URGENT: Tell Congress to Save Airline Jobs

URGENT: Tell Congress to Save Airline Jobs

Mar 17, 2020 | Airlines, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety | 0 comments

IAMAW Transportation Territory ///

Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

In response to the unprecedented destruction of demand for air travel due to COVID-19, US airlines are considering draconian measures to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. US airlines have slashed capacity by up to 65 percent worldwide due to a drastic decrease in demand for air travel caused by COVID-19 and are mulling a complete shutdown.

US airlines have seen sharp declines in revenue caused by decreased demand. Carriers are bleeding and US airlines could be out of cash by the end of May.

 

Send a Message to Congress Now

 

“US carriers are contemplating further capacity cuts or shutting down operations altogether, which only a month ago was unimaginable,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “I call on Congress to act now and help the US airline industry and its employees survive this crisis. We need every airline worker to contact their elected officials today and demand the same.”

Currently, US Lawmakers are considering whether or not to provide emergency financial help for airlines, worth billions of dollars. This help is urgently needed. As union members, we need to act fast to protect our industry and make sure that lawmakers take immediate action. 

Here’s how you can help now:

1) Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to take any action necessary to save our airline jobs.

 

“This is the worst crisis ever seen in the airline industry, by far,” continued Pantoja. “We need immediate action. Hundreds of thousands of good middle-class jobs are at risk, as are our nation’s airlines through no fault of their making. Every airline industry job is in imminent jeopardy. Do not wait. Contact your representatives immediately to save our industry and our jobs.”

All IAM members must act today and call their elected representatives and demand action be taken to save hundreds of thousands of US airline jobs.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (District 141) Legislative Department works to keep lawmakers and public decision-makers informed about the things that are important to aerospace and airline workers. You can become a supporting member of the IAM141 MNPL by signing up for recurring donations of any amount today. Every dollar helps.

District 141 PDGC Mike Klemm Responds to United Statement Re: COVID-19

District 141 PDGC Mike Klemm Responds to United Statement Re: COVID-19

Mar 16, 2020 | Airlines, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Education Class, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, MNPL, Pinned Post, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized, United

Dear United Member,

 I’m sure by now most of you have had a chance to read the communication put out by Oscar Munoz and Scott Kirby last night. I want to start off by commending both men and their teams for keeping the IAM completely informed with the dire financial outlook of, not only United Airlines, but the airline industry in general. They have made it clear that their number one goal is to do everything possible to limit the impact on United’s workforce, which includes approximately 28,000 IAM members. With that said, it’s important you know the financial situation is significantly worse than the days and weeks following 9/11.

 Oscar and Scott stated that March is typically United’s busiest month of the year. But this year, in just the first two weeks of March, one million fewer customers have boarded United aircraft compared to March, 2019. United is also currently projecting that revenue in March will be $1.5 billion lower than last March, and the months ahead look grim as well.

 I want to share something with you. When Oscar and I came into our respective positions, weeks apart in 2015, he approached the Union and committed to do right by IAM members. He expressed his desire to enter negotiations early to improve the wages of IAM members at United.

 Our response was, “wages are important but more critical than money is that IAM members’ work is protected. We need real job security and to not worry which station was next to be outsourced.” He heard us, understood IAM members’ needs and he and his team negotiated in good faith. We were able to gain the security IAM members so very much deserve. Oscar’s word was good and I am grateful for that.

 The IAM’s current relationship with Oscar Munoz and Scott Kirby is solid and there exists a level of trust between both parties that we value. It is because of this relationship that the IAM will have input on any decisions that are made that will impact IAM members at United.

 I want to emphasize that the IAM’s ONLY priority is to protect IAM members’ interests during this very uncertain time.

 As more information becomes available, I will relay that to you.

 God bless, stay safe and protect yourselves and your families by following the CDC guidelines.

 

Sincerely and Fraternally,

 

 

Mike Klemm

President and Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141

 

 

Please print and post on all IAMAW Bulletin Boards.

Printable Copy >>

IAM Temporarily Suspends Winpisinger Center Programming

IAM Temporarily Suspends Winpisinger Center Programming

Mar 14, 2020 | COVID, Education, Education Class, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Safety, Upcoming Events

GOIAM.ORG ////////
View Original Story

Based on guidance concerning social distancing to slow and limit the rate of infection of COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, the IAM is temporarily suspending programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks, beginning on Saturday, March 14.

The decision was made after reviewing updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and state and local health agencies.

Programming is currently slated to resume on Saturday, March 28, but IAM and W3 officials are closely monitoring the situation and will extend the programming suspension if necessary.

The IAM’s paramount concern is that members and staff who attend W3 Center programs can learn, study and work in a safe and healthy environment. The decision was not made lightly, since education is critical to the IAM’s future as a powerful labor organization.

Participants in affected programs have been contacted directly. Any updates to the status of the W3 Center’s operations will be communicated on goIAM.org and winpisinger.iamaw.org.

All IAM members and staff are encouraged to heed advice of health officials.

 

IP Martinez Message to IAMAW Members on COVID-19 Outbreak

IP Martinez Message to IAMAW Members on COVID-19 Outbreak

Mar 14, 2020 | Airlines, American, Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Education, Featured, Front Page, Hawaiian, Home, Home, Philippine, Safety, Safety, Spirit, Uncategorized, United

GOIAM.COM /////////////

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I know there is much uncertainty surrounding the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that has now been classified as a global pandemic. Our daily routines are being affected by the cancellation of many events in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. I want each and every member of our IAM family to know that the IAM is taking all necessary action to keep all of us safe while continuing the important work of our union.

The most important thing each of us can do now is to heed the advice of health officials. Please closely follow guidelines and monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to avoid being exposed to this virus is to:

– Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

– Avoid close contact with people who are sick

– Stay home and seek medical care if you are sick

– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow

– Wear a facemask if you are sick

– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

I also encourage you to monitor the IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for more information, specific safety tips for our membership in the healthcare and transportation industries, as well as any updates on changes in IAM operations. Beginning this Saturday, March 14, we have made the decision to suspend programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks. We will closely monitor the situation and provide updates on all status changes.

To ensure that everything possible is being done to protect our membership at work, IAM Local Lodge Safety and Health Committees should meet with employers on steps being taken to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. Every employer has the responsibility to do everything necessary to keep its employees safe. Our union has a duty to hold employers responsible to that commitment.

The IAM Grand Lodge is working with elected officials to ensure that sufficient funding is available to respond to the outbreak and that steps are taken to protect jobs in industries that are especially affected by the pandemic.

Lastly, I want our membership to know that we will get through this difficult time together. Throughout our union’s 132-year history, we have always confronted great challenges. Our unity has pulled us through the toughest of times and this situation will be no different.

Let’s be smart, stay safe and continue our march toward dignity and justice for all working people.

Fraternally,

Robert Martinez Jr.
International President