IAM Local Lodge 774

On April 28, the labor movement observes Workers Memorial Day to remember workers killed, injured, or made ill on the job and to renew the fight for strong safety and health protections.

More than 50 years ago on April 28, Workers Memorial Day, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job—a fundamental right. The law was won because of the tireless efforts of the labor movement, which organized for safer working conditions and demanded action from the government to protect working people. Since then, unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality—winning protections under the law that have made jobs safer and saved lives. But our work is not done. Each year, thousands of workers are killed, and millions more
suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable.

Our nation’s job safety laws are still too weak, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) lack the resources they need to protect workers. Many employers and workers never see OSHA in their workplaces. Penalties are still too low to be a deterrent. Corporations exploit these weaknesses and create environments where workers are not adequately protected when they speak out against unsafe working conditions. Black, Latino, and immigrant workers are disproportionately killed on the job. Workers still cannot freely join a union without retaliation from their employers.

Through the labor movement, working people have won safety and health protections from the shop floor to the halls of Congress. Unions are fighting for safe jobs for everyone, regardless of race, gender, employment relationship, or background. Winning strong standards from governments and employers raises the standard of practice. Educating working people on their rights keeps our most vulnerable from being silenced. The labor movement is a community that comes together to ensure everyone goes home at the end of a work shift, alive and without the chronic illnesses caused by work exposures that continue to plague many workers.

Together on this Workers Memorial Day, we raise our collective voices to win stronger safety and health protections in our workplaces and stronger job safety and health laws. We hold employers accountable to keep workers safe. We demand action on critical safety and health protections against preventable workplace hazards: heat illness, workplace violence, infectious diseases, silica in mining, and toxic chemical exposures. We demand more resources from Congress for our nation’s job safety agencies to hold employers accountable. We demand dignity at work.

We will organize and fight for the fundamental right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled.

Learn more at Workers Memorial Day | AFL-CIO (aflcio.org)

The Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation’s annual Worker’s Memorial Day dinner is a time to commemorate those who were hurt or killed on the job and to reaffirm our commitment toward improved safety in the workplace.

We observe Worker’s Memorial Day in late April to pay tribute to the OSHA and Mine Safety laws enacted to protect workers through the effort of unions and union allies.

The Worker’s Memorial Day dinner will be a free, catered BBQ dinner from B&C BBQ, in Machinist Hall, 3830 S. Meridian, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Every worker deserves the right to a safe job!

Listening Sessions are scheduled for the IAM Committee on the Future (COTF) on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at District Lodge 70. The COTF committee was established to listen to IAM members and propose new ideas to help grow our union and develop the next generation of IAM leaders and activists.

To learn more about COTF or the listening sessions go to https://iamcotf.org

Wondering how to support your local food bank by participating in the #StampOutHunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 13? It’s easy! Just leave your non-perishable food donation at your mailbox, and your letter carrier will take care of the rest.

WORKING TOGETHER: UNITED WAY AND ORGANIZED LABOR

• Organized labor is part of the decision-making process at United Way of the Plains, with AFL-CIO representatives serving on the Board of Directors.
• Union members serve along with other individuals as grant review volunteers to review agency programs and decide funding.
• A full-time AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison serves as a link between Wichita – Hutchinson Labor Federation of South Central Kansas and United Way of the Plains.
• Unions endorse United Way of the Plains’ annual fundraising campaign and encourage workers to contribute through payroll deduction. The Aldrich-Brown Labor Leadership Giving Society recognizes the generosity of labor members and their families.

Congratulations to Local 774 members working for Valiant Integrated Services. In solidarity, members ratified a three-year agreement! #IAM774

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, District Lodge 70, Local Lodge 774, Local Lodge 839, and Local Lodge 839 Community Services will proudly host this year’s golf tournament at Sand Creek Station in Newton, KS, to support the mission of Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.

Solidarity to our Local 774 members working for Valiant Integrated Services in Fort Riley, Kansas! Members will vote to accept or reject the company’s last, best, and final proposed contract offer on April 1st, 2023. #IAM774

A $30 donation provides an area veteran with 17 free rides on Wichita transit. United Way of the Plains works with partners who also provide mental health care and other wrap-around services for those who have served our country so faithfully. To purchase a dedication in honor or memory of a service member for Memorial Day go to unitedwayplains.org/freedom by Monday, May 29. #FlagsofFreedom

Questions?

Contact Mario Cervantes, United Way AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, at mcervantes@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321 ext. 4209.