May 31, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2024 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), has been appointed by President Biden to serve on the President’s Export Council, a U.S. governmental organization that serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade.
Bryant, a Maine native and Bath Iron Works shipbuilder by trade, will bring the voices of 600,000 active and retired IAM members in the aerospace, defense, airline, manufacturing and other industries to White House trade discussions. Bryant also serves as Vice Chair of the AFL-CIO’s Industrial Union Council, on the Executive Committee of the IndustriALL Global Union, and on the AFL-CIO’s Executive Council.
“Our nation’s trade policies directly affect the livelihoods of our members in so many critical industries,” said Bryant. “I’m extremely thankful to President Biden for nominating me to help ensure that workers have a prominent seat in every trade discussion that affects our jobs, supply chains and national security.”
The President’s Export Council provides a forum for private-sector business and labor leaders, members of Congress, and other administration officials to discuss and resolve trade-related issues.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
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May 29, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
The states of the IAM Midwest Territory sent representatives to St. Louis for the Midwest States Conference of Machinists to gather for a national political report from the IAM and to strategize for the upcoming election.
IAM delegates were joined by Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce (D-Mo.), Missouri House Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Crystal Quade (D), and Missouri AFL-CIO President Jake Hummel.
Although unable to attend in person, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) delivered a message to the congregation via video message.
IAM National Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon delivered the national political report, reminding the conference of the IAM’s priorities for the upcoming presidential election.
IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff Rick Mickschl spoke to delegates on behalf of the territory and Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. Mickschl pointed out the IAM Analysis of Presidential Impact on Labor, a comparison of President Donald Trump’s decisions and President Biden’s decisions and their results for workers and unions.
“Please vote, encourage others to vote, and get involved in the election process for our future as a union and our nation,” said Mickschl.
IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin also delivered remarks, applauding the Midwest states for their accomplishments and recognizing organizing challenges some Midwest states face, like so-called right-to-work laws and anti-union politicians, that Southern states are also up against.
“The key to pushing back against these kinds of attacks is continuing to organize, continuing to look to the future — towards bringing new workers into our union family, so they can have the rights and benefits that come from having a good union job,” said Martin.
IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett and IAM Assistant Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer Paul Kendall were also in attendance.
“It’s incredibly important to support political activism in our locals and districts,” said Bennett. “Meetings like this provide information to our members about the policy action being taken by the officials we’ve elected to office and set the direction for where our union will put our support and why. This is vital work for our union, as the policy course officials take has a direct impact on the members we represent, our workplaces, and labor as a whole.”
The meeting concluded with the committees delivering their reports and officers being appointed.
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May 16, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM is leading the charge on Capitol Hill to continue C-130J production at current levels. IAM Local 709 members at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., proudly build the aircraft.
A growing list of members of Congress have added their signatures to a letter calling for reconsideration of the “zero budgeted” pause in orders for the C-130J aircraft production line in the FY 2025 and 2026 budgets. The pause threatens to slow the production line of the U.S. military’s workhorse airlifter until FY 2027, the first time in the program’s history.
“For over 60 years, IAM members in Marietta have been producing military aircraft that are unmatched,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “This community relies on those jobs, and those jobs support other jobs in Georgia and across the country. We need to take a longer view at what ‘zero budgeted’ funding will actually do to jobs in Marietta.”
A record 68 members of Congress have signed the C-130J support letter.
“The current C-130J Super Hercules is the most capable tactical airlifter in the world, the members of Congress write. “A stable C-130J production line supporting current and future validated DoD requirements is the best approach to preserving the 380 suppliers across 36 states that support the 27,200 direct and indirect jobs, yielding more than $3.7 billion of total economic impact.”
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May 16, 2024 | Machinists On The Hill, Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest defense union in the United States, urges Congress to support and prioritize consistent funding for two Virginia-Class submarines per year in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget and beyond.
The House Armed Services Committee has released its version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act ahead of a markup. Thanks to the advocacy of the IAM and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), it now includes language for full funding for two Virginia-class submarines per year in the FY 2025 budget.
The IAM has been at the forefront, actively advocating to successfully secure a place for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines per year in the final draft of the NDAA and to guarantee that Congress appropriates the necessary funds through the Defense Appropriations Bill.
“Consistent funding for two Virginia-Class submarines annually is crucial for the vitality of the industries we represent and the skilled workforce they employ,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “This program not only sustains thousands of high-quality machinist jobs but is also pivotal in maintaining our nation’s industrial and defense capabilities.”
Earlier this year, the IAM sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging for steady financial backing for this program, highlighting its significance in strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry and supporting a vast array of high-quality union jobs.
The IAM extends its gratitude towards Rep. Courtney for his strong commitment and efforts to ensure the inclusion of provisions for the procurement of two Virginia-Class submarines in the FY 2025 NDAA.
“Congressman Courtney’s leadership and dedication to our national defense and the American workforce has been pivotal in reaching this milestone,” said Bryant.
The U.S. defense industrial base is crucial for the country’s economic and national security. It is a major contributor to the economy, providing millions of high-skill jobs across the country in the manufacturing sector and beyond. The Virginia-Class submarine program plays a key role in supporting a strong workforce and driving economic growth.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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.
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May 15, 2024 | Air Transport, Politics & Legislative News
The 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), North America’s largest air transport labor union, is applauding a group of 25 U.S. Senators, led by Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), for telling Delta Air Lines to remain neutral in union organizing campaigns for approximately 55,000 workers at the carrier.
The IAM is currently organizing Delta ramp, cargo, and tower workers. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) is signing up flight attendants, and the Teamsters are supporting technicians and related crafts.
Delta Air Lines management has threatened employees with termination for union activities. It hosts an anti-union website and distributes literature threatening workers seeking to organize.
“All workers should have a free and fair choice to join a union, as is required by law,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “We strongly urge you to adopt a neutrality agreement with regards to any efforts by your employees to unionize and to commit to negotiating in good faith if you employees do choose to form a union.”
The U.S. Senate support follows a bipartisan group of more than 150 members of the U.S. House, led by the House Labor Caucus, who called on Delta to remain neutral toward unions.
“The IAM is eternally grateful to Sen. Butler and every U.S. Senator who are championing the rights of Delta Air Lines workers,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Delta workers are being subject to an extremely hostile work environment as they exercise their right to form and join a union. It’s past time for Ed Bastian and Delta leadership to do the right thing and allow their workers to make their own decision on unionization free from harassment and intimidation.”
Unionized Delta pilots recently endorsed the joint IAM, AFA-CWA, and Teamsters campaign to organize Delta workers.
“Delta is receiving a message loud and clear from the U.S. Senate and beyond – ‘cut out the scorched-Earth anti-union campaign now,’” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “The IAM, our labor coalition and Delta workers will continue to demand that Delta respects its own workforce by allowing them to make their own decision about joining a union.”
Delta Air Lines is the only U.S.-based mainline carrier where a union does not represent flight attendants, fleet service, and mechanics – only 20% of Delta workers are unionized.
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