Jan 6, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The Maine Lobstering Union (IAM Local 207) and the IAM Political and Legislative Department have won a provision that delays instituting regulations that would have destroyed Maine’s lobster industry. With the assistance of the Maine Congressional Delegation, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill that includes this provision.
The IAM and its allies have long shown that lobstering practices in the Gulf of Maine are not harming right whales and that proposed regulations unfairly target the Maine lobstering industry.
“IAM Local 207 members and the entire Maine lobstering industry have shown again that when we stand together, we win critical victories for our state, community and livelihoods,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “We’re so thankful for the IAM Political and Legislative Department—specifically Assistant Director Loren Almeroth and Local 207 Political Director Virginia Olson, for their diligence in this effort—the Maine congressional delegation and all of our allies in this fight.”
The provision protects the lobster industry by delaying NMFS’s newly recommended regulations for six years, until enough data is collected to determine what the appropriate regulations should be for the Gulf of Maine and if the existing regulations prove sufficient.
“Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of Maine,” said the Maine delegation. “They have invested in countless precautionary measures to protect right whales, including removing more than 30,000 miles of line from the water and switching to weaker rope to prevent whales from being entangled. And the fact is— there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear. We know the right whale population can be protected along with a thriving fishery because Maine lobstermen are already doing it.”
In October, IAM Local 207 called on the Biden Administration to protect Maine’s lobster fishery being threatened by the proposed regulations. The Maine delegation also sent letters to President Biden, urging him to take action to save thousands of jobs.
“It bears repeating that Maine’s lobster industry is an economic engine for the state, generating approximately $1.4 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods of 4,500 lobstermen and thousands of Mainers employed through lobster dealers and seafood processors, vessel and trap manufacturers, restaurants, and other coastal businesses,” reads U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s letter to the president.
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Jan 5, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The Machinists Union applauds Congress and the Biden administration for the one-year extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which provides crucial benefits to workers who lost their jobs as a result of outsourcing and unfair trade practices. The $450 million for the U.S. Labor Department program was included as part of the $1.7 trillion omnibus funding bill recently passed by Congress, and signed into law by President Biden.
The IAM, along with allies on Capitol Hill, worked tirelessly to make sure the TAA program was preserved, as many workers and their families’ livelihoods rely on this vital support system that includes tuition assistance and other re-employment services.
Last month, the IAM sent a letter to Congress urging the federal lawmakers to ensure the reauthorization of the TAA program.
“This victory is a step closer to a long-term solution to protect the TAA program that is critical for workers displaced from their jobs by unfair trade policies,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “An enhanced TAA program does not only help affected workers, but it also helps their families and communities stay afloat.”
The IAM has made it clear that it will push against bad trade policies, and has been active domestically and abroad advocating for pro-worker trade initiatives such as the TAA program.
The post Machinists Union’s Advocacy Helps Protect Trade Adjustment Assistance Program appeared first on IAMAW.
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.
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.
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.
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Nov 9, 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:
“We are so proud that Machinists Union members from coast to coast joined millions of Americans to make their voices heard at a critical time for our democracy. The IAM took its grassroots political engagement program to swing states across the country to make a real difference in this election and the future of our nation.
“The IAM, the largest aerospace, defense, and airline union in North America, engages our members in the political process because elections affect everything about our lives—on and off the job. Our representation in Congress, state legislatures, and governorships directly affects our freedoms to join a union, retire with dignity, make our own healthcare choices, and so much more.
“The election results show that people care about protecting our democracy. Voters across our nation cast a ballot to continue the pro-worker, pro-democracy agenda of the Biden-Harris administration. IAM members will roll up their sleeves and work on implementing the historic investments for the airline, transit, aerospace, manufacturing, and other critical industries. It’s time for Congress to unite, grow our economy and create good-paying union jobs.”
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 Freedom, Democracy and Pro-Worker Policies Win at the Ballot Box appeared first on IAMAW.
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