The major focus of NASA's New Horizons is to make the first reconnaissance of Pluto and Charon — a "double planet" and the last planet in our solar system to be visited by spacecraft
November 19, 2005
Jeff Kniep, Organizer for District 70 has asked Local Lodge to help sponsor a great new program called “Blades for Grades” in conjunction with Wichita Thunder Hockey team. This program sends hockey players into classrooms to promote good grades and rewards students that have good grades with free hockey tickets. This is a great opportunity for the Local Lodge to be associated with a positive program in our community. Our Lodge will also receive free hockey ticket vouchers and the Machinist Union will be allowed to put a sign up at the coliseum along with our mane being associated with all the material promoting this program. We can all hold our heads high and be proud to be a member of a union the supports positive programs for our kids.
November 17, 2005
Labor Quote of the week!
My conclusion is that unions are integral and necessary institutions in a democratic market economy. A union-free environment would jeopardize a free enterprise system. Unions will survive because this principle is well established in the democracies.
--Ray Marshall, U. S. Secretary of Labor
Taken from BIGLabor.com
Quote sources:
Great Labor Quotations: Sourcebook and Reader, by Peter Bollen
The Great Quotations, by George Seldes
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
The major focus of NASA's New Horizons is to make the first reconnaissance of Pluto and Charon — a "double planet" and the last planet in our solar system to be visited by spacecraft
The IAM is charging the Boeing Co. with circumventing critical safety regulations in an attempt to meet launch deadlines for NASA’s plutonium-powered New Horizons mission.
There are personnel currently working on this project at Cape Canaveral, Florida who do not meet Air Force requirements for hazardous operations such as cranes, tools and test equipment. At particular risk is the Pluto-bound New Horizons mission, planned for a January launch, carrying 24 pounds of highly-radioactive plutonium.
IAM-represented technicians employed by Boeing at Cape Canaveral struck on November 2 after Boeing proposed massive concessions in health care for current and future employees. The same proposals led to a costly 4-week strike at Boeing’s Commercial Aircraft facilities in Kansas, Oregon and Washington.
Boeing’s practice of using inexperienced replacement workers is a recipe for disaster, warned IAM representatives. The Air Force’s Range Safety department at the Cape has already issued two Corrective Action Reports — both in the first week of the strike. The Air Force threatened to shut down the project if one more CAR is issued.
Posted 4:30 PM
The IAM joined with leaders of the Mobilizing@Delphi working group, for the coalition’s first meeting at Solidarity House, the UAW headquarters in Detroit.
The seven-union coalition, representing more than 33,000 union members at bankrupt Delphi Corp., declared it will work together to deny Delphi any opportunity to set one plant against another, or one union against another.
“We are united in our effort to craft a solution to Delphi's current problems that makes sense for our members, for the company and its investors and for the communities where we work and live,” said the coalition in a joint statement.
Delphi is seeking to eliminate nearly two-thirds of union jobs at the auto parts company and is proposing to pay remaining workers between $10 and $12.50 an hour.
“Delphi's solution is to force Delphi's workers down to near-poverty level wages while rewarding executives with $90 million in bonuses. This approach makes sense for Delphi CEO Steve Miller, Delphi's board of directors and top executives, but not for any of Delphi's other stakeholders,” said the coalition.
The multi-union effort includes the IAM, UAW, IUE-CWA, Steelworkers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Union of Operating Engineers.
Posted 4:40 PM
“It’s not hard to imagine how certified overseas aircraft repair stations working on U.S. aircraft could provide terrorists with an opportunity to sabotage U.S. aircraft or components that will eventually re-enter the U.S. for domestic service,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. in testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“These stations should be immediately closed down until security audits of those stations can be conducted and security vulnerabilities addressed.”
Roach addressed the dangers of overseas aircraft repair as the sole representative of aircraft mechanics on a panel of industry officials and government representatives.
The Senate subcommittee hearing included: Marion Blakey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Kenneth Mead, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation; John Carr, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association; Basil Barimo, Vice President Operations and Safety, Air Transport Association and Christian Klein, Legislative Counsel, Aeronautical Repair Station Association.
“The U.S. aviation industry is the safest in the world,” added Roach. “However, we cannot allow ourselves to be complacent. We must increase our vigilance in the United States, and honestly assess and diffuse the threat from overseas repair stations.”
Posted 4:55 PM
A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Northwest Airlines’ motion for temporary relief that reduces wages for IAM-represented employees by 19 percent and cuts compensation for sick leave to 75 percent of the prevailing wage rate for each day of paid sick leave taken.
“The Machinists Union did not agree to these terms, but the bankruptcy law does not require union agreement for temporary contract changes,” said District 143 President Bobby DePace. “The Machinists union will not agree to any long-term contract changes unless they are first presented to and ratified by the membership.”
The judge also approved temporary agreements between Northwest and its pilots and flight attendants, and long-term agreements with the carrier’s dispatchers, meteorologists and technical support workers.
The mechanics, represented by AMFA, were not involved because Northwest already has the ability to set whatever wage, benefit and work rule terms it wants for the mechanic group.
In other bankruptcy-related news, United Airlines announced plans to close its Denver Reservations Center effective approximately January 15, 2006. The closure will affect 235 IAM members, who will be offered positions according to their contract at United’s Chicago and Detroit reservations centers. District 141 is also negotiating for improved retirement opportunities without the loss of benefits for the affected members.
Posted 5:07 PM
The IAM organized 70 workers at Purewood Incorporated in Brampton, Ontario after the company agreed to recognize the right of temporary workers to vote for a union.
“This was a tough nut to crack,” said Scott Jackson, District 78 organizer. “The certification vote was held October 17 th but many of the ballots were segregated because the employer felt temporary workers didn’t have the right to vote. The majority of these workers are new Canadians who do not speak English and this process of a segregated ballot can be very intimidating and confusing.”
The Machinists filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board and a hearing into the complaint was scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2005. “The company changed its mind just before the hearing was to start and agreed to recognize the ballots of temporary workers and their votes carried the certification,” explained Jackson.
“The assistance of our brothers and sisters from Local Lodges 26 and 1922 was instrumental in overcoming the language barrier,” added Jackson.
The 70 new members of Local Lodge 2243 manufacture a variety of wood products including kitchen cabinets and doors. A meeting will be held next week to elect a bargaining committee in preparation for negotiation of their first collective agreement.
Posted 5:30 PM
Local 1363 in Cleveland, Ohio brought five new members into the Machinists union recently by organizing and negotiating a first contract for the employees at Spitzer Cadillac in Cleveland, OH. The victory marks the 28th organizing win for the Eastern Territory this year.
“On behalf of the Eastern Territory and its members, I extend our congratulations and appreciation to Local Lodge 1363 Directing Business Representative Phil Zannella, Jr., Business Representative Tom Verdi, and all of the team for a job well done,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker, Jr.
Posted 5:42 PM
It is with great sadness that the IAM announces the passing of former Law Committee member and District 9 Directing Business Representative, Joseph F. Cointin.
Cointin was initiated in 1943 into Victory Lodge 394, which merged with Local 41. He served as Chief Shop Steward, Local Lodge Recording Secretary, District 9 Organizer, District 9 Business Representative and Assistant Directing Business Representative. In December 1966, Joe was elected to Directing Business Representative of District 9 and served in that position until his retirement in 1978.
“Joe served this union exceedingly well in every one of the many positions held,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “But it was as a member of the Law Committee that he truly shined. His voice will be sorely missed, but his legacy and the example he set will endure.”
Posted 5:50 PM
Lacking the support needed for passage, Republican leaders were forced to call off a vote on a sweeping, $50 billion budget-cut bill last week that would have cut a number of vital social programs, including Medicaid, student loans and food stamps.
“It was a bill that was anti-family, anti-taxpayer, and anti-American. By having to pull it today, it is a failure on the part of the Republicans,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “We made the issues in that budget too hot for the Republicans to handle. They heard from the American people.”
Many Republicans have vowed to renew efforts to pass the budget cuts this week despite strong opposition from Democrats and many moderate Republicans.
Posted 6:00 PM
November 3, 2005
Labor Quote of the week!
We do not boycott to put anyone out of business. We are boycotting to put justice into business.
--Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
Taken from Big Labor.com
Great Labor Quotations: Sourcebook and Reader, by Peter Bollen
The Great Quotations, by George Seldes
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
Nearly 1500 Machinists are now on strike against the Space and Defense Systems unit of Boeing like these IAM members from LL 2766 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Nearly 1500 Machinists are now on strike against the Space and Defense Systems unit of Boeing. Five of the locations are in California, with two located in Huntington Beach, and one each in Torrance, Edwards AFB and Vandenberg; the sixth location is Cape Canaveral in Florida.
In addition to those six locations, two more Boeing SDS units are striking. Local Lodge 44 in Decatur, Alabama and Local Lodge 2766 in Huntsville, Alabama voted heavily in favor of a strike last Saturday.
The main issues at each of the eight locations are out-of pocket medical costs, and the removal of retiree medical coverage for any future employees.
Dick Schneider, overall coordinator of all Boeing negotiations for the union, said:
"Our people are prepared to fight as long as they have to in order to get a fair contract. We will not sell out future workers; previous generations fought to give retiree medical to us, and we refuse to give it away and deny the people who come after us. Especially since Boeing just reported a net income of over one-billion dollars just last quarter."
The 2005 IAM Communications Conference in Wichita, Kansas wrapped up yesterday as General Vice President Robert Thayer sent the nearly 70 delegates home with a clear message.
“It is time to wake the politicians up and reclaim America,” said Thayer. “Fighting Machinists are the ones who have the power to do that. We communicate, we educate, we mobilize and now we need to step up these efforts.”
On the final day of the conference, delegates also discussed unions and the media with Molly McMillen of the Wichita Eagle, Chris Frank of KAKE, TV and Richard Crowsen, editorial cartoonist for the Wichita Eagle. Kate Mattos, Communications Counsel for the National Education Association, also spoke to the delegates about values in America’s education system.
Communications Director Rick Sloan and GVP Thayer presented awards to the winners of the IAM Newsletter & Website Contest the previous evening. District 190 was first place in general excellence for both their newsletter, The Sparkplug, and their website. Meanwhile, Local Lodge 712 took home the award for general excellence from a local newsletter and Local Lodge 1781 received the award for general excellence from a local website.
In examining the role social class and religion plays in America’s political landscape, the 2005 IAM Communications Conference posed the question “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” and in his keynote speech, IP Tom Buffenbarger gave a clear answer.
“The problem lies not with the folks in Kansas. They’re good people. They are honest, God-fearing and hard working, red, white and blue blooded Americans,” said Buffenbarger. “The good people – America’s working families – have paid an awful price for what can only be described as deviant behavior by a bunch of political hacks.”
Northwest Airlines has filed a motion in bankruptcy court announcing its intention to seek modification of retiree medical benefits for existing and future retirees and asking for the United States Trustee to form a committee to represent retirees.
The committee is known as a Section 1114 Committee after the portion of the bankruptcy code that allows retiree benefit modifications. Northwest’s motion is limited to the formation of a Retiree Committee.
“The company has not yet filed a Section 1114 motion to change retiree medical benefits, but it is clearly their intention to negotiate modifications or seek court imposed changes,” said District 143 President Bobby DePace “What changes they may seek are not yet known.”
Labor unions are not required to represent their retirees in Section 1114 proceedings, but the IAM has elected to use its considerable resources to defend the interests of IAM retirees. The United States Trustee will appoint retirees to represent non-union retirees and members of unions that choose not to participate in Section 1114 proceedings.
“Retirees depend on their earned pension and benefits to survive,” said DePace. “They are the single most vulnerable employee group, and the least able to absorb increased costs.”
A hearing on Northwest’s motion is scheduled for November 16, 2005. Information about the Section 1114 process is available on the District 143 website, www.iam143.org.
President’s Bush’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform released their recommendations for a major overhaul of the federal tax system on Tuesday, including numerous suggestions that would strike a blow to middle-class working families.
“What is most troubling about the recommendations released by the President’s Advisory Panel today is that they would target middle-class taxpayers through the elimination of important deductions and credits, while seeking to eliminate or reduce taxation of dividends and capital gains, which would prominently benefit the wealthiest people in the nation,” said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
The panel proposed significantly reducing deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes, a move that could increase home payments and decrease property value for million of middle-class homeowners.
The group also proposed reducing or eliminating tax credits for state and local taxes as well as employer-provided health care.
Treasury Secretary John Snow has said he will present his recommendations on the report to the president by January 1, 2006.
The U.S. Department of Labor received harsh criticism earlier this week from their inspector general, who released a report concluding Wal-Mart Stores Inc. received “significant concessions” in a settlement with the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division following child labor violations at the store.
The report states the Labor Department violated their own handbook by giving Wal-Mart 15 days’ notice before labor inspectors can inspect stores for child labor violations. The inspector general also criticizes officials for allowing Wal-Mart’s lawyers to write substantial parts of the settlement, while DOL lawyers were left out of the settlement process.
“The Bush Labor Department chose to do an unprecedented favor for Wal-Mart, despite the fact it is well known for violating labor laws, including child labor laws,” Rep. George Miller of California said in a statement.
The settlement was reached in January after Wal-Mart agreed to pay a federal fine of $135,540 for child labor violations occurring between October 1998 and April 2002.
President Bush nominated conservative Appeals Court Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court on Monday, failing to use the nomination as a means to improve the lives of everyday Americans by bringing more diversity to the Supreme Court.
Faced with plunging approval ratings, Bush used the pick to cater to the far right wing of the Republican Party, whose sharp attacks led former Supreme Court nominee Harriet Meirs to withdraw her name.
Based on past decisions, Alito’s nomination threatens to rollback advances in worker’ rights for years to come.
“The Supreme Court must not be used as a tool by extremists to fulfill an ideological agenda and to undermine our individual rights,” House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
“The President’s nomination of Judge Alito reflects weakness – the President is unable or unwilling to withstand pressure by an extreme element in our country, rather than acting as a leader of all the people.”