, and would go on to serve as union chairman, which was where he really helped me hone my grievance writing abilities and to learn when to listen and not let my emotions take over. John has retired but is still willing to advise me and hear me vent, even if it’s during his fishing trip.”
Baldridge says she would like to recognize the women who took part in the IAM LEADS program at the Winpisinger Center.
“I heard some war stories that were shocking and relatable,” said Baldridge. “To know that even in top IAM roles, and for Sisters trying to get their feet in the fire at the local and district levels, that there are obstacles that are standing in our way. Our union is joining us to share the knowledge, the strength, and the fight to crush these barriers. It does matter how small or large your role is, it is important! Do not let anyone take it from you. We are vital parts of our union”.
“My hope for the future is to let our voices be heard and met with compassion we all deserve, and more doors to be open for all women,” said Baldridge.
March 15th this year marks the day by when a women (on average) will catch up to what a man made in 2021. If you look at a typical 9:00-5:00 work day, it would be as if women started working for free at 2:40 p.m. every day. 83 Cents—that’s how much women in the U.S. who work full-time, year round, are paid for every dollar paid to men (https://www.equalpaytoday.org/equal-pay-day-2022).
Want Equal Pay? Get a Union. According to a recent article by Wendy Chun-Hoon, Director of the Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor and Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, being represented by a union reduces women’s wage gap by nearly 40 percent compared to the pay gap experienced by non-union women. For Black and Latina women, the union advantage is even greater. This translates into hundreds of thousands of additional dollars in union women’s pockets over the course of their careers (Chun-Hoo & Shuler).
Having a union contract helps with pay equity in large part because of the transparency and equality it provides. Collective bargaining agreements apply to all workers regardless of their gender or race. Union members feel more comfortable to speak out about disparities because of the support of their union.
In order to ensure equal pay across the board, the Biden-Harris administration established the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment to find ways that federal government agencies can use their authority to support the formation of unions. The task force just released its first report, containing nearly 70 recommendations. At the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, efforts are being made to find ways to get information about organizing and bargaining rights into the hands of more workers, so more working women will know about opportunities they have to form a union. There will also be a focus on working with other agencies on a Unions and Collective Bargaining Resource Center, so more workers will have information about the many ways having a union can improve their lives (Chun-Hoo &Shuler).
Now is the time to act. Encourage the women in your lives to get a union!
30 Local Lodge 447 Machinists members at Cummins, who have been on strike for four weeks fighting for a fair contract, held a rally this week to spotlight the company’s retrogressive contract demands. The rally drew heavy support from the local community and other union affiliates.
“We are here because this company has forgotten how it became successful,” said IAM District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian. “Even though they made billions of dollars in profit last year, they don’t want to provide wage increases to the people who helped build the company. These Machinists keep the generators working at hospitals and nursing homes. In short, they are the people who fix the engines that drive our economy and support our frontline and emergency workers. They are on strike only because the company doesn’t want guaranteed wages increases going forward. They have the full support of the Machinists Union and the labor movement behind them.”
“Local 447 members continue to inspire Machinists and the labor movement with their fortitude and resolve in their fight for a fair and just contract at Cummins,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “With each passing day, they become stronger and more united. All Machinists will continue to fight with them until they are treated fairly by the company.”
It’s time to mark your calendars for the 2022 IAM Grand Lodge Convention. The quadrennial event will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World from October 2-7.
In accordance with the IAM Constitution, the Official Call for the 40th Grand Lodge Convention was mailed to all local lodges in the U.S. and Canada. The Official Call contains information regarding the nomination, election and qualification of delegates and dates when nominations and elections must be held.
IAM Organizing Grand Lodge Representative Gabrielle Rogano and other members of the IAM Organizing staff are featured in the 2022 SUNY Empire State College labor calendar. It’s part of an annual calendar distributed by the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies in New York, an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree program that includes prominent IAM alumni.
The images, which also include IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bridget Fitzgerald, lead organizer of the BCPL campaign, and IAM Organizing Special Representative Chris Casteel, are from a “Life of a Union Organizer” project Rogano completed during her summer 2021 labor in film class.
“The images featured in the 2022 SUNY Empire State College Calendar are still shots taken from a film I created while working to help unionize Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) workers,” said Rogano. “This was a successful campaign bringing in over 400 new members to the IAM. It’s no easy feat to create a film, in a month, while only using a cellphone, but with the support of the Organizing Department, I reached my goal. I am overjoyed to have this success featured in the 2022 calendar.”
The first calendar was released by SUNY Empire State College in 2020 and invitations to submit artwork are offered to students who are enrolled in the Labor Studies program. Since 2014, the IAM has partnered with SUNY Empire State College to offer degrees in labor studies through the Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. Center for Labor Studies.
Rogano was also featured in the 2021 SUNY Empire State College labor calendar.
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.
Dianna Koch became an IAM Local 743 member in 1986. She was very involved in her lodge and became a shop steward in 1989, holding that position and various other local and district positions for 24 years. In November 2021, Koch was appointed to District 26 Business Representative.
Coming from a shop made up of a majority of men, Koch says there were people who tried to stand in her way.
“But I learned to not let this stop my desire to use the union as a way to improve my life and the lives of my coworkers and their families,” said Koch. “It took decades of work to get the trust and support I needed to move forward”.
“The more I have gotten involved with my union over the years, the more it makes me realize that this is truly what I was meant to do,” said Koch. “I couldn’t stand by and watch my coworkers get treated the way they were and not step in to defend, assist or speak on their behalf whenever they needed me to. I can honestly say that throughout all the years that I have transitioned from one position to the next in my union I absolutely love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else”.
“Dianna is a true unionist who is an inspiration for all our IAM Sisters. She is a proven leader of her Local Lodge, and was an easy choice for Business Representative for District 26,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “The IAM is a better and stronger union with Dianna in a leadership role for our members. As General Vice President of the Eastern Territory, I couldn’t be more proud of the work Dianna has done for our members and it is an honor working with her to better the lives of our members.”
Koch realizes the importance of mentors and says she had and still has an awesome mentor, Local 743 Recording Secretary Karen Blanchard.
“This sister has been there through thick and thin and always brings a fresh perspective to any situation at hand,” said Koch. “Her style of mentorship was to push me way outside of my comfort zone. Every time she did that, it made me grow as a person and it just made things easier for me moving forward.
Koch hopes to continue to mentor other sisters in the IAM and encourage them so they too can make great leaders in our organization.”
“Don’t give up,” said Koch. “Keep learning, keep volunteering, keep communicating, and most of all, be honest and admit when you are wrong. You should look inside yourself and emphasize your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Don’t let fear hold you back. You have a lot to contribute to this union. Let the women who came before you be an example of what is possible. Learn to accept good advice and always strive to look for the possibilities in others and help bring out their strengths and guide them in their journey. Don’t look at other women as competition. Look at them as future leaders. Be inclusive, not exclusive. Learn to pick out the people around you who are putting in the work to improve our union and our workplaces. Give them positions of responsibility and let them shine.”
Koch says she admires Hillary Clinton because she persevered through a lot of prejudice against women in leadership.
“She didn’t give up,” said Koch. “She believed in herself and her abilities. There are many other women I admire for these same reasons. Women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, Madeline Albright, and Michelle Obama are names that come to mind.”
“My hope for the future of women workers is that it won’t be as hard for them to move forward as it was for some of us and that they too can be a part of the decision-making in our workplaces and in our unions,” said Koch. “I hope that our leadership will look more like our society and workplaces with all people represented”.
The IAM has launched the IAM Strike Fund on goIAM.org to benefit members enduring a strike, creating a unique opportunity forIAM members and supporters who wish to provide aid.
Providing additional support to sisters and brothers from across this great union to the mantra of – “one day longer” etches our Fighting Machinists solidarity in stone.
The IAM Strike Fund allows for donations of non-dues money from members, families, friends, and other labor supporters.
Following the launch of the strike fund, the AFL-CIO added this resource to their active strike map and donation page, which you can view here.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, our sisters gathered for a group photo at the 2022 Western Territory Officer and Staff Conference in San Diego, CA.
“It is an enormously proud moment for me to see so many women in leadership positions at every level in the Western Territory,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The future of our great Union will burn bright with a foundation built upon diversity and inclusion. I look forward to seeing where the voices of these strong leaders will take us.”
“I could not be more excited about all the women activists in the Western Territory and across our union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “From the new IAM LEADS Program to the women taking leadership roles around the IAM, I am looking forward to a bright future for the IAM.”
