The Adolph Stutz Scholarship Essay Deadline Has Been Extended

The Adolph Stutz Scholarship Essay Deadline Has Been Extended

Jul 14, 2020 | Education, Front Page, Organizing, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events | 0 comments

The deadline for entering the Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest has been extended to July 24th, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

District 141 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is offering six $1,000 scholarships and one $2,000 scholarship to the winners of its yearly Adolph Stutz Memorial essay contest. The contest is open to select union members and their families.

Children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 who are graduating high school 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 in District Lodge 141 who are enrolled in college with a minimum of six units per semester.

Applications must be signed by a Local Lodge Recording Secretary to ensure that the sponsoring member qualifies for the scholarship program. District union officers, their families, and previous winners are not eligible.

This year’s topic is, “What I Look For in a Leader in This Election Year.” Applicants, including graduating high school seniors or college students, are asked to submit essays with at least 700 words and a maximum of 1,000 words.

Entries must be printed on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″) and must also be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document. The entrant’s name or other identification should appear on each page, with the title of the essay at the top of the paper. All entries should include a recent image of the applicant.

Six essays will be selected to win $1,000 scholarships, and one will be selected for the $2,000 top prize. In addition to the money, the top essay will be featured in the  District 141 quarterly Newsletter.

The competition ends on July 24, 2020, and winners will be announced by August 1, 2020.

Click Here for full contest rules and a printable application >>

 

WARN Act Communication from United

WARN Act Communication from United

Jul 9, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Row 2, Uncategorized, United | 7 comments

En Español ///

To IAM members at United Airlines:

Yesterday, as required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, United Airlines informed the IAM that 12,645 District 141-represented workers could be furloughed as soon as October 1, 2020. It is important to understand that not all workers who will receive notices of potential furlough under the WARN Act are certain to be laid off. The WARN Act requires that workers be notified at least 60 days in advance of a possible layoff. Employees working in NY, NJ, CA and IL will receive individual WARN notices which were mailed by United Airlines yesterday.   

The IAM-United contracts outline the exact process of a reduction in force. When a reduction in force does take place, it will be our contracts that guide the process.

IAM District 141 representatives have been in ongoing discussions with United management to develop voluntary programs to lessen the impact of furloughs. 

The IAM is also working to extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP) component of the CARES Act to March 31, 2021. If we are successful, there would be no layoffs until at least that date.

Please click here to contact your elected officials to demand the PSP extension.

Sisters and Brothers, we are in very unstable and worrisome times. While there are certainly more passengers flying today than in late March, we are still at only 25 percent of 2019 passenger levels. And due to a lack of a coordinated national response to the coronavirus pandemic, rising infection rates in the US and several state-mandated quarantines, there is great risk that a significant rebound in air travel demand will not occur soon enough. As I have said before, we must prepare for furloughs this fall.

Please know that the IAM will do all that we can to lessen the impact of furloughs. We will continue to work with the Company and any developments will be immediately reported to the membership.

Please visit our DL141 website at IAM141.org, or our official District Facebook page for updates and accurate information. There are some on social media who continue to trade in fearmongering and outright misinformation. It is unfortunate that some of our own are preying on our Sisters and Brothers’ emotions during this most stressful time for their own twisted and misguided political reasons. 

We have faced tough challenges as a union before. Each time we have been tested, our common bonds and solidarity have been the driving principles that have led us forward and made us stronger. We must not allow fear, petty differences or inflammatory rhetoric to divide us.

This is a time for unity, not division.


In Solidarity,

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

Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards.
Get printable copy >>

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Extend Airline Payroll Funding Program and Help Prevent Furloughs this Fall

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Extend Airline Payroll Funding Program and Help Prevent Furloughs this Fall

Jul 2, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, MNPL, Row 2, Uncategorized | 11 comments

The IAM is among several labor unions urging Congress to extend a provision of the CARES Act coronavirus relief law as an effort to thwart airline executives threatening to lay-off several workers in the fall.

The IAM signed a letter asking the federal lawmakers to extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP) contained in the CARES Act until March 31, 2021. The current provision expires Oct. 1, 2020.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to extend the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP)

“When the CARES Act job and pay protection we secured expires on October 1, the number of IAM members furloughed could easily rise into the tens of thousands, literally overnight,” IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja wrote in a letter to members. “Although passengers are slowly returning to the sky, the industry’s downturn will last far beyond CARES Act protections.”

Extension of the provision would provide $31 billion in increased funding over six months, in addition to extending requirements for involuntary furloughs. The CARES Act, signed into law in March, has included provisions like $114 billion for the transportation industry. That has mandated that the funds be exclusively used for continuation of wages and benefits for workers.

“Nobody likes to ask the government for assistance, but without additional intervention I fear a repeat of the multiple airline bankruptcies that marked the opening of this century,” Pantoja wrote in the letter to members. “Tens of thousands of IAM families, hundreds of thousands of airline families from outside our union, will soon be faced with devastating job loss unless action is taken.”

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“The airlines do not expect to see any substantial increases in passenger travel in the near future,” said IAMAW District 141 Legislative Director David Roderick. “This will, without a doubt, result in the airline industry having no choice but to cut our livelihoods in order to protect their bottom lines.”

“The impact of these cuts will be devastating to most of us.  We depend on our full pay and full working hours to sustain our quality of life and to support our families,” he continued.

Director Roderick went on to underscore the importance of regular, recurring automatic MNPL donations, calling them the “lifeblood” of union political activism, and a major reason why airline workers have not already been laid off in huge numbers.

“We are currently on another campaign to tell Congress that they MUST support an extension of the “Airline Payroll Funding Program,” Roderick said of the MNPL program.

“We have a clear call to action for those of us that are willing to participate in legislative action,” Roderick said. “We are asking union members once again to contact their Congressional leaders in helping their constituents to quickly move forward with this extension.”

Members can sign up for recurring MNPL donations of any amount by visiting the MNPL Legislative Department at IAM141.org. 

Fall is Coming...

Every major airline has announced mass furloughs and layoffs starting October 1. However, if Congress extends the Payroll Support Program, air carriers will be forbidden from furloughing us for another 6 months. This could buy us enough time to stop the pandemic and bring Americans back to the skies once more. Contact your member of Congress right now. Tell them to renew the Payroll Support Program ASAP.

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Airline Labor Seeks Payroll Support Program Extension

Airline Labor Seeks Payroll Support Program Extension

Jun 27, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Home, MNPL, Row 2 | 1 comment

Three months ago I wrote to the membership stating we were about to face a situation unparalleled in our lifetime due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that nobody could accurately predict what would come next. The picture is now starting to get clearer, and it is not pretty. 
In response to societal restrictions and the unprecedented global economic collapse, commercial air service has been cut dramatically. Only through an intense lobbying effort led by the Machinists Union, our membership and our Legislative Department did transportation unions secure early in the crisis pay and job protection for most airline employees through the CARES Act.
When the CARES Act job and pay protection we secured expires on October 1, the number of IAM members furloughed could easily rise into the tens of thousands, literally overnight. Although passengers are slowly returning to the sky, the industry’s downturn will last far beyond CARES Act protections.
Today, the Machinists Union and other airline unions sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership to pass a clean extension of the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) contained in the CARES Act until March 31, 2021. I ask each IAM member to follow up and engage your representatives in Washington. You can contact your representatives to explain the importance of saving our workforce by clicking here.
Specifically, we are asking for:
  • Increase PSP funding levels by an additional $32 billion (covering six months)
  • Extend requirements relating to involuntary furloughs, share repurchases, dividend payments, and collective bargaining agreements to March 31, 2021
  • Require Treasury to immediately disburse funds to every air carrier and contractor that executed a Payroll Support Program Agreement, an amount equal to their current payroll support.
Nobody likes to ask the government for assistance, but without additional intervention, I fear a repeat of the multiple airline bankruptcies that marked the opening of this century. Tens of thousands of IAM families, hundreds of thousands of airline families from outside our union, will soon be faced with devastating job loss unless action is taken.

 

In solidarity,

Sito Pantoja

General Vice President IAM Transportation Department

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IP Martinez Addresses Racial Justice, Voting Rights and COVID-19

IP Martinez Addresses Racial Justice, Voting Rights and COVID-19

Jun 25, 2020 | COVID, Front Page, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

As IAM members continue to bravely confront the coronavirus crisis, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., remotely attended IAM District 751’s 2020 Membership Conference.

With the theme of “Winning the Vote! Centennial of Women Winning the Right to Vote and the Role of Labor and Race in This Continuing Struggle,” the virtual event took place June 13, 2020 with Martinez, IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer April Sims, civil rights activist Bill Fletcher, along with hundreds of attendees participating via live video stream.

The protests, turmoil and calls for justice following the killing of George Floyd gave the conference even more importance and timeliness.

“As we speak right now, I feel a real change coming to our country,” said Martinez. “I see people of all races marching, speaking up and speaking out together for a better world, and demanding that justice finally be done. We are here today to turn those calls into action to use our collective voices and our votes to make real, lasting change, just like we have so many times in the history of our union.”

“The IAM has always and will forevermore fight for the rights of those who are oppressed. We fight for equal rights for women, minorities, and all people of color,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “The struggle for justice and equality will always be the labor movements guiding principle.  The victories we pursue and the goals we aspire to achieve regarding equal rights for all can only be attained at the ballot box. Once we elect someone it’s only the beginning, as we must hold all politicians accountable.”

The conference was hosted by the District 751 Human Rights, Labor History, Women’s and Legislative Committees. It celebrated women winning the right to vote and emphasized the continued importance of insuring voting rights.

“We appreciate everyone that participated in our conference. It is always important to share the struggles we have come through in our history in order to identify how far we have come and how far we still have to go,” said District 751 President Jon Holden. “Even though much progress has been made for Voting Rights we have much work still ahead of us across the country.

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“It is hard to believe that nearly 250 years after the birth of our nation, we are still fighting for equality and the right to vote for everyone,” said Martinez. “This struggle goes to the very core of our democracy.”

Martinez took the opportunity to address District 751 members on the IAM’s ongoing efforts in Washington, DC to protect workers as a result of COVID-19.

“We have been relentless in lobbying Congress to provide federal unemployment relief for the millions of our brothers and sisters that are out of work. We have made certain that companies that get relief, give that relief to their workers instead of pocketing it for the CEOs and other executives,” said Martinez.

IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

Machinists Union Joins Call for Police Reform, Racial Justice

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Texas and California Governors’ Warning: Wear Your Masks or Risk Another Full Shutdown

Texas and California Governors’ Warning: Wear Your Masks or Risk Another Full Shutdown

Jun 24, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, MNPL, Row 2, Safety, Uncategorized | 0 comments

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The governors of California and Texas, two big states with major airline hubs in them, say residents need to start wearing masks and taking COVID-19 seriously, or the states might be forced to shut back down. 

Pre-pandemic, an estimated 143.6 million air passengers traveled to and from destinations in California and Texas each day. This accounts for more than half of all daily air travelers in the United States in 2019. Destinations in California accounted for more than 80 million passengers per day before state officials mandated shut-downs to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Texas is home to the headquarters for Southwest and American Airlines, and is also one of the largest hubs for United Airlines, which combined carried over 60 million passengers per day in 2019. 

A return to widespread closures in either state would deal yet another serious blow to commercial aviation in the US, forcing major airlines to shrink for the long term, and would kill regional carriers outright.

In a statement released this week, Governor Gavin Newsom of California said the state currently had enough hospital space to handle the exploding numbers of COVID patients, but a continued upward trend in cases would overwhelm the system.   

This week, California officials reported over 184,765 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with over 5,500 deaths. The state is struggling to reopen for business and prepare for the new school year to begin in August. Some school districts are trying to open early to make up for lost learning time in the spring. 

“California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations,” Newsom said in a press conference. “That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands, and practicing physical distancing.” 

However, with too many people ignoring the recommendations, and no sign of the pandemic waning in the state, on June 18th Newsom issued an order that requires all Californians to wear a face-covering when in public. Since early April, similar mandates have been put in place by governors in 14 states and the District of Columbia. 

The new policy creates a more standardized response in California, which previously had a range of different regional and municipal rules in place. Some counties had strict rules regarding masks and face coverings, while others were being withdrawn or scaled back due to public protests and outcry, including death threats.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott scolded “20-somethings” for not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. 

“Over the past week or so, really for the month of June, we have seen an increase in the number of people in their 20s testing positive,” the Republican governor said in an interview with KLBK in Dallas which aired on Monday.

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“We believe that a lot of people have let down their guard,” said the governor. “The summer’s here. Things are opening up. They feel like they can go out without having to wear a face mask. And they are not realizing this very important fact: COVID-19 still exists in Texas, in America and across the globe.”

The Texas governor has not issued a state order requiring face coverings, but has approved policies that mandate masks for employees and customers in businesses in several counties and municipalities, including Austin, the state capital. “I know some people feel that wearing a mask is inconvenient or an infringement of freedom, but I also know that wearing a mask will keep Texas open,” he said. In Houston, individuals that ignore the requirement to wear a face covering may not face any fines – but the businesses they visit are. Stores, bars, and other businesses are subject to a $1,000 fine per violation if they allow customers or employees without face coverings on their property. 

Governor Abbott said the health systems were handling the patient volumes well overall, but noted that the rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 has doubled since Memorial Day. NPR reported that the demand for hospital beds in the Houston area has increased to the point that the Texas Children’s Hospital is now admitting adult patients. 

The governor stressed that closing Texas down again would always be a “last resort,” but also said that if people failed to wear masks, practice safe social distancing and basic personal hygiene, the state may soon have to consider more severe measures to deal with the pandemic.

On Tuesday, Governor Abbott announced that 5,489 new COVID-19 cases, an all-time high, had been confirmed by health authorities in the state. Texas now has a total of 120,370 confirmed COVID-19 cases, trailing New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois.

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