EGG/YANG/Sierra Lobo Negotiations Update

After reviewing the final results of your surveys, your negotiations committee and business representatives have met for 2 days formulating our proposals for the initial meeting with management. A strike sanction vote will be held next Wednesday, February 25, 2009 from 8 am until 6 pm at the Union hall. This is an important part of the negotiations process. Please contact your steward/designee for further information and questions.

Your Negotiating Committee

BOA vs. EFCA. via TARP

Always nice to know your tax dollars are being used to lobby against you. Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis was questioned by Congressman Keith Ellison about the bank using TARP funds to lobby against the Employee Free Choice Act. Though the CEO does not admit using TARP funds, he does admit to funding lobbying . I'm guessing if you have enough cash to lobby, you should not need to be borrowing from taxpayers.


Ken Lewis makes $9,803 an hour, while his tellers - those that make Bank of America run - make $10-$15 an hour. A number of Lewis' 247,000 employees lack adequate health coverage and instead depend on state subsidies." While Lewis himself did not take a bonus for last year, Lewis made sure that high level staff still got bonuses even though Bank of America recently announced it was laying off another 35,000 employees.



Read more over at SEIU's link:
http://www.seiu.org/2009/02/ken-lewis-whats-really-in-your-companys-best-interest.php

EG&G/Yang/Sierra Lobo Negotiations

Your negotiating committee met today, February 6.  After an initial review of our recent surveys, the committee is pleased to announce a strong showing of solidarity amongst our membership with an equally strong emphasis on job security, wages, pension and insurance. Your committee looks forward to meeting with EG&G/ Yang/ Sierra Lobo to conclude a fair and equitable contract on your behalf. Have a wonderful weekend.

Your Negotiating Committee

Obama's Labor Friendly Start

Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts

For Immediate Release

January 30, 2009

EXECUTIVE ORDER
-----------

NONDISPLACEMENT OF QUALIFIED WORKERS UNDER SERVICE CONTRACTS

When a service contract expires, and a follow-on contract is awarded for the same service, at the same location, the successor contractor or its subcontractors often hires the majority of the predecessor's employees. On some occasions, however, a successor contractor or its subcontractors hires a new work force, thus displacing the predecessor's employees.

The Federal Government's procurement interests in economy and efficiency are served when the successor contractor hires the predecessor's employees. A carryover work force reduces disruption to the delivery of services during the period of transition between contractors and provides the Federal Government the benefits of an experienced and trained work force that is familiar with the Federal Government's personnel, facilities, and requirements.
Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq., and in order to promote economy and efficiency in Federal Government procurement, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the Federal Government that service contracts and solicitations for such contracts shall include a clause that requires the contractor, and its subcontractors, under a contract that succeeds a contract for performance of the same or similar services at the same location, to offer those employees (other than managerial and supervisory employees) employed under the predecessor contract whose employment will be terminated as a result of the award of the successor contract, a right of first refusal of employment under the contract in positions for which they are qualified. There shall be no employment openings under the contract until such right of first refusal has been provided. Nothing in this order shall be construed to permit a contractor or subcontractor to fail to comply with any provision of any other Executive Order or law of the United States.


Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 12:00 am

Executive Order -- Notificiation of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws

For Immediate Release

January 30, 2009


EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -
NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq., and in order to ensure the economical and efficient administration and completion of Government contracts, it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Policy. This order is designed to promote economy and efficiency in Government procurement. When the Federal Government contracts for goods or services, it has a proprietary interest in ensuring that those contracts will be performed by contractors whose work will not be interrupted by labor unrest. The attainment of industrial peace is most easily achieved and workers' productivity is enhanced when workers are well informed of their rights under Federal labor laws, including the National Labor Relations Act (Act), 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq. As the Act recognizes, "encouraging the practice and procedure of collective bargaining and . . . protecting the exercise by workers of full freedom of association, self organization, and designation of representatives of their own choosing, for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection" will "eliminate the causes of certain substantial obstructions to the free flow of commerce" and "mitigate and eliminate these obstructions when they have occurred." 29 U.S.C. 151. Relying on contractors whose employees are informed of such rights under Federal labor laws facilitates the efficient and economical completion of the Federal Government's contracts.

Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 12:00 am

Executive Order -- Economy in Government Contracting

For Immediate Release

January 30, 2009

EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -

ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq., it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. To promote economy and efficiency in Government contracting, certain costs that are not directly related to the contractors' provision of goods and services to the Government shall be unallowable for payment, thereby directly reducing Government expenditures. This order is also consistent with the policy of the United States to remain impartial concerning any labor-management dispute involving Government contractors. This order does not restrict the manner in which recipients of Federal funds may expend those funds.

Sec. 2. It is the policy of the executive branch in procuring goods and services that, to ensure the economical and efficient administration of Government contracts, contracting departments and agencies, when they enter into, receive proposals for, or make disbursements pursuant to a contract as to which certain costs are treated as unallowable, shall treat as unallowable the costs of any activities undertaken to persuade employees -- whether employees of the recipient of the Federal disbursements or of any other entity -- to exercise or not to exercise, or concerning the manner of exercising, the right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of the employees' own choosing. Such unallowable costs shall be excluded from any billing, claim, proposal, or disbursement applicable to any such Federal Government contract.

Sec. 3. Notwithstanding section 2 of this order, contracting departments and agencies shall treat as allowable costs incurred in maintaining satisfactory relations between the contractor and its employees, including costs of labor-management committees, employee publications (other than those undertaken to persuade employees to exercise or not to exercise, or concerning the manner of exercising, the right to organize and bargain collectively), and other related activities. See 48 C.F.R. 31.205-21.

Sec. 4. Examples of costs unallowable under section 2 of this order include the costs of the following activities, when they are undertaken to persuade employees to exercise or not to exercise, or concern the manner of exercising, rights to organize and bargain collectively:

(a) preparing and distributing materials;

(b) hiring or consulting legal counsel or consultants;

(c) holding meetings (including paying the salaries of the attendees at meetings held for this purpose); and

(d) planning or conducting activities by managers, supervisors, or union representatives during work hours.



All of this is helpful to us. We only wish that these provisions would have been ordered long ago.

President Obama Views NASA's New Rover

NASA brought out their new moon rover for President Obama's inagural parade. By the reactions in the video, Obama and his First Lady enjoyed the rover. NASA did a great job getting the rover into the parade. This is exactly what the space program needs, exciting displays of what we can do with manned exploration.

This Miracle Brought to You by America's Unions

Found this article on the web and figured I would pass it along.

"They're calling it a miracle--the successful landing of a US Airways jet in the Hudson and subsequent rescue of all 155 passengers. They're detailing the heroism of all involved, starting with the pilot and including cabin crew, ferry crews, and first responders. What they're not telling you is that just about every single one of these heros is a union member."


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/16/11125/1166/655/684821

Happy New Year ! Regular Membership Meeting January 6th, 2009.

Regular meeting starts at 4:30PM at the hall. Address is; 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=271%20Taylor%20Ave.%20Cape%20Canaveral%2C%20FL%2032920.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Regular Membership meeting tonight December 2nd 2008

Regular membership meeting tonight at the District Hall in Cape Canaveral. Meeting starts at 4:30PM.

JBOSC Reserve Sick Leave

The grievance relative to the JBOSC Reserve Sick Leave disposition has been processed and the Union and the company are engaged in selecting an arbitrator. The Union will provide updates once the arbitration has been scheduled.

Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday November 11th.

Sorry folks, I goofed up and forgot the date was changed for this months regular membership meeting. Same place and time but on NEXT Tuesday the 11th.

Don't forget to go vote tomorrow.

Machinists Approve New Boeing Contract by 74%

http://www.iam751.org/


"The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced today that its members voted to ratify a new 4-year contract with the Boeing Company by 74 percent.
The new agreement covers 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Kansas and California, and ends a strike that began on September 6, 2008.
Machinists will begin returning to work as early as November 2 (for third shift employees) and November 3 for first and second shift employees. Per the Settlement Agreement, members have until the beginning of their shift on Monday, November 10 to return to work.
"Our Union has delivered what few Americans have - economic certainty and quality benefits for the next four years. Each of you stood up and did your part to win this battle," said District 751 President Tom Wroblewski. "Your solidarity brought Boeing back to the table and made this Company address your issues. After 57 days of striking, we have gained important and substantial improvements over the Company's offer that was rejected on September 3. I am proud to be a member of the Machinists Union and want to thank our members for their solidarity and commitment."
"This contract gives the workers at Boeing an opportunity to share in the extraordinary success this Company has achieved over the past several years," said Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin. "It also recognizes the need to act with foresight to protect the next generation of aerospace jobs. These members helped make Boeing the company it is today, and they have every right to be a part of its future."
Among the many job security gains, the Union reasserted its jurisdiction over the scope of work of bargaining unit represented jobs that was lost in the 2002 contract. The Union members' share of medical costs will remain unchanged from 2002 through 2012. In addition to the many monetary gains achieved in the new contract, the takeaway language that was riddled throughout the Company's 9/3/08 proposal was withdrawn - retiree medical is preserved, survivor benefits are returned, reinstatement of seniority lost due to layoff is returned, promotional rights restored and the list goes on.
As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Union negotiated insurance and benefits will be considered continuous for all returning employees and their dependents. The Company will return all insurance premiums that were paid during the strike and all valid insurance claims will be paid."

Good Job on the contract!

Senator Joe Biden in Melbourne

Senator Joe Biden, Democratic Party nominee for Vice President will make an appearance on Tuesday, October 28 in Melbourne. The event will be at Wickham Park. Gates open at 4:00pm .

Rick Thompson Cook Out

There will be a cook out for Rick Thompson this Saturday, 10/25 at Our Place Saloon (across from TICO Airport off US1 on River Road) beginning at 12 Noon. This is not a benefit, just a cook out for a good friend. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and a happy face. Burgers and dogs will be the menu.

Rick Thompson Benifit Lunch Postponed

Susan wrote to let us all know the luncheon will not take place as planned Tuesday. Will update if and when the lunch is rescheduled. Please keep brother Rick in your thoughts.

Lunchtime benefit for Brother Rick Thompson on Tuesday, October 14 at M7-555

Was sent this information from Susan Ross (Stites).

Although it's short notice, we need to get the word out. There will be a lunchtime benefit for Brother Rick Thompson on Tuesday, October 14 at M7-555. This is in the Industrial Area, otherwise known as The Water and Waste Shop. Please, come help us support Rick. A covered dish would be appreciated, but is not necessary to attend. Bring your appetite and wallet. It will be a grab and go lunch. so dont worry about parking. Every one attending will be helping Rick, as he has helped so many before him. We appreciate everyone in advance, and look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

Stop by and support Brother Rick Thompson on Tuesday, your stomach will reap the rewards.

Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday October 7th.

Regular meeting starts at 4:30PM at the hall. Address is; 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Hope to see everyone there.

Update to Boeing Strike Mailing Address for Support.

Hi there,

Our mailing address is 9125 15th Place South, Seattle, Wa. 98108. Attention Susan A. Palmer, Secretary-Treasurer.
Please make checks out to the District 751 Hardship Fund. We appreciate any help you can give. We’re all in this fight together!

In Solidarity,

Susan A. Palmer
Secretary-Treasurer
District Lodge 751, IAM&AW

Machinists Union On Strike Against Boeing

I have sent an email asking for a mailing address so that any members who wish to send them a strike support donation, will have the information. They are in their 19th day on the line and as we know, the more support they receive the better they will stand. As soon as I get the information for donations I will post it here. Their website is very informative on the current strike events. Here is the link:

http://www.iam751.org/

A video from one of the striking members posted on Youtube, reminded me of many of the sights and sounds we experienced last year. Here is the video:

Obama Calls on Senate and House Leadership to Renew America's Commitment to NASA

Since the IAM announced their Endorsement of Barack Obama on September 9th, the District Lodge felt the members of the Local Lodges would be interested in this press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calling to renew our country's commitment to NASA and to provide a budget with sufficient resources for success in its critical missions - space exploration and human spaceflight, science and aeronautics research.
The text of the letter is below:

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Madam Speaker Pelosi:

This Administration's lack of leadership for our nation's space program has left Americans without access to space or the ability to support its astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) without paying Russia for transportation. The ISS is a world-class research facility, built with approximately $100 billion of U.S. taxpayers' money. With the planned retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010, the U.S. will be paying Russia for rides to and from the ISS, and for emergency lifeboat services, using their Soyuz spacecraft. Furthermore, at the end of 2011, NASA will no longer even have the legal authority to continue paying Russia for Soyuz flights, so unless we act immediately, the U.S. will abandon its role in supporting, and benefiting from, missions to this amazing facility, leaving it to our international partners.

The Bush administration's plan to have astronauts explore beyond low-earth orbit, returning to the Moon and then on to Mars, has never been funded adequately. In order to pay for this program, all other NASA programs have been short-changed ─ from our important earth and space science missions to investment in critical aeronautics programs. The very engine of innovation for our nation, investment in research and technology, has been all but eliminated at NASA. America needs to renew its commitment to NASA and to provide sustained, stable direction with an honest budget and sufficient resources for success across all of its critical missions: Human Spaceflight, Science, and Aeronautics Research.

As Dr. Michael Griffin, the NASA administrator, said recently, "In a rational world, (NASA) would have been allowed to pick a Shuttle retirement date to be consistent with Ares/Orion availability, (NASA) would have been asked to deploy Ares/Orion as early as possible (rather than "not later than 2014") and we would have been provided the necessary budget to make it so" [NASA e-mail, 8/18/08]. Regrettably, the current administration has not behaved rationally and, with the Russian invasion of Georgia, NASA is now left with more limited options, all of them much worse than if the administration and their Republican allies in Congress had thought through the strategic consequences of these decisions five years ago.

Because of this failure of leadership, America is now faced with three less-than-optimal options:
∙ Ask Congress to renew the existing waiver for the Iran-North Korea-Syria Non-proliferation Act (INKSNA) and rely on Russia to launch and retrieve our own astronauts on the Space Station between the imminent retirement of the Space Shuttle and the first launch of an operational replacement for the Shuttle.

∙ Do nothing and abandon American commitments to the International Space Station between 2012 and 2015, relinquishing our $100 billion dollar investment to the Russians and our other international partners.

∙ Increase NASA's funding significantly to extend our use of the Space Shuttle beyond 2010 as partial mitigation for the gap in American access to low-earth orbit and for our dependence on Soyuz, while also providing a smoother transition of NASA's Shuttle workforce, infrastructure, and capabilities to new systems.

Administrator Griffin has initiated an analysis of the third option to determine its feasibility, cost, and schedule implications. The results should be available in the November timeframe so that the President-elect's transition team can prepare appropriate action along with appropriate FY2010 budgeting. NASA's appropriators, however, should be prepared to consider increasing NASA's budget to extend safe Shuttle operations beyond 2010 and to accelerate government and private-sector efforts to provide human access to low-earth orbit. Any effort to extend the Shuttle program must receive adequate funding, ensuring that progress on developing new vehicles is not further delayed by diverting funds to the Shuttle.

In the meantime, while we await the results of NASA's Shuttle study, there are three concrete steps that Congress should take immediately. I urge you to:

∙ Extend NASA's waiver of INKSNA so we keep that option open for allowing U.S. astronauts to utilize the ISS beyond 2011.

∙ Demand that NASA take no further action that would make it more difficult or expensive to fly the Shuttle beyond 2010.

∙ Provide additional funding in FY2009 above that contemplated in the pending appropriations bills to support the single extra Shuttle flight already approved overwhelmingly by both House and Senate authorizers earlier this year.

NASA should be funded appropriately to carry out its important goals. In 1961, President Kennedy inspired America to explore the heavens. He set difficult goals for NASA but, importantly, he and a Democratic Congress provided NASA with the resources necessary for success. And succeed they did. NASA helped America win the Cold War without firing a single shot by dazzling the world with our technological and moral leadership. It is time to dazzle them again.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama United States Senator

For more information on Barack Obama, visit http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Hurricane Ike Relief Appeal

As Hurricane Ike roared toward the Texas coast, IAM President Tom Buffenbarger established a task force to assist Machinists Union members impacted by the storm.

Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., and Community Services Director Maria Cordone are coordinating the efforts of IAM Grand Lodge Representatives on the ground and staff from several affected District Lodges.

First job for the task force is to account for IAM members in the storm-ravaged areas and help provide access to much-needed resources. As many as 5,000 IAM members in South Texas may have been affected.

“We have a far larger density of IAM members in the South Texas area than we’ve had in past disasters, and we’re working hard to find out the extent of our members’ losses,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “The scale of our task is far larger than Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma combined. We are counting on the generosity of our IAM family to help in this time of need.”Any member who has been impacted by the storm, or has information about other impacted members is asked to contact the Machinists Union at ike@iamaw.org.

Contributions of non-perishable food, clothing can be sent to: District 161, 330 Belden Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 433-2000. Monetary donations can be sent directly to the “IAM Disaster Relief Fund” in care of the Community Services Department, 9000 Machinists Place, Upper Marlboro, 20772.

“As quickly as these funds are received, they will be distributed directly to IAM families on the basis of need,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger and GST Warren Mart in a letter being mailed to locals and districts. “Fellow members of our union need our help. They need it now. We are confident you will join us in responding to that need.”