Jan 25, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
By Michael Keroulle, President and CEO, Alstom Americas
Robert Martinez, Jr., International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers(IAM)
The outlook on American manufacturing and production has never been better as we experience the strongest manufacturing job recovery since the 1950s. Bipartisan support is increasing for new policies aimed at onshoring American jobs and manufacturing facilities, and our work at Alstom should serve as a proof point: Buy America works, and it works for all of us.
In Hornell, New York – home of the largest passenger transit manufacturing plant in North America -our efforts directly support American industry. From the rail products assembled on American factory floors to the union labor working right now to produce America’s first 28 next-generation high-speed trains, Alstom has fostered a system borne out of Buy America policies that deliver for American businesses, workers, and communities.
Our decision to invest over $66 million in Hornell was driven by our commitment to create hundreds of highly skilled, long-term jobs., right here in America.. This investment has leveraged more, with $80 million in public and private funds flowing into Hornell’s community of 8,000+ residents spurring the local economy and revitalizing the area’s manufacturing industry.
Buy America is helping build a great local workforce and our partnership with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), a member of the AFL-CIO, has been a critical success factor. Our investments in Hornell have created 400 new, well-paying, union jobs in a small industrial town. Without Buy America, those jobs would not exist and the future of Hornell, and towns like it, would be more uncertain.
Why would we send our money someplace else when we have hardworking, skilled labor right here at home?
Alstom has worked with our network of foreign suppliers to onshore rail supply chains into the U.S. that did not exist before, differentiating rail from most of the transportation industry as they face issues sourcing overseas parts.
While some argue that high-speed rail technology only comes from Asia or Europe, our work proves this is false. Alstom’s trains are made from 95% domestic content and Buy America policies have driven our suppliers to set up shop right here in America, creating long-term local manufacturing jobs and the foundational supply chains needed for tomorrow’s rail innovations.
There’s a long list of European suppliers we’ve brought to America to work with us: Eaton/Danfoss for tilting, Hoppecke for battery systems, ABB Hitachi and ABB Inc. for transformers and battery chargers, Hutchinson for suspension systems.
Beyond Hornell, our decision to invest $590 million in American suppliers has spurred economic development in communities across the country. In New York alone, Alstom has spent $160 million with local suppliers in support of the delivery of the future of high-speed rail for American commuters. We invested $80 million in Illinois, $42 million in Pennsylvania, $22 million in Kentucky, as well as hundreds of millions across 23 other states.
Over half of this went to small and disadvantaged businesses, including 20 minority and women-owned businesses and 63 small business enterprises. And the suppliers we on shored made their own investments in this vein, creating a virtuous cycle and widening the benefits.
Building a strong American supply chain not only helps deliver new transit infrastructure. It also ensures that rail and transit agencies will have the parts they need to maintain this infrastructure over the long-term, with the reliability and quality that American passengers deserve.
Buy America is about using the soul of the nation to invest in itself. Over 60% of the value of a highspeed train flows to suppliers and, here, at Alstom, we plan to keep working with every American supplier we can find.
Senator Schumer and DOT Undersecretary Monje visited Alstom in Hornell this spring, where we are building the latest generation of high-speed rail. Speaking with employees on our local factory floor, they witnessed that Buy America is fulfilling its goals – driving industrial development across the country, building a highly-skilled workforce, and strengthening the country’s supply chain – three vital elements for the future of rail and transit in America.
We appreciate the Senator’s strong leadership championing a smart Buy America policy that ensures Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding creates U.S. jobs and strengthens local communities.
In his State of the Union address, President Biden told the nation that “American roads, American bridges, and American highways will be made with American products.” The future is here as we make our trains with American products and accelerate towards the future of American transportation. High-speed rail is happening now and, to put it simply, is only possible through the enforcement of policies like Buy America.
The post Buy America Works When We Work Together appeared first on IAMAW.
Jan 25, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2024 – Representatives of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Teamsters, and the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA-AFA) participated in a roundtable discussion at the U.S. House of Representatives’ Labor Caucus to promote the organizing and collective bargaining efforts for Delta Air Lines workers.
The worker roundtable discussion was hosted by the Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.).
The event included remarks by Delta Air Lines workers and Delta Air Lines’ Union Coalition representatives, including IAM Air Transport Territory Coordinator James Carlson, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, and Teamsters National Organizing Director Chris Rosell.
“Congressional leaders were able to gain a complete understanding of the persistent challenges that Delta Air Lines employees face while trying to secure union representation,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Coordinator James Carlson. “The discussion was a crucial step towards identifying solutions that will ultimately help improve the workers’ lives.”
Around 55,000 employees who work on the ramp, tower, cargo, and as flight attendants and mechanics for Delta Air Lines are currently organizing with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), respectively.
“The IAM applauds the Congressional Labor Caucus for providing support in amplifying the voices of workers in Delta Air Lines,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “This support is instrumental in the success of one of the most significant organizing campaigns in recent memory.”
“We are here to ask Congress to support Delta Air Line workers to unionize and to resist the company’s attempts to interfere in the process of obtaining a voice in the workplace,” said Delta worker and activist Felix “Flex” McGhee. “We believe that every worker has the right to join a union and collectively bargain with management for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.”
The roundtable was attended by elected officials and congressional staff who gathered to learn about updates regarding the organizing campaign, discuss challenges and opportunities, and share ideas to build collective power for workers at Delta Air Lines.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the most significant industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post Delta Air Lines’ Union Coalition Joins Congressional Labor Caucus for Workers’ Organizing Efforts Roundtable appeared first on IAMAW.
Nov 3, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM and more than 200 organizations and labor groups sent a letter to the Biden administration urging the elimination of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) in existing free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties.
The letter highlights the need to address the ongoing liability of ISDS in existing trade agreements. ISDS empowers multinational corporations to sue governments before panels of corporate lawyers, which threatens public interest policies.
Under the ISDS mechanism, corporations can seek compensation from taxpayers for the loss of expected future profits due to a challenged government policy. The lawyers acting on behalf of these corporations can award unlimited sums to be paid by taxpayers if they are convinced that a safety regulation, court ruling, law, or any other government action violates the investors’ rights granted by an agreement enforced by ISDS.
“When trade and investment agreements include ISDS, it is clear that they are not designed to benefit working people, but to give special rights to consolidate, formalize and expand corporate power,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM urges the Biden administration to eliminate these rigged and anti-democratic trade rules prioritizing corporate rights over national sovereignty and working people.”
As a strong supporter of workers’ rights, the IAM has consistently advocated for fair U.S. trade policies that prioritize the well-being of workers, including fighting to reduce ISDS liability in the renegotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
It is crucial for trade policies to prioritize and uphold fundamental human rights rather than creating incentives for multinational corporations to undermine labor, health, environmental, and other essential public policies.
Read the full letter here.
The post IAM, Labor, Civil Society Groups Urge Biden Administration to Eliminate Corporate Power Grab ISDS in Existing U.S. Trade Agreements appeared first on IAMAW.
Nov 2, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2023 – IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has sent a letter to members of Congress, urging them to sign on to a letter supporting high-quality U.S. jobs, national defense and the domestic defense industrial base. The letter, led by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) urges the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support efforts to bolster Buy American domestic content requirements for major defense programs through H.R. 2670 Section 869 in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“The IAM applauds Congressman Norcross for championing this important language, which passed into the House version of the FY24 NDAA with bipartisan support,” wrote Martinez in the letter. “This language would dramatically strengthen the domestic content requirement for future major defense acquisition programs and thereby create and support hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., ensure that our men and women in uniform have consistent access to the tools they need to safely complete their mission, and bolster our industrial base and domestic supply chain.”
The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, has also voiced its support for the Buy American language. In a letter to members of Congress, the AFL-CIO emphasized that Buy American policies align with their values, ensuring that government procurement supports U.S. labor, environmental, and health and safety standards. By reinvesting taxpayer dollars in domestic products, these policies lead to family- and community-sustaining jobs in cleaner and safer American factories.
The Union Veterans Council weighed in with a letter urging members of Congress to support the Buy American language.
The IAM, AFL-CIO, and the Union Veterans’ endorsements emphasize the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting the men and women in uniform who rely on high-quality, American-made defense products.
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
The post IAM, AFL-CIO Urge Congress to Support High-Quality U.S. Jobs and National Defense appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 26, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM recently endorsed the Empowering Striking Workers Act, a bill that U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), introduced to Congress this week.
The proposed law would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits two weeks after a strike begins, at the start of a lockout, or when the company hires replacement workers, whichever comes first.
“This legislation would be an enormous relief to workers who sacrifice so much to raise the standard of conditions, treatment and compensation in our workplaces,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Workers do not strike without good reason, and they risk their livelihoods and their families’ security to do it.”
Workers who become unemployed after a strike or lockout ends would also be eligible for unemployment benefits under the act.
The IAM joins a long list of organizations that have also endorsed the bill, including more than a dozen unions representing millions of workers.
“As a society, we need to be supporting workers who go on strike or get locked out, because they support the communities where we all live and work,” said Martinez. “The IAM thanks Congressman Schiff for taking this initiative and strongly encourages Congress to pass this bill.”
The post IAM Endorses Legislation for Striking Workers to Receive Unemployment Insurance appeared first on IAMAW.
Oct 2, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, October 2, 2023– Today, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Maryland State Council of Machinists announced its endorsement of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland’s open U.S. Senate race.
“Angela Alsobrooks stands as an unwavering champion for working people and their families,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Her track record is a testament to her unyielding commitment to securing good jobs, fostering safe communities, ensuring affordable healthcare, and delivering quality education for all. We wholeheartedly and proudly endorse her for the United States Senate.”
Alsobrooks serves as the current County Executive of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and has held various roles in county government before making history as the youngest and first woman elected Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. As County Executive, Alsobrooks has focused on creating jobs, improving schools, and reducing crime. She has also strongly advocated for working families and has fought to raise the minimum wage and expand access to affordable healthcare.
“We are thrilled to endorse Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate,” said Maryland State Council of Machinists President Joseph “Rick” Compher. “She acknowledges our union’s contributions and champions the tireless dedication of IAM members who are the backbone of our state. Our union deserves nothing less than a fierce advocate in the United States Senate, and Angela Alsobrooks embodies that champion, ready to fiercely and tirelessly fight for our interests.”
IAM members will work on educating our members about what’s at stake in this election.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement and support of the Maryland/DC State Council of Machinists,” said Alsobrooks. “This organization works hard to protect workers and their families, ensuring that each of its employees has the right to earn a good salary, with benefits that support themselves and their loved ones. As U.S. Senator, I fight hard for workers’ rights and for Maryland families.”
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
The post Maryland State Council of Machinists Endorse Angela Alsobrooks for United States Senate appeared first on IAMAW.
Recent Comments