IAM141 in the Spotlight at 2018 Committee Conference

IAM141 in the Spotlight at 2018 Committee Conference

May 25, 2018 | Events

IAM141 was in the spotlight on Tuesday, as IAMAW International President Robert Martinez spoke before a full house of Machinists and Union Activists in New Orleans.

In his speech, delivered at the 2018 IAM141 Committee Conference, Martinez praised the hard work and dogged fighting spirit of IAM141 members. “I want to thank you for everything that you do, day in, day out, for our membership, on a wide range of fronts in this great district.”

Robert Martinez, Jr. The 14th International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

International President Robert Martinez holds the highest elected position in the Machinists Union, an organization with more than 600,000 workers throughout North America. Since the beginning of his tenure in 2016, he has dedicated himself to growing and modernizing the IAMAW.

Martinez described the many accomplishments of IAM141 in recent years, focusing on the solidarity demonstrated by district members in their support of the IAM Disaster Relief Fund. In the wake of devastating storms in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, IAM141 made a record-setting contribution to the fund and facilitated the transport of relief workers and supplies to the affected areas. This solidarity is playing a critical role again as IAM members in Hawaii are threatened by persistent volcanic eruptions.

(From Left to Right) IAM141 President & Directing General Chairperson Michael Klemm, IAMAW International President Robert Martinez, Jr., IAM141 Secretary Treasurer Alex Gerulis

Martinez also noted the remarkable work IAM141 is doing to grow the union with organizing campaigns at Jetblue and Delta, and praised the work of IAM141 Educators, Safety Teams and EAP Representatives. “You are the reason that our members have a good, safe and secure job that allows our kids the opportunity to shoot for the stars. You are the men and women that dare to say that all working people expect dignity, justice and respect on the job.”

The IAM141 Committee Conference brings together Committeepersons, Chairmen and other union activists and experts to discuss the most significant issues that impact airline workers.

OUR JOBS ARE NOT FOR SALE

OUR JOBS ARE NOT FOR SALE

May 25, 2018 | Airlines, American, Home, The Association

Brothers and Sisters,

In an amateurish and unprofessional move, American Airlines management is trying to bribe Association members into giving away work, abandoning good healthcare and giving up better retirement security by doing an end run around your negotiating committee.

Making the biggest mistake possible, American negotiators continue to disrespect you and your leadership by attempting to negotiate in breakrooms and by email! These delay tactics prevent the real negotiations that are needed to get the contract you deserve.

“This Association negotiates face to face,” said Association Chair and Vice Chair Alex Garcia and Sito Pantoja respectively. “As we reported to you previously, Association negotiators are meeting with American to address minor open issues the week of June 11th. The Association is and has been fully prepared to continue bargaining the all important issues of medical insurance, wages, retirement security, work/job protection and profit sharing, but American has refused. They’d rather hide behind their computers and continue to insult you with their sub-par offers.”

On March 21st, the Association leadership told American that their proposals regarding medical insurance, wages, retirement security, work/job protection and profit sharing were not acceptable. American management then began their failing strategy of negotiating in public, trying to convince American workers to accept their substandard offer. Your strength and solidarity has worked. American has thrown some money on the table even while we are not in negotiations. Keep telling the company to shove their inadequate proposals that outsource work, take away healthcare and weaken retirement. Tell them to get back to the table.