Guide Dogs of America

"Since its founding through donations by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union in 1948, Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, California has helped blind men and women recover their ability to move freely and regain independence through partnership with these remarkable animals."

http://www.goiam.org/content.cfm?cID=523

http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/

NLRB Protests

You found out on the picket lines how little the National Labor Relations Board will help workers these days. The governmental department that was set up to protect worker's rights now only protects the rights of the corporations. The AFL-CIO is protesting the NLRB. Here's the video from the Machinists News Network.

Sicko on DVD

Micheal Moore's Sicko is now out on DVD. If you like Moore's insightful, humorous way of bringing the truth out on an issue, stop and pick one up. Here's the trailer for Sicko:



We all know that health care is an important issue for our families. With this contract, our health care costs rose considerably. It can't keep rising forever. Something MUST be done, on a national level. Our Union is fighting for National Health Care. Educate yourself on this vital issue, and together we can all make a difference.

Go to the National Health Care Crisis page on goiam.org, and find articles and informational links to get you started. This fight can't be won at the bargaining table, it must be won in the halls of Congress. Let's ALL get involved in this fight. It's one that's very important to our families.

Hot Days Over

Everyone is starting to return to work today. Here's the new video from headquarters about the end of the strike.

Press Release

Machinists Ratify Space Center Contract

Cape Canaveral, FL, October 4, 2007 – Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 2061 today ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with United Space Alliance (USA), ending a four-month strike by nearly 500 workers at Kennedy Space Center.

The IAM was able to protect and increase pensions for current members by increasing the dollar per month multiplier and extending the retroactivity period for the new multipliers to an earlier date. The IAM also secured retirement benefits for new hires. Both issues were primary goals throughout the strike and during negotiations.

"The addition of the IAM 401(k) into this contract will be VERY important for our future new hires," said Union spokesman Bob Wood "The IAM has 12 contracts at the Space Center with the defined-benefit IAM Pension Plan, and the 401(k) can be rolled into the IAM Pension Plan at any of those locations."

The General Wage Package was also modified and calls for flat rate increases rather than percentage raises. Members will receive $1.00 the first year and seventy-five cents the second and third year. This formula provides for a more equitable distribution of raises among all members.

“It is our belief that the political action by our International, support of key democrats in the House of Representatives, including those on the NASA oversight committees, prompted a return to the bargaining table,” said Wood. “The assistance of specially appointed Federal Mediator was also instrumental in bringing us where we are today.”

“While United Space Alliance has said this is the best contract they’ve ever offered, the problem remains that this contract offer is still substandard to many of the other contracts the IAM has at Kennedy Space Center,” said Wood. “A full defined-benefit pension plan for all workers has been the standard and continues to be our long-term goal.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC, is one of the nation's largest trade unions, representing more than 720,000 active and retired members. For additional information about the IAM, visit their website at www.goiam.org.