Milwaukee Art Museum Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Join Machinists Union!

Milwaukee Art Museum Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Join Machinists Union!

Nov 17, 2020 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 13, 2020 – A group of 141 employees of the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) voted by 72 percent to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). The vote was held over a three-week period via mail with the ballots tallied today. 

The new Machinists Union members work in every capacity at the Milwaukee Art Museum including Visitor Services, Food and Beverage, Education & Programs, Information Systems, Facilities and more.

“I’m proud to welcome Milwaukee Art Museum workers to the IAM,” said IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative Alex Hoekstra. “Your solidarity through challenging and uncertain times is truly inspiring. Together we will affect real change at work.”

“MAM workers overcame a year of tremendous obstacles to achieve this victory and claim their seat at the table,” said IAM District 10 Organizer Anne Wiberg. “The hard work and unwavering solidarity of the organizing team made this historic wall-to-wall union possible.”

“I want to welcome these members to the Machinists Union family,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I’m so proud of them for educating themselves about the benefits of the IAM and working so hard for union representation and a voice in their workplace. Unions aren’t just for manufacturing workers, they have a place in every working environment.”

Mail ballots were sent out to eligible MAM staff Monday, Oct. 19 and were returned to the National Labor Relations Board Region 18 Office by Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. The final vote count was today, Friday, Nov. 13.

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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Starting Today: United Offers Free, Rapid COVID Tests for EWR-LHR Flights

Starting Today: United Offers Free, Rapid COVID Tests for EWR-LHR Flights

Nov 16, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

Beginning today, United Airlines is rolling out a four-week trial program that will offer free, rapid COVID testing on flights from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). 

The new effort, which was first announced by the airline in October, aims to help ease flight restrictions between the two markets and reassure passengers that air travel is safe. As United’s Director of Operations and Policy, Aaron McMillan puts it, “The pilot program will guarantee that essentially everyone on board just tested negative for Covid-19.”

The new testing program will add another layer of safety to an airline industry struggling to survive a Pandemic that has strangled more than 60% of air traffic since March. Despite public nervousness, air travel remains the safest method of transit available. Cabin air on airplanes is filtered at medical-grade levels. According to studies, mask mandates and deep cleaning between flights ensure that the risk of contracting COVID-19 on a plane is much lower than many everyday activities, such as grocery shopping, attending sporting events, or dining out.

An earlier testing program, praised by Machinists & Aerospace Union Safety Advocates, worked with authorities in the State of Hawaii to allow those testing negative to bypass many of the quarantine requirements imposed on travelers to the Islands. The new rapid pre-flight tests will not allow visitors to the UK to avoid a similar 2-week quarantine, but airline representatives hope that it could do so in the future.

Passengers traveling from Newark to London will need to arrive at least three hours before taking off to allow time to take the tests. Those who test positive will be isolated by medical staff and refunded or rebooked; they won’t be allowed to board the flight.

The program comes as two vaccines are rushing towards final approval. Both of the potential vaccines have greater than 90% efficacy and may begin public use towards the end of December of this year. Last month, Pfizer announced a vaccine with a 90% protection rate against COVID-19. This week, Moderna announced a new potential vaccine with an even greater effective rate, at 94.5%. According to experts, everyday people may have access to a vaccine by early-to-mid 2021.

Airline CEOs such as United’s Scott Kirby have said that any airline recovery depends on the arrival of an effective vaccine and getting the Pandemic under control through aggressive testing and the enforcing of mask mandates.

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Meki Pei: Our Zoom Flight Over the Pacific Stops in Hawaii for Aloha

Meki Pei: Our Zoom Flight Over the Pacific Stops in Hawaii for Aloha

Nov 13, 2020 | EAP, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Hawaiian, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Video | 0 comments

IAMAW 141 Video Report: Meki Pei

This week we travel over the Pacific once again via Zoom! This time, we’re meeting up with to speak with Meki Pei, President of Local 1979 in Honolulu. Brother Meki has had an incredible journey through our union, which he describes below and in this week’s IAMAW District 141 Video Report. 

 

Aloha Sisters and Brothers,

My name is Meki Malala Pei, President of Local Lodge 1979.

I started in the airline industry on May 21, 1998, with Hawaiian Airlines as a Part-Time Junior Agent.

In June 1999, I transitioned to Full Time Junior Agent, which remains my classification today.

When I first started in the airline industry, I was one of those guys who didn’t pay much attention to union activities and wasn’t interested in getting involved.

But in 2010, I had an incident at work and the company was going to suspend me for 3 days. I didn’t agree with the findings and when I asked about my option to challenge it, I was told that if I go through a hearing, there’s a possibility that I could get suspended for 1 to 2 weeks. I had a hearing to fight the 3-day suspension and I lost. The Hearing Officer then suspended me for 2 weeks without pay. I contacted most of my Union Reps and finally connected with AGC Arthur Croker, who supported me in appealing the decision. It took almost 4 months to get a decision on the appeal but it was worth the wait as I was relieved to learn we prevailed on the appeal. The company was ordered to reinstate my pay for the 2 weeks they had suspended me.  The company presumed I would give in to the 3-day suspension and forego a hearing but their approach made me fight for what I believed to be right.

This experience motivated me to get more involved in Union activities. So in 2012, I became a Shop Steward on the ramp and attended my first Leadership class in Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in 2013.

In January of 2016 I was elected a Local Committee Person. Then in May of 2016, I was appointed by PDGC Mike Klemm as the EAP Chairman – Hawaiian Airlines.

In 2017, I was elected as the Conductor Sentinel for Local Lodge 1979.

And in 2018, I was elected by my fellow members to be President of Local Lodge 1979 and I’m very proud to be the first Samoan to hold this position in the IAM. It’s been a privilege and honor to serve in this capacity. I continue to learn every day.

Thank you for all you do for our UNION and our Membership!

Be Safe out there and Stay Healthy!!

In Solidarity,

Mahalo and Fa’afetai Tele Lava

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A Seat at The Table: IAM Representative Appointed to Biden-Harris Transition

A Seat at The Table: IAM Representative Appointed to Biden-Harris Transition

Nov 12, 2020 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, MNPL, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2 | 0 comments

The Biden-Harris Transition announced on Tuesday their appointments to Agency Review Teams (ARTs), which will be responsible for evaluating the operations of key federal agencies to ensure a smooth transfer of power.

Owen Herrnstadt, Esq., the Chief of Staff to the International President and the Director of the Office of Trade and Globalization of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, will serve on the ART for the US Department of State. 

Brother Herrnstadt joined the IAMAW in 1987 as Associate General Counsel. In addition to his many responsibilities as Chief of Staff for the IP, he develops policy for international trade, economic investment, international labor standards, and human rights matters as Director of Trade and Globalization. He represents American workers in several international labor federations. He is also the author of many articles and presentations on corporate social responsibility, challenges of the global economy, US labor law, and international transportation. He is a Research Associate at the Economic Policy Institute and an Adjunct Professor at the Washington College of Law of American University. 

According to the announcement, the review teams “…are composed of highly experienced and talented professionals with deep backgrounds in key policy areas across the federal government. The teams possess a diversity of perspectives critical to addressing America’s most urgent and complex challenges.”

The Biden-Harris Transition has appointed the most diverse agency review teams in presidential transition history. Over half of team members are women, and approximately 40% “represent communities historically underrepresented in the federal government, including people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.” Over 25 union representatives will join professionals from business and non-profit organizations to work in review teams for several key incoming Federal Departments. The list includes the Department of Education, Justice, State, Transportation, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Labor; and also the ARTs for the Federal Reserve, NASA, the Office of Personnel Management, US Trade Representative, Social Security Administration, and the US Postal Service. 

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Saluting Those Who Served

Saluting Those Who Served

Nov 11, 2020 | Community Service Page, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

A Veterans Day Message from IAMAW International President, Robert Martinez

This Wednesday, we set aside a special day to honor the brave men and women who have stepped up and served our countries with military service.

We owe a great amount of gratitude to our veterans. For their sacrifice, we are forever indebted.

These great patriots secure our democracy and the freedoms we hold sacred–the right to vote, the right of free speech, freedom of the press, and the right to peacefully protest. Our work as a union would not be possible without these American and Canadian heroes.

As a U.S. Navy Veteran, I am extremely proud that the Machinists Unions has one of the highest percentages of veterans in the entire labor movement.

Just as they made a commitment to defend our great nations, the Machinists Union makes a commitment to each and every veteran. We continue to advocate on their behalf, support their missions and proudly build and maintain the best military equipment in the world.

As we recognize Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada, please join me in thanking all those who have served our great nations.

In solidarity,

Robert Martinez Jr.
International President

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A Veterans Day Message from GVP Sito Pantoja

A Veterans Day Message from GVP Sito Pantoja

Nov 11, 2020 | Community Service Page, Featured News, Front Page, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Today, we celebrate Veterans Day. On this special day, let us pause and salute all who have served and honor the tremendous sacrifices made by members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families to preserve our freedom.

It is the courage, conviction and service of our veterans and active military that allowed more than 150 million Americans to vote in last week’s election. Our military protects the freedom which provides us the right to vote. 

 

This occasion also gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the many important contributions of the thousands of veterans who are now working here at the IAM. Thank you for your strength, bravery and sacrifice which allows us to live in the land of the free.

 

Sito Pantoja,
IAMAW General Vice President

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