The National Labor Relations Board vote count was announced live on a Zoom call with Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers, members of the IAM, and the National Veterinary Professionals Union.
Thrive Pet Healthcare owns VSES. The unit of 130 workers is made up of licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, front desk staff, and other critical staff. The company’s controlling shareholder is a private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.
“I am so excited for everyone who fought to achieve this life-changing victory,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Mike Evans. “The group stayed focused during a pandemic and aggressive anti-union campaign to overcome the tremendous hurdles that exist in the veterinary industry. The long hours and difficult conversations over the last few months will change the lives of many.”
It’s a beautiful thing!
130 Veterinary Emergency Hospital workers in Rochester, N.Y. just became the newest members of our union! https://t.co/h18KjsmMa7
“The IAM’s bid for the NLRB election was successful due to a partnership with Liz Hughston, president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “This grassroots campaign has been several months in the making. It has included the tireless work of several of the IAM’s Organizing Department members, including IAM Grand Lodge Representatives Michael Evans, Kathy Petersen and Jason Woodward. I would also like to commend IAM Associate General Counsel Bill Haller for his pivotal work in getting the appropriate bargaining unit approved by the NLRB.”
Some of the significant issues for Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers included unfair working conditions, including understaffing and stagnant wages, despite rising costs for pet medical procedures.
“This historic election resulted from courageous workers in the veterinary industry who not only wanted to make change for themselves but wished to set an example for veterinary workers all across the nation,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I congratulate Liz Hughston and the National Veterinary Professionals Union for their partnership to make this victory a reality. Today’s victory put the veterinary industry and private equity investors on notice about making sure their business model is based on equity and respect. We can’t afford to let this industry go the path of so many other industries destroyed by private equity investors. Now the hard work begins. The IAM will lend our full resources to obtain a first contract for the Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services workers.”
“The pandemic has exposed several issues impacting workers in veterinary medicine,” said Liz Hughston, president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union. “These issues have created a significant crisis in our industry. The only solution to combat this crisis is what the workers at VSES have done by creating a voice in their workplace. This labor-management partnership will make VSES a hospital that is better for employees, pet owners, and the pets they serve in the Rochester community.”
“I am pleased to welcome the newest IAM members at VSES,” saidIAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “I applaud this group for their courage by not only standing up for workers in Rochester, but the entire veterinary industry. We look forward to getting a good first contract and solving many of the workplace issues that were amplified during the pandemic.”
The Senate may vote as soon as TODAY on voting rights. People have died for democracy and the right to vote. So, it’s our duty to tell Senators to sideline the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
The right to vote for who we want to represent us is the foundational cornerstone of our democracy. Our ability to cast our ballot each Election Day is fundamental to our system of government. Yet, in 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. American democracy is under attack.
Congress has stopped bad election laws before, and they can do it again, if they can get out of their own way.
Tell them who you are, where you are from, and urge them to end the filibuster and support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
The U.S. Senate is considering the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would:
Require early voting in all fifty states
Create a national standard for mail voting
Give Americans a public holiday to vote
Establish clear federal redistricting standards to stop gerrymandered districts
Create automatic voter registrations
“The right to vote is a sacred pillar in our nation’s democracy and is so critically important to the very fabric of what defines the United States of America,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in a letter to U.S. Senators. “Unfortunately, a steady stream of state lawmakers are threatening our nation’s democracy by enacting measures with the goal of thwarting millions from reaching the ballot box. That’s why the U.S. Congress must act with urgency. Passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act will restore the voting rights to protect the democracy of this great nation.”
Each member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council signed alettercalling on the Senate to reform the filibuster and pass critical voting rights legislation.
This weekend, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a tireless advocate for working people and unions. Dr. King knew that any inequality and injustice were dangers to our democracy.
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The pandemic continues to test all of us, but IAM Transportation members on the frontlines remain steadfast in joining in his fight for equality, peace and economic justice for all. Thank you for all each and every one of you do to make this a more fair and just world.
In solidarity,
Richard Johnsen
Chief of Staff to the International President
The IAM has reached historic tentative agreements with Hawaiian Airlines for the carrier’s Clerical, Office, Stores, Fleet and Passenger Service, and Maintenance and Related groups.
If ratified by the membership, the five-year agreements will win the best job protections and largest pay raises for both Clerical and Related Agents and Aircraft and GSE Mechanics in the history of Hawaiian Airlines.
“Our proud IAM membership at Hawaiian Airlines has worked tirelessly, especially through these difficult times,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “This tentative agreement is a testament to their solidarity and the determination of our Negotiating Committees. I am so proud of these Brothers and Sisters for standing strong and demanding the contract they deserve.”
Both agreements increase the number of day trades available for members, raise mandatory overtime pay, and increase pay scales by 2% each year, compounding for the next five years. For part-time workers, the agreements will bring more fairness and expand healthcare options.
“Solidarity is paying off for IAM members at Hawaiian Airlines,” said IAM Transportation Coordinator Edison Fraser. “As the largest and most powerful airline union in North America, the IAM used any and all resources to bring this strong tentative agreement to our membership.”
“Working with our Negotiating Committees has been an absolute honor,” said IAM Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “We look forward to continuing to share more about these historic agreements and giving the membership their vote on the future for IAM members at Hawaiian Airlines.”
The full tentative agreement will be posted for the membership during the week of January 17 once proofing and edits are complete. A ratification vote will be held on Wednesday, February 16 across the whole system.
Both negotiating committees unanimously endorse the tentative agreements and recommend a “yes” vote.
These contracts cover nearly 1,000 members who work as Aircraft & GSE Mechanics, Inspectors, Line Servicemen, Aircraft Appearance, and Contract Service personnel, as well as more than 1,500 members in Cargo, Central Reservations Control, Crew Scheduling, Guest Services, Ramp, Purchasing, and Records.
This weekend, we honor the life and legacy of an iconic civil rights activist. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an early proponent of voting rights and a tireless advocate for the working class and the oppressed around the world.
I call on you to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by taking action to secure our right to vote. Please call on your Senators to urge their support to preserve and protect our democracy.
Here’s how you can help:
Send a message to your Senators asking them to end the filibuster and support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Call your Senators using our toll-free hotline at 1-877-607-0785.
The Freedom to Vote Act will usher in much-needed changes to election and campaign-finance laws. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights icon, will restore the power of the federal government to oversee state voting laws to prevent discrimination against minority voters.
The IAM shares the same ideals as Dr. King, and we stand together stronger because of it. Let’s continue to live his legacy each and every day.
We have started distributing the $50.00 gift cards this week. We have been focusing on getting as many distributed as possible. To date, we’ve distributed over 2200. We plan to distribute off-shift and offsites next week. Overall, the reception has been extremely positive. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to hand these out during working hours which has limited our opportunities for distribution. With that in mind, we look forward to completing this task as fast and efficiently as possible. Rest assured, everyone that was a member of Local S6 as of 12/17/21 will receive a gift card. Thank you for all that you do.
The right to vote for who we want to represent us is the foundational cornerstone of our democracy. Our ability to cast our ballot each Election Day is fundamental to our system of government. Yet, in 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. American democracy is under threat.
Congress has stopped bad election laws before, and they can do it again, if they can get out of their own way.
TAKE ACTION: Tell Your U.S. Senators to Sideline the Filibuster and Protect Our Voting Rights.
Send a message to your Senators asking them to end the filibuster procedure and support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Call your Senators at 1-877-607-0785.
Tell them who you are, where you are from, and urge them to end the filibuster and support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
The U.S. Senate is considering the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would:
Require early voting in all fifty states
Create a national standard for mail voting
Give Americans a public holiday to vote
Establish clear federal redistricting standards to stop gerrymandered districts
Create automatic voter registrations
“The right to vote is a sacred pillar in our nation’s democracy and is so critically important to the very fabric of what defines the United States of America,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in a letter to U.S. Senators. “Unfortunately, a steady stream of state lawmakers are threatening our nation’s democracy by enacting measures with the goal of thwarting millions from reaching the ballot box. That’s why the U.S. Congress must act with urgency. Passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act will restore the voting rights to protect the democracy of this great nation.”
Each member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council signed alettercalling on the Senate to reform the filibuster and pass critical voting rights legislation.
Members of the Spanish Leadership Working Group (SLWG) met the week of December 6, 2021 at the William W. Winpisinger Center to review and update the Spanish Language programs class materials and to develop plans for recruitment, communications and advocacy.
“The Leadership programs and staff classes in Spanish offered at the Winpisinger Center open doors and opportunities for IAM members to develop the skills needed to better serve our members and grow our union,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Especially now, with public perception of labor unions at a historic high, we need to cultivate and develop the talents of our diverse membership to seize this moment.”
“Educating our members in their first language removes a barrier and boosts their confidence,” said Chris Wagoner, Director of the Winpisinger Center. “For over a decade, we have seen graduates of the Spanish Leadership programs distinguish themselves at every level of our union.”
These success stories amongst our Spanish speaker members continues to demonstrate that the avenues to leadership within the Machinists Union are open to all our members and represent an imperative Union value we must support and continue to foster.
From its conception and throughout the years, the Leadership program in Spanish has maintained one of its main principles—inclusivity. The program has been successful because it welcomes all members with different levels of understanding or command of the Spanish Language.
Although the program has thrived in an environment welcoming of Spanish-speaking members that otherwise may feel ostracized or marginalized because of a language barrier, participants are not required to have fluency in Spanish. In reality, many participants in the Liderazgo programs have their own language barriers when it comes to Spanish comprehension. The program simply asks participants to have the desire to engage with our brothers and sisters that may require assistance in their primary language.
The meeting was organized by Luis Silvas, an Education Representative at the Winpisinger Center and the coordinator of Spanish language programs. Please contact Brother Silvas at (301) 373-2860 or at lsilvas@iamaw.org with any questions or special requests regarding the registration of participants into the Spanish Leadership program.
Information for the 2022 Leadership Programs in Spanish is available here. If interested in enrolling, the Leadership registration form can be found here. Enrollment in any Leadership Program in Spanish does not count towards a local lodge’s leadership school allotment, removing another barrier for member participation.
Leadership and Staff programs in Spanish for 2022 are:
Leadership I in Spanish: March 20-25 and August 7-12
Leadership II in Spanish: September 11-16
Advanced Leadership in Spanish: November 6-11
Train the Trainer in Spanish: October 16-21
Organizing I in Spanish: December 11-16
Group members sitting from left to right: Macario Camorlinga, Juan Negron, Joel Ochoa, Javier Almazan. Standing from L to R: Milton Dueña, Cristino Vilorio, Mariaelena Fuentes, Geny Ulloa, Luis Silvas, Adriana Picasso, Jose “Lole” Rodriguez-Baez, Jorge Bonilla, Laura Ewan, Edmundo Osorio, Ines Garcia-Keim and Calixto Tapia.
Want to build up our IAM Sisters while sharpening your leadership skills? Consider joining other active IAM women from across the U.S. and Canada and participating in the 2022 Women’s Leadership Program March 20-25, 2022 at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The curriculum empowers participants to look for resolutions to working women and family issues, through education and solidarity. It is an excellent learning experience for members to strengthen their leadership skills, building women’s committees or just interested in the issues.
Space is limited and the class fills quickly, so get registered now.
Download the call letter in English or French and return the completed registration form to the Women’s and Human Rights Department no later than January 21, 2022.
Please contact the Women’s and Human Rights Department at 301-967-4747 with any questions.
It’s a beautiful thing!
