Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Merger Protections

Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Merger Protections

Apr 21, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Union Members (And Only Union Members) Have Legally-Binding Merger Protections

Justice at JetBlue
21 April 2022

The benefits of a Union Contract: legal protections in the event of a merger.

JetBlue’s bid to acquire and merge with Spirit Airlines comes with many questions and uncertainties. Who will run the combined airline? What future guarantees do non-union JetBlue employees have?

Which carrier’s business model will be employed?

As we have seen in merger after merger in the last 15 years, airline executives make a lot of promises to win government approval. But, many of those promises can be broken if workers don’t have a contract to protect them.

A contract guarantees that workers will maintain their employment, seniority, wages, benefits, and working conditions when a merger occurs. Without these protections, management can change almost anything it wants, whether it benefits workers or not.

However, if workers are unionized and have representation, then their rights and interests are represented throughout the process.

For example, in the ten years since American and US Airways merged, IAM- represented workers’ wages have increased by approximately 50%, seniority was integrated fairly and benefits and working conditions greatly improved. After the merger of United and Continental much the same occurred, with about 15,000 pre-merger Continental workers gaining union contracts and the protections afforded by them.

The fact is, only union representation and a legally enforceable contract can provide the much-needed protection that JetBlue GO Crewmembers deserve.

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2022 Officer Nomination Results

2022 Officer Nomination Results

Apr 19, 2022 | Front Page, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

2022 Officer Nominations

In accordance with District 141 ByLaws and all other governing rules, District 141 held nomination votes at each constituent Local Lodge for eligible District officers. The list below contains the results of that nomination process. Listed are the candidates for each position and the Local Lodges that nominated them.

President and Directing General Chair

Michael G Klemm was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Secretary-Treasurer

Alexander Gerulis was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, East

Barbara Martin was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, West

Chris Lusk was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Tony Colina was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Arno Hohn, Jr. was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Vice President, At-Large

Jennifer Jolly was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, At-Large

Rodney Walker was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Vice President, Hawaii

Stacey Williams was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Vice President, Guam

Sharon Sugiyama was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Trustee

Tony Licciardi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Trustee

Derrick Monk was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Trustee

Cristina Odoardi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Olu Ajetomobi was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Joe Bartz was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mark Baskett was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mitch Buckley was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Kyle Carroll was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Richard Creighton was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Arthur Croker was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Cyscon was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Fairbanks was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Tony Gibson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Victor Hernandez was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Robert Jesel was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909  

Assistant General Chair

Mike Maiorino was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Steve Miller was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Andrea’ Myers was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Mike Quartuccio was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Pat Rezler was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Troy Rivera was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Shannon Robello was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Rich Robinson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Terry Stanbury was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Erik Stenberg was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Bill Wilson was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

Assistant General Chair

Warren Glenn was nominated and endorsed by the following Local Lodges:

141, 368, 511, 561, 811, 845, 846, 914, 949, 1044, 1287, 1322, 1351, 1445, 1487, 1635, 1725, 1726, 1731, 1759, 1776, 1781, 1782, 1833, 1885, 1886, 1932, 1979, 2198, 2210, 2319, 2339G, 2508, 2559, 2665, 2725, 2765, 2909 

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

Apr 19, 2022 | COVID, Front Page, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

The End of Airline Mask Mandates

COVID-19
19 April 2022

Mask mandates have been an inescapable part of air travel for more than two years. A recent study of Machinist Union members in commercial aviation suggests that most airline workers are ready for them to end.

A recent study of Machinists Union views on mask mandates within the airline industry found that most union members are ready to ditch mask mandates. 69% of participants said Federal mask mandates at airports should be lifted “as soon as possible,” with another 6% saying that they should be allowed to expire. Together, 75% of union members participating in the study favored lifting mask mandates. Only 11% thought that Federal authorities should extend mandates for airports. Union members were not anti-mask, however. 29% of respondents said they planned to continue wearing a mask at least part of the time, regardless of whether or not they were mandated. 

The study comes as a federal judge struck down Federal mandates on Monday, citing administrative errors and claiming that the Centers for Disease Control lacked authority to implement such requirements. The rules have been in place since April of 2020, when the CDC first began recommending them, and have been repeatedly extended. Masking rules had been set to expire on April 18 but were extended to May 3. The court ruling means that the mandates will expire at once. International travelers will still need to follow regulations adopted by nations that continue to require masking. 

In the wake of the ruling, all major airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that they would no longer enforce mask rules. Instead, masks will become optional for those who want to wear them for safety reasons. 

“While this means that you are no longer required to wear a mask – and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public – we ask that you respect the decision of those employees or customers who choose to do so, as the CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask on public transit,” United Airlines said in a statement to employees. 

Federal mask mandates have been a sharp trigger point for airline passengers since they were implemented in April of 2020. More than 7,000 attacks on airline workers have been reported since the pandemic began, the vast majority occurring as gate agents and flight crews attempted to enforce masking rules. In a typical year, airlines would only report about 150 such attacks. More than 3,000 attacks have been reported in 2021, a year that is only in its fourth month. 

The Biden Administration has not immediately announced whether or not it will appeal the decision but continues to recommend that passengers wear masks while traveling. The Administration may both allow the mandates to end while at the same time appealing the ruling. 

The decision, handed down by US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, includes a few perplexing statements. While a popular decision among passengers and unionized airline workers, the ruling may nevertheless invite scrutiny. (The decision can be read here.)

In her ruling, Judge Mizelle claims that the Federal governments’ authority to control infectious diseases is limited to “measures that clean something,” since they often use the word “sanitation” in describing the responsibilities of state and local governments. 

“At most,” she wrote of masking, “it traps virus droplets. But it neither ‘sanitizes’ the person wearing the mask nor ‘sanitizes’ the conveyance.” If Congress had intended to use the word “sanitation” as the defendants defined the term, she wrote, the government would gain the power to force people to start “coughing into elbows” and take daily multivitamins. “Wearing a mask means nothing,” she concluded.

She also found that the public was not granted sufficient opportunity to comment on the mandates and that they must be struck down in their entirety due to the difficulty in granting exemptions on a case-by-case basis. Judge Mizelle was rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association. 

The scope of the decision could potentially limit the ability of the CDC to combat viral outbreaks in the future if allowed to stand in its entirety. 

While the flying public and airline workers may prefer a more solid court ruling, the end of masking requirements seems to be a popular and welcome development. 

At least one airline, Alaska Airlines, warns that those passengers who attacked airline workers and other travelers after being told to mask up would still not be allowed back on planes. “Based on our reports, we will have some guests whose behavior was particularly egregious who will remain banned, even after the mask policy is rescinded,” the airline said in a statement released on Monday. 

Read the Decision

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15 April 2022

141 Report | Join us on the 141 Report this week as host Dave Lehive talks to Local 2508 Orlando United Airlines Committee Chair Gene Betty and Committee person Diego Veron in his final district interview. The Brothers give the viewers and listeners their reports about the membership. Gene and Diego discuss the difference they see being union compared to non-union JetBlue Ramp workers.

IAM District Lodge 141 Report with Host Dave Lehive is a weekly podcast featuring Machinist Union Members and Allies of the Labor Movement. Our Video report airs every Friday at 2:00 PM EST (1:00 CST) on Facebook and Youtube and is also on Spotify.

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Apr 13, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Demands Answers to JetBlue’s Potential Misuse of Taxpayer-Funded Airline Aid

Justice at JetBlue
13 April 2022

The IAM is seeking answers to JetBlue’s possible misuse of funds from the Payroll Support Program (PSP), a component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

In 2020, as a response to the destruction of demand for air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act. The legislation, which included the PSP, provided approximately $50 billion in aid for U.S. airlines and mandated that the carriers not engage in involuntary layoffs, cut the salaries or reduce the benefits of airline workers.

JetBlue Airways received approximately $2 billion in aid, with most of it coming in the form of taxpayer-funded grants that do not have to be repaid. However, as they took the government funds, JetBlue management cut the working hours of its employees, which consequently cut their pay and benefits.

“We believe what JetBlue did was wrong,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “JetBlue cut the salaries of thousands of ground workers by at least 20 percent. These are frontline, essential workers who risked their lives coming to work during the height of the pandemic when no vaccine was available. They’re heroes in my book and deserve to be repaid with interest by JetBlue executives.”

The IAM’s Transportation and Legislative Departments are in communication with government officials to get specific answers to specific questions.

“JetBlue just came up with $3.6 billion to buy Spirit Airlines last week,” continued Johnsen. “Some of that money needs to be put back in the pockets of JetBlue workers and not used to shower money on greedy airline executives and shareholders.”

The IAM is the largest airline union in North America and represents over 600,000 members.

 

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Machinist Union Members in Chicago Raise Money, Awareness for Guide Dogs

Machinist Union Members in Chicago Raise Money, Awareness for Guide Dogs

Apr 13, 2022 | Community Service, Front Page, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Machinist Union Members in Chicago Raise Money, Awareness for Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs of America
13 April 2022

On Wednesday, Machinists Local 1487 in Chicago, Illinois, held its annual bowling charity to benefit Guide Dogs of America. Guide Dogs of America is the Machinists Unions’ top charity, providing service dogs and assistance at no cost for those in need across the country.

Guide Dogs of America is the Machinists Unions’ top charity, providing service dogs and assistance at no cost for those in need across the country. The organization also offers free training and support for those in need of service dogs but who may lack experience working with and using a service animal. 

Local 1487, the Machinists Union Local Lodge that reporesents some 5,000 airline workers in the Chicago area, has been a leading supporter of Guide Dogs for the past 65 years, dating back to the founding of the charity. The bowling fundraiser raised an estimated $1,500. “Welcome out!” said Greg Klujewski, the Recording Secretary for Local 1487 and one of the people that helped put the event together. “This is a great turnout,” he said. “We are raising some money for a great cause and bringing union members together,” he continued. “Both of those things are very important.”  

Guide Dogs of America breed, raise, and train guide and service dogs for visually impaired people, veterans, and children with autism. The non-profit also places dogs in hospitals, schools, and courtrooms, areas with an urgent need for service animals. These highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. The dogs can also mitigate the loneliness and isolation that many residents at these facilities may experience as they get older. 

“An often overlooked healing aspect of having a friendly-looking dog at your side is that people will often come up and pet her,” said Russ Guitlan at a recent union conference. “For a lot of the people that rely on their dog, this human connection, made through their service dog, might just be the only human interaction they may have that day,” he explained. He added that these interactions can happen daily and are always warm and healthy, which can often be difficult without a service animal working as an icebreaker. 

All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient.

All programs and services that Guide Dogs of America provides, from breeding, training, and post-adoption support, are paid for entirely through voluntary donations from the public. Union members and volunteers who would like to make a donation of any amount in support of Guide Dogs of America may do so at Guide Dogs of America.org.

 

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