May 6, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
In March, Georgia State Council of Machinists (GSCM) President James Clements (IAM Local 2699) joined U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su for an event in Atlanta to highlight the strengths of a diverse workforce and the importance of unions to advance working families.
Su has been touring several states to promote President Biden’s agenda and establish partnerships with unions.
“It’s a privilege to stand alongside Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and an esteemed group of community and labor leaders,” said GSCM President James Clements. “This event is not just a gathering but a strong statement of our collective commitment to equity and our dedication to building a stronger, more resilient labor movement.”
Secretary Su held a Q&A session, addressing different topics critical to working Georgians, including wages, worker classification, and legislation passed by the Biden Administration, such as the infrastructure bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, and more.
The event was attended by leaders from various community and labor organizations, including the IAM, IBEW, Teamsters, AFGE, and others.
The Georgia State Council of Machinists has been at the forefront of supporting workers’ rights and has played a crucial role in the ongoing organizing campaign for Delta Air Lines ramp workers. During the event, GSCM was able to ask her to support the organizing efforts as she continues to travel the country.
5 March 2024 – Atlanta, GA – Acting US Secretary of Labor Julie Su attends a Labor Leaders meeting at the IBEW.
Photo Credit: Department of Labor
Alyson Fligg
The post IAM Joins Acting Secretary of Labor to Strengthen Workers’ Power and Bargaining Rights appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 30, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Maryland State Council of Machinists has endorsed Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski for the United States Senate and State Sen. Clarence Lam (D-12) for Congress. The state council had already endorsed Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
What they’re saying: “Our union supports any candidate that fights for workers and our members,” said Maryland State Council of Machinists President Rick Compher. “This council is excited that these candidates will fight for workers when elected.”
- Olszewski, who serves as Baltimore County Executive, has been fighting to secure emergency benefits for workers impacted by the recent collapse of the Key Bridge, which is part of his county.
- Lam, a Maryland State Senator, is a physician and advocate for preventive medicine and healthcare modernization.
- He co-sponsored the IAM-championed Library Workers Empowerment Act that passed in the Maryland Legislature this year to expand the right to collectively bargain for public library workers throughout Maryland.
- The IAM represents library staff in Baltimore County.
Speakers included: Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division; Edison Fraser, Chief of Staff, IAM Air Transport Territory; Chuck Herod, Chief of Staff, IAM Eastern Territory.
The post DC & Maryland Machinists Back Working People Candidates appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 25, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM International President Brian Bryant just sent a strong letter to U.S. Senators urging them to sign on to Sen. Laphonza Butler’s letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian calling for the company’s neutrality toward workers’ union organizing efforts.
Ask your senators to send a strong message of support to workers at Delta by signing on to Sen. Butler’s letter.
Sen. Butler’s letter asks Delta’s CEO to respect the voices of its employees by pledging not to interfere in any union organizing activities by adopting a neutrality agreement.
A neutrality agreement consists of an employer agreeing not to engage in pre-election activities that influence workers’ freedom to form a union, and the letter emphasizes that a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum that Delta should meet to respect the rights of its employees.
Please join the IAM in asking your senators to support workers and urge Delta to stay neutral in the workers’ union organizing campaign.
Delta has a history of utilizing anti-union tactics and is again facing allegations of union-busting in response to this current organizing campaign.
The House Labor Caucus recently sent a similar letter to Delta Airlines that garnered over 150 members of Congress.
All workers deserve to freely join a union without harassment and intimidation by their employer.
Tell your senators now by sending a prewritten email.
The post Tell the Senate to Support Workers, Pressure Delta for Neutrality appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 9, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon is continuing his advocacy for the IAM by being appointed to serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors of Working America, the community organizing arm of the AFL-CIO.
Solomon, a renowned trade union lobbyist and the IAM’s leading voice for workers’ rights on Capitol Hill, brings 25 years of IAM experience to the Working America board.
“It’s an honor to serve the interests of our members each and every day in the halls of power of Washington, D.C.,” said Solomon. “I look forward to continuing my service to the IAM, and broadening the reach of our union and the labor movement in the concurrent role with Working America.”
Now numbering 4.3 million strong, Working America members share the concerns of union members: good family-sustaining jobs, affordable and quality health care, and safe and secure housing. Working America is building a political and economic home for millions of working-class people who are otherwise not part of the labor movement.
“There’s no stronger political and legislative voice for IAM members than Hasan Solomon,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We’re honored to have Hasan and the IAM represented at Working America, which does great work to broaden the reach of the IAM and the entire labor movement.”
Solomon was nominated for the role by AFSCME President Lee Saunders, who serves as Working America’s Board President. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler serves as the board’s Secretary Treasurer and is joined by seven other labor leaders on Working America’s Board of Directors.
The post IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon Appointed to Serve on AFL-CIO’s Working America Board appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 4, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
ANNAPOLIS, Md. April 4, 2024 – In a monumental stride toward enhancing workers’ rights and union representation, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the labor union representing Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) employees, applauds the Maryland Senate’s passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at empowering library employees across the state.
The Library Workers Empowerment Act, House Bill 609, sponsored by Delegate Jared Solomon (D-18), received bipartisan support in the Maryland House before making its way to the Senate, where it was met with overwhelming approval. The bill was cross-filed by Senator Clarence Lam (D-12) as Senate Bill 591. The Library Workers Empowerment Act paves the way for Maryland’s unorganized public library employees to form unions and collectively bargain with their employers.
The IAM has been a vocal advocate for the bill, underscoring the importance of providing library workers with the tools they need to advocate for better working conditions, fair wages, and a more collaborative working environment.
The passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act marks a significant milestone in these efforts, signaling a brighter, more inclusive future for library employees throughout Maryland.
“We need to feel confident that our ideas and concerns will be heard. A union will give us that confidence and a means to negotiate our working conditions,” said Megan Baker, a Harford County Public Library (HCPL) employee working to organize with the IAM.
“We are thrilled to witness the passing of the Library Workers Empowerment Act,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This legislation is not just a win for library employees; it’s a victory for all workers seeking fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. We are grateful for the bipartisan support this bill received and look forward to seeing Governor Wes Moore’s signature making it law.”
“We need to be our own voice, to have the ability to advocate and fight for changes within the systems that are choosing to neglect us,” said Morgan Michael, a Harford County Public Library employee. “A union will give us that voice.”
The bill now returns to the House for a final review before sent to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who is expected to sign the bill into law with an effective date of July 1, 2024.
“The IAM and its members extend their deepest gratitude to the legislators who supported this piece of legislation and to the library employees who have tirelessly advocated for their rights,” said IAM Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) Local 4538 President and a Library Service Assistant Anita Bass. “This achievement is a testament to the power of solidarity and the importance of standing together for the betterment of all workers.”
###
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.
The post IAM Union Applauds Maryland Senate Passage of Library Worker Rights Legislation appeared first on IAMAW.
Apr 2, 2024 | Aerospace/Defense, Politics & Legislative News
The IAM joined U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), John Larson (D-Conn.), and John Rutherford (R-Fla.) in a letter urging chairs and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fully invest in the IAM-built F-35 Lightning II program for Fiscal Year (FY) 25.
“The F-35 is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, and continued investment in this program is essential to our national security and ensuring the United States maintains its air dominance,” wrote the lawmakers. “In addition, the F-35 provides for tens of thousands of high-skilled, Machinists Union jobs and supports more than 218,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.”
“I appreciate Reps. Veasey, Turner, Larson, and Rutherford for fighting for investment in the F-35 program,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM will work with these lawmakers and other allies in Congress to uplift the national security and economic benefits of the F-35 program.”
The post IAM Joins Lawmakers in Bipartisan Effort to Bolster Funding for IAM-Built F-35 Program appeared first on IAMAW.
Recent Comments