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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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Mar 26, 2024 | Air Transport, Politics & Legislative News
ATLANTA, March 26, 2024 – More than 19,000 Delta Air Lines ground workers in 46 U.S. cities expressed gratitude to members of Congress who support their campaign for union representation and collective bargaining rights.
Delta workers also received support from members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation.
In a letter, the workers thanked lawmakers for urging Delta CEO Ed Bastian to remain neutral in their unionization efforts. This neutrality would ensure workers can decide, without management influence, whether union representation aligns with their interests.
However, they found Bastian’s response to the congressional inquiry concerning. It lacked acknowledgment of alleged interference with their right to unionize. Instead, it focused on the perceived benefits of the current non-union environment.
“Mr. Bastian’s response makes it unmistakably clear that he does not understand our rationale and desire to unionize,” wrote the Delta workers. “Our desire to seek collective bargaining rights likely varies from employee to employee. Issues such as financial concerns, a fair grievance procedure, to improving benefits and working conditions each play a role. Regardless, organizing a union is our right protected by federal law. These important rights should not be undermined by Mr. Bastian’s never-ending campaign that we don’t need union representation because employment conditions at Delta are, in his view, just fine. It’s not his decision. It’s our decision.”
Given Bastian’s refusal to commit to neutrality, the workers request further action by Congress. They urge lawmakers to demand a clear answer: will Delta adopt a neutral stance on worker organizing?
If Bastian continues to avoid a clear answer, Delta workers urge Congress to hold hearings. These hearings would allow all parties to discuss fair conditions for union organizing, free from management interference.
“Delta actively and verifiably misinforms workers about the process and results of unionizing,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “We want workers to know that they have rights and to feel empowered. Delta’s CEO is responsible for the disrespectful stance the company takes on workers who want to exercise their federal right to unionize.”
The workers emphasize the need for accountability. They believe Bastian should be held responsible for alleged interference and his refusal to address the neutrality request. Ultimately, they seek a platform for Delta employees to organize freely, without fear of intimidation or coercion.
Read the complete letter.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest 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.
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