55 IAM Local 1943 members recently graduated from the Maintenance Apprenticeship program, receiving their Maintenance Mechanic Journeyman certificates from the State of Ohio. The program included on-the-job training with the Mobile Maintenance Department, and related instruction from IAM Local 1943 members who have been certified as instructors and are experts in pipefitting, hydraulics, welding, mechanics and electrical work.
These graduates along with those from the recently completed HVAC Apprenticeship program have afforded about five dozen members this year with the opportunity to advance their careers and ensure their future livelihoods.
“The Apprenticeship programs our Local helped develop have really been a home run for our members,” said IAM Local 1943 President and Directing Business Representative Neil Douglas. “It is a testament to all those who have been involved with this program’s inception that State Representatives came to speak to us at our luncheon for the graduates about the importance of apprenticeships and advancing education in the manufacturing sector.”
“Local 1943 members have established a training program whose success hopefully will be a template that can be used by other locals and the companies for which they work,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “Their Apprenticeship program has advanced the careers of dozens of Machinists and illustrates that the best trained worker is one trained by a fellow union brother or sister.”
The Ohio AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute supported IAM and AK Steel, now Cleveland-Cliffs, to register their apprenticeship and provided resources for program development.
The IAM/AK Steel Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship standards were approved by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in April 2018.
The IAM ratified a strong new agreement between IAM Local 2003 and M1 at Fort Rucker in Alabama. Approximately 3,500 members perform aircraft maintenance and flight support at M1.
Highlights of the three-year contract include wage increases of 4 percent, 3.5 percent, and 3.5 percent in each year of the agreement. Other enhancements include continuation of $5 per hour contributions to the IAM National Pension Fund (IAMNPF), and $2 per hour contributions over the life of the agreement to a new 401(k) plan, all while holding the line on health care.
Other improvements include increased vacation schedule for all members, new premiums for CDL holders, lead pay and NDI Inspector pay.
“This contract rewards our members for their dedication, and hard work,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “The negotiating committee and our membership earned the recognition for their skills and commitment to this program, and this agreement does that.”
“My thanks go out to Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett and Aerospace Coordinator Tony Wirth who led this negotiation with the assistance of Strategic Resources Director David White and District 75 Business Representative Randy Garrett,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “The Local 2003 Negotiating Committee did an outstanding job obtaining this agreement – they were prepared and the proof is in the results.”
“This Negotiating Committee, and our Shop Stewards were all part of the field negation prep class,” said District 75 Business Representative Randy Garrett. “The solidarity started there, and their hard work paid off at the negotiating table and on the shop floor.”
A critical amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen Buy American, tirelessly lobbied for by the IAM, was filed today in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). If passed, the amendment would dramatically increase domestically made procurement requirements in major defense programs.
The amendment would increase “Buy American” requirements for major defense programs from 55 percent to 60 percent upon the bill’s enactment. Requirements would further rise to 65 percent by 2024 and to 75 percent by 2029.
“As the largest defense labor union in the United States, the IAM is incredibly grateful to Senator Duckworth for moving Buy American forward to benefit the U.S. workforce,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM has led the way in advocating the use of U.S. tax dollars to purchase American-made planes, ships, missiles, submarines, and other products and services that keep our nation secure. This amendment will not only grow our industrial base and help give thousands of working Americans the opportunity to improve their lives and communities, but it will increase the number of domestic manufacturers throughout the country.”
The IAM has been pushing the increase for years in order to strengthen the defense industrial base and domestic supply chain while helping prevent vulnerabilities created by military products being made in China and other countries.
Eleven months after the certification of their union election with the IAM, workers at the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) are sending letters to the MAM Board of Trustees, urging the Board to provide living wages, increased access to health insurance, a workplace that fosters diversity and equity, and to achieve a first contract that recognizes the essential contributions of MAM workers to fulfilling the museum’s mission and strategic direction.
“MAM workers deserve a fair first contract,” said Alex Hoekstra, IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative. “Their hard work and dedication to the museum, the arts and to the community is second-to-none.”
“The prolonged delay by the MAM Board to agree upon a fair first contract is beyond disrespectful to a group who are the beacons of their community,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The IAM will not stop fighting for these workers who exercised their right to form a union. They are part of our Machinists family, and we will exercise every resource we have to ensure they are provided the livable wages and compensation they justly deserve.”
MAM workers’ campaign to organize with the IAM reflects their dedication to MAM’s mission and desire to strengthen the Milwaukee community. Nearly 90% of MAM employees in the newly organized bargaining unit call Milwaukee County home. To do the best work possible and lead in the arts and culture sector regionally and nationally, the museum must begin by valuing its employee base equitably.
Without providing fair and living wages to its workers, the museum will not be able to recruit and retain a diverse staff across all departments that truly reflect the Milwaukee community. Counting just those employees covered by the contract, the museum has lost over 120 cumulative years of experience in the past four months. Improvements in working conditions are essential to reducing turnover.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2021 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace, defense, and transportation union in North America, released the following statement strongly supporting the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the agreement on the Build Back Better Act:
“Our union is relieved that our nation’s elected officials could agree on legislation impacting millions of working families. The IAM was instrumental in helping pass the American Rescue Plan and other rescue packages to help keep our members employed and their families secure. But these were temporary fixes to a problem that needs a permanent solution. The IAM applauds the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the framework agreement on the Build Back Better Act. Both pieces of legislation will provide historic investment for the airline, transit, aerospace, manufacturing and other critical industries.
“Build Back Better is transformative for families, with the Child Tax Credit, child care, universal pre-K, workforce development, and more. Corporations have been on the receiving end of corporate tax cuts and other special giveaways for too long. We need legislation that will embrace a pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda that provides millions of working families the opportunity to better wages and benefits.
“The infrastructure package will finally strengthen Buy America rules to help boost our domestic manufacturing sectors. Our union fought to include the most significant federal investment in public transit and passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. Our transportation sector will benefit through the modernization projects created through the robust funding provided in this infrastructure package. This investment will help our vital manufacturing and transportation sectors build back better.
“Our union is dedicated to reversing the trend of an economy that serves the wealthiest and most prominent corporations so that working families can live a better life with decent wages and benefits.”
Since 2014, the IAM has partnered with the State University of New York’s Empire State College (ESC) to offer associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Labor Studies through ESC’s Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. School of Labor Studies in New York City.
The partnership also offers a master’s degree in Work and Labor Policy. Degree programs are conducted online, with week-long residencies that occur once a semester at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
Our members lead busy lives, and the adult-focused learning at ESC makes their academic programs a perfect fit. You will not find a better program to do a deep dive into the history and context of our work as unionists.
You can apply online atwww.esc.edu; members who use the code ECPTRIAM will get their application fee waived.
Want more information? Please email Education Representative Douglas Williams at dwilliams@iamaw.org.
The IAM is joining with Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33) and other lawmakers urging the Biden-Harris Administration to fully invest in the F-35 Lightning II program in the Fiscal Year 2023.
Rep.Veasey led a bipartisan group of 89 members on aletterurging the Biden-Harris Administration to fully invest in a robust F-35 Lightning II program in its Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Defense (DoD) budget request and the Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP). The letter urges strong support to this vital program so that long-term procurement and sustainment costs continue to go down.
“Not only is the F-35 critical for the national security of the U.S. as well as our allies and partners, but it is also vital to the U.S. manufacturing base,”wrote the lawmakers. “Across our country, more than 1,800 suppliers contribute to the F-35, with one in every two of those companies being a small and/or disadvantaged business. The F-35 supports more than 254,000 high-tech, high-paying American jobs annually with thousands of those workers who are skilled union members. Further, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this workforce has remained committed and resilient; they are a true national security asset. At a time when our economy has suffered the devastating effects of COVID-19, this program has continued to create jobs, foster workforce development, and spur economic opportunity.”
“I commend Rep. Veasey and other lawmakers for standing up for our members who are a vital part of the F-35 program,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM will work with our allies in Congress to highlight the national security and economic benefits of the F-35 program. We must fight to grow the F-35 program and the thousands of jobs this economic engine supports for our nation.”
A group of about 200 District 776 shop stewards at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas recently took part in a day-long program in preparation of the upcoming contract negotiations covering about 5,000 workers at the North Texas facility.
The members met at the District 776 room named after IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., for the field training program. The program addressed the negotiation process and member involvement. The program was offered by the William W. Winpisinger Center.
The field training is the latest part of preparations for next year’s negotiations for a new contract for members at the F-35 fighter jet production facility. The current five-year, eight-month contract ends on April 24, 2022. Contract negotiations are planned to start in February.
The program began with remarks from IP Martinez, a longtime member, activist, and former worker at the Lockheed facility. A U.S. Navy veteran, Martinez began his IAM career in 1980 as a member of Local 776A after being hired as an aircraft assembler at the Lockheed facility.
“This is going to come down to you. We all will have to fight to make sure our members get the best contract they deserve,” Martinez said. “I know it’s in us as the Fighting Machinists. We have to work together to make sure we are united and we stand strong as we seek everything from wages to workplace protections that will improve the lives of each and every member in the shop.”
The recent steward training program also included presentations from staff of IAM’s communications and strategic resources departments. Discussion of the legal issuesin collective bargaining was provided by attorney Rod Tanner.
“This field training is so important to get everyone up to speed on the importance of their involvement in this negotiations process,” said Winpisinger Center director Chris Wagoner. “This is a team effort that will require the shop stewards to help get out the message to members on the shop floor.”
“This training will help everyone work as a unit to fight for the best labor contract possible,” said District 776 President and Directing Business Representative Paul Black. “Our negotiating committee is ready to head to the table with Lockheed and it’s great to know they have the support of the stewards at their back.”
“We are gearing up for a very important contract at this Lockheed facility and it’s important that everyone is ready to do their part to make sure members get the best contract,” said IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin. “This contract will set the pace for others in the aerospace industry, so we stand ready to help where we can to make sure it’s a great one that represents the hard work of each of our members.”
“We are strongest when in solidarity, and preparing our stewards at Lockheed will help us work collectively for the best contract for our hard-working men and women in that facility,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “I’m proud of the work as we prepare to win a strong contract that rewards our members for their hard work.”
“There are many of our members in the Lockheed facility who are new to the contract negotiations process,” said IAM Aerospace Chief of Staff Jody Bennett. “That’s why education is so important as we prepare for negotiations that will include member participation. With solidarity, I feel confident that we can win the economic provisions as well as the workplace protections our members are demanding in a new contract.”
Leadership of the IAM Transportation Department recently visited with airline members at Denver International Airport (DEN), the latest stop in a station visits program launched earlier this year by the new leadership.
Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President, spent part of last week with members of IAM Local 1886, including participating in its annual member appreciation day and retiree luncheon that included members of airlines such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Ground Express. Johnsen was joined by a delegation that included Grand Lodge Representative Sean Ryan as well as leaders of District 141 and Local 1886.
The week’s activity also included a visit with airline members at Denver International Airport, including workers at United Airlines. Johnsen urged members to prepare for upcoming contract talks, including encouraging participation in the member survey that will help sculpt provisions to be proposed at the negotiations table. The current five-year labor contract runs through 2021.
“These visits are a very valuable learning experience for me and our members. I’m always excited to share information with members while fielding their concerns and suggestions for improving their workplaces,” Johnsen said. “There’s a great family atmosphere among our members at Denver International Airport. It was a pleasure to spend time with these hard-working men and women who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure passengers get to their destinations safely.”
Johnsen says that Transportation Department staff is making similar station visits as a means to proactively connect with members and address any concerns.
The string of recent station visits also comes as Johnsen and other department leaders are aggressively advocating for improved airline safety measures for ground crew members, prompted in-part by a rise in passenger violence against workers.
Johnsen recently authored an op-ed in USA Today newspaper addressing unruly passengers and the understaffing issues in the airline industry.
We must stop passenger rage in the air and on the ground. Frontline airline workers deserve better.
“Now it’s up to the airlines to demonstrate that this is their priority, too, by fixing the chronic understaffing causing delays and cancellations and making the air rage, and ground rage, worse,” Johnsen wrote.
President Biden spoke from the White House about a new plan to keep pressure on U.S. supply chains, during which he thanked Machinists Union members and other transportation workers on the front lines.
The IAM has long called for investment in the transportation industry that benefits workers, passengers and consumers, as well as Buy American regulations that strengthen supply chains, especially during global crises like a pandemic. The IAM is in full support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Act, which would provide historic investments in the airline, transit, aerospace, manufacturing and other critical industries.
“President Biden recognizes the critical role our members have in keeping America and the world moving,” said Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President. “The President knows that working men and women are the vital component in our supply chains, and that our members are working hard and remain committed to the job at hand.”
The IAM is the largest transportation union in North America, including in the airlines and freight and commuter railroads.
