June 15, 2006
Labor Quote of the week!
The working class who make the sacrifices, who shed the blood, have never yet had a voice in declaring war. The ruling class has always made the war and made the peace.
--Eugene Debs; American socialist, 1918
Taken from Big Labor.com
Quote sources:
Great Labor Quotations: Sourcebook and Reader, by Peter Bollen
The Great Quotations, by George Seldes
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
More than 600 attendees at the IAM Staff Conference in Denver, CO, focused on ways to ramp up organizing efforts and honored IAM Locals and Districts that met organizng goals.
IP Tom Buffenbarger and GST Warren Mart delivered back-to-back presentations at the 2006 IAM Staff Conference in Denver, CO that focused on the unprecedented pressures facing labor unions in the U.S. and Canada. “Everyone, and I mean everyone in this room must immediately become an organizer for this union,” declared Buffenbarger, citing the loss of thousands of IAM members since 2001.
District and Local Lodges that met their pledge to organize at least 250 new members per year were honored with awards for successfully overcoming hostile union avoidance campaigns and a political environment that many described as the worst they have ever experienced.
Organizing Committee members from Local 10 in Richmond, VA were special guests at the conference and received a standing ovation for organizing 500 workers who make Trojan condoms at Church & Dwight in Richmond. “It can be done,” said Buffenbarger. “We have the means and the opportunities, and we certainly have the motive.” Members of Local 10 recently ratified a first contract with Church & Dwight, with improved pay, benefits and work rules for all employees there.
Three district lodges were presented with IAM Organizing Excellence Awards for meeting the goal of organizing 250 new members each year since 2003. They are District 4 in Brunswick, ME; District 160 in Seattle, WA and District 140 in St. Laurent, Quebec.
Additional awards were presented to districts and locals that organized an average of 200 new members each year since 2003. They are District 1 in Philadelphia, PA; Federal District 1 in Washington, DC; District 776 in Ft. Worth TX; Local 10 in Richmond, VA; Local 701 in Chicago, IL and District 78 in Toronto.
Recognized for successfully organizing at least 100 new members were District 15 in New York, NY; District 34 in Columbus, OH; District 60 in Southgate, MI; District 166 in Cape Canaveral, FL and District 11 in St. Laurent, Quebec.
A California District Court gave a group of Rexam retirees a major victory when it ordered Rexam, the giant consumer packaging manufacturer, to reinstate retiree medical and prescription drug benefits that Rexam unilaterally terminated effective January 1, 2006. Rexam is one of many corporations across America pushing to drop retiree health benefits.
The court cited language in IAM contracts and benefit plan documents that promised retirees lifetime coverage. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken granted a request for a preliminary injunction against Rexam, ordered the company to “reinstate all medical and prescription drug benefit plans provided before January 1, 2006” and declared “Rexam is also enjoined from terminating the health benefits of any class member receiving or entitled to receive benefits under these plans.”
The court’s decision applies to IAM retirees from Rexam’s San Leandro or Modesto, CA; Kent or Vancouver, WA or Gary Indiana facilities. A similar suit covering other IAM Rexam retirees is pending in the District Court of Minnesota.
Former Winchester workers, union reps and community activists protest job losses from China’s unfair trade advantages at a press conference outside the now-closed Winchester firearms plant in New Haven, Ct. From left, CT. AFL-CIO President John Olsen, CT AFL-CIO Sec.-Treas. Lori Pelletier, Local 609 President John Reynolds, Craig Gauthier of Winchester Ad-Hoc Committee, GrowJobsCT Director John Harrity, former Winchester employees Kerry Dawson and Larry Edwards and John Bauman, president of the Organization for the Rights of American Workers.
Cheap imports from China carried a high price for 186 members at the iconic Winchester rifle facility after parent company US Repeating Arms closed the New Haven plant on March 31, 2006.
Former Winchester workers spoke out at a Connecticut AFL-CIO rally in support of an unfair trade practices petition filed by the AFL-CIO to force the Bush Administration to take action against China’s violation of workers’ rights. Those violations, including slave-labor conditions and extensive use of child labor, give China an unfair competitive advantage and cost millions of North American jobs. Under the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. has the ability to take action against China, but the Bush Administration has refused to do so.
“March 31 was a very sad day; 186 jobs, that’s 186 families,” Local 609 President and 40-year Winchester employee John Reynolds told the New Haven Register. “We are looking for our representatives in Washington D.C. to do something.”
U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has introduced legislation to stem the tide of manufacturing jobs going overseas and has urged the Bush Administration to take tougher action.
"The closure of the Winchester plant was a blow to both the generations of workers who were the backbone of the plant as well as the surrounding community," DeLauro said. "Yet, the closure of this New Haven institution represents something much bigger — it is a symbol of the Bush Administration’s failed trade policies and its impact on families right here at home."
“All these jobs going overseas, what is going on here?” asked 10-year Winchester employee Donald Harris. “Somewhere it has to stop.”
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 266-158 this week to increase Amtrak funding by $214 million. While still short of the total funding Amtrak needs to adequately maintain the nation’s passenger rail infrastructure or expand service, the extra money avoids the complete shutdown of Amtrak being pursued by the Bush Administration. Amtrak serves 25 million rail passengers and has nearly 20,000 employees.
The clear majority vote for the LaTourette-Oberstar amendment giving Amtrak more funds reflects support for rail service in America. Now, Congress should act to give Amtrak adequate funding to domore than barely survive each year.
A group mandated by Congress to find out what Americans want when it comes to health care has found a majority of Americans feel the federal government should guarantee that all Americans have basic health insurance coverage.
The findings are from an interim report from the 14-member Citizens’ Health Care Working Group, which went to 50 communities andheard from 23,000 people. The group will present their findings to the President and Congress after 90 days of public response. Five congressional committees will then hold hearings on the president’s response.
Last minute shoppers can find union-made-in-the-USA Father’s Day gifts from The Union Shop. Products ideal for Father’s Day include union made golf balls, polo shirts, watches and even books such as“Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government—And How We Take It Back” by David Sirota. Click here to find a perfect union-made gift for your dad on Father’s Day.
Members can also buy a variety of IAM-related products such as t-shirts, jackets, jewelry and caps — all emblazoned with the IAM logo by clicking here.
Local 470 Members walk the picket line in the third week of a strike at PPG Industies in Lake Charles, LA.
Members of Local 470 in Lake Charles, LA entered their third week on strike against PPG Industries with a multi-union rally, kicking off a week of activities to demonstrate community support and union solidarity in their fight for a fair contract.
“The other unions are out here supporting their brothers and sisters who are walking the picket line," IAM Business Representative Terry Taylor told KPLC TV News. “They know the fight that we have today, could be the fight they have tomorrow."
"Every time we go to the bargaining table we are all fighting for the same thing: better benefits, keep our health benefits and keep our wages,” said Katherine Hay, president of Communication Workers of America Local 3407.
“We are a family of union workers showing our solidarity and that what happens to one will happen to the other,” said Claude Syas, president of United Steelworkers Local 13-55.
PPG management is demanding unfair changes in wages, health care and pension benefits, including a two-tier, hire-in wage rate which would leave new hires without retiree medical benefits or a defined-benefit pension plan, even though the industrial chemical maker has had twelve quarters of record profits.
Northwest Airlines Equipment Service & Stock Clerk (ESSC) members accepted the terms of an agreement reached with the bankrupt airline on May 19, 2006. Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper had threatened to rule on Northwest’s motion to abrogate the ESSC contract on June 14, 2006 if the agreement was not ratified.
The ESSC membership joins IAM-represented Plant Protection (PP) and Clerical, Office Fleet and Passenger Service (COFPS) groups with ratified agreements with Northwest. Forty Flight Simulator Technicians & Simulator Support Specialists are the only remaining IAM group without a modified agreement, but the airline has not moved to abrogate their agreement at this time and negotiations with the carrier are ongoing.
The agreement will not become effective until Northwest Airlines has concessions in place, either ratified or imposed with court approval, with all the unions at the airline.
IAM members at Local 898 at Vance Air Force Base near Enid, OK ratified a new three-year agreement. The members work for Computer Sciences Corporation and Trend Western, two of the base's primary contractors. CSC and Trend Western employees do a variety of jobs at Vance, from groundskeeping to aircraft maintenance.
“Our members won a good contract with some increases in wages, pensions and some of the benefits,” said District 171 President and DBR Jerry McCune. “We got enough that we believe it is a good, livable contract. We’re looking forward to three years of stability at the base, working on planes and making pilots.”
“Congratulations to the negotiating committee and members of Local 898 for doing the hard work it takes to secure a strong contract,” said Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez. “The workers at Vance provide a strong economic base for the entire area. It’s good news for everyone in Enid.”
Last week’s departure of former GOP Majority Leader Tom DeLay may be good news for workers in sweatshops in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
Democratic Congressman George Miller (D-CA) has reintroduced legislation to extend U.S. labor laws to the Commonwealth. For years, DeLay personally blocked any effort to close legal loopholes that allow Chinese owners to operate sweatshop garment factories in the tiny Pacific island nation and put the “Made in USA” label on goods produced there. Even though news reports showed Chinese immigrant workers were subjected to forced abortions and horrid working conditions, DeLay, in concert with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff who worked for the Commonwealth, derailed reform efforts that had majority support in Congress.
“Given the chance to do it all again, there’s only one thing I’d change. I’d fight even harder,” DeLay said in a bitter farewell speech to Congress last week. DeLay turned his House Leadership post into an influence peddling machine unrivaled in House history. DeLay called Jack Abramoff “one of my closest and dearest friends." Delay’s former communications director Michael Scanlon plead guilty to bribery charges stemming from his work with Abramoff. Tony Rudy admitted to taking bribes while working as DeLay’s chief of staff. Edwin Buckham, a former DeLay chief of staff, is identified in court papers as “Lobbyist B” for steering money to Rudy and putting DeLay’s wife on his payroll. And Susan Hirschmann, another DeLay chief of staff, topped a list of congressional staffers accepting free trips, racking up $84,000-worth in 26 months.
IAM members aren’t the only winners in the 2006 Union Plus Scholarship Award Competition. Sarah E. Strole, daughter of 17-year IAM District 160 and District 751 employee Barbara L. Strole of Spokane, WA, a member of OPEIU Local 8, received a $2,000 Union Plus Scholarship award. Strole joins six IAM members and is among 108 students from 44 unions who received a total of $150,000 in scholarships from the Union Plus Scholarship program.
Strole volunteers for a number of community service organizations, works 20 hours a week and managed to win a large number of academic honors.
Applications for next year's awards will be available in September 2006. To download the application at that time, visit www.UnionPlus.org/Scholarships.
The Community Services and Retirees Department has mailed all local and district lodges the official call for the Fourth International IAM Retirees Conference. It will convene on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and conclude on Thursday, November 16th.
There is a $10 registration fee for IAM members to help defray the cost of speakers and accommodations at the conference. Participants will be responsible for their expenses for this conference. There is, however, a special room rate of $89.00 plus tax per night for single or double occupancy. Call Bally’s at 1-800-634-3434 and request the group rate for the Machinists Retirees’ Conference. The cutoff date for the special rate is October 12, 2006.
This year’s IAM Retirees Conference agenda includes an analysis of the new Congress and ways to advance the senior agenda, the now traditional fireside chat, intergenerational events, discussions on labor history and other interesting subjects. The conference is a great opportunity to learn about current issues and interact with brother and sister retirees from across North America.
“Our Retirees Conference keeps getting bigger and more popular,” said Community Services and Retirees Dept. Director Maria Cordone. “Our retirees are proof that you can retire from your job, but you never retire from the union.” For more information, contact the Community Services and Retirees Department at 301-967-3433.
June 1 , 2006
Labor Quote of the week!
Those who would destroy or further limit the rights of organized labor – those who cripple collective bargaining or prevent organization of the unorganized – do a disservice to the cause of democracy.
--John F. Kennedy; President of the United States
Taken from Big Labor.com
Great Labor Quotations: Sourcebook and Reader, by Peter Bollen
The Great Quotations, by George Seldes
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations
Three hundred IAM Flight Attendants at Continental Micronesia voted to ratify a new contract that preserves pay rates, establishes job security and provides a defined benefit pension plan through the IAM National Pension Plan. Stock options and enhanced profit-sharing terms are also part of the new accord.
“This agreement addresses the Flight Attendants economic and job issues to the greatest extent possible while considering the company’s current condition, enabling it to compete in the turbulent times the industry is encountering,” said District 142 President William O’Driscoll.
O’Driscoll credited the work of the negotiating committee and the solidarity of the membership for making the industry-leading agreement possible.
More information is available on the District 142 website at www.iamdl142.org.
Posted 8:50 PM
A group of New Jersey public works employees are the newest IAM members in the Eastern Territory, thanks to efforts of District 1 Organizer Gary Anthony, Grand Lodge Representative Stephen Miller and Directing Business Representative Danny Chmelko.
The 13 new members include water, sewer and road crew workers in the Borough of Runnemede, New Jersey, located in southwestern New Jersey, not far from Philadelphia.
“Please join me in welcoming these new members into the IAM family,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “I want to extend congratulations and a special thanks to all of the team for a job well done.”
Posted 8:43 PM
The deadline for applications for the IAM Communications Department’s new Communicator Course has been extended to June 8, 2006. The course is designed for Communicators who are not publishing websites or newsletters and need help in basic skills such as news writing, internet research, desktop publishing and creating a web page from a template.
The course will be held from August 6 through August 11, 2006 at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center at Placid Harbor, Maryland. Contact the Communications Department at 301-967-4520 for further information or click here to download the official call and enrollment form.
Posted 8:21 PM
Angered by retired Chief Executive Lee Raymond’s gaudy $400 million retirement package, shareholders at Exxon Mobil’s annual meeting adopted a resolution over the objections of Exxon’s board of directors calling for directors to get a majority of votes to win a spot on the board.
Officials believe it is the first time in Exxon’s history that shareholders have adopted a resolution over the objection of the company’s board. It is also a clear sign of the growing outrage over gas prices approaching $3 a gallon in the face of record profits and corporate compensation by oil companies.
While the average price for a gallon of gas fell 2.5 cents to $2.87 last week, gas prices are still 77 cents higher than they were a year ago. Exxon, meanwhile, pulled in a record $36 billion profit in 2005.
Posted 8:08 PM
IAM organizers scored an election victory this week in Bend, Oregon that holds the prospect of bringing in additional members as the manufacturing facility goes forward with plans to expand production.
Workers at Beko Membrane Technology, who make filters for dry air and air compressors, voted 6 to 1 for IAM representation in a May 31 NLRB election that left little doubt about the unit’s determination. A steady diet of increased work and frozen benefits at the facility fed the drive for change and a greater say in the workplace.
“I want to thank GLR Tom Mason, Woodworker BR Mike Rose and Grand Lodge Apprentice Organizer Loren Guzzone for leading a successful organizing campaign,” said IAM Organizing Director Larry Washam. “Organizing victories can come in all sizes, and the best ones just get bigger and bigger.”
Posted 7:47 PM
IAM airline representatives in Canada told an advisory panel reviewing the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) that the federal government should take back direct responsibility for security, including screening, the pass system and funding.
“Having the federal government in direct control is essential for accountability and coherence of the system,” said IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie. “If the job of passenger screeners, our front line of airport security, is truly important, they deserve to be regular employees of the federal government.”
For decades, the IAM has decried the low priority placed on air transport security by the federal government in Canada; in particular, contracting out of passenger screening to the lowest bidder.
“This low bid system has led to inconsistent standards, high turnover of poorly-paid screening personnel and a lack of accountability,” explained Ritchie.
The problem was compounded in the 1990's when control over federal airports was offloaded to local airport authorities, adding yet another layer of bureaucracy.
“The federal government's creation of CATSA in response to the events of September 11, 2001, has solved nothing,” said Ritchie. “The combination of unaccountable airport authorities, the CATSA structure and the continuation of the contracting-out process raises major concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest and self-dealing.”
Ritchie was also adamant that unions representing the screening workers maintain successor rights when a screening contract is transferred.
The IAM represents more than 16,000 workers in Canada's air transport sector.
Posted 7:29PM
Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson this week named new members to the Western Territory’s Organizing Honor Roll.
“There is a lot of hard work and long hours that go into organizing a new unit and these individuals sacrificed to bring dignity to workers who were reaching out for help,” said Pearson. “I applaud them, and offer my support to the efforts to bring a quality first contract to these new members; one that will meet their needs and send a message to all the other workers in their community that the IAM is the way for them to have a better life.”
Among the honorees is District Lodge 725 Organizer Joe Young, who successfully organized 23 workers at the Pratt and Whitney Aftermarket Services, Inc. located at Edwards Air force Base, in California.
“This is a great win for the district and the territory,” said GVP Pearson who congratulated Young and DBR Gary Holt saying it has been a while since we won a campaign in the Aerospace Industry that was not a service contract. “My hope is that this is the beginning of many good things to come.”
District 725 Organizing Director Brian Miller followed up with a campaign victory for six L3 Vertex workers located at March AFB in Riverside, California. The victory came the very next day after the Pratt & Whitney win. In addition DL 725 Bus. Rep Mike Cook DL 725 Business Rep signed a recognition agreement for two new members at DynCorp, located at Mather Field in California.
In addition to the wins at District 725, District 190 Organizer Pedro Mendez was also successful in organizing a group of four workers from SecTek Inc. who voted unanimously to go with the IAM.
District 160 Organizer Cristina Tangonan was successful in organizing a group of nine Federal Security guards at Fort Lewis, Washington. “District 160 has been the only district in the IAM that has met the Convention-mandated goal of 250 new members each year by every district in the IAM,” said GVP Pearson. “They are well on their way to doing it again. Once again, congratulations to DBR Don Hursey and his crew.”
Mark Blondin of DL 751 signed a recognition agreement with IAM CREST to represent the workers in Washington state.
Posted 7:20 PM
After overwhelmingly rejecting a management contract full of takeaways, IAM members at Louisiana's PPG Industries have struck the company.
Members of LL 470 employed at PPG Industries in Lake Charles, Louisiana went on strike Friday night over pensions, health care costs and a two-tier, hire-in wage rate. Under PPG demands, new hires would no longer have retiree medical benefits or a defined-benefit pension plan.
IAM members at PPG had overwhelmingly rejected an earlier contract proposal and voted to strike, but negotiators agreed to an extension to try to come to an agreement. However, no agreement was reached. The contract was full of takeaways, even though PPG has had twelve quarters of record profits.
"LL 470 is a very strong local, with a solid membership," said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. "They will have the support of my staff and the International to make sure this is a successful strike. Our members deserve a strong contract, and they're willing to fight for it."
The workers at PPG make chemicals for industry, including chlorine. IAM members offered an orderly shutdown of the plant, for the safety of those inside and the surrounding community. PPG Management declined.
Posted 706 PM
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists counts a number of IAM members within its ranks including LL 851's Eveleyna Washington (left) Executive Assistant to the IP Diane Babineaux (center), and Karen Peek (right) from the Aerospace Department.
Four days of selling hats, shirts, mugs and tickets to a first-ever Whist Tournament at the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) 35 th international convention in Orlando, FL, raised nearly $4000 for the CBTU Bell-Ball Scholarship fund.
The CBTU Scholarship Fund assists high school and college students and was established to honor the late Leonard Ball, the first executive director of CBTU and the late Jim Bell, president of the New York Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.
“The generosity of the delegates and guests at the CBTU Convention was evident from the minute we started selling tickets and convention gear,” said IAM HQ Executive Assistant Diane Babineaux, who was re-elected along with IAM member Eveleyna Washington to serve on the CBTU Executive Council.
“We expect this year’s fundraising effort will be the start of a great tradition that will be carried on at the next CBTU convention in Chicago.”
Posted 6:40 PM
IAM, Alaska Airlines Reach Tentative Accords
The IAM announced it reached two tentative agreements with Alaska Airlines last week on behalf of 3,056 IAM-represented employees.
“These tentative agreements are the result of our negotiating committee’s steadfast resolve,” said IAM District 143 President Bobby De Pace “I am confident that our members will find these terms acceptable, and the negotiating committee is unanimously recommending ratification of both tentative agreements.”
A ratification voting schedule will be posted along with the complete terms of the tentative agreements on the IAM District 143 website, www.iam143.org.
IAM District 143 represents 485 active Ramp and Stores (RSSA) employees and 2571 active Clerical, Office and Passenger Service (COPS) employees. The RSSA agreement became amendable on January 10, 2004 and the COPS agreement became amendable on October 30, 2002.
Posted 6:33 PM
Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico are located directly across from each other and are separated by a twelve foot fence.
The President’s recent address to the nation on immigration may have pushed the Senate to do what it was already planning to do: make immigrants and immigration into an election year issue.
“Instead of forging an effective public policy that protects America’s borders, provides clear pathways to citizenship and prevents abusive and exploitative practices by employers,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger in a statement.
“The administration and its allies are using the immigration debate to blow hot air across the smoldering coals of racism and bigotry.”
After six years of administration-backed trade deals that encouraged U.S. companies to move jobs overseas, this latest PR campaign seeks nothing more than ad copy for this fall’s congressional campaigns.
The so-called immigration debate comes as the president’s popularity continues to plummet, even among his most ardent supporters. The latest CBS poll indicates that approval ratings on Bush's handling of the economy are 28 percent, a record low. President George W. Bush's overall approval ratings stand at around 31 percent.
Posted 6:25 PM
Local 2559 Recording Secretary Pamela St. Romain Kyle signs up a new member at Phoenix Sky Harpor Airport
When the National Mediation Board certified the IAM as the representative for all US Airways Fleet Service workers, including those from the former America West Airlines, the IAM immediately became responsible for 2,400 new members.
Since then, representatives from District 141, the Grand Lodge and the IAM National Pension Plan have worked with IAM Local Lodge officials to provide information to the IAM’s newest members. On May 9, the TWU withdrew its bid to represent the combined US Airways-America West Fleet Service workforce.
“A surprising number of new members have already volunteered to be IAM shop stewards,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Not only are they happy to be in the IAM, but many are prepared to take active roles in their new union.”
Initial meetings were held last week in Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada to introduce the new members to the IAM and provide information about the resources and services available. Meetings at other locations are being scheduled.
“The meeting was very friendly and informative,” said Gary Gould, a Las Vegas Fleet Service worker and former TWU Station Chair.
“We heard about IAM communication and education programs, the pension plan and the US Airways contract,” said Walt Norris, LAS Fleet Service. “I was impressed with the professionalism of everyone involved.”
District 141 General Chairs are working with former TWU local representatives to resolve outstanding grievances and transition negotiations are being scheduled.
Posted 6:16 PM
LCLAA officers from the organization's Wichita chapter (from left) German Rodriguez LL639 Second VP; Danny Batista IAM LL639 First VP; Judy Pierce District 70 Financial Secretary; Teresa Vasquez IAM LL774; GVP Bob Martinez; Kiley Hernandez; IAM LL639 Recording Secretary.
An important milestone in southern labor history took place last week when Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez swore in the officers of the newest chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) in Wichita, Kansas.
“Today you all are making history,” said GVP Martinez to the new LCLAA leaders, “Wichita has the potential to become one the largest LCLAA Chapters in the U.S. God bless all of you for doing what I consider the Lord’s work for justice. ”
LCLAA builds coalitions between unions and the Latino community to ensure both groups promote an inclusive working family agenda. LCLAA also helps educate Latino workers about their legal right to join the union movement.
“LCLAA is an important organization within the labor movement, and one close to my heart,” said GVP Martinez. “I am sure these LCLAA members will work hard to make a difference in the lives of working families in Kansas.”
Posted 6:06 PM
Another chapter in one of the largest corporate ripoffs in American history closed when a federal jury found former Enron Chairman Ken Lay guilty of six counts of conspiracy and found Enron’s former chief executive, Jeffrey Skilling, guilty on 19 counts of fraud, conspiracy, making false statements and insider trading.
Minutes after the jury verdict, the judge ordered Lay to surrender his passport and post a $5 million bond before he could leave the courthouse.
The Enron collapse in 2001 wiped out 4,500 jobs, more than $1 billion in employee retirement funds and left a trail of corporate corruption and energy market manipulation, such as California’s energy crisis, that cost consumers billions of dollars in higher energy costs.
Lay, a longtime friend of President George W. Bush, was instrumental in Bush’s rise to Governor of Texas and then the White House. Lay steered millions of dollars in personal and corporate contributions to Bush, who frequently referred to Lay as “Kenny Boy.”
After the 2000 election, Lay became one of five members of Bush’s “Energy Transition Team” and was a key player in Vice President Cheney’s secret energy task force that set the nation’s energy agenda to favor deregulation and other corporate benefits.
Posted 5:55 PM
The IAM and Bechtel Bettis Inc., opened contract negotiations on May 24 for a first contract covering workers at the Naval Reactors Facility, located at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The workers, who are responsible for the control of nuclear fuel storage, recently voted to join the IAM.
“These workers came to us with their concerns, including their inability to plan time with their families due to fluctuating work schedules,” said Grand Lodge Rep Mike Wardle, who will lead the negotiations.
“We expect to have smooth negotiations, keeping Bechtel Bettis in the admirable position they currently hold, and allowing these talented workers to have the respect they’ve earned.”
Posted 5:40 PM