Black History Month Spotlight: Derrick Monk

Feb 16, 2021 | Community Service Page, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized, Video | 0 comments

/* Styling the category buttons */ .dd-spl1 .dd-categories p.et_pb_title_meta_container { color: #fff; } .dd-spl1 .et_pb_bg_layout_light.dd-categories p.et_pb_title_meta_container a { color: #fff; } .dd-spl1 .dd-categories a { font-size: 11px; padding: 6px 12px; background-color: #415370; border-radius: 3px 3px 3px 3px; -webkit-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; } .dd-spl1 .dd-categories a:hover { background-color: rgba(65,83,112,0.66); } /* Increase post paragraph padding */ .dd-spl1 .dd-post-content p { padding-bottom: 2em; } /* Styling the comment form */ .dd-spl1 .dd-comment-form .form-submit { float: none; } .dd-spl1 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button, .dd-spl1 .dd-comment-form.et_pb_comments_0 .et_pb_button:hover { padding: 9px 20px!important; } /* Styling for the social sharing plugin */ html body .dd-spl1 .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button { padding: .63em .55em .63em .55em!important; } .dd-spl1 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a { background-color: #415370!important; margin-left: 5px; } .dd-spl1 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.facebook:hover, .dd-spl1 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.twitter:hover, .dd-spl1 .dd-share .supsystic-social-sharing a.social-sharing-button.sharer-flat.pinterest:hover { background-color: rgba(65,83,112,0.66)!important; } /* responsive media queries */ @media only screen and (max-width: 980px) { /* remove margin from code module on mobile */ .dd-spl1 .dd-code .et_pb_column { margin-bottom: 0; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 980px) { /* display post image in landscape on tablet */ .dd-spl1 .dd-post-image img { height: 360px; object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; width: 100%; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 767px) { /* display post image in landscape on mobile */ .dd-spl1 .dd-post-image img { height: 180px; object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; width: 100%; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 981px) { /* Remove default padding from body area on desktop*/ .single #left-area { padding-bottom: 0; } /* Increase left column width on desktop */ .dd-spl1 .et_pb_gutters2 .et_pb_column_2_3, .dd-spl1 .et_pb_gutters2.et_pb_row .et_pb_column_2_3 { width: 63.666%; } .dd-spl1 .et_pb_gutters2 .et_pb_column_1_3, .dd-spl1 .et_pb_gutters2.et_pb_row .et_pb_column_1_3 { width: 33.333%; } /* Position share buttons on title line on desktop */ .dd-spl1 .dd-share { position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; z-index: 999; } }

Honoring Black History Month: Brother Derrick Monk has provided a calm, guiding presence for members of IAMAW District 141 for over a decade.

Black History Month Spotlight: Derrick Monk

We continue to celebrate Black History Month with a profile of Pastor Derrick S. Monk, Sr., Grievance Committee Chair, and Community Service Committee Chair of Local 1776.

In 2008, when he had been working at USAirways in Philadelphia International Airport for just over a year, Derrick had a “run-in” with a manager. He was so impressed with the work of Gil Simmons, Local 1776 Committee Chair at the time (now IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative), that he decided he would pay it forward. “The Union was there for me, and so I wanted to be sure to do my part to help my brothers and sisters in the union.”

His dedication to his Brothers and Sisters of the IAM and the larger Philadelphia community has earned him several awards and recognition.

Derrick grew up in a union household that took an active role in the struggle for civil rights and equal opportunities. A second-generation unionist, Monk follows in the footsteps of his father, who was a member of the United Auto Workers Union for more than 30 years. “He showed me the benefit of hard work, and how important it is to belong to a union and receive a union wage.”

As a young student, his parents enrolled him in a desegregation program where he was bussed to better-funded schools in northeast Philadelphia. He found his calling in the intersection of faith and activism and became an ordained minister. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the Divine Covenant Outreach Center in Philadelphia, in addition to many community service projects he leads.

In 2017, our Brother Derrick received the Irv Sannit Labor Volunteer Award from the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania for his community service work with IAM Local 1776 and with the Solid Hearts Foundation, a non-profit he co-founded to expand the reach of his union community service work. The foundation provides emergency financial assistance and academic scholarships to families in need in the greater Philadelphia area.

Derrick Monk draws inspiration from the work of civil and labor rights leaders who came before him, and continues to pay it forward.

141 Video Report: How the Current Political Landscape Impacts Airline Workers

This week, we talk with Dave Roderick about how the new administration in Washington is making changes and setting their agenda for organized labor and all working people.

Dave explains how President Biden’s appointments to his cabinet, and to federal agencies that make and enforce regulations and safety programs in the workplace will affect the future of work in the United States. He also discusses the PRO Act (H.R. 2474, Protecting the Right to Organize Act) the most important piece of pro-labor legislation in decades.

The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League is funded entirely with generous donations from front-line union members like you. To find out how you can help support legislation that improves our industry and workplaces, please visit IAM141.org/Advocacy.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Save Airline Jobs

ADD YOUR VOICE

141 Member Spotlight: Yusuf Wyatt Gets Into Good Trouble

We are proud to feature Local 1781 Committee Person Yusuf Wyatt in our Member Spotlight, celebrating Black History Month.

Brother Yusuf Wyatt began his career at United Airlines in Newark, New Jersey, 22 years ago. After moving around a bit, he settled and has become actively involved in his IAM local and in his community in Reno, Nevada. Yusuf serves as Auditor and Committee person in Local 1781 and his work in human rights issues earned him a position representing his local at the IAMAW Grand Lodge Convention in 2016.

Yusuf was selected to speak in a video to commemorate the 33rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration presented by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society. Community leaders from across the state of Nevada took part in the video where they share their views and hopes for a better future with equal justice for all. He speaks about the importance of telling the complete history of Dr. King’s work and legacy and the work that remains to be done.

Congratulations to our Brother Yusuf Wyatt for joining in the struggle to advance workers’ rights, civil rights, and human rights. His important work, guided by the vision of the late Representative John Lewis, gets him into “good trouble” as a union and community activist and sets an example for us to follow.

To view the entire video from the NNBCAS, CLICK HERE:

141 Report: A Strong IAM Presence in the Friendliest City

The 141 Report enjoys a virtual visit in sunny San Diego, California, recognized as one of America’s friendliest cities, to speak with Local 2765 President Paul Platt.

The Machinists Union has a strong presence in the San Diego area, and Local 2765 shares resources and a beautiful local lodge building with members of District 725, representing auto mechanics in the Clairemont Mesa area, and 4 other Machinists local lodges in the Western Territory. Amalgamated Air Transport Lodge 2765, which our Brother Paul Platt has led since 2014, represents workers from 5 airlines based at San Diego International Airport.

Paul worked for America West Airlines briefly in the late ‘90s, and returned in 2004 after the merger with US Airways, becoming a Shop Steward. He was later elected Grievance Committee Representative, which he considers the most important part of union work.

“Hold them to the contract” is Paul’s motto as he handles issues “from the most minor to the most major,” and points to how the dedication and support of union leadership at all levels is vital to protect the rights and livelihoods of union workers in Southern California and everywhere.

DL 141 Report: Safety First, Safety Always with Dennis Spencer

This week, we catch up with Dennis Spencer, District 141 Safety Coordinator at American Airlines, to find out how the development of the Ground Safety Action Program (GSAP) at American is progressing.

Brother Dennis and a group of dedicated safety advocates are busy and excited about the rollout of this program that will help increase awareness and education on the actions and procedures we should all follow so we can go home just as healthy and safe as we came into work.

Visit the UnionSafe141.org Website

Small & Mighty Local Lodge 141

This week we are in the heartland, speaking with Tiffany Lopez, President of IAM Local 141 in Dearborn, Michigan. Local 141 is an amalgamated Air Transport Lodge that represents United Airlines Reservations Agents and Southwest Airlines Airport Customer Service Agents.

Sister Tiffany is a 22-year veteran at United who became a Shop Steward shortly after joining the IAM in the year 2000. She expanded on her work as a union activist when she became the chair of the Community Service Committee, later serving as Recording Secretary. She has served as president of the 200-member local for 3 years.

Members of the small but mighty Local Lodge 141 are active in community service activities in the Dearborn and Detroit areas and hold regular training sessions to stay engaged and up to date. Local 141 also has a very active Organizing Committee led by Vice President Jeff Toms and an effective Grievance Committee led by Andrea Myers, who also serves as Vice President of District 141.