Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday February 5th

Regular Membership meeting starts at 4:30PM on 2-5-2008 at the District Hall.

It is extremely important for all USA Stewards to attend this meeting, for information that will be handed out.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=271++taylor+ave.+cape+canaveral++&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

271 Taylor Ave.Cape Canaveral , Florida 32920

Hope to see you there!

Our Skills, Our Kids. Video from BCC Rally.

Special Thanks from the SGS Plumbers.

"We wanted to extend a Heart-felt THANK YOU to all those that participated in Thursday's Tom Heath Benefit, by stopping by for a "Grab and Go" lunch. The outpouring of all of our shops, and the span of different contractors, was nothing short of amazing. After the food was gone, the trucks still came by, and instead of picking up lunch, they extended their support, dropped off money, and left. The shop's that couldn't make it for the food made time to take up a collection, and sent that down.

It was awe inspiring. We can't tell you all how much we appreciate your support in this difficult time. You all did an outstanding job!

In Solidarity,

Tom's Shop"

Benefit Lunch on Thursday January 31st for Tom Heath

The SGS Plumbers are having a benefit lunch this Thursday from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the South End Plumbing Shop M7-555. Brother Tom Heath (AKA Spanky) is going through a very hard time and his shop is doing a lunch to help him, in his time of need.

The Lunch Menu will consist of Hot Dogs, Hamburger,sides, and soda . They are setting it up as a "Grab & Go" for a $5 donation.

If you can make it over, please do, the crew will appreciate it! Pass the word to your shops about the event .

Incase you are not familiar with the location :

"Most people know it as the South End or Industrial Area Plumbing Shop;Tom King's shop, directly West of the Nasa Prototype Shop, on 2nd St, which is the first road BEHIND the O&C, third shop up from the East. Also known as Blackies Old Shop. It's directly behind the L.E.T.F., which is next to the Boeing Machine Shop."

IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger to Speak at BCC This Weekend

President Buffenbarger will be at Brevard Community College on Saturday the 26th to kick off the IAM's new SKILLS Initiative called America's Edge .

http://www.goiam.org/issue.cfm?cID=11735

The Goals of America's Edge are :

Re-emphasizing technical and vocational classes in America’s high schools;
Expanding the availability of industrial technology and information technology courses in America’s community colleges; and
Creating High Tech Institutes in each state that focus on 21st Century manufacturing technologies and materials.

The event will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. on the Brevard Community College Cocoa Campus, in the auditorium of Vocational Building 14.
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.

Regular Meeting February 5th

The regular Membership Meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of February , the 5th .

During the prior meeting in January it was revealed there would be results from the Trials that have and are being held at the Local Lodge , at the February Membership Meeting .
Some of the Committee members presiding over the trials will be out of the area for launch support . Therefore , results and recommendations of the Committee will be delayed until the March Membership Meeting .

Writers and Producers start informal talks.

"On Wednesday, January 23, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations. Both the AMPTP and the WGA have agreed to make no public comments about the informal discussions until those discussions have concluded.

The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) represent writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. For more information about the Writers Guild of America, West, please visit www.wga.org. For more information about the Writers Guild of America, East, please visit: www.wgaeast.org. "

With hope , this is good news for the Writers .

Flag Flown At Haulover

During the Membership meeting on the 8th, the flag that was flown over the Haulover picket line was dedicated to the membership . Brothers Dave Lovell and Bill Mann were in attendance to present the flag .

The plaque on the base of the frame reads :

"This Flag flew over the Haulover Canal picket site during the 147 day strike against United Space Alliance 2007 "

The flag will be on display at the District 166 hall , in Cape Canaveral .

State Senator Tony Hill to Talk in Brevard About Property Tax Amendment

State Senator Tony Hill of Jacksonville ,will be in Brevard County on Monday January 14th, to speak about the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief.

The meeting will be held at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 166 Hall , starting at 7PM.

The IAM&AW District 166 hall is located at 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral , Florida .

Senator Hill is the Democratic Minority Lead Whip and has been in the State Senate since 2002. Among his honors, Senator Hill was the youngest inductee and 1st African American elected to the Florida Labor Hall of Fame.

The appearance is being sponsored by the Brevard County Democratic Executive Committee. For additional information, contact Democratic Executive Committee Secretary Kevin Sharkey at 452-2930 or access the Democratic County website: www.BrevardDemocrats.org.

Our Condolences to Brother Kevin Propst

Brother Kevin Propst lost his Mother on Saturday , January 5 .


We wish the Propst Family our most sincere condolences and will be praying for them , in this time of loss .

Calling hours are Thursday January 10th from 6-8 P.M. at North Brevard Funeral Home .

Flag Dedication at January Regular Membership Meeting

The flag that flew over the Haulover Canal picket site during the strike will be dedicated at the membership meeting on January 8th.

Meeting starts at 4:30 PM

271 Taylor Ave.
Cape Canaveral , Florida 32920

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=271++taylor+ave.+cape+canaveral++&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Remember if Mike Huckabee asks for your vote , reply "Hmmm. Oh."

"Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who has actively sought union support during his campaign, crossed WGA picket lines outside NBC studios in Burbank Wednesday in order to appear on the Tonight Show, all while offering several (often lame) excuses for his actions.

Before heading to LA for his appearance yesterday, according to the AP, Huckabee told reporters traveling with him that he wouldn't be crossing any picket lines because the WGA had made interim deals to allow all latenight shows back on TV.

However, when the reporters told Huckabee he was incorrect and the WGA had only made a separate deal with David Letterman's company - and not the Tonight Show - Huckabee pled ignorance: "But my understanding is there's a sort of dispensation given to the late-night shows, is that right?"

And when the reporters tried yet again to tell Huckabee he was flat out wrong? His response: "Hmmm. Oh."
"

http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-heart-huckabee.html

This is what we need to remember , if he is willing to walk all over our Brothers and Sisters , he certainly will not be any good for us . Candidates that pander to our interests and then flip-flop to serve their own , do not deserve our support .

Tiger Team 1592

At the December regular meeting , we received this letter with a video CD from Tiger Team 1592 . We would like to thank Team 1592 for their hard work and congratulate them on a fine job . Young women and men with the patience and skills to build these machines are what this country needs . Local 2061 knows that these talented students will one day be our future , and we are very proud of what they have accomplished .

Good Luck in the future and Thanks again for doing a fantastic job !



Dear Union Members,
Thank you for your financial support in helping our team "1592 Bionic Tiger Robotics team".
Through your support and help we were able to travel to Orlando Florida and Atlanta competitions.
In Orlando, we placed 7th out of 50 teams.
In Canada we placed 7th out of 30 teams.
In Atlanta is where we had our most success though. We were able to place 2nd out of 87 teams and 5th in the world out of 400 teams.
Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,
Team 1592
Bionic Tigers

Owe The Same Fortitude

http://www.wga.org/

U.S. Jobs at Stake in Boeing Tanker Decision

http://www.goiam.org/content.cfm?cID=11862

"In the near future the U.S. Air Force will be making critical decisions regarding the purchase of a new fleet of refueling tankers. This decision will have a profound impact on America’s aerospace industrial base and IAM jobs. At stake are over 40,000 U.S. aerospace jobs at 300 contractors, including those at IAM represented facilities of Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and Spirit Aerosystems.
Boeing’s KC-767 Advanced Tanker clearly offers the best opportunity and value for the U.S. Air Force and for American aerospace workers."

Now we have a chance to help our Union Brothers and Sisters .

Please click this link and send an email to Congress and request them to choose the KC 767 Tanker . http://capwiz.com/iamaw/issues/alert/?alertid=10601266&type=CO

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.