Mar 28, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. met with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai this week to discuss the Indo-Pacific Trade Framework (IPEF) and other trade priorities. The IAM also stressed the importance of having a robust, comprehensive strategy that coordinates policies in trade, combats harmful trade practices, and doesn’t undermine the Buy American, Buy America, and Buy Local provisions we support.
Martinez and the IAM delegation made clear that all potential trade frameworks should concentrate on bringing jobs back and growing jobs here at home.
“The IPEF agreement must include provisions that are worker-centered and meet important objectives that include labor rights enforcement,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It’s imperative for the Administration to uphold the interests and rights of workers during the negotiating process of this trade deal to prevent mistakes from the past and set the foundation for fair models for trade.”
In March, the IAM and more than 400 civil society groups
called on the administration to make strong labor rights commitments a central part of the proposed 14-nation IPEF.
The IAM has been actively engaged in developing the IPEF to ensure it includes policies with strong and enforceable labor standards and delivers real benefits to working families.
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Mar 24, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
This week, U.S. Reps. Julie Brownley (D-CA) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) introduced the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 1716). The bipartisan legislation will institute a global safety standard for U.S. aircraft repairs and create measures to prevent the offshoring of domestic aircraft maintenance jobs.
“The traveling public deserves to know that commercial aircraft maintenance is done under the strictest standards possible,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “As the largest air transport labor union in North America, we commend Congressman Molinaro for introducing the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act.”
This piece of legislation mirrors a similar initiative to set global safety standards passed by the U.S. House in September last year and was then submitted to the Senate for consideration.
“The IAM will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul is performed by the best aircraft mechanics in the world under a standardized set of rules for U.S. carriers,” said Johnsen.
“If enacted, this bipartisan bill will hold foreign aircraft repair and maintenance to equal standards,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM supports and urges Congress to pass this legislation swiftly to ensure we strengthen global air transportation systems and preserve American jobs.”
“The U.S. has the safest air transportation system in the world, due to our rigorous standards for safety at all levels. It is past time that we close loopholes that allow foreign repair stations to undermine our safety standards,” said Brownley.
“The FAA has certified nearly one thousand foreign maintenance facilities that service American aircraft. These foreign based facilities, however, are held to a lower safety standard, offshoring jobs that can be done in America,” said Molinaro. “We can enhance safety and encourage quality high paying jobs here at home.”
Read U.S. Reps. Brownley and Molinaro’s release here.
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Mar 9, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. sent a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh urging the department to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and allow it to start receiving applications.
“Thousands of hard-working people are counting on this benefit, which provides crucial assistance such as training and employment services,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in the letter. “TAA has been an extremely useful benefit helping workers rebound from losing a job to trade.”
The letter came as a result of reports that tens of thousands of workers affected by unfair trade practices are currently awaiting the determination of their petition for TAA support.
The $494 million for the U.S. Department of Labor program was included as part of the omnibus funding bill passed by Congress.
“The IAM and the entire labor movement hope these dollars will be put to work by the DOL as soon as possible to accept new TAA applications,” said Martinez.
Click here to read the complete letter.
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Mar 6, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
On March 1, the IAM and more than 400 organizations and labor groups sent a letter to the Biden Administration calling for strong labor rights commitments and other critical priorities for the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
The letter outlines measures needed for the IPEF, including swift and enforceable labor standards, climate provisions focusing on environmental justice in the participating partners, and digital trade terms that don’t favor Big Tech corporations over working people.
“The IPEF agreement must include provisions that are worker-centered and meet important objectives that include labor rights enforcement,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It’s imperative for the Administration to uphold the interests and rights of workers during the negotiating process of this trade deal to prevent mistakes from the past and set the foundation for fair models for trade.”
The IAM has been actively engaged in the development of the IPEF trade agreement to make sure it includes policies with strong and enforceable labor standards and delivers real benefits to working families.
U.S. trade negotiators will begin the second negotiating round of the IPEF from March 13-19 in Bali.
Read the full letter here.
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Feb 10, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford and TCU/IAM Assistant National Legislative Director David Arouca, along with representatives from the major rail unions, joined U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) for a press conference on Capitol Hill demanding paid sick time from rail companies for all rail workers.
“We are here to send a strong message to the CEOs in the rail industry,” said Sanders. “The American people are sick and tired of the type of corporate greed we are seeing in that industry… That industry can and must guarantee at least seven paid sick days for every rail worker in America.”
The press conference comes as rail companies announced record-breaking earnings during quarterly earnings reports and spent more on returns to the companies’ shareholders than what they spent on improving their workers’ wages and benefits.
“If you want to make life easy in the long run, make sure you take care of your employees,” said Braun. “You should not have to scrap for sick days the way we all know it.”
The press conference included the participation of SMART-TD, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department and the National Association of Chemical Distributors.
“We applaud Sen. Sanders and Sen. Braun for their steadfast commitment advocating for our members and all rail workers,” said Hartford. “Paid sick time is common sense and not a partisan issue. Rail workers shouldn’t have to choose between their jobs and their health, and our union welcomes any legislative efforts that will address rail workers’ needs.”
Following the press conference, Senator Sanders sent a letter to the rail companies’ CEOs requesting that they guarantee at least seven paid sick days for their employees.
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Feb 8, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s State of the Union address:
“As one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in the United States, the Machinists Union cares first and foremost about providing good, family-sustaining jobs for our members. And we believe that creating good union jobs here at home is the best way to revitalize our manufacturing sector, grow the middle class, stabilize our national security, and so much more.
“In his State of the Union address and through his actions leading our nation, it’s clear that President Biden shares our vision for helping working Americans build back better. For starters, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a president consistently say that unions are good for working people, the economy and our country. We couldn’t agree more.
“Amidst great challenges—a pandemic, inflation, a foreign war that has strained our supply chains, and more—the Biden-Harris administration has remained laser focused on delivering for working people.
“Since President Biden took office, the economy has created more than 12 million jobs, including more than 800,000 manufacturing jobs. The unemployment rate is at a 54-year low. Inflation has begun to ease and wages are catching up with higher prices.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the American Rescue Plan and more, this administration and its allies in Congress have truly put working people first. By listening to and acting on behalf of working people, instead of large corporations, the Biden-Harris administration has rewritten the rulebook for economic recoveries that benefit Main Street.
“And as we make record investments in our nation’s infrastructure, this administration is keeping its promise to strengthen Buy American and ensure the products of tomorrow are built here at home by union workers. The IAM is especially glad to hear that President Biden announced new guidance to ensure that critical materials, including aluminum, are made in America.
“We have a long way to go. It’s still too hard for American families to get ahead. Good jobs with strong benefits and secure retirements are still unattainable for far too many working Americans. As public support for unions is at a record-high, we join the president in urging our elected officials in Washington to put politics aside and finally take down the draconian barriers to joining and forming a union. We can start by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
“We know that President Biden, Vice President Harris and those fighting for working families in Washington can’t do it alone. The IAM will continue to advocate for the interests of our members and for workers across North America. Our agenda is America’s agenda—and we look forward to building on the progress of the Biden-Harris administration and protecting our democracy for the generations to come.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, 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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