Machinists Union Stands By 10-Hour Rest Rule for Flight Attendants

Jan 25, 2022 | iMail

At a moment’s notice, a flight attendant may have to address a hazardous safety or security situation in the air. They are the first responders inside the aircraft cabin. Implementing a mandatory 10-hour rest period between shifts for this group of workers is something the Machinists Union has been fighting for decades.

Today, the IAM stands in solidarity with some of the largest airline unions in the world in a letter urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make this a reality, as soon as possible. Although the regulation was initially passed in 2018 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act, delayed adoption of the law’s requirements have created loopholes that some airline companies are taking advantage of, and therefore putting flight attendants in unsafe or even perilous situations having to work without the proper rest.

Read the full letter here.

In a joint letter submitted to the FAA and the DOT by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division (IBT), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), the group stresses the importance of adopting this law as quickly as possible.  

“In a time of chronic understaffing, economic cutbacks, and egregious customer behavior in many cases, it is now more important than ever that our first responders in the air get the rest they need and deserve,” said Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President. “This is an issue that has been in the halls of Congress for decades. It’s time for our federal government to act now and ensure the highest level of safety for the airline workers of the skies and the passengers they serve and protect.”

Right now, because there is no regulation that requires it, various airline companies have found ways around the rule, especially during labor contract negotiations or during peak operations times. Passage of this act would make the 10-hour rest period mandatory, taking away the ability for any group or company to reduce the amount of rest time. Ultimately, this will keep workers, and the flying public safeguarded from unnecessary risks.

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Railroad Coordinated Bargaining Coalition Reaches Dead End on Path to Voluntary Agreement

Jan 25, 2022 | iMail

The IAM and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) joined the other members of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition, rail labor’s largest coalition, in issuing a statement on the status of bargaining with the major U.S. Class 1 railroads.

“After more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class 1 railroads, discussions completely stalled last week,” according to the statement. “Accordingly, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Railway Labor Act, top leaders of 10 rail unions applied to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for the assignment of a federal mediator to assist in our negotiations.”

“We have multiple issues facing our members, and we must fight to keep integrity at the bargaining table,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “Our members want an agreement that reflects the personal sacrifices they made before the pandemic and continue to make every single day to keep the rail industry moving.

“The Carriers have used every possible stall tactic, despite the Coalition’s repeated good faith efforts to achieve voluntary agreement,” said TCU/IAM President Artie Maratea. “They’re making record profits, off the backs of our members, who have literally kept rail – and America – running through a pandemic. Mediation is the next crucial step towards reaching an agreement.”

“I speak to our members and local leaders regularly and hear their concerns,” said IAM District 19 President Mike Perry. “We must obtain an agreement that recognizes the sacrifices made over the past few years. This agreement must create a better balance between the rail carriers and our members doing the work while keeping our members safe.”

Click here for the press release from the CBC.

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 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); the Transportation Communications Union / IAM (TCU), including TCU’s Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division (BRC); and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART–TD).

Collectively, the CBC unions represent more than 105,000 railroad workers covered by the various organizations’ national agreements and comprise over 80% of the workforce who will be impacted by this round of negotiations.

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National Airlines Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly to Join the IAM

Jan 20, 2022 | iMail

National Airlines Flight Attendants are officially joining the largest and most powerful airline union in the world.

The Flight Attendants sought out IAM representation, citing a lack of respect from National Airlines management, poor work rules and sub-standard pay and benefits.

“We could not be more excited to welcome National Airlines Flight Attendants into the IAM,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “We will use every resource available to ensure they secure a strong first contract that addresses their workplace issues.”

“Our thanks go out to Grand Lodge Representative Joe Stassi for his hard work and determination through this successful campaign, along with the lead organizers in the Flight Attendant group,” said IAM Transportation Coordinator Edison Fraser. “Today, National Airlines Flight Attendants no longer stand alone. They now have the support of 600,000 IAM members from across North America.”

The National Mediation Board mail-ballot election took place between December 16, 2021 and January 20, 2022. The final tally was held on January 20.

The IAM is the largest airline union in North America, representing over 100,000 airline workers.

National Airlines, an Orlando-based carrier, has supported industry and governments, aided military forces and provided subsistence logistics solutions to some of the most remote global locations. National Airlines has grown from a small, regional U.S. cargo airline, to one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers, and ultimately into a passenger airline.

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IAM Urges U.S. Labor Department to Protect Maine Loggers

Jan 20, 2022 | iMail

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh seeking his immediate assistance to obtain actual enforcement on the use of Canadian loggers under the I-l2A immigration system.

The letter details how the IAM has been working with Maine’s hard-working and highly-skilled loggers for years to help them bargain collectively and stop depressing wages in the industry. The situation is so dire that it has forced U.S. workers to give up altogether and leave the logging industry in the region.

“When we started this campaign three years ago, we were faced with a large group of workers that had been turned into independent contractors while still being completely directed at every step of the day by landowners,” wrote Martinez. “Since that time, we have moved on to another concern; one that I thought would be very easy to accomplish but has proven to be a much more difficult task: the illegal use of H2A drivers in the logging industry. As you know, H2A workers are only supposed to be utilized if they do not affect the wages or working conditions of U.S. workers. Our national union representatives and Maine Senate President Troy Jackson have met with hundreds of workers and have been out in the harvesting areas of northern Maine to witness firsthand the abuse of these workers. All of this is the result of violations of federal cabotage laws or point-to-point hauling in the United States.”

“The IAM urges the Department of Labor to enforce the law and protect the U.S. workers in Maine’s logging industry,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “The IAM Eastern Territory remains committed to providing every resource possible to protect Maine loggers. We hope this matter is reviewed swiftly and puts the proper enforcement in place. The IAM will fight to ensure justice is served.”

Read the full letter here.

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Register Now for the 2022 Midwest Territory Kourpias K-9 Classic Motorcycle Ride

Jan 20, 2022 | iMail

Join fellow riders and Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines supporters from July 17-19, 2022 for the approximately 750-mile motorcycle ride in Deadwood, SD. The three-day event will be hosted by the IAM Midwest Territory.

The fundraiser benefits Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines, whose mission is to transform lives through partnerships with service dogs.

Register for the ride today.

As a shift from previous years, this year’s Kourpias ride will consist of day trips which will start and end at the Cadillac Jacks Gaming Resort in Deadwood each day. Riders can elect to do each day’s ride or one or more days of the ride. Routes include runs through Devil’s Tower, Badlands National Park, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and more.  

If you don’t ride a motorcycle, ATV and jeep rentals are also available. See rental rates here.

If you aren’t riding and still want to support the 2022 Kourpias K-9 Classic, you can sponsor a person for each mile they ride, donate to your favorite rider, or simply donate to the cause.

Sponsor a rider, or donate to the cause

“Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines has always been the IAM’s favorite charity and this year the Midwest Territory has the honor of hosting the annual Kourpias Classic motorcycle ride,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The fundraiser is named after the late IAM International President George Kourpias, a native of Sioux City, Iowa, who initiated into then-IAM Local 1637 here in the Midwest Territory. So we’re especially excited to make this year’s event unique and special. I encourage all Machinists to contribute in any way they can so we can continue to make a difference to those in need.”

George Kourpias guided the IAM through some of our union’s most challenging times with dignity and grace. He was just as passionate about raising money for Guide Dogs of America. No matter the role, Kourpias always gave everything he had, which is why this ride was created to honor his memory and contribute to one of his favorite charities.

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A New Machinists Union Initiative LEADS the Way for IAM Women

Jan 20, 2022 | iMail

We can’t talk about change in the workplace without women’s voices at the table. That’s why the Machinists Union created the LEADS program, an initiative to create new pathways to leadership roles for our IAM Sisters.

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New York Local 2741 Members Choose Machinists Union Strength

Jan 20, 2022 | iMail

Proud IAM members who build and refurbish state-of-the-art trains for Amtrak, Chicago’s Metra and more have chosen to stick with the proven power of the Machinists Union.

On Wednesday, IAM Local 2741 (District 19) members at Alstom in Hornell, NY voted overwhelmingly to remain represented by the Machinists Union.

WATCH: A Railroad Tradition

The IAM has long championed the top-notch manufacturing of U.S.-made railcars, especially those made by IAM Local 2741 members at Alstom. IAM advocacy has resulted in greater scrutiny of foreign-made railcars, especially those manufactured in China.

“IAM Local 2741 members are rightfully proud of the extraordinary work they do for customers around the world,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “The IAM is equally as proud that we will continue to fight on their behalf. I would like to especially thank District 19 President Mike Perry, General Chairman Josh Hartford and our dedicated committee members on the ground for their dedication. We look forward to continue listening to our members and work towards the best representation possible.”

READ: A Railroad Revival in Upstate New York

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IAM Asks For Washington State Funding to Restore Aluminum Smelter Jobs

Jan 18, 2022 | iMail

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. submitted testimony in support of funding from Washington state for an aluminum smelter restart project. The project will restore aluminum manufacturing jobs in Whatcom County, reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and increase energy efficiency.

Nearly two years ago, 700 union members at IAM Local 2379 (District 160) were laid off at the Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum smelter production plant in Ferndale, WA.

“The Western Territory never gave up hope to bring back good union jobs to Whatcom County,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The IAM, along with our partners and stakeholders, are staying focused on the mission and to bring relief to our highly skilled members who previously worked in this aluminum manufacturing plant. We will continue to ensure that this project makes it over the finish line.”    

READ: IAM, Allies Secure Help for Laid-Off Members at Alcoa Intalco Works

 From the moment to facility was shuttered, the Machinists Union has been working with all willing partners and stakeholders in an effort to reopen the smelter and restore these high-quality union jobs.

“The Machinists Union and our partners are making substantial progress in our efforts to restart operations at the Intalco facility, restore more than 700 direct Union jobs and return sustainable manufacturing to Washington State,” testified Martinez. “However, the funding included in the FY22 Washington State Capitol Budget to modernize the point feed system is critical to the successful reopening of the smelter. For all of these reasons, I strongly support this budget provision and respectfully urge you to retain this vitally important funding in the final budget. I want to thank IAM Local Lodge 2379 Secretary Brian Urban, IAM member and WA State AFL-CIO President Larry Brown for their testimony.”

Read the complete testimony here.

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