Machinists and Aerospace Union Will Partner with Biden-Harris to Heal Country, Bring Jobs Home

Machinists and Aerospace Union Will Partner with Biden-Harris to Heal Country, Bring Jobs Home

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2020 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president of the United States:

“The American people have spoken and democracy has prevailed. Our union and our nation are moving forward with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to do the work needed to emerge stronger than ever from these difficult times.

“We sincerely congratulate President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris, and all the pro-union candidates who won races from coast to coast. The Fighting Machinists Union was proud to endorse you in a membership vote and looks forward to building a better future with you. I am also grateful for every Machinists Union member who voted in this election, no matter how they cast their ballot.

“A new kind of work begins today—and the task in front of us is great. We have seen unemployment unrivaled since the Great Depression. Millions of American families have seen loved ones pass or sickened from an out-of-control pandemic. Our nation has deep divisions along the lines of race and class.

“But a new day has come to America. This time, the interests of working people must be put before corporations and the ultra-wealthy. Our members have seen their plants close, livelihoods upended and communities torn apart in the name of corporate greed. And just as we did during this administration, we will hold the next administration accountable to bring our jobs home.

“The Machinists Union can be counted on to serve as a trusted partner in building back our nation better than ever before. Working together, we can preserve and create good union jobs that will power us to a brighter future. We can ensure that every American has access to quality healthcare and a secure retirement. We can create opportunity for each and every one of us—no matter our race, religion, national origin or who we love.

“We can and we will accomplish great things together. The next chapter of this great American story begins now.” 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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Activism in Paradise: Sharon Sugiyama, President of Guam Local 2339G

Activism in Paradise: Sharon Sugiyama, President of Guam Local 2339G

IAMAW 141 Video Report: Sharon Sugiyama

This week we travel via Zoom to speak with Sharon Sugiyama, President of Local 2339G in Guam. Sister Sharon, a union activist since the 1990s when she began her career at Continental Micronesia, also represents her members as District 141 Vice President for Guam. 

 

Sharon had served as Shop Steward and as a union contract negotiator before she joined the IAM organizing committee in 2011 during the merger of United, Continental, and Continental Micronesia. After the IAM prevailed in the representation election, she was one of the key people involved in establishing IAM Local 2339G, and has served as president since.

The island of Guam is struggling to control the spread of the coronavirus, and workers at United worry about a second wave of furloughs, despite the airline maintaining daily service to Tokyo and Honolulu. Sharon has been personally affected by the cuts, and is now working a part-time schedule, but remains fully committed to her work on behalf of IAM members.

Hi, everyone!

Dave asked me for my bio, so here it is!

I started in the airline industry in June of 1992 with Continental Micronesia.

I was an Airport Sales Agent (ASA).

Sometime in 1994, I transferred to Load Planning to try something different.  After six months in Load Planning, I decided to return back to Passenger Service.

In 1997, I became an International Service Coordinator (ISC). This was the same year where I became a shop steward for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).  IBT covered the Technicians, Ramp, Passenger Service, Cargo, Reservations, Tool Crib and Stores.  I was involved in several negotiations during the Continental Micronesia era.  As the years went by, I eventually became the Committee Chair for Passenger Service during the IBT Contract up until now under IAM.

Currently, I am still in the same classification but my title has changed.  I am a Lead Customer Service Representative.  I was FT, but now I will be furloughed to PT.

During the merge of United, Continental Airlines, and Continental Micronesia.  I assisted Sandy Olmos and Morna Macdonald in the organizing drive on Guam.  It was a successful drive because we became a part of the Machinists family.

It was 2012, we had to set up our Local Lodge.  I was appointed by Morna Macdonald to take the reigns of the LL2339G President.  I have been the LL2339G President for the past 8 years.

In 2015, the DL141 bylaws were amended to add VP for Guam.  President Mike Klemm appointed me as the VP for Guam, a position that I currently hold up until today.

Thank you for all you do for our Union and membership.

Take care and stay safe!

 

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American Democracy is Working

American Democracy is Working

Sisters and Brothers,

As the vote count continues nationwide, one thing is clear—IAM members and voters from coast to coast turned out in record numbers. Despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers to silence our voices, more people voted in this election than any in the history of our country.

Local election officials are doing their jobs by protecting a free and fair election and are now working long hours to count every ballot as quickly as possible. We should all support them and remain patient as this process plays out. The will of the people will prevail.

In America, the voters decide who will represent us, not the courts. We pick our leaders – our leaders do not pick their voters. We must reject any attempt to sow doubts about our election or interfere with the legitimate count of ballots.

Myself and the IAM Executive Council are extremely proud of every IAM member who voted in this election—no matter who you support. This is one Fighting Machinists family.

We will count every ballot and move forward as one union and one nation.

In solidarity,

Robert Martinez Jr.
International President

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What’s At Stake? A conversation with District 141 Legislative and MNPL Director Dave Roderick

What’s At Stake? A conversation with District 141 Legislative and MNPL Director Dave Roderick

141 Report: New Jersey State Council of Machinists President, Ines Garcia-Keim

On the last District 141 Report before Election Day 2020, we talk with Dave Roderick about where the candidates for president stand on issues such as organizing rights, minimum wage laws, plans for infrastructure improvements, human rights, health care, retirement security, and so-called “right to work” laws. Don’t miss this side-by-side comparison on these important issues before you vote.

The Machinists Union conducted a democratic endorsement process where the majority of members chose Joe Biden as their preferred candidate for President of the United States. How you vote, however, is a personal decision. Our union has researched the candidates’ records and platforms to help you cast an informed vote.

Vote to protect your family and your union. Make your voice heard! VOTE!  

 

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Have You Voted Yet?

Have You Voted Yet?

We wanted to check in to make sure you have voted or have a plan to vote in this very important election.

Visit iam2020.org to get all the information you need to vote.

You may remember that IAM members voted to endorse Joe Biden in a first-of-its-kind membership vote this March. Click here to view the IAM’s endorsed U.S. Senate candidates.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will:

Defend the Voices of Machinists Union Members: Joe Biden will fight against anti-union “right to work” laws.

Protect Our Health and Keep Us Safe: Joe Biden will make sure employers aren’t risking our health and our lives during this pandemic.

Secure Our Retirement: Joe Biden will work hard to make sure all our retirement plans are protected.

The stakes couldn’t be higher in this election, so please make your voice heard. Visit iam2020.org and make a plan to vote today.

 

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“Halloween Hurricane” Zeta Batters Air Travel Along the Gulf Coast

“Halloween Hurricane” Zeta Batters Air Travel Along the Gulf Coast

Zeta has weakened to a tropical storm over Alabama after slamming into the Louisiana Coastline as a Catagory 2 hurricane just days before Halloween.

Airline workers have faced 27 tropical storms in 2020, with 11 of them strengthening to hurricane status.

The last year so many named storms made landfall in the U.S. was 1916, making 2020 the worst weather year in commercial aviation history. Hurricane season ends on November 30. 

Zeta will likely impact several communities served by American Airlines, including airports in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. 

American issued a travel alert for nine coastal airports, allowing customers whose travel plans are impacted by Hurricane Zeta to rebook without change fees. 

By late afternoon on October 28, all major airlines had canceled flights from Louis Armstrong Airport (MSY) in New Orleans. Most flight activities were restored by the morning of the 29th.

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