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                                              IAM Transportation Department

                                       General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.

                                                     9000 Machinists Place

                                                Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

                                               www.goiam.org/transportation


 

6-12-2009

Helpful Links

Transportation Department: Represents the IAM's air and rail members in the United States

Merger Watch: IAM bulletins related to airline mergers

Organizing: The Transportation Department's organizing website


District 19: All IAM railroad members

District 141: Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways


District 142:Aer Lingus, Air Wisconsin, Allied Aviation, Aramark, Atlantic Aviation, Avis, British Airways, Bahamasair, Continental Airlines, Comair,  ExpressJet, Hawaiian Airlines Marriott, L-3 Aviation, Midway Instruments,  PSA, Signature, Southwest        Airlines, Swissport, US Airways

District 143: Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines, Big Sky
Great Lakes and
Northwest Airlines

National Mediation Board:
Administers the Railway Labor Act and conducts air/rail union representation elections

Latest News

Winpisinger Center Hosts
NWA/Delta Strategy Meeting
 
 

June 12, 2009 - More than 50 District 143 representatives and local activists attended a Northwest Airlines/Delta Air Lines organizing campaign strategy meeting this week at the IAM's William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Maryland.

  

"Delta/Northwest is ground zero for a crusade to de-unionize the airline industry," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "The Machinists Union will use all available resources to defend our Northwest membership and extend the benefits of union representation to the Delta workforce."

Participants reviewed the IAM's campaign to date and developed strategies for the upcoming representation elections. When Delta and Northwest are operating as a single carrier for representation purposes, the IAM will ask the National Mediation Board to officially rule they are a single carrier. Following the NMB's ruling the IAM will have 14 days to provide evidence that there is sufficient interest for unionization from the combined workforce to warrant elections. A single carrier ruling and demonstration of interest for elections will occur for each class and craft in which the IAM represents Northwest workers.

"The IAM's most potent weapon is our membership," said Roach. "This week's participants are the key to motivating our membership and winning these critical elections."

 

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest air and rail union in North America.

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
 

 

6-9-2009

Helpful Links

Transportation Department: Represents the IAM's air and rail members in the United States

Merger Watch: IAM bulletins related to airline mergers

Organizing: The Transportation Department's organizing website


District 19: All IAM railroad members

District 141: Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways


District 142:Aer Lingus, Air Wisconsin, Allied Aviation, Aramark, Atlantic Aviation, Avis, British Airways, Bahamasair, Continental Airlines, Comair,  ExpressJet, Hawaiian Airlines Marriott, L-3 Aviation, Midway Instruments,  PSA, Signature, Southwest        Airlines, Swissport, US Airways

District 143: Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines, Big Sky
Great Lakes and
Northwest Airlines

National Mediation Board:
Administers the Railway Labor Act and conducts air/rail union representation elections


 

Latest News

IAM at Forefront of
Airline Safety Efforts
 

 

June 9, 2009 - The Machinists continue to lead the fight in helping to ensure a safer work environment for the men and women employed at our nation's airlines. Starting next month, the IAM Occupational Safety and Health Department will begin the process of training airline workers in the handling and transporting of hazardous materials. The safety program was made possible by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

A report released by DOT shows there were more than 1,200 air incidents involving hazardous materials last year. "Creating safer workplaces and erasing the number of work-related injuries each year remains one of our chief priorities in the transportation industry," says IAM Transportation General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "Airline workers come across a lot of potentially hazardous chemicals throughout their day and need to know the proper procedures for handling such substances. With this grant, the IAM is able to provide our members with information to protect their health and safety on the job."

IAM Occupational Safety and Health Director Michael Flynn oversees the implementation of the grant. He and his staff developed the curriculum and specialized course materials that will be used on site at each of the participating airlines. A group of 20 United Airline workers are expected to take part in the first session at the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center in July.

"All the companies have their existing training in place," says Flynn. "This doesn't replace it, rather it augments it. Our members are training our members, which is really the cornerstone of all the IAM's training. Our members better relate to people who have rolled their sleeves up and worked with them."

Flynn says DOT contacted the IAM about the grant last year because of the Machinists' outstanding track record in worker safety and the IAM's Corporation for Re-Employment and Safety Training (C.R.E.S.T.) services. Planning has already begun for a continuation and expansion of the grant for next year.

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest air and rail union in North America.

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
 

 

 

 

June 6, 2009

Helpful Links

Transportation Department: Represents the IAM's air and rail members in the United States

Merger Watch: IAM bulletins related to airline mergers

Organizing: The Transportation Department's organizing website


District 19: All IAM railroad members

District 141: Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways


District 142:Aer Lingus, Air Wisconsin, Allied Aviation, Aramark, Atlantic Aviation, Avis, British Airways, Bahamasair, Continental Airlines, Comair,  ExpressJet, Hawaiian Airlines Marriott, L-3 Aviation, Midway Instruments,  PSA, Signature, Southwest        Airlines, Swissport, US Airways

District 143: Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines, Big Sky
Great Lakes and
Northwest Airlines

National Mediation Board:
Administers the Railway Labor Act and conducts air/rail union representation elections


 

Latest News

Machinists Help Pass TSA Bill    

May 27, 2009 - The IAM Transportation and Legislative Departments worked closely with the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department (TTD) to ensure passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reauthorization bill that contains important security protections for Machinists Union members.

The bill ensures that flight attendants receive the uniform and compulsory security training they need to respond to threats in the aircraft cabin. Provisions include a minimum of 5 hours of mandatory training every two years. Currently, training is voluntary. Through strong pressure from the Machinists Union and the AFL-CIO, provisions that would have required flight attendants to pay for this training were dropped. "Adequate safety and security of aircraft, flight attendants and passengers cannot be accomplished through optional training," said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "This bill mandates the training IAM flight attendants have been fighting for."

Additionally, the TSA bill increases security standards at aviation repair facilities located overseas. "The IAM has been working for more than a decade to create one level of safety and security at all aircraft repair facilities," said Roach, who has repeatedly been invited to testify before Congress on the subject. Foreign repair stations are not currently held to the same safety or security standards as those in the U.S. The new language states that the TSA "shall issue regulations establishing security standards for foreign and domestic repair stations performing maintenance for aircraft used to provide air transportation and shall ensure that comparable standards apply to maintenance work performed by employees of repair stations..."

"Both of  these provisions were opposed by the airline industry," said Roach. "The Machinists Union and the TTD fought back to win these important provisions that protect our members and our skies."

The bill, H.R. 2200, passed by a 397-35 vote and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

 

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest air and rail union in North America.

Email Admin Center



To unsubscribe and stop receiving Transportation Department email updates click here or send an email to: unsubscribe-23100@elabs5.com

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
 

 

 May 27, 2009

House Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill
Subscribe | About Us | NewsWire Archives | Contact Us | www.goiam.org

Helpful Links

Transportation Department: Represents the IAM's air and rail members in the United States

Merger Watch: IAM bulletins related to airline mergers

Organizing: The Transportation Department's organizing website


District 19: All IAM railroad members

District 141: Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways


District 142:Aer Lingus, Air Wisconsin, Allied Aviation, Aramark, Atlantic Aviation, Avis, British Airways, Bahamasair, Continental Airlines, Comair,  ExpressJet, Hawaiian Airlines Marriott, L-3 Aviation, Midway Instruments,  PSA, Signature, Southwest        Airlines, Swissport, US Airways

District 143: Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines, Big Sky
Great Lakes and
Northwest Airlines

National Mediation Board:
Administers the Railway Labor Act and conducts air/rail union representation elections


 

Latest News

House Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill  
 

May 27, 2009 - The House of Representatives has passed the FAA Reauthorization Bill containing many of the major provisions the Machinists Union has spearhead in recent years.

The bill (H.R. 915) includes funding for a Next Generation air traffic control system, provides for safety and health standards for flight attendants, mandates increased supervision of overseas aircraft repair stations, requires a review of FAA air traffic control staffing and closes the FedEx loophole that helped keep the package delivery company largely non-union by placing non-airport employees under the jurisdiction of the Railway Labor Act.

"The House's passage of the bill is an significant first step in protecting our skies and people working in the aviation field," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "We urge the Senate to take swift action on a comparable bill so this important legislation can be enacted."

Senate Confirms Obama's
FAA and NMB Picks

The Senate recently confirmed Linda Puchala as a member of the three-person National Mediation Board (NMB) and Randy Babbitt as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"President Obama's nomination and the Senate's confirmation of these two individuals will bring much needed fairness and balance to these key federal agencies and improve the safety and efficiency to the U.S transportation system," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.

Puchala recently served as a senior mediator with the NMB and is the former president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The National Mediation Board oversees collective bargaining mediation and union representation elections in the air and rail industries, including elections as a result of the pending merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines.

Babbitt is the former president of the Air Line Pilots Association. He most recently worked as a partner in the aviation practice of a management-consulting firm.

 

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest air and rail union in North America.


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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

 

May 13, 2009

 

           Machinists Call for Major Changes in Airline Industry

Helpful Links

Transportation Department: Represents the IAM's air and rail members in the United States

Merger Watch: IAM bulletins related to airline mergers

Organizing: The Transportation Department's organizing website


District 19: All IAM railroad members

District 141: Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways


District 142:Aer Lingus, Air Wisconsin, Allied Aviation, Aramark, Atlantic Aviation, Avis, British Airways, Bahamasair, Continental Airlines, Comair,  ExpressJet, Hawaiian Airlines Marriott, L-3 Aviation, Midway Instruments,  PSA, Signature, Southwest        Airlines, Swissport, US Airways

District 143: Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines, Big Sky
Great Lakes and
Northwest Airlines

National Mediation Board:
Administers the Railway Labor Act and conducts air/rail union representation elections


 

Latest News

Machinists Call for Major Changes
in Airline Industry

 

May 13, 2009 - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. today called for major changes to the airline industry in testimony before the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the subject of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2009.

"The aviation industry is at a crossroads," said Roach. "Thirty years of deregulation, reckless management and more than a hundred bankruptcies have left the industry in shambles. America deserves an airline industry that benefits employees, passengers and shareholders, not just executives. Airline workers have shouldered more than their fair share to help revitalize their employers and their industry. This FAA reauthorization bill is a chance to change course."

Roach urged the Committee to resolve jurisdictional conflicts between the National Mediation Board and the National Labor Relations Board, and to address Flight Attendant issues such as fatigue and their lack of workplace health and safety regulations. Roach also called for enough FAA inspectors to ensure a single high of aircraft safety and maintenance oversight regardless of where in the world the aircraft maintenance is performed.

"As a consequence of putting dollars ahead of sense, maintenance of U.S aircraft has been exported across the globe at a faster pace than the FAA could respond," said Roach. "Maintenance personnel who work on U.S. aircraft should meet the same eligibility requirements at home and abroad. The IAM believes there should be one level of safety and oversight for the industry regardless of where an aircraft is repaired."

General Vice President Roach's complete testimony is available at www.goiam.org/transportation
 

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is the largest air and rail union in North America.

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
 

 


May 5, 2009

Machinists Union Reaches Tentative Accord with Southwest Airlines

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 today announced a tentative four-year collective bargaining agreement with Southwest Airlines covering the carrier’s 5,300 customer service and reservation agents.

“This tentative agreement recognizes the vital role IAM members play in Southwest’s success by providing wage increases today and enhanced retirement benefits tomorrow,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “The tentative agreement provides retroactive wage increases, increased employer 401(k) contributions and expands job security provisions.”

Negotiations began August 28, 2008, and the current agreement became amendable on October 31, 2008.

The District 142 negotiating committee unanimously recommends membership ratification of the agreement. Complete terms will be released to the membership in the coming days and available on the IAM District 142 website, www.iamdl142.org. A membership ratification schedule is being developed.

The Machinists Union is the largest airline union in North America, representing more than 100,000 airline employees. More information about the Machinists Union is available at www.goiam.org.
 

Click here for a printable PDF version of this NewsWire.

 


The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
To unsubscribe, click here or send an email to: unsubscribe-23100@elabs5.com
 

 


May 5, 2009

Machinists Union Reaches Tentative Accord with Southwest Airlines

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 today announced a tentative four-year collective bargaining agreement with Southwest Airlines covering the carrier’s 5,300 customer service and reservation agents.

“This tentative agreement recognizes the vital role IAM members play in Southwest’s success by providing wage increases today and enhanced retirement benefits tomorrow,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “The tentative agreement provides retroactive wage increases, increased employer 401(k) contributions and expands job security provisions.”

Negotiations began August 28, 2008, and the current agreement became amendable on October 31, 2008.

The District 142 negotiating committee unanimously recommends membership ratification of the agreement. Complete terms will be released to the membership in the coming days and available on the IAM District 142 website, www.iamdl142.org. A membership ratification schedule is being developed.

The Machinists Union is the largest airline union in North America, representing more than 100,000 airline employees. More information about the Machinists Union is available at www.goiam.org.
 

Click here for a printable PDF version of this NewsWire.

 


The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
To unsubscribe, click here or send an email to: unsubscribe-23100@elabs5.com
 

 

 April 9, 2009

Machinists Host Flight Attendant Coalition


(L to R, Kim Coats, Ray Balis, Juan Barrera and Laura Glading
from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants)

Twenty representatives from a coalition of U.S. and foreign flight attendant unions came together this week at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. The coalition meets quarterly to develop common strategies to address flight attendants’ legislative, health and safety and collective bargaining issues.

“Flight attendants operate in a unique and demanding work environment,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.  “The IAM continues working with the leadership of other unions to ensure all flight attendants have the legislative and collective bargaining protections they deserve.”

Specific meeting topics included discussions on pension trends, an analysis of the current state of the airline industry, and healthcare issues facilitated by Peter Greenberg, an IAM research economist and Continental Airlines Flight Attendant; a discussion of recent Family Medical Leave Act and Department of Labor changes led by IAM Associate General Counsel Carla Siegel; and a legislative review by IAM Assistant Legislative Director Hasan Solomon.

Leaders from IAM District 142, the United Steelworkers of America, the Association of Flight Attendants/Communications Workers of America, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Transport Workers Union, and the International Transport Workers Federation attended the IAM’s two-day program.
 

Click here for a printable PDF version of this NewsWire.


The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
To unsubscribe, click here or send an email to: unsubscribe-23100@elabs5.com
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machinists, United Airlines Open Contract Negotiations

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 141 today exchanged opening contract proposals in Chicago, IL, with United Airlines for the carrier’s 16,000 Ramp & Stores, Public Contact, Food Service, Maintenance Instructor, Fleet Technical Instructor and Security Guard employees. The current IAM agreements become amendable on December 31, 2009.
 
“It has been nearly a decade since our members had an opportunity to propose changes to their collective bargaining agreements,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney. “Since our last negotiations, United abused the bankruptcy laws to extract $4.6 billion from our members. The challenge we face in these negotiations is bridging a canyon of distrust.”

IAM District 141 conducted a pre-bargaining membership survey and received more than 50,000 proposals and recommendations from members. “The three main areas of focus during these negotiations will be job security, improved wages and improved benefits,” said Delaney. IAM District 141’s opening contract proposals and frequent negotiation updates will be available on the District 141 website, www.iam141.org.
 
IAM members were forced during United’s three-year bankruptcy to accept a 13 percent wage reduction in 2003, as well as another 5.5 percent cut in 2005. Additionally, United terminated its employee pension plans in bankruptcy, although IAM members are the airline’s only employees to successfully negotiate a replacement defined benefit pension plan, the IAM National Pension Plan.
 
The Machinists Union is the largest airline union in North America, representing more than 100,000 airline and airport service workers. More information about the Machinists Union at United Airlines is available at www.iam141.org

 

Click here for a printable PDF version of this NewsWire.


The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772


 

March 23, 2009

 2009 Transportation Conference Set for NYC

 

The 2009 IAM North American Transportation Conference will take place at the Hilton New York in New York City from August 16-20, 2009. The theme for this year’s Conference will be “KEEPING THE WORLD MOVING – YES WE CAN!”

“The Transportation Conference will again encompass a combined meeting of delegates and staff from the airline and railroad industries,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Everyone will participate in the general sessions of the Conference, and separate industry meetings will be conducted to discuss and act upon matters of special interest to each particular section.  Committees will be established to address topics of mutual concern, and other committees will consider industry-related issues. When the work of the committees has been completed, they will report back to the Conference so that every delegate will be involved in shaping our future goals.”

Each Transportation Local Lodge Recording Secretary should complete and return the appropriate Railroad or Air Transport Lodge registration form designating those members being assigned to represent the Lodge as soon as possible, but no later than May 12, 2009. 

The Hilton New York has set aside a block of rooms with a guaranteed rate of $215.00 per day, plus tax, for single or double occupancy.  To make reservations, either call the hotel directly at 1 800 HILTONS (1-800-445-8667), or book through this website the hotel set up for the conference.  If calling, be sure to inform the hotel that you are attending the IAM North American Transportation Conference (Group Code IAM) in order to receive the special room rate. Reservations should be made no later than July 6, 2009, after which all reservation requests are subject to room availability.

“The transportation industry continues to be in turmoil from the current economic crisis and the after-effects of eight years of an anti-labor administration,” said GVP Roach. “The 2009 IAM North American Transportation Conference will offer us a forum where we can effectively deal with the wide spectrum of important issues that impact the members we represent." 

Click here for a printable PDF version of this NewsWire.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772



 

 

 March 19, 2009

IAM Welcomes Key Labor Board Appointments

President Obama is moving swiftly to restructure key government agencies once dominated by anti-union appointees from the Bush Administration. Federal agencies like the National Mediation Board (NMB) and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) play key roles in overseeing labor relations for millions of workers.

At the National Mediation Board, which has jurisdiction for workers in the railroad and airline industries, President Obama has nominated Linda Puchala as an NMB member. Puchala currently serves as a senior mediator with the NMB and is the former president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The NMB will play an important role in any representation elections resulting from the pending merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines. Click here to send a message to your Senators to confirm Ms. Puchala.

In January, President Obama nominated Wilma Liebman as Chairwoman of the National Labor Relations Board. Liebman’s appointment renews the once Republican-controlled agency and revitalizes its mission and responsibility of protecting workers’ rights. Liebman has eight years of experience on the board, as well as several years experience at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. She began her legal career as an NLRB staff attorney, and has also served on the legal staff of two unions.

“The sweeping changes at the National Mediation Board and National Labor Relations Board are proof that elections make a difference,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “These nominees will restore much-needed balance and fairness at these agencies and they will put the priorities of America’s working families first.”   


The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
www.goiam.org/transportation
 

 

March 10, 2009 IAM Transportation NewsWire

District 141Reaches Tentative Pact with Hawaiian Airlines

IAM District 141 announced a tentative agreement with Hawaiian Airlines covering the carrier’s 1,500 customer service, reservation, ramp and clerical employees.

The proposed two-year contract provides wage increases ranging from 3 to10 percent, freezes current employee healthcare contributions, provides an incentive compensation program and enables performance and profit bonuses. Additional contract adjustments recognize the challenges facing the industry.

“This tentative agreement puts more money into our members’ pockets during extremely difficult economic times,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney. “Our negotiating committee unanimously recommends ratification of the agreement.”

The tentative accord, the first since the airline emerged from bankruptcy in 2005, is subject to a membership ratification vote. Ratification results will be available after March 25, 2009.
Complete terms of the tentative agreement are available on the District 141 website, www.iam141.org.

Separate negotiations between Hawaiian Airlines and IAM District 142, which represents the airline’s 560 mechanic & related employees, are continuing.
 
 
Machinists Host Aviation High School Students
 
The IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center welcomed twenty eight seniors from New York City’s Aviation High School for a four day program designed to introduce students to the role labor unions play in the aviation industry. This is the seventh year of the unique IAM-Aviation High School partnership.
 
“Aviation High School is a public school that challenges students to develop the skills necessary to succeed,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “The government needs to invest in creating similar programs across the country. If we provide our students with the tools required to find good paying jobs, the whole country benefits.”
 
Aviation High School allows students to graduate with the federal licenses required for a career in aircraft maintenance. Many of the students in this year’s program plan on continuing their education by pursuing engineering degrees.
 
Participants in this week’s program received an overview of a major airline’s maintenance program, attended a class on labor history, and participated in discussions on the economy and politics. Students learned about the current congressional debate over the FAA reauthorization bill and received a presentation by an IAM aircraft accident investigator. The program also included a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
 
“This is a vital program,” said Aviation High School teacher and former student Mike Ramirez. “It gives students exposure to things they could not see at home.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
9000 Machinists Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
www.goiam.org/transportation
 


March 3, 2009

GVP Roach, Discusses Priorities with Secretary LaHood, Congressman Oberstar

IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. and leaders of other transportation unions spoke with new U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to discuss the priorities of the nation’s transportation workers. The discussion took place at the annual winter meeting of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department.

GVP Roach and Secretary LaHood discussed the IAM’s unique partnership with New York City’s Aviation High School and the advantages of similar programs nationwide. "President Obama has embraced the need for increased vocational skills training to prepare the next generation of workers," said Roach. "The Machinists Union is prepared to work with Secretary LaHood to ensure students interested in a transportation career have access to the training that will provide the skills they need to succeed."

Other topics discussed with Secretary LaHood included OSHA protections for flight attendants, increased inspection and standards for foreign repair stations that service U.S. aircraft and reforming flight attendant duty time to address dangerous fatigue. The IAM also stressed the importance of clarifying that FedEx mechanics and truck drivers are not aviation workers despite the company’s lobbying battle to preserve the misclassification in order to remain union-free.

Secretary LaHood ensured the IAM will have the access to his office that his immediate predecessor did not provide. A follow-up meeting between the IAM and Secretary LaHood is being scheduled.

In discussion with Congressman Oberstar GVP Roach stressed the need for President Obama to quickly appoint fair-minded individuals to the National Mediation Board (NMB). "Under the previous administration, the NMB had become a tool corporations used to silence workers," said Roach. "With the transportation industry rapidly changing, immediate change is also needed at the NMB."


Secretary LaHood (second from left) with (L to R)
Tony Padilla, TCU/IAM Assistant National Legislative
and Political Director, GVP Roach, and TCU/IAM International President Robert Scardelletti

 

 

February 3, 2009

Immediate Action Needed to Protect Air and Rail Workers

The Bush administration has spent the last eight years appointing anti-labor

people to all areas of the federal government, including the National Mediation Board

(NMB), the federal agency that has jurisdiction over labor-management relations in

the airline and railroad industries.

President Barack Obama has an opportunity to replace the Mediation Board’s

anti-worker chair, Read Van De Water, with a labor-friendly appointee. Van De Water,

whose term expired in July 2006, previously was the legislative counsel for

international trade and investment with the Business Roundtable, and legislative

counsel and director of government affairs for Northwest Airlines.

“The Bush Mediation Board hindered Amtrak negotiations for eight years,

unilaterally eliminated the collective bargaining rights of airport service workers and

condoned anti-union campaigns aimed at airline employees,” said Transportation GVP

Robert Roach, Jr. “Workers need a National Mediation Board that defends the rights

of air and rail employees, and IAM members can help make that happen.”

Congresswoman Lucille Royball-Allard (D-CA) is urging her fellow members

to sign on to a letter urging President Barack Obama urging to take swift action to

appoint new members to the National Mediation Board.

With pressing issues such as the pending merger of Delta and Northwest and

new rounds of airline and railroad industry bargaining ahead, IAM members are asked

to take a few brief moments to urge your U.S. Representative to sign on to Rep.

Royball-Allard’s letter to restore fairness to the National Mediation Board. You can

call, write a custom email or send a pre-written message to your representative

directly through the IAM website at http://www.goiam.org/transportation.

 

January 6, 2009

Freight Rail Agreement Ratified 

Under the terms of a newly ratified four-year basic agreement and three-year wage agreement covering nearly 9,000 Machinists on the Nation’s Class I Freight Rail Carriers, base pay will increase approximately 14% over the term of the wage portion of the Agreement. In addition to the wage increases, the new Agreement has many improvements, including Cost of Living pay adjustments for IAM members.   

“Joe Duncan and his negotiating team did an outstanding job on behalf of our Class 1 members,” said Transportation General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.   

“Unlike the financial and managerial problems plaguing the nation’s airlines, freight rail operators have enjoyed record profits,” said District 19 President Joe Duncan. “However, this did not make the negotiations for the new freight rail Agreement easy.”  

Bargaining was marked by the carriers’ not wanting to fully recognize the value of its employees and the delays inherent with negotiating under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB), the agency charged with facilitating rail and airline negotiations.  

“Our Railroad Members are keenly aware of the impact the Railway Labor Act, the NMB and prior ‘pattern’ settlements can have on our collective bargaining rights,” said Joe Duncan. “In spite of these obstacles we extracted everything we could from the company in this round of negotiations. Our membership recognized this accomplishment by strongly approving the Agreement. I thank each and every IAM member subject to this Agreement for their support and cooperation during this process."

 

October 6, 2008

Freight Rail Agreement Ratified 

Under the terms of a newly ratified four-year basic agreement and three-year wage agreement covering nearly 9,000 Machinists on the Nation’s Class I Freight Rail Carriers, base pay will increase approximately 14% over the term of the wage portion of the Agreement. In addition to the wage increases, the new Agreement has many improvements, including Cost of Living pay adjustments for IAM members.   

“Joe Duncan and his negotiating team did an outstanding job on behalf of our Class 1 members,” said Transportation General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.   

“Unlike the financial and managerial problems plaguing the nation’s airlines, freight rail operators have enjoyed record profits,” said District 19 President Joe Duncan. “However, this did not make the negotiations for the new freight rail Agreement easy.”  

Bargaining was marked by the carriers’ not wanting to fully recognize the value of its employees and the delays inherent with negotiating under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB), the agency charged with facilitating rail and airline negotiations.  

“Our Railroad Members are keenly aware of the impact the Railway Labor Act, the NMB and prior ‘pattern’ settlements can have on our collective bargaining rights,” said Joe Duncan. “In spite of these obstacles we extracted everything we could from the company in this round of negotiations. Our membership recognized this accomplishment by strongly approving the Agreement. I thank each and every IAM member subject to this Agreement for their support and cooperation during this process."