Machinists Union Fights for Robust Funding in NDAA

Dec 19, 2022 | Aerospace/Defense, Politics & Legislative News

The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) yesterday. The FY 2023 NDAA has now passed the House and the Senate and heads to President’s desk for his signature.

Thanks in part to the IAM’s efforts, the legislation provides for record funding levels for defense spending totaling $858.4 billion for national defense programs, including extensive funding for IAM-built programs.

Each year, the NDAA authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring our troops have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions.   

Thanks to the IAM’s lobbying efforts, the 2023 NDAA authorizes funding for the following IAM- built and maintained programs:

  • F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
  • F-18 Super Hornet
  • C-130J Super Hercules
  • F-15 Eagles
  • KC-46 Tankers
  • P-8 Poseidons
  • DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers
  • Virginia-class Attack Submarines
  • Columbia-class Ballistic Submarine program
  • IAM-built missile system and ammunition manufacturing

The Machinists will continue to fight for robust funding for these programs and improvements in the ongoing negotiations over defense appropriations for the fiscal year 2023. 

The post Machinists Union Fights for Robust Funding in NDAA appeared first on IAMAW.

Workers in Georgia Win with Senator Warnock Victory

Dec 7, 2022 | Politics & Legislative News

Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement:

“Today, Georgians once again stood up for a pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda. This election victory allows working families to work with members of the U.S. Senate to continue improving our economy and implementing historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure. 

“Our members in Georgia and across the nation joined thousands of union members and community allies to knock on doors and make phone calls supporting IAM-endorsed U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. The work does not end with this runoff election. We have to build upon the infrastructure in Georgia created during the first historic campaign in 2020. 

“Congratulations, Senator Warnock, on the people’s victory, and we look forward to working with you to provide solutions to workers across our nation.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among North America’s largest industrial trade unions and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the airline, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.  

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion 

The post Workers in Georgia Win with Senator Warnock Victory appeared first on IAMAW.

Machinists Union and TCU/IAM Members Mobilize to Keep Georgia Pro-Worker

Dec 6, 2022 | Politics & Legislative News

Machinists Union and TCU/IAM members, along with the Georgia AFL-CIO, have mobilized over the past weeks to encourage members in the state to get out and vote to reelect worker-friendly U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff on Dec. 6. 

“I want to thank all the volunteers, the Legislative and Political Departments and my entire staff for working tirelessly throughout this very important campaign,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “Together, we have contacted thousands of members, helping to ensure the futures and livelihoods of working-class people statewide.”

“As you know, elections have consequences. Our nation’s working people need economic security, safe jobs, and the power to join and form unions,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This is achieved with the help of strong allies like Senator Warnock.”

The Georgia State Council of Machinists has endorsed U.S. Sen.  Warnock because he is an ally in Washington in helping to pass legislation that working families desperately need.

IAM members are contacting thousands of Georgia Machinists via door knocking, member-to-member phone calls, robocalls, text messages, and emails.

The post Machinists Union and TCU/IAM Members Mobilize to Keep Georgia Pro-Worker appeared first on IAMAW.