IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Luis Silvas from District 725 as an Education Representative at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD, effective August 15, 2021.
“I am proud to assign Luis to the Winpisinger Center,” said Martinez. “He brings a wealth of relevant and practical knowledge to the Center and has been involved in Local and District leadership since he first joined the union. I know his knowledge and experience will be put to immediate use to the benefit of our membership.”
Silvas has been a member of the Winpisinger Center’s Spanish Leadership Working Group since its beginning and already has experience reviewing, translating, developing and delivering leadership programs in Spanish.
“Luis understands the educational needs of our membership because he rose up through the ranks of the union to become a leader at both his Local and District Lodges,” said Winpisinger Center Director Chris Wagoner. “His familiarity with Local and District Lodge procedures, the organizing, negotiating, and servicing skills he developed and refined as a Business Rep, and previous experience developing curriculum and teaching at the Winpisinger Center will allow him to make an immediate and positive impact at the Winpisinger Center.”
Silvas comes to the Center from southern California, where he joined Local 1125 in 2013 and was elected Shop Steward, Recording Secretary, and eventually Local Lodge President. In 2017 he became Business Representative for District 725 and in that role has served as its Political Facilitator and as an elected Trustee for the California Conference of Machinists.
In October 2017, the IAM started offering a free college program as a Machinist benefit, allowing IAM members and their families to earn an associate’s degree from Ohio’s Eastern Gateway Community College in various educational tracks. Now, the IAM has grown its free college program also to include Franklin University.
To learn more about Franklin University’s Bachelor Completion Program, please click here.
The IAM’s free college program covers the costs of tuition, fees, books and any amount not covered by federal or employer education grants. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or a GED equivalent and be part of the Machinists Union family.
Want to find out more? Head over to freecollege.goiam.org or call 888-897-9671 to get started.
President Biden made a stop at the Mack Truck plant in Macungie, PA, recently to talk about his plan to strengthen Buy American rules.
During the speech, Biden told the audience of about 130 people that he would be making some of the biggest enforcement changes the Buy American plan had ever seen. No longer would it be good enough for the federal government to spend tax dollars on products made in the U.S.A. built with just 55% of American components. By 2029, he wanted that number ramped up to 75%, with companies having to prove that they have met that threshold. Right now, the government spends about $300 billion a year to buy these products.
IAM Local 1717 (District 1) President Joe Gerrity was in the third row to hear what the president had to say. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an IAM member who grew up just five blocks from where Joe Biden once called home in Scranton.
“Excellent! That’s all I can say. It was such a great experience,” said Gerrity. “Talking to him was like talking to someone from the old neighborhood.”
And in this case, that was the truth.
“When President Biden’s staff tried to get him to hurry up and move onto others waiting in line to shake his hand, he literally said to them ‘He’s from Scranton, he’s my guy. I love talking to people from the old neighborhood.’ I still can’t believe the president of the United States took time to talk to a guy like me,” explained Gerrity, who said he’s still on cloud nine from that day. “He even took my mother’s phone number, who still lives in the old neighborhood, and promised to give her a call if he had time. That was unbelievable.”
But it was the speech Biden gave that solidified Gerrity’s belief that President Biden is good for workers and the labor movement.
“He said the word union at least 20 times in his speech,” said Gerrity. “That speaks volumes.”
“The increases and enforcement changes to the Buy American program will really benefit U.S. workers,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “This is something the IAM is constantly fighting for. If it’s stamped Made in the USA, it should really mean, Made in the USA. We have the best workers who make the best products right here, so there’s no reason to look anywhere else. You can be sure the Machinists Union will never stop fighting to get that number to 100 percent.”
“My dad has been a union member for 55 years and I followed in his footsteps,” said Gerrity. “It is so important that we have politicians like President Biden in our corner fighting for workers. A stronger Buy American plan is good for all workers. I can’t thank my union enough for this opportunity that I know I will never forget.”
IAM District W24 and its local lodges in the Portland, Oregon area teamed up with the Aphrodite Project to collect feminine hygiene products for members of the community who need them most. With rare exception, their basic needs are often overlooked or avoided as an uncomfortable topic of conversation.
Our union members stepped up and collected $1500 worth of products to be delivered over the next few days to women’s shelters, homeless youth hostels and anywhere there is an unmet need. The project was part of the Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day – A Commitment to Serve (ACTS).
“Sister Maria’s memory is honored by the fine work of the women and men who participated in the noble effort,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Maria was very proud of the Aphrodite Project and the work they do in the community. A big thank you to all who participated in this honorable effort.”
“It was a great honor to hold an event in honor of Maria, who championed the ideals of empowering women and bringing together communities, while contributing to provide a much-needed service to disadvantaged people,” said Jessica Deming, who founded the Aphrodite Project in 2018.
Sisters Deming and Beth Lacey and Brothers John Kleiboeker and Larry Bickett worked the event, along with members from various shops and district staff. Their effort represents a small step toward empowering the vulnerable members of the community.
In honor of the Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day – A Commitment to Serve (ACTS), volunteers from IAM District 751 jumped at the opportunity to work on a project to honor Sister Lillis, who died May 28. Outside the Seattle Union Hall, volunteers prebuilt wheelchair ramp frames for an upcoming wheelchair ramp project this Saturday for a local resident whose dad has Parkinson’s diseaseand could hardly get in and out of hishouse. The group cut and assembledone 12-foot section, four 8-foot sections, and two 4 x 4 platforms to support volunteers building the ramp the following weekend.
“It was an honor to work with our leaders from District 751 on this first Maria Santiago Lillis Advocacy Day. We came together in service to honor Sister Maria’s life and work,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Thanks to all who answered A CommitmentTo Serve (ACTS) on Maria’s birthday!”
The advocacy day encourages all IAM Representatives to emulate the dedication, advocacy, compassion and fairness that Sister Lillis exhibited during her tenure as a Grand Lodge Representative.
“To be able to pre-fab wheelchair ramp sections to help an area citizen in honor of Maria was a privilege. She dedicated her life to helping others. What a great way to remember a true trade unionist who did so much to help others. We will set up a community service project every August 10 in her honor because together we make a difference and build better communities,” said IAM District 751 President Jon Holden.
Volunteers on the ramp sections included GVP Allen, Western Territory Chief of Staff Bobby Martinez, District 751 President Jon Holden, Grievance Coordinator Dan Swank, Business Representative Garth Luark, Organizer Loren Guzzone, Steward Coordinator Ed Lutgen and Retired Member Jim Hutchins.
The IAM praised a recent letter the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent to the Federal Aviation Administration, urging the agency to take swift actions like civil enforcement and steep fines to help thwart the growing number of assaults on airline employees.
“On top off being overworked, fatigued and under constant stress, our airline membership is being mentally and physically abused by unruly passengers, which adversely affects their health and safety,” said Richard Johnsen, Chief of Staff to the International President. “We are calling on the airlines and FAA to address airline passenger assault as well as the understaffing issue. The IAM is willing to work with the airlines, FAA and Congress to address these very serious concerns.”
The IAM Transportation Department includes more than 160,000 workers in the airline and rail industries. The IAM is the largest airline union in North America.
DeFazio’s correspondence to the FAA referenced the agency’s own data showing steep increases in air rage incidents subject to enforcement this year. There have been 628 such incidents in 2021 as of August 6, nearly twice the previous peak of 310 in 2004.
“The violent, disruptive behavior that we’ve seen on airplanes this year must not go unpunished,” DeFazio wrote. “Recklessly refusing to wear a mask during the deadliest pandemic in a century is dangerous enough, but punching flight attendants, running for the cockpit door, assaulting other passengers, and the litany of other outrageous incidents reported in the press requires a strong federal response, and I want to ensure that the FAA has the legal tools and authorities necessary to put these incidents to a stop.”
The IAM has been urging lawmakers and other federal officials to step up measures to protect the safety of airline workers in recent months. That includes Johnsen taking part in the Aviation Labor Recovery Roundtable call with FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and U.S. Transportation Department Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg.
Johnsen then urged participants on the call to share the union’s urgency to assure airlines properly staff positions, adding that “airlines were granted billions of dollars in federal relief from this administration to address these problems, and they must act now.”
Shop Steward nominations for the above classification(s), shift, and facility are now open. Petitions may be picked up beginning on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the Local S6 Union Hall.
You must be a member in good standing for one (1) year to run for Shop Steward and The petition must be signed by ten percent (10%) of the members in the classification(s) affected.
All petitions must be returned to the Recording Secretary (Ryan Ryder) no later than 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021.
(1) 2nd SHIFT BATH/EBMF Maintenance, M04, O04
Shop Steward nominations for the above classification(s), shift and facility are now open. Petitions may be picked up beginning on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the Local S6 Union Hall.
You must be a member in good standing for one (1) year to run for Shop Steward and The petition must be signed by ten percent (10%) of the members in the classification(s) affected.
All petitions must be returned to the Recording Secretary (Ryan Ryder) no later than 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021.
The Senate on Aug. 10 passed the massive piece of legislation that includes funding for rebuilding the nation’s roads, airports, passenger and freight rail, and bridges and expanded broadband access.
The Machinists Union supports the trillion-dollar federal infrastructure bill that “will uplift millions of working families through good union jobs that offer decent wages and benefits,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.
This historic infrastructure deal will uplift millions of working families through good union jobs that offer decent wages and benefits. #BuildBackBetterhttps://t.co/e4VYPBSnHI
— Machinists Union | Pass the #PROAct (@MachinistsUnion) August 7, 2021
Martinez applauded the federal bill and its provisions like Buy American rules intended to boost domestic manufacturing.
“This package will make an unprecedented federal investment in public transit and passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. As the largest transportation union in North America, we applaud the investment in airline and rail infrastructure.” Martinez said. “Our transportation sector will benefit through the modernization projects created through the robust funding provided in this infrastructure package. The Biden-Harris administration committed to building back better our vital manufacturing and transportation sectors during my meeting earlier this year at the White House.”
The legislation now moves for House consideration as early as next month. The IAM looks forward to working with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the chamber to get this historic investment passed.
