Shop Steward Classes Make A Difference
January 23, 2017
District 141 Safety Representatives And Federal Agencies To Ensure That Members Have A Safe Workplace
January 20, 2017
Local 1322 Shop Stewards Class
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.
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
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- local 1322 shop stewards class
2017 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Awards Open For Applicants
2017 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Awards Open For Applicants
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.
Download application for full details
Sponsored by IAMAW District Lodge 141
MSP 1833 Education Class
January 18, 2017
Congratulations! Dave Lehive
Congratulations! Dave Lehive
District 141’s own Senior Communications Coordinator, Dave Lehive, has won First Place for his photography in the 2016 IAM Photo Contest.
IAM photographers from around the US and Canada compete each year to bring the best unposed photography of IAM members at work. Winning contestants are recognized, along with their work, on the GoIAM.org website.
Dave Lehive has been a working photographer and AV specialist for decades, beginning as a Communicator at Local Lodge 1776 in Philadelphia. He began work at District 141 in 2008, and has become the most recognized and prominent photographer in the history of the District. His work is featured on the District 141 Facebook page (Search Facebook for IAMAW District 141) and the District website.
Dave Lehive is motivated by a deep commitment to unionism and to the membership of the IAM. His love of photography and photojournalism helps the members of District 141 learn more about their union, and also helps to promote the hard work of activists around the nation.
The annual IAM photo contest is hosted by the Grand Lodge, and is open to all members in good standing. Learn more at GoIAM.org.
Mike Klemm, PDGC, Update
October 21, 2016
Sisters and Brothers,
As many of you know, last year the District Lodge 141 membership proposed, and the 2015 District Lodge 141 Convention delegates approved, many bylaw amendments.
Those bylaw changes were then put to the entire membership for a referendum vote in December, 2015. One of the amendments approved by the membership changed the required number of Local Lodge endorsements to run for an elected District 141 Officer position from four to 10. Despite the fact that this bylaw amendment passed overwhelmingly, the Department of Labor (DOL) has informed District Lodge 141 that the federal agency believes it violates the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
I realize this must frustrate many IAM members who feel their democratic right to vote on how their District should be run is being taken away from them. However, as President of District 141, along with the entire District 141 Executive Board, I feel it is imperative that we be in full compliance with federal law.
Therefore, we will amend the District bylaws so that our great district is in compliance with the LMRDA. Then, all District Officer positions will be up for nomination and election in 2018 during the normal election cycle, and every four years thereafter.
Most importantly, I am proud to say the DOL found no election violations, and absent their concern regarding the requirement to attain 10 local lodge endorsements, our locals conducted a flawless nomination process. In direct discussion with the DOL they made it clear that they did not need any protest to object to the increase. The DOL would have ruled we were not in compliance with LMRDA guidelines regardless. So, congratulations to all local lodge officers for running a well-executed nomination process.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Fraternally,
Mike Klemm
President Directing General Chair
IAMAW District Lodge 141