Two IAM members from Local 1932 comment to District 141 about being shop stewards and why they became active in their union. If you’re interested in becoming a shop steward reach out and contact your local Lodge leadership at your station.
Officer training for IAM Local Lodge 1781 in San Francisco. The training is in a class of its own and the officers are very happy with the program Mac and his team put together.
NEWARK, N.J. – For the past several years, IAM Activists from Local 914 (EWR) have worked with District 141 Safety Representatives and Federal agencies to ensure that members have a safe workplace. In 2014, these efforts to enforce workplace safety led to an astonishing 16 OSHA citations in favor of IAM workers at United Airlines, and proposed penalties of more than $100,000 against the airline.
Over the past few months, Local 914 (EWR) President, Bill Gula, has helped lead yet another effort to improve working conditions for airport workers. This time, the efforts of IAM Activists have led to a potentially precedent setting agreement between United Airlines, OSHA and the Department of Labor.
The agreement will settle a lawsuit filed by the Department of Labor against United Airlines on behalf of OSHA which was intended to help protect baggage handlers from several hazardous conditions that inspectors found at the Newark hub.
The Department of Labor issued a statement in July, reading, “For too long, a hard day’s work for United Airlines’ baggage handlers at Newark Liberty International Airport meant unnecessary pain and the risk of debilitating injuries caused by lifting customer baggage using awkward postures. From 2011 to January 2015, the airline’s baggage handlers reported at least 622 musculoskeletal injuries.”
Some of the hazards that IAM Safety Representative Bill Salo and OSHA inspectors found unacceptable at the EWR United Airlines facility included high levels of prolonged and repetitive stress trauma caused by lifting bags from awkward angles and in confined spaces, unsafely requiring employees to reach over obstacles designed to protect belts, and two-tier bagroom belt systems. Safety inspectors also found a high number of injuries caused by requiring employees to hold a scanner in one hand while repeatedly lifting bags.
“The fact that we have OSHA in our corner on this is a huge, huge benefit to us,” said District 141 President Mike Klemm. “And, Bill Salo; there’s nobody better on safety than him.”
IAM members are encouraged to report all safety concerns to a shop steward or safety representative immediately.
This essay competition is open to children, spouses and dependent grandchildren (as defined by the IRS) of members with one year or more of good standing (as of June 1, 2016) in District Lodge 141 who are graduating seniors or who are currently enrolled full time and/or commencing college full time. The competition is also open to any members with one year or more of good standing (as of June 1, 2016) in District Lodge 141 who are currently enrolled in college with a minimum of six units per semester. District Lodge 141 officers and their families are not eligible. Only one award per family is allowed per year. Past winners are not eligible. Applications must be signed by your Local Lodge President or Recording Secretary.
A bibliography of sources for essay material must be included. The essay must be the work of the entrant or the entrant will be disqualified. The winners may be interviewed by the Scholarship Chairperson. The application must be filled out completely or the entrant will be disqualified.