Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday June 3rd with Dues presentation

Regular monthly membership meeting will be held at the district hall on June 3rd at 4:30PM.
During the meeting there will be a presentation on the new dues structure the International is proposing. We urge members who have questions and concerns about the proposed changes to attend the meeting. We will have a voice in the matter during the Grand Lodge Convention, this coming September.

On May 6th, the membership held an election to set 9 delegates who will represent the Local Lodge at the upcoming convention. The delegates will need to hear our concerns so they can present them during the convention. There will be time to ask questions after the presentation. Please try to carpool if possible to save on parking spaces.

The address for the hall is: 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

Fired Waste Pro workers to get labor hearing

"Four former Waste Pro employees in Daytona Beach who cried foul for being fired will appear in a hearing before an administrative law judge of the National Labor Relations Board in June.
Led by Keith Massey, the employees attempted to become part of a union because of perceived contract violations.
But it wasn't long before they were fired for their efforts, according to Massey, Kevin Brown, Tyrod Williams and Tremale Morgan."

Full story can be found at this link from the Daytona Beach News-Journal :

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST05050308.htm

Apparently we can expect more of this from big business.

A story in the Las Vegas Sun states "Businesses scurry to build defenses for possible unionizing onslaught"

"Big business is taking steps to fend off an expected flood of unionizing drives if Congress approves legislation making it easier for workers to organize.
In a trend being followed closely in Las Vegas and other strong union communities, businesses across the country are moving to improve relations with workers in anticipation of the Democrat-supported Employee Free Choice Act. It would for the first time in 60 years allow workers to organize without putting the issue to a secret-ballot vote."

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/05/businesses-scurry-build-defenses-possible-unionizi/

In the article there are statments from law firms involved in lobbying to prevent the Employee Free Choice Act.
One states: "Unionization drives generally emerge from issues of dignity and respect, lawyer Mark Ross said. “Unions don’t organize employers,” he said. “Bad supervisors organize employers.”"

He also states:
"If the legislation is passed, “employers are headed for a big hurt,” Smith said.
Employers, he said, should mobilize the business community. “Tell them how awful life could be if this thing gets written into law,” Smith said."

I have a hard time understanding the hurt employers will feel, other than providing employees what they deserve with fair wages, good benefits, and equally fair treatment. Companies would rather pay Lawyers, Lobbyists, and Political Action Committiees, than pay fair wages to employees.
Certainly if the Employee Free Choice Act were to pass and be signed into law by the next President, it would not mean every employer would instantly have a Union. Some employers would not have Unions because they pay well and offer good benefits. The only employers who should worry about the act are the ones who have been taking advantage of employees and treating them poorly.

Remember to support candidates that support our needs the next time you vote. Seems our elected officials only understand the public, when we show them by ballot, how we feel.

Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday May 6th

Regular meeting tomorrow night at the District Hall at 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.
Don't forget the election will be taking place all day for selection of the delegates to be sent to the Grand Lodge Convention.

Polls will be open from 8:00AM and will close at 6:00PM.

Hope to see everyone there.

Grand Lodge Delegate Election Notice.

Nominations for the 2008 Grand Lodge Convention took place at the Regular Membership meeting on April 1st, 2008.

This list of Nominees are:


Johnny Walker

Lew Jamieson

Murray Caldwell

Karen Houston

Murray Hill

Mike May

Steve Ching

Jay Blair

Lynn Beattie

Linda Donahoe

Tim Cooper

Chris Cassidy

Ryan Kiechle

Bill Farina

Robert Livingston

Dave Lovell



The Election to choose the 9 Delegates to represent our Local Lodge will be held on May 6, 2008 at the regular meeting place located at 271 Taylor Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Polls will be open from 8:00AM and will close at 6:00PM.



Those requiring an absentee ballot are required to return the request to the Recording Secretary, Karen Houston no later than April 26th, 2008.



Ballots were mailed out via postal mail and you should have it or receive it shortly.

There are conditions for absentee ballots:


Live more than 25 miles from polling place

Confined because of verified illness

Away on vacation or official IAM business

On company travel assignment

On reserve military leave


If you meet any of the conditions, please forward your request to Karen Houston in person or by mail to the local lodge.

Address:

Local Lodge 2061 c/o

Recording Secretary

Karen Houston

P.O. Box 3603

Cocoa, FL 32924-3603

Nominations for Grand Lodge Convention

Nominations for Grand Lodge Convention Delegates will be made at the Tuesday, April 1 meeting. The convention will be in September in Orlando. Delegates will be elected at the membership meeting in May.

Boeing Tanker Battle Continues

"The fight to reverse the $40 billion tanker decision enters its third week with union members contacting lawmakers and demanding hearings on the process that allowed Europe’s Airbus and its U.S. front company, Northrop Grumman, to walk away with one of the largest U.S. defense contracts in history."

Now we can support out Brothers and Sisters employed by Boeing. The MNPL (The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League) has setup a webpage that makes it easy for us to contact our representation in Congress and let them know how we feel about sending jobs to other countries. The airframe of these planes will be built overseas and that means the United States will depend on a foreign company to supply us with our military aircraft. Our Government has run amok outsourcing our jobs but for OUR Government to outsource military hardware is mind-numbing.

When will it end, if we the people don't demand our representatives stop this?

We have a voice in our votes and it's time we speak out.

Contact your local Congressmen through this link: http://capwiz.com/iamaw/issues/alert/?alertid=11106876

It only takes a minute to let them know we will not stand by while our jobs and security are shipped away. Tell your friends and family they can use the same link, where ever in the country they may be.

Our kids are depending on us to protect their future.................we cannot not let them down.

Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday April 1st.

Regular Membership meeting starts at 4:30PM on 4-1-2008 at the District Hall.

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

John Thomas Benefit March 22nd, 2008

Brother John Thomas's shop is having a benefit auction and dinner to help him in his time of need.

Lunch will be served from 11:00AM till 1:00PM and will feature Chicken Cacciatore.

They are asking for a donation of $5.00 for the meal. They are also having an auction starting at 1:00PM and are asking for donated items for the auction.

The Lunch and Auction will be at Eagles M.I. #4257 at Shore Lanes, located at 600 North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island. Google Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=600+N+Courtenay+Pkwy,+Merritt+Island,+FL,+US&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1

If you need more information, contact Kenny Bays at Wiltech 1-2486.

Congratulations to Tony Sasso !

Supporting candidates like Tony Sasso is what our country needs. It's nice to see an election we can all feel as winners over. Mr. Sasso will soon enough need our support again, since this was a special election to replace Bob Allen.

Remember, we can make a difference!

Union member Tony Sasso in Florida HD 32

The Special Election in Florida House District 32 is Tuesday, February 26th. Machinist Union members have the opportunity to help send a fellow union member to Tallahassee. Tony Sasso is a member of the ITF (International Transport Workers Federation). Tony understands the issues and concerns of Machinist Union members and is committed to serving working families in House District 32. Tony's opponent is a man who owns and operates a day labor business. COULD THE CHOICE BE ANY CLEARER? The polls are open 7am to 7pm.

Regular Membership Meeting Tuesday March 4th

Regular Membership meeting starts at 4:30PM on 3-4-2008 at the District Hall.

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!

IAM Photo Contest 2008

http://www.goiam.org/publications/photocontest/index.htm

Winning photos will be featured in the 2009 IAM calander.

In 2006 Brother Ed Griffith placed third with this photo of Robert Hemric, during the rollout of Space Shuttle Discovery.

You can download a form for submissions from this link:

http://www.goiam.org/publications/photocontest/2008%20PHOTO%20CONTEST_ENGLISH.pdf

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required for viewing).

With the interesting jobs we have, certainly a member of this local can get featured again!

Get those cameras snapping!

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 .