Mar 31, 2022 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM officers and activists from Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana gathered in Gulfport, MS recently to build power and learn new strategies to grow and strengthen the IAM.
Across District W2021, the IAM has a strong presence in the aerospace, manufacturing, federal sector, shipbuilding, and wood, pulp and paper industries.
“Our district is laser focused on growing our membership both in numbers and strength,” said IAM District W2021 President and Directing Business Representative Chuck Bennett. “Delegates to our district meeting and state councils heard first hand that the IAM is mobilized at every level to help us negotiate even stronger contracts, build power legislatively and politically, communicate effectively with members and future members, and grow our union.”
Delegates heard from IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, Associate General Counsel Laura Ewan, Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia and Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Valerie Rodriguez. All presentations and discussions were centered on delegates knowing the resources available to them as leaders in the IAM.
“I’m extremely grateful to Brother Bennett, the leadership of District W2021, and the Mississippi and Louisiana State Councils,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Our members are engaged and eager to take our strength to a new level across the South.”
IAM State Councils are the grassroots political and legislative bodies of the IAM. Want to get more engaged? Subscribe the IAM’s political and legislative email newsletter, Machinists on the Hill, and become a member of the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League.
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Mar 31, 2022 | Politics & Legislative News
The 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) supports the Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act, which would strengthen Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of commercial airline repair facilities outside the United States.
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America, representing over 100,000 airline workers.
The federal legislation, introduced by U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), would include measures such as unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, set minimum qualifications for mechanics and other workers, including drug testing and background checks, and require air carriers to submit detailed maintenance reports to the FAA.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 900 aircraft maintenance and repair stations have been certified by the FAA outside the U.S., which includes countries such as China, Singapore and Brazil.
“Our hard-working members proudly maintain commercial airplanes in North America for carriers such as American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and British Airways to name a few, and safety and quality is always a top priority,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It’s long overdue that carrier facilities outside the U.S., abide by the high-quality standards that help ensure smooth and safe travel for passengers and the airline workers. The current lack of uniform regulatory standards and oversight sets an unlevel field with carriers increasingly enticed by the financial incentives to push this work overseas. This results in job losses in the U.S. and risks passenger safety.”
“Congress should move swiftly to pass this very important legislation that would set a series of safety and security requirements for overseas facilities,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “There should be a uniform level of maintenance requirements whether in the U.S., or overseas. Our IAM members are tasked with this critical job of maintenance here in North America and it’s simply unfair that they are forced to compete with the lower standards of work done at foreign facilities.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Mar 28, 2022 | Politics & Legislative News
Take up the fight in our nation’s capital for policies that benefit working people. Join hundreds of your fellow IAM members at the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference from June 20 to 22, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001.
You must complete reservations by Friday, May 13, 2022, to guarantee the IAM hotel room rate.
Get the official call letter, registration information, and hotel booking details here.
As part of the conference schedule, attendees will lobby members of Congress and remind them who they were elected to represent. In addition, machinists will hit Capitol Hill and talk about the issues that affect IAM members most, including the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Buy American, transportation, trade, defense funding, retirement security, healthcare costs and more.
During general sessions, delegates will also hear from allies in Congress and attend a congressional reception hosted by the IAM.
Make a difference by participating in this important conference.
Register today.
The post Registration for the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference is Now Open appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 23, 2022 | Machinists On The Hill
PRESIDENT BIDEN’S HISTORIC ‘BUY AMERICAN EXPANSION ANSWERS DECADES-LONG CALLS FROM U.S. WORKERS: IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., released the following statement regarding President Biden’s expansion of “Buy American”:
“The Machinists Union has championed and called for an expansion of ‘Buy American’ domestic content requirements for decades. Today’s announcement is further proof that in President Biden, we finally have a champion for U.S. workers in the White House.
“Today’s announcement makes real what we have been saying all along—that ‘Made in America’ should mean ‘Made in America.’ In fact, the Machinists Union, along with U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, championed an amendment to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that would have made a similar ‘Buy American’ threshold increase for defense products. That bipartisan amendment passed the House before being defeated by corporate-backed politicians in the Senate.
“The Biden administration is now applying that rule—that any product stamped with ‘Made in America’ should have 75% of its value come from parts made here in the United States—to all products purchased with taxpayer dollars by 2029.
“This is critical for our domestic supply chains. It is music to the ears of American workers. It puts our tax dollars toward buying the best products made by the best workers. And it will finally make a real difference toward bringing back U.S. jobs that have been sent out of the country by bad trade deals and corporate greed.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Biden administration and the Made in America Office for hearing our call and the calls of millions of Americans. Let’s build the future right here in America.”
LET’S CONTINUE PRESIDENT BIDEN’S HISTORIC PROGRESS TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR WORKING FAMILIES: IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. released this statement after President Biden’s first State of the Union address:
“The IAM was proud to endorse President Biden through a first-of-its-kind, rank-and-file membership vote. Through the activism of our members and so many worker-friendly allies, we now have a true ‘union man’ in the White House. For the first time in generations, we are witnessing an all-of-government approach to putting the interests of working families first.
“We are emerging from the pandemic with historic job growth. Working people are finally able to tip the scales in their favor, demanding higher wages and better benefits from their employers. The President promised to rebuild America and expand Buy American—and he is delivering for the best workers in the world. American manufacturing is back, and the IAM and our allies in the labor movement are just getting started. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create even more good jobs, while investing in our aging airports, public transit systems and more.
“But as the President said tonight, there is far more work to be done. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine makes even more clear, we must immediately strengthen our domestic supply chains, especially in the defense industry. We must take measures to lower consumer prices, broaden access to apprenticeship programs, create a national paid family and medical leave program, and protect our sacred right to vote. For the millions of Americans who want to join a union today, we also must pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
“These should not be partisan issues. This is about a better life for working families. We stand with the Biden administration and all allies of working people to create a brighter future for the generations to come.”
MACHINISTS UNION SEEKS ASSISTANCE FROM MISSOURI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STOP GKN PLANT CLOSURE: The IAM has reached out to Missouri politicians to ask for their support and assistance saving approximately 1,000 family-sustaining jobs at GKN Aerospace in Hazelwood, Mo.
The IAM wrote letters to U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, as well U.S. Reps. Cori Bush, Ann Wagner, Sam Graves, Billy Long, and Vicky Hartzler to ask for their assistance in saving 600 IAM-represented manufacturing jobs and 400 support workers at the Hazelwood aerospace company.
Click here to read the letter.
GKN Aerospace recently announced plans to completely shut down this facility by the end of 2023, with layoffs commencing in mid-2022. Workers at the facility, many of whom are U.S. military veterans, have devoted their lives to proudly producing world-class aerospace components.
IAM Local 387 (District 837) members currently produce aircraft parts for a wide variety of U.S. Defense Department platforms, including the F-15, F-18A, CH-53, and Advanced Programs. The facility was previously owned by the Boeing Co., but was purchased by GKN in 2001. In 2018, GKN was purchased by British parent company Melrose Industries.
“The workers at this GKN facility in Hazelwood supply our men and women in uniform with precision aircraft parts needed to safely and effectively complete their mission of ensuring our national security,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Together their finely tuned skills and undeniable dedication are a key piece of our domestic aerospace supply chain. If this facility is allowed to close and this highly skilled workforce is disassembled, it will be a huge loss to our domestic manufacturing capabilities, which would be very difficult and costly to recreate.”
“The manufacturing and support workers at the GKN facility are essential workers in the state of Missouri,” said IAM Midwest General Vice President Steve Galloway. “These proud workers are part of the fabric of the community and for generations have produced vital components to the Department of Defense programs. The IAM will fully commit all our resources to keep this facility open. I urge all elected officials and community allies to join us in our fight to defend these working families.”
“The working families of Hazelwood and the surrounding communities built this company,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “Generations of dedicated, hard-working workers and their families have worked at this facility for generations. We hope the entire community can join together to keep these good jobs in the St. Louis area.”
IAM ADVOCACY FOR AVIATION MANUFACTURING JOBS PROTECTION PROGRAM SAVES THOUSANDS OF AEROSPACE JOBS: Thousands of IAM aerospace jobs have been saved or protected thanks to the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP), a federal aerospace job protection program championed by the Machinists Union. The U.S. Transportation Department recently announced $482.3 million in funding to 313 businesses, including approximately 20 IAM-represented employees, including Spirit AeroSystems, Pratt and Whitney, Hexcel Corp., and Learjet.
The IAM aggressively advocated for and won the successful passage of the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP), which is part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. The program provides $3 billion in payroll support funding to aviation manufacturing employers, allowing them to keep aerospace manufacturing workers on their payrolls, avoid additional furloughs, and re-hire workers previously furloughed during the pandemic. For example, the USDOT provided $75.5 million to Spirit AeroSystems, estimated to save 3,214 jobs. Spirit, based in Wichita, KS, is a significant supplier for the Boeing Co.
“The IAM played a vital role in passing this critical legislation,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This program ensures that the aerospace industry continues to thrive, as well as the working men and women who make it successful.”
The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection program establishes a temporary relief plan for aerospace supply chains affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The program provides up to 50% of both pay and benefits for the thousands of furloughed due to the pandemic. In addition, companies receiving these funds must commit not to conduct any layoffs or furloughs during the six-months in which the funds are in use.
Machinists Union members were among many workers in the aerospace industry who experienced layoffs and furloughs because of COVID-19. While air travel dropped significantly during 2020, so did the need for parts, repairs, modifications, and other services, hurting aerospace supply chain companies.
Other IAM employers who participated in the AMJP program include Arrow Gear LLC, Cytec, Jones Metal Products, Magellan Aerospace New York, NWI Nashville, NWI Wichita, Orizon Aerostructures, and 10 SAFRAN locations.
RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS FOR ALL: Voting rights reform is critical to this country’s foundation. That’s why the labor movement will do all it can to protect the sanctity of our voting system and shine a spotlight on the laws and policies that aim to damage our nation. It’s time to put the American people back at the center of our democracy.
MACHINISTS UNION APPLAUDS HISTORIC NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO SUPREME COURT: IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. issued this statement following President Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court:
“President Biden promised to nominate an extremely qualified candidate to the U.S. Supreme Court, who will also move the Court toward a more accurate representation of the American people. The President has delivered on that promise.
“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of our nation’s brightest legal minds, is eminently qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. As a federal judge and in both private and public practice, Judge Jackson has built a lifetime record of fighting for the freedoms of all people. IAM and NFFE-IAM members in the federal sector saw her stand with them to block the Trump administration’s campaign to gut their collective bargaining rights.
“As the daughter of public school teachers, Judge Jackson knows what it means to serve and the challenges facing working people. She will help restore balance to the Supreme Court and ensure that working peoples’ voices are heard on the High Court. The IAM urges the Senate to move quickly on Judge Jackson’s nomination.”
BUILDING POLITICAL POWER IN ILLINOIS: About 50 delegates with the Illinois State Council of Machinists recently gathered in Springfield, IL for a political conference. While there, IAM members heard from politicians, built a grassroots plan for the upcoming midterm elections and listened to union leadership.
UNIONS URGE DOJ TO PROTECT AIRLINE PASSENGER SERVICE AGENTS: The IAM, along with other unions, wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland raising concerns regarding assaults against passenger service agents working across airports in the United States.
The letter urges the DOJ to use every tool at its disposal to pursue federal penalties against individuals who assault or interfere with passenger service agents.
TAKE ACTION: Add your name to ask the Justice Department to expeditiously act and protect passenger service agents
“These employees, who already endure the stresses of being frontline workers during a pandemic, have unjustly labored under the incessant threat of abuse and physical harm from unruly passengers unwilling to comply with COVID-19 masking measures or directions from airline and security staff, or who attempt to board aircraft while intoxicated and belligerent,” reads the letter.
Over the past few years, passenger service agents have experienced an increased level of severe physical and verbal assault and harassment incidents, with few repercussions for the offending passenger imposed by law enforcement.
“These incidents directly impact both the safety of crew and passengers,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “Any unruly or disruptive behavior, whether related to intoxication, aggression or other factors introduces unnecessary risk to the normal operation of a flight. The DOJ has statutes in place to rectify this increasingly, volatile situation.”
The labor coalition expressed the need for all passenger service agents to expect a safe workplace, free from the threat of violence, and that increased cooperation is required to improve the safety of these employees.
Read the IAM’s letter to President Biden about the increase in assaults against passenger service agents.
NFFE-IAM TESTIFIES IN SENATE TO PROMOTE MERIT SYSTEMS PRINCIPLES AND WARN AGAINST DARK MONEY POLITICAL APPOINTEES: National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) Executive Director Steve Lenkart testified in a Senate hearing this week to promote Merit Systems Principles and caution lawmakers of corruption from political appointees. The purpose of the hearing was to review the success and gaps in the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Act of 2002, which has now been implemented for 20 years. Discussed were topics such as the proper relationship between OPM and agency CHCOs, if CHCOs have enough authority and flexibility to do their jobs, and how CHCOs can improve human capital to help agencies achieve their missions.
“Today’s hearing presented an opportunity to stress the importance of maintaining Merit System Principles as they are written in the law, and how these principles do not interfere with progress,” said NFFE-IAM Executive Director Steve Lenkart. “When we blame merit principles for suspending progress, we are really lying to ourselves instead of being more innovative. In reality, we need to be better and not backtrack on the rules that keep us honest.”
“Only dark money hacks and their funders complain about merit principles because they interfere with their mission to impart undue influence and corruption,” continued Lenkart. “There are a handful of people that pose serious threats to our democracy, who wish to corrupt government and skirt laws for a variety of reasons, all based on personal gain. We must end the ‘secret workforce within the workforce’ through the hiring of more career leaders, while minimizing the influence of political appointees by holding them to the same standards as career employees.”
“We are grateful the subcommittee invited NFFE-IAM to provide input on such an important issue to the function of the government,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “It was encouraging to see bipartisan support for the federal Merit Systems Principles at today’s hearing. These principles are critical to continuing the prosperity of American democracy and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure that they are upheld.”
IAM OPPOSES FEDERAL LEGISLATION THREATENING DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS’ WORKING CONDITIONS: The IAM recently wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) on behalf of the thousands of highly-skilled automotive dealership technicians that the IAM represents. The letter was in strong opposition to Rep. Rush’s recently introduced legislation, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (H.R. 6570), also known as the REPAIR ACT.
This proposed federal legislation risks vehicle safety and threatens working conditions such as fair wages for scores of workers in your representative district, including members of the IAM Mechanics Union Local 701. If the REPAIR ACT became law, it would completely negate the collective bi-partisan efforts of Illinois’ state bill HB-3940, which was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., wrote in the letter.
READ: Landmark Victory for IAM Local 701 and Illinois Auto Technicians
IAM Mechanics’ Union Local 701 championed the state bill from its onset along with the assistance from the Illinois State AFL-CIO, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.
“HB-3940 was intended to finally fairly compensate the automobile dealerships, which in turn, would fairly compensate the technicians working on warranty repairs at the retail rate,” Martinez wrote. “This collaborative effort was a bi-partisan effort to finally address the shortcomings paid from the manufacturers. This new law finally addresses concerns within our industry, which includes poor retention as technicians were leaving due to the pay methodology, as well as failure to attract youth to this highly-skilled craft. This state law is intended to remedy the nationwide technician shortage.”
“We worked really hard to champion an industry changing bill in Illinois in the hopes that it catches on in other states which finally addresses a fair means of compensation for technicians,” said IAM Local 701 Directing Business Representative Sam Cicinelli. “It would be disheartening to have the rug pulled out from underneath not only our members’ feet, but also the other deserving technicians striving for the same opportunity with a negating federal barrier.”
“The IAM calls on Rep. Rush to put workers and American families first – not the profits of multi-billion dollar car manufacturers,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “Our members deserve fair wages and working conditions, and drivers everywhere deserve the peace of mind knowing that their vehicle has been repaired by a qualified technician. The IAM is vehemently opposed to this bill.”
Read the complete letter.
MACHINISTS UNION ENDORSED CANDIDATES MOVE FORWARD IN TEXAS PRIMARIES: Worker-friendly candidates who were endorsed by the Texas State Council of Machinists are moving forward in the Lone Star State.
Pro-worker Austin city council member Greg Casar won his race for Congressional District 35. Casar raised the city’s hourly minimum wage to $15 and authored the paid sick day law.
Jessica Cisneros, a champion for workers’ rights, has forced U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, into a runoff election in Congressional District 28.
Jane Hamilton, formerly chief of staff to IAM champion U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, is headed to a run off against Texas State Senator Jasmine Crockett.
The post ‘Buy American’ Gets a Huge Boost — A True ‘Union Man’ in the White House — Fighting for Jobs in St. Louis appeared first on IAMAW.
Mar 23, 2022 | Machinists On The Hill
LARGEST AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE UNION URGES ADMINISTRATION TO FULLY INVEST IN THE IAM-BUILT F-35 PROGRAM: IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. sent a letter to President Biden urging a robust F-35 Lightning II program investment in the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Department budget request. The F-35 program currently provides for tens of thousands of high-quality Machinists Union jobs, which supports more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide, and is the only 5th generation stealth fighter currently in production.
“Thousands of Machinists Union members and their families across the country rely on these irreplaceable jobs supported by the program—from the F-35 primary production facility in Fort Worth, Texas to its engine manufacturing facility in Middletown, Connecticut and across the program’s vast network of suppliers from West Palm Beach, Florida to northern California,” said Martinez. “All told, the F-35 program supports more than 254,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide. The program’s network of suppliers includes more than 1,800 first-tier suppliers across the country supporting high-skilled jobs and more than $49 billion in annual economic impact spread across all 50 states. Your administration’s strong budgetary support of the F-35 Lightning II program is necessary to support these workers, the companies that employ them, and the domestic aerospace supply chain they robustly reinforce.”
Many Machinists Union members working on the F-35 program are U.S. military veterans. Supporting the F-35 program means good jobs for veterans and their families. Machinists Union members are the most talented and experienced aerospace and defense workers in the world.
The full letter can be found here.
Website: F-35: Made with Pride by Machinists Union Members
NFFE-IAM WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS CALL FOR RESPECT ON CAPITOL HILL: Ahead of another intense wildfire season, roughly a dozen NFFE-IAM firefighters, who service government-owned land, forests and parks, spent this week in Washington, D.C. urging lawmakers to address critical concerns such as an urgent need for wage increases amid increasing costs of living, improved health and wellness coverage, and better working conditions.
“We need to make changes right now. That starts with a $20 per hour base minimum wage,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “The President increased the minimum hourly rate to $15 last year, and for that we are grateful, but more work must be done. Applications for employment are down 40% or more and we are losing experienced firefighters to state and local fire services. It is becoming impossible to recruit and maintain the qualified workforce needed to address longer and more destructive fire seasons every year. It’s putting more pressure on those who are working and they’re suffering, which is why are here in D.C.”
Robert Beckley, a NFFE-IAM National Vice President and Montana native who began fighting wildfires in 1975, says climate change has made the terrain more vulnerable to intense wildfires. These fire are hot enough to effectively kill forests by ‘sterilizing’ the ground, preventing regeneration on swaths of land that cover 100,000 acres or more.
“With climate change, with drought conditions, with insect infestation that damages trees, I’m noticing the lands are getting hotter and more trees are dying and rotting,” said Beckley. “That’s creating more fuel on the ground. When there’s a fire, it’s harder to control, it’s harder to put out and it demands more attention and more resources.”
An additional concern is seasonal NFFE-IAM firefighters, a significant portion of the workforce, many of whom have limited access to health insurance and are not eligible for government retirement. Retirement benefits for full-time firefighters, which require 20 years of service, does not cover seasonal NFFE-IAM members even if they worked 20 years of equivalent time simply because they are not full-time permanent employees.
“The wildland firefighters are often on their own after they are injured,” Beckley continued. “It is especially hard for seasonal firefighters who have no insurance or retirement to fall back on. For seasonal and full-time firefighters, it’s the same hot, dirty, nasty job that takes its toll on a body and mind.”
NFFE-IAM says the visits in Washington, which included meetings with representatives from the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, were productive.
“This is a bipartisan issue. We’re ready to work with members on both sides of the aisle to get things done this year,” said Erwin. “Every office that we visited understood our needs. Now it’s important for them to push legislation and get firefighters and our national landscape the help they need.”
REPS. GOLDEN, PINGREE REQUEST MEETING WITH NAVY TO DISCUSS ANTI-UNION RETALIATION ALLEGATIONS AT PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD: U.S. Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) recently sent a letter to the U.S. Navy leaders raising significant concern regarding allegations of retaliatory behavior against Machinists Union members employed with Melgar Facility Maintenance LLC (Melgar) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY).
“We have received reports that Navy civilian personnel have worked to circumvent the disciplinary process set forth in IAMAW’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to retaliate against specific union members for whom they have personal animus,” reads the letter. “As strong supporters of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the dedicated men and women employed there, we find these reports deeply troubling.”
“Our union fought hard to put in a collective bargaining agreement that would shield our members from frivolous disciplinary actions due to personal vendettas from management,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I want to thank Reps. Golden and Pingree for speaking out on behalf of our dedicated members at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. IAM members are proud of the work they provide the U.S. Navy and deserve to work in an environment where respect towards each other is a part of the work culture.”
Golden and Pingree requested a meeting between Navy representatives and their staff in the coming weeks to outline their concerns fully.
Read the complete letter here.
NEW YORK CASCADES WORKERS, MACHINISTS UNION WIN LONG BATTLE TO VOTE ON, RATIFY FIRST CONTRACT: More than 100 workers at the Cascades Containerboard facility in Niagara Falls, N.Y. have overwhelmingly ratified a strong first collective bargaining agreement.
The facility’s group of more than 100 workers voted to join the Machinists Union in April 2019 and have been attempting to bargain for a fair contract for nearly three years. Cascades Containerboard, a Canadian-owned company, failed to listen to U.S. lawmakers, labor leaders, or their workers as they called on the company to bargain a fair contract.
The IAM Legislative and Political Department played a vital role in helping achieve this victory. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) wrote a letter urging Canada-based Cascades, Inc. to negotiate in good faith with more than 100 of its Niagara Falls, N.Y. employees who voted to join the Machinists Union in April 2019.
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) also wrote to Cascades President Charles Malo, urging the company to “negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement expeditiously.”
READ: It took 3 years, but Cascades workers in Niagara Falls ratify the first contract | The Buffalo (N.Y.) News
“I could not be more proud of these members for their solidarity, courage, and dedication to get the first contract for each other,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Brian Bryant. “This has been a long time coming, and there aren’t many groups that could continue to display the solidarity and patience these members have. The longer the process has gone on, the more resolve these members have shown. I want to thank IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand and his staff for their work putting pressure on this Québec-based manufacturer, helping us achieve this long-awaited victory.”
“While there is good news for these members today, that doesn’t take away the fact they have faced union-busting tactics for nearly three years while the company refused to bargain with their employees,” continued Bryant. “We need to strengthen U.S. labor laws to hold corporations accountable and create an economy that works for working people.”
WATCH: Cascades Containerboard Workers Demand Contract
“I am so proud of this group and the solidarity and patience they have shown over the past few years,” said IAM District 65 Directing Business Representative Ron Warner. “They have handled all the union-busting tactics with professionalism and strength. Their determination and resolve is something for the labor history books.”
“Our members at Cascades are the major reason for the company’s success. They earned and fought for the right to vote on a fair first contract,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This opportunity will give these dedicated individuals a voice in the workplace. I commend them for their focus in obtaining a contract that will make life better for their families and the Niagara Falls community.”
“The Canadian Territory is thankful that our Brothers and Sisters at Cascades in New York were able to secure a first contract,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand. “The IAM stood strong across the borders because all workers deserve respect and fairness. That’s what a team does—when you hurt one, you hurt all. We hope that this struggle is behind us, and we can move forward toward creating a better workplace.”
TCU/IAM JOINS RAILROAD DAY ON CAPITOL HILL: TCU/IAM representatives participated in virtual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill. The annual joint lobby day with other unions and industry representatives helps promote the freight rail industry. TCU/IAM reps attended over 50 meetings with House and Senate offices. Issues included supply chain issues, the infrastructure bill, workforce & equipment shortages, economic regulation, and the importance of keeping bigger and heavier trucks off the road.
NFFE-IAM TESTIFIED IN SENATE TO WARN AGAINST DARK MONEY APPOINTEE: National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) Executive Director Steve Lenkart testified in the Senate Government Operations Subcommittee regarding the relationship between OPM and federal chief human capital officers, and the dangers of dark money political appointees in government. In his testimony, Lenkart recommended that more management and scrutiny of political appointees is required given the influx of dangerous dark money appointees with secret agendas during the last administration.
IAM AND NFFE-IAM STOP FAA CENTER REORGANIZATION: IAM and NFFE-IAM members are safe from an attempt to reorganize the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey. The reorganization would have broken the premier research center into three parts, and relocated most of the work to other places. The break up would have decentralized research and safety testing, potentially giving private industry and the airlines more influence over those inherently governmental processes. IAM and NFFE-IAM teamed up with the New Jersey Delegation with Aviation Subcommittee Member Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) leading the effort to halt any further unauthorized reorganization efforts through supporting langue in the 2022 Omnibus appropriations bill.
FEDERAL JOB CORPS CENTERS SOLIDIFIED IN OMNIBUS LAW: NFFE-IAM requested and lobbied for fortifying language that keeps the federal Job Corps centers open and funded. All federal Job Corps centers ran by NFFE-IAM Forest Service employees were scheduled for closure during the Trump administration. NFFE-IAM won that battle after an intense media and legislative campaign, and the language in the 2022 omnibus law further solidifies that victory. The provision also keeps the job Corp operating agreement between DOL and USDA intact, which was threatened during Trump.
AS INTALCO RESTART ADVANCES, BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION IS LAST REMAINING HURDLE TO RESTOR 700 UNION JOBS AND REOPEN INTALCO WORKS: The IAM released the following statement about its efforts, working with the State of Washington, former members of management, and Blue Wolf Capital Partners, to reopen and modernize the Intalco Works:
“We are pleased to hear that Blue Wolf Capital Partners now has the opportunity to buy Intalco from Alcoa and restart it.
“We are concerned, however, that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provided Intalco electricity for over 50 years, hasn’t agreed to restore the power agreement that Intalco needs to restart. On behalf of the more than 700 workers and their families who lost their jobs when Intalco closed, we call upon BPA to restore its 50-year-partnership with the power purchase agreement Intalco needs to reopen the facility and restore those union jobs this year.
“A reopened and modernized Intalco will be one of only two green aluminum smelters in the United States. With a BPA agreement, Intalco will use clean energy and modernized technology to cut greenhouse gases by about 750,000 tons per year and particulates by more than 50 percent.
“Furthermore, by providing a reliable U.S. supply of green aluminum, it will reduce imports from China, the Middle East and Russia that don’t use clean energy. At full production, Intalco can replace coal-based aluminum and reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 4 million tons CO2e each year.
“Intalco Works started more than 50 years ago, but in recent decades, subsidized foreign suppliers have largely displaced U.S. aluminum producers. Today, most of the world’s primary aluminum production moving to areas such as China, Russia, and the Middle East, which rely on high carbon energy including coal or other fossil fuels. Domestically produced aluminum is needed to meet any realistic carbon reduction goals, given it is essential to manufacturing electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines.
“With its reopening, Intalco will be the only operational aluminum smelter in the western U.S. and one of only two green aluminum producers in the entire U.S.”
MACHINISTS UNION SUPPORTS MARYLAND LEGISLATION GIVING PUBLIC LIBRARY WORKERS STATEWIDE THE FREEDOM TO COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN: The IAM, which recently organized Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) employees, is supporting legislation that would extend the right to collectively bargain to all public library employees in Maryland.
On the heels of the successful BCPL campaign, the IAM has been working with Harford County Public Library employees to obtain a voice at work through joining a union. In response, Del. Steven Johnson (D-34a) introduced the Harford County Library Employees Collective Bargaining Authorization Bill (H.B. 1225).
An amendment to H.B. 1225, also introduced by Del. Steven Johnson, would extend the right to collectively bargain to all state public library employees. Since libraries in Maryland are created by state law, state legislation had to be drafted and passed for library workers to be able to form a union with the ability to negotiate a contract addressing their wages and working conditions.
“There’s no reason to waste taxpayer money by coming back to this issue every few years, for every county in the state,” said Del. Steven Johnson. “Every library worker should have a pathway to exercise their constitutional right to join a union if they so choose.”
“This is about the freedom to have a voice and a vote on the job. House Bill 1225 is the first step on a path to ensure the voice of these workers is being recognized. The workers love the library system and want to see it thrive and grow, especially with so many residents saying the institution is the best service their tax money provides,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bridget Fitzgerald. “This amendment not only takes care of library employees in Harford County, but also every dedicated public servant who works in a public library across the state, and every person who frequents their local library.”
“Libraries are the vaults that hold the histories of our communities,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo. “They are a gateway to knowledge and culture, with library staff often guiding access to that information. House Bill 1225 makes sure the voices of these information gatekeepers are recognized.”
A group of nearly 460 Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) full and part-time employees across the county’s 19 branches recently voted in favor of joining the IAM. They are currently in negotiations with BCPL management.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ONE-YEAR LATER: The American Rescue Plan delivered much-needed relief to the IAM membership and working Americans last year.
How the American Rescue Plan helped IAM members and our families:
- $1,400 Direct Payments: Individuals earning up to $75,000 and couples earning up to $150,000 received the full direct payments of $1,400 per person. Individuals will also receive an additional $1,400 payment for each dependent claimed on their tax returns. No payment will be sent to single filers earning more than $80,000 or joint filers earning more than $160,000.
- Multiemployer Pensions: Included the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act. This long-overdue pension relief legislation provided $86 Billion in relief to troubled multiemployer pension plans with NO CUTS to earned benefits. The legislation protected the integrity of healthy multiemployer plans, save the PBGC and strengthen the pension system overall. The legislation contained NO provisions to harm healthy plans, does not include the GROW Act, and only has a modest increase in premiums from $31 to $52 starting in 2031.
- Airline Jobs: Provided $15 billion to extend the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) through September 30, 2021 which helped airlines and contractors avert mass layoffs and furloughs due to the unprecedented drop in business.
- Aviation Manufacturing Workforce: The package included the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act which provided $3 billion to help employers keep aerospace manufacturing workers on their payrolls, avoid additional furloughs, and re-hire workers previously furloughed during the pandemic.
- Amtrak: This bill provided $1.7 billion to Amtrak to keep rail service running across the nation, to rehire 1,230 workers who have been involuntarily furloughed as a result of COVID, and to restore full long-distance service to remote communities.
- Public Transit: The package provided $30.4 billion of additional relief funding to transit agencies to prevent layoffs of transit workers and prevent severe cuts to transit services that essential workers and the general public rely on.
- Expand Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit: This bill also included an expansion of two of the most effective anti-poverty tools the U.S. government has: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).
- Defense Production Act for PPE: Provided $10 billion to expand domestic production of personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, and other medical supplies.
- Veterans: The bill provided funding to waive copays for veterans during the pandemic, and to provide health care services and support to veterans, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution, expanded mental health care, and enhanced telehealth capabilities. It also establishes a new program to provide retraining assistance for veterans who have lost their jobs due to COVID, and includes funding for VA to mitigate the pandemic’s impacts on the benefits claims and appeals backlog.
- Expanded PPP Eligibility: This bill expanded Paycheck Protection Program eligibility to include additional nonprofits such as 501(c)(5) labor and agricultural organizations providing $7 billion for that purpose.
IAM Legislative Advocacy Saves Hundreds of Missouri Local 778 Ammunition Production Jobs:The Machinists Union scored a huge legislative win for IAM Local 778 Members at the Olin-Winchester Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, MO. Proposed budget cuts, now cancelled due to the IAM’s advocacy, would have had a devastating impact on the 1,700 workers at the facility.
The fiscal year 2022 budget unwisely included a 30 to 50 percent reduction in these munitions compared to 2021.
At the time, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate appropriators, urging them to reject the effort to cut funding for U.S. Army ammunitions, and asking them to restore adequate funding for the procurement of small caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army.
“The IAM’s victory ensures that our military will continue to have access to quality ammunition,” said IAM Local 778 Directing Business Representative Joe Capra. “Our highly skilled members take great pride in their work to make the finest ammunition in the world.”
“Our members can be assured that the IAM is fighting for their jobs at every level,” said IAMMidwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This was a tremendous effort on everyone’s part.”
“This crucial funding secures the work of our members,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “My thanks go to all involved, especially our Political and Legislative Department, whose efforts made a huge difference.”
The Independence facility manufactures the Army’s 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50-caliber rifle ammunition.
SENATOR WARREN AND REPRESENTATIVE NORCROSS VOICE THEIR SUPPORT FOR LOCAL 447 MACHINISTS: 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.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) voices her support for Local 447 Machinists
U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) voices his support for Local 447 Machinists
“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.”
WATCH: View One Day Longer, One Day Stronger video of the rally here.
Georgia Machinists Gather at State Council Meeting: Georgia is going to be an important state in the upcoming political season. The Georgia State Council of Machinists is making sure the candidates running are good for labor, and will fight and protect the best interests of workers and their families in the Peach State.
WATCH: Georgia State Council of Machinists
The post Fully Invest in the IAM-Built F-35 Program– NFFE-IAM Wildland Firefighters Call for Respect — First Contract at Cascades appeared first on IAMAW.
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