Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

IAM141.org

Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.

Born on January 17, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Payne dedicated his life to service—both professionally and personally.

A graduate of Central High School’s class of 1963, he pursued higher education at Western Michigan University and Macomb County College. His career began at Wayne County Hospital in Eloise, Michigan, where he met his future wife, Lois Barnes Willis. They married on July 30, 1966, and shared 58 years together, raising two daughters, Natalie and Eugenia.

In 1966, he began working at United Airlines, a job he held for 42 years.

His commitment to workers’ rights led him to become deeply involved in union activism. He served as a Union Representative, quickly becoming a vital member of Local 141. His guidance and leadership led to a position on the Local 141 Grievance Committee. A skilled and determined defender of his coworkers, Vic became an Assistant General Chair and then Secretary-Treasurer of District 141 of the Machinists Union.

Payne was instrumental in advocating for fair labor practices and improving working conditions for countless employees.

Beyond his union activism, he also served as the president of the Rosenwald High School National Organization, reflecting his dedication to education and community engagement.

An avid basketball enthusiast, music lover, and devoted “Star Trek” fan, Payne was a man of diverse interests who touched the lives of many. Since 1980, he has been an active member of Westland St. James United Methodist Church, holding roles such as Treasurer, President of the United Methodist Men, Trustee, and beloved member of the Men’s Chorus.

Respect for Vic Payne runs deep. After his passing, many of the people whose lives he has touched have come forward to share stories about him. He was considered to be a mentor, an advocate, and a friend to hundreds.

Mike Klemm, District 141 President and Directing General Chair, expressed admiration for Vic, saying that he was an inspiring figure within the union. “Vic was a man that any union member could learn a lot from. Anyone who knew him, knew him as a mentor, a guide, and a trusted friend.”

Affectionately known as “Big Daddy” by his grandchildren and “My Man” by his great-granddaughters, Payne leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and service. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lois; daughters Natalie Rice and Eugenia Payne; grandchildren Eugenie Lewis Howse (Starla) and Kelli Renee (Peter) Lacza; and great-grandchildren Aliciana Niccole Howse, Ariana Jalen Howse, and Emery Howse Lacza. He is also mourned by his brother Karl (Naomi) Payne; brother-in-law Harold (Louise) Barnes; sisters-in-law Lela (Samuel) Norris and Cherryl Barnes; godchildren Carlotta Mitchell, Norma Harrington, and Jordan Howse; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He will now be reunited with his mother and father, Ruth and Alfred Payne.



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Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

Vic Payne, Respected Union Leader and Community Advocate, Dies at 79

26 September 2024

Victor Claude Payne, a revered union leader and cherished community figure, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a long-term illness. He was 79.

Born on January 17, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Payne dedicated his life to service—both professionally and personally.

A graduate of Central High School’s class of 1963, he pursued higher education at Western Michigan University and Macomb County College. His career began at Wayne County Hospital in Eloise, Michigan, where he met his future wife, Lois Barnes Willis. They married on July 30, 1966, and shared 58 years together, raising two daughters, Natalie and Eugenia.

In 1966, he began working at United Airlines, a job he held for 42 years.

His commitment to workers’ rights led him to become deeply involved in union activism. He served as a Union Representative, quickly becoming a vital member of Local 141. His guidance and leadership led to a position on the Local 141 Grievance Committee. A skilled and determined defender of his coworkers, Vic became an Assistant General Chair and then Secretary-Treasurer of District 141 of the Machinists Union.

Payne was instrumental in advocating for fair labor practices and improving working conditions for countless employees.

Beyond his union activism, he also served as the president of the Rosenwald High School National Organization, reflecting his dedication to education and community engagement.

An avid basketball enthusiast, music lover, and devoted “Star Trek” fan, Payne was a man of diverse interests who touched the lives of many. Since 1980, he has been an active member of Westland St. James United Methodist Church, holding roles such as Treasurer, President of the United Methodist Men, Trustee, and beloved member of the Men’s Chorus.

Respect for Vic Payne runs deep. After his passing, many of the people whose lives he has touched have come forward to share stories about him. He was considered to be a mentor, an advocate, and a friend to hundreds.

Mike Klemm, District 141 President and Directing General Chair, expressed admiration for Vic, saying that he was an inspiring figure within the union. “Vic was a man that any union member could learn a lot from. Anyone who knew him, knew him as a mentor, a guide, and a trusted friend.”

Affectionately known as “Big Daddy” by his grandchildren and “My Man” by his great-granddaughters, Payne leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and service. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lois; daughters Natalie Rice and Eugenia Payne; grandchildren Eugenie Lewis Howse (Starla) and Kelli Renee (Peter) Lacza; and great-grandchildren Aliciana Niccole Howse, Ariana Jalen Howse, and Emery Howse Lacza. He is also mourned by his brother Karl (Naomi) Payne; brother-in-law Harold (Louise) Barnes; sisters-in-law Lela (Samuel) Norris and Cherryl Barnes; godchildren Carlotta Mitchell, Norma Harrington, and Jordan Howse; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He will now be reunited with his mother and father, Ruth and Alfred Payne.

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Association Update

Association Update

 September 25, 2024 

TO: All Association Sisters and Brothers 

RE: Contract Extension Vote 

The contract extension vote will be conducted by electronic voting through BallotPoint Election Services. Voting instructions and pin numbers will be sent to each member’s home address on file with American Airlines, as well as via e-mail to their company email address. 

Please make sure your mailing address is correct with American Airlines prior to October 5. 

We anticipate that the vote will take place from October 27 – 31. The Association is still in the process of finalizing the exact timeline and further information will be forthcoming. 

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. 

Fraternally, 

The Association Leadership 

Recording Secretaries – Please print and post on all IAMAW Bulletin Boards. GET PRINTABLE COPY >>

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United Contract Negotiations Update

17 September 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Your IAM District 141 negotiating team and United Airlines management continued contract negotiations for seven different contracts last week in Chicago, Illinois. The District 141 sub- committees for the Storekeeper and Security Officer contracts were also present and engaged in negotiations that cover items specific to those two Collective Bargaining Agreements.

The Security Officers sub-committee presented proposals for Articles 1, 2, and 4, along with key language to be added under Article 10 as a new provision. 

We are waiting for written responses from the Company. 

Our Storekeeper sub-committee initiated conversations on Article 1 topics which included Storekeeper and Lead Storekeeper job descriptions as well as Designated Station Trainers (DST’s). These conversations included adding new cities in Article 2.A regarding job security. We also discussed issues regarding tooling, deliveries, inventory recovery trips and international travel.

Conversations resumed for the Passenger Service and Fleet Service Agreements and we exchanged proposals regarding specific provisions of Article 1. These included Temporary Assignments and Interpreters.

While we did not finalize any tentative agreements on these subjects, we had our best dialogue to date on several matters that you have identified as critical.

IAM District 141 is committed to reaching agreements for all seven new contracts in the shortest amount of time possible. To accomplish this, we need the Company to be willing to understand how important these contracts are to our members.

We will return to the negotiating table the week of September 30th, when we will be joined by the sub-committees from the Central Load Planner and Maintenance Instructor contracts.

Remember IAM WORKERS LEAD THE WAY.

In solidarity,



Your Negotiating Committee
Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Jill Hazamy
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair, 
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin Boards.

Association Update

Association Update

July 26, 2024

All Association Members,

Today, leaders from American Airlines, Inc. reached out to the Association leadership to discuss the possibility of exploring an economics only, short-term extension of existing JCBAs.

American asked to schedule a meeting on August 26th to facilitate those discussions at AA HDQ. As previously announced, we currently have tentative dates for Section 6 contract negotiation openers for the Maintenance and Related, Maintenance Training Specialists, Maintenance Control Technicians, and Material Logistics Specialists groups on August 13th and Fleet Service on August 27th.

Those Section 6 opener negotiation dates will need to be delayed based upon this request from the company.

After the discussions with American Airlines in late August, the Association leadership will communicate any proposed economics with the respective Contract Negotiating Committees. Based upon the outcome of the proposed economic discussions, the Association will take appropriate actions.

The Association will continue to collaborate with the respective Contract Negotiation Committees and will keep the membership informed of all progress as it unfolds. Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Fraternally,

Recording Secretaries – Please print and post on all IAMAW Bulletin Boards. GET PRINTABLE COPY >>

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23 July 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Last week, your IAM District 141 United Airlines Negotiating Committee met with company management to continue negotiations on the collective bargaining agreements (CBA) for several groups. These groups include Fleet Service, Passenger Service, Storekeepers, Maintenance Instructors, Security Officers, Central Load Planners, and Fleet Technical Instructors.

The main focus of our talks was on the contracts for Central Load Planners (CLP) and Fleet Technical Instructors and Related (FTI).

Subcommittees from both groups were present to help guide the process. The Company and the Union exchanged proposals for several aspects of these contracts. We started with Article One for both the FTI and CLP agreements. Most of the discussions for the FTI and related contracts focused on job descriptions and vacancies.

For the CLP agreement, the main topic was defining the Charter Desk position. We made progress on the length of temporary assignments and improving overtime rules.

For the Passenger Service Agreement, discussions focused on the Agent on Demand (AOD) position. We couldn’t agree on how to include this role in the agreement. However, the Company agrees that the AOD position is part of Passenger Service and will be done by IAM-represented Passenger Service employees.

We also had a positive discussion about monthly Internet and phone reimbursement for eligible Remote Contact Center Agents. We talked about the possibility of automatically paying these reimbursements instead of employees having to request them each month before the deadline.

Our next negotiation session is scheduled for the week of August 12th. We will spend much of that week on the Storekeeper and Maintenance Instructor contracts. Subcommittees from these two groups will join the negotiations to help present the proposals.

Your continued support is appreciated and essential to secure the contract that every IAM member at United Airlines deserves. We will provide an update after our August session.

In solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee
Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Jill Hazamy
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair, 
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin Boards.

Three Year Agreement Reached at Flagship Facility Services

Three Year Agreement Reached at Flagship Facility Services

Agreement Reached at Flagship Facility Services

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

IAM members at Flagship Facility Services located at the San Francisco Maintenance Base voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year agreement.

This Agreement creates new payscales that include an increase in base wages, which will be paid retroactively starting on July 1, 2024. Leads and Forklift Operators will be paid more.

Additionally, the new Agreement will increase IAM Pension contributions. It also gives union members an extra paid holiday and vacation improvements.

This Agreement will bring IAM members at Flagship above the Quality Standards Program and offer meaningful quality-of-life enhancements.

I want to thank AGC Troy Rivera and the Flagship Negotiating Team for reaching this Agreement on behalf of our members. In solidarity,

Michael G Klemm
President and Directing General Chair, 
District 141,
International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers

Flagship Negotiating Committee

Troy Rivera
Assistant General Chair

Kurt Rothenbuescher
Negotiator

Sandra Gonzalez
Negotiator

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin Boards.