a new spirit

A New Spirit

The IAM Journal (ISSN 1083-0413) is published quarterly by the InternationalAssociation of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 9000 Machinists Place, UpperMarlboro, MD 20772-2687. PHONE: 301-967-4520 FAX: 301-967-4586. The IAMJournal is mailed to every member in accordance with convention and referendumaction. Subscription price $10 per year. Printed by Kelly Press, 1701 Cabin BranchRoad, Cheverly, Maryland. Postmaster: Change of Address Form 3579 should be sentto: IAM Journal, 9000 Machinists Place, Upper Marlboro, MD. Periodicals postagepaid at Upper Marlboro, MD and additional mailing offices.

IAM WEBSITE: www.goiam.orgRichard S. Sloan, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Bill Upton, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

EDITORIAL STAFF: Donna Georgallas, Cornel Dunmore,Frank Larkin, Valana Reid, John Lett, Deirdre Kaniewski,Bobbie Sullivan, Kiley Hernandez and LaToya Egwuekwe.

R. Thomas BuffenbargerInternational President

Warren L. MartGeneral Secretary-Treasurer

GENERAL VICE PRESIDENTS:Lee Pearson, 620 Coolidge Drive, Suite 130,Folsom, CA 95630

Dave Ritchie, 15 Gervais Drive, Suite 707,Toronto, ONT M3C 1Y8

Robert Roach, Jr., 9000 Machinists Place,Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-2687

Lynn D. Tucker, Jr., 135 Merchant Street,Suite 265 Cincinnati,OH 45246-3730

Robert Martinez, Jr., 1111 W. MockingbirdLane, Dallas, TX 75247

Richard Michalski, 9000 Machinists Place,Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-2687

Philip J. Gruber, 1733 Park Street, Suite100, Naperville, IL 60563

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTSAND AEROSPACE WORKERS, AFL-CIO

IAM JOURNAL

Commentary

Millions of Americans braved the cold and the crowdsto listen to President Barack Obama give his InauguralAddress. Billions – yes, billions – watched his historicspeech on television in hamlets and cities across the globe.No one was disappointed.

President Obama refreshed the promise of America, apromise that dates back to our Declaration of

Independence: All men are created equal. He embodied that promise and, as wehave come to expect, he raised our eyes towards a more hopeful, more prosperousand more just world.

Now comes the hardest part.

As industrial production here at home and across the globe craters, reignitingthe engines of long-term prosperity takes on the highest priority. Our jobs, ourcompanies and our industries are in a world of hurt. Not since the GreatDepression has our economy seen such pain. And we will have to rely on eachother and our new leaders to get us through these next few years.

Just as Franklin Roosevelt rallied and then revived a troubled nation,so too can Barack Obama. His new spirit – bold, aggressive and confident –gives us hope.

With that new spirit, let us work with President Barack Obama to meet thechallenges of tomorrow.

R. Thomas BuffenbargerInternational President

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2 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009

ContentsFEATURES

Jobless in America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Millions of Americans are facing the worst unem-ployment crisis in decades. Without swift action,unemployment rates could climb to staggeringlevels. Families across North America need a“New Deal” to get back on track.

Cover Story: A New Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10The inauguration of President Barack Obama usheredin a New Spirit that is reaching around the world.The agenda for recovery is the highest priority – investin America’s skills and infrastructure to create jobs.

Machinists Prevail at Boeing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27After 57 days on the picket lines, IAM members atBoeing locations in Washington, Oregon, Kansasand California won a battle for job security andquality middle-class jobs.

DEPARTMENTSNoteworthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

TCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Aerospace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Cover Story: A New Spirit

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Volume 15

Number 1

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Winter 2009

Jobless in America

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Machinists Prevail at Boeing

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Cover Photo by AP/ World Wide Photo

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 3

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N O T E W O R T H Y

Former IAM Communi-cations Director Robert J.Kalaski passed away after acourageous struggle with can-cer. Kalaski, 67, led theCommunications Departmentfrom 1977 until his retire-ment in 2001.

Serving under numerousIAM presidents, Kalaski pio-neered the IAM’s landmarkmedia monitoring project andguided the IAM’s press and

public relations efforts duringmonumental battles such asthe Eastern Airlines strikeagainst corporate pirate FrankLorenzo.

“Bob Kalaski was a shininglight in his craft of labor jour-nalism,” said IAM PresidentTom Buffenbarger. “His warm-hearted personality inspiredmany in the Machinists unionand the labor movement andhe will be missed.”

Members of District 34 inColumbus, OH, wondered ifthe worst recession in yearswould take a toll on theSecond Annual Holiday CarePackage Drive, their effort tocollect donations for U.S.military personnel serving inIraq. They need not haveworried.

IAM members stepped upand exceeded last year’s out-pouring of generosity, col-lecting more than 3,000pounds of goods and gifts,all of which were boxed upand shipped overseas.

This year’s effort was spe-

cial for Donald Harris, aDistrict 34 member whoseson was recently deployed toIraq with the 1001st ReserveUnit based in Chillicothe,OH. Harris also has twoother children serving over-

seas. The 1001st is one of theunits that will receive donat-ed items including food,gifts, shaving gel, tooth-brushes, laundry detergentand telephone calling cardsfor troops to call loved ones.

Volunteers from IAM District 34 in Columbus, OH prepare more than 3,000pounds of donated goods for shipment to military personnel serving in Iraq.

IAM Mourns Passing of Bob Kalaski

Ohio MembersRememberthe Troops

Bob Kalaski


Former District 19 PresidentBob Reynolds appeared on thepopular Life in the Open seriessponsored by the TheodoreRoosevelt ConservationPartnership (TRCP). A life-longhunter and outdoorsman,Reynolds joined program hostKen Barrett in south Texas ona hunt for Nilgai, a type ofantelope, and Bobwhite quail.

The Life in the Open series

is now in its fourthseason and airs on theVersus cable network.The TRCP is part of acoalition of thenation’s leading con-servation organiza-tions, labor unionsand individuals dedi-cated to preserving open spaceand access for hunters andanglers. Check www.trcp.org

for Life in the Open show timesand other information aboutTRCP’s mission and programs.

Learning skills for tomor-row’s jobs was the theme ofthe first annual “Youth inTechnology” summit at theCollege of SouthernMaryland. The Machinistsunion was there to showcasethe high-tech products madeand maintained by IAMmembers. Hundreds of high

school and middle school stu-dents and parents got thechance to learn about thespecial skills required fortomorrow’s jobs at a boothmanned by instructors andstaff from the nearby WilliamW. Winpisinger Educationand Technology Center.

“This kind of outreach is

essential to educate youngpeople about the types ofhigh-paying careers that areout there and the skills they’llneed to get started,” saidWinpisinger Center DirectorChris Wagoner. “These areexciting and rewarding careersand there is a serious shortageof qualified applicants.”

FFoorrmmeerr IIAAMM DDiissttrriicctt 1199PPrreessiiddeenntt BBoobb RReeyynnoollddssaappppeeaarreedd oonn tthhee ppooppuullaarr oouuttddoooorrss sshhooww ““LLiiffee iinn tthhee OOppeenn”” ssppoonnssoorreedd bbyy tthheeTThheeooddoorree RRooosseevveellttCCoonnsseerrvvaattiionn PPaarrttnneerrsshhiipp ((TRRCCPP))..

IAM Member Featured onPopular Hunting Show

To highlight needed skills training for tomorrow’s jobs, from left, HenryBagwell, Ann Wiberg and Linda Manekas from the IAM’s WinpisingerEducation and Technology Center speak with students at a “Youth inTechnology” event at the College of Southern Maryland.

Machinists Union Puts Skills on Display

Each year, the IAM Scholarshipprogram helps many IAM membersand children of IAM members complete a four-year college degreeor two-year technical/vocational program. IAM Scholarship applica-tions must be postmarked no laterthan February 27, 2009.

For application information andcomplete eligibility rules, go towww.goiam.org/iamscholarship or call 301-967-4708.

2009 IAM ScholarshipDeadline February 27


The National Bureau ofEconomic Research (NBER)announced the recessionstarted in December 2007.

With over 2.6 millionAmericans laid off in the pastyear, the NBER’s “call” was ano-brainer.

Working Americansalready knew the signs:neighbors laid off, overtimehours slashed, shorter pro-

duction runs and stacks ofunsold, unshipped inventory.Yet the worst is still to come.

How Bad Could It Get?In the 1981-82 Recession,

unemployment climbedfrom 7.8 to 12 million ineighteen months. An equiv-alent percentage increasetoday would mean unem-ployment for over 15.3 mil-

lion Americans – an increaseof nearly five million fromtoday’s tally.

But the “unemployed”are the narrowest gauge ofeconomic turmoil.

By December 1982 – thehigh-water mark of therecession – the Departmentof Labor's own statistics forunemployed, involuntarypart-time and discouragedworkers totaled 20.6 millionAmericans. Then, the totalnon-farm workforce was90.4 million.

Unemployment CrisisIf the 1981-82 Recession’s

rates of increase wereapplied to the DOL’s August2008 statistics, the numberof unemployed, involuntarypart-time and discouragedworkers would top 28.4 mil-lion Americans by February2010. The non-farm work-force will exceed 136.9 mil-lion by then. Twenty-eightmillion Americans is one-fifth of our workforce!

And, if timely, effectiveand comprehensive strate-gies are not formulated by

Joblessin America

Recession Batters Economy

Plants across America are shedding jobs at historic rates, creating economic chaos for millions of families.

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Congress and the newObama administration,unemployment will spreadeven further and faster.

Again, the 1981-82Recession provides a grue-some set of mile markers.Back then, the unemploy-ment rate for Hispanicsreached 15.2 percent. Bluecollar workers hit 16.1 per-cent. Blacks topped 20.4 per-cent. Over half of African-American teenagers wereunemployed by December1982.

But the American econo-my has changed dramatical-ly since the 1981-82Recession. Manufacturing

jobs totaled 20.3 million inJuly 1981. Today, they num-ber 13.4 million.

Construction jobs totaled4.1 million in July 1981.Today, the construction

industry accounts for 7.1million jobs.

Hundreds of thousands ofthose jobs will be lost overthe next eighteen months.

And with each lost job,another family’s financialpain intensifies.

Safety Net ShreddedThe safety net constructed

first by Franklin DelanoRoosevelt and strengthenedby succeeding Democraticadministrations caught mostof the unemployed in 1982.That would not be true today.

Three decades of benignneglect have torn gapingholes in the safety net.Intentionally restrictive rulesdeny the newly unemployedwelfare and food stamps,access to job training andplacement programs and

More than 2.6 million workers were laid off in 2008 and the recession could claim even more jobs in 2009 withoutswift government action to reverse the economic downturn.

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often a weekly unemploy-ment check.

Who’s most likely to fallthrough the safety net?Unemployed workers fromthe service sector are. Andtheir sheer numbers are stag-gering.

Back in July 1981, the“service producing” jobs(excluding retail tradeemployees) numbered 50.5million. Today, they number100.8 million!

In the 1981-82 Reces-sion, few of those serviceproducing jobs were lost.Not this time. Today’s creditcrunch strikes directly at theDOL’s newest categories ofservice providers — profes-sional and business, educa-tion and health service,leisure and hospitality, andgovernment employees.

The coming wave ofunemployed “serviceproviders” will differ in geo-graphic distribution, demo-graphic characteristics andskill sets from those laid offin the early 1980's. So thesame old counter-cyclicalsolutions – partially effectivefour decades ago – may notwork very well today.

Reversing the momen-tum of a deep recession is atime consuming, expensiveproposition. Making certainthat the monies investedwill provide a long-term,positive return for Americais a start.

The New DealBut what is really need-

ed is a 21st century ver-sion of FDR's WorksProjects Administration.

Roosevelt put Americansto work on an emergencybasis that produced “per-manent improvements inliving conditions or thatcreated future new wealthfor the nation.”

Roosevelt’s strategy canbe modernized and ener-gized to fit America's pro-jected needs. It can tapinto that pool of talentedand unemployedAmericans from all sectorsof the economy. Utilizingtheir skills, education andexpertise is a very differentchallenge than the onefaced in the 1981-82Recession.

Also, there must be along-term focus on the man-ufacturing sector. Now is thetime to modernize outdatedplants and equipment andto reinvent our decayingskills delivery system.

In the late 1970’s ascentral business districtslost shoppers to suburbanmalls, Senator HowardMetzenbaum (D-OH) pro-posed a 10 percent invest-

A 21st century “New Deal” programwill put Americansback to work andposition the economyfor future growth. 21st Century

JOBSTHE NEW

DEAL


ment tax credit for therehabilitation of existingstores and businesses. Thelegislation was carefullycrafted to encourage busi-nesses to renovate olderbuildings. Over $40 billionin tax expenditures generat-ed nearly $400 billion inprivate investment.

A similar approach – aninvestment tax credit forthe rehabilitation and reno-vation of existing manufac-turing facilities – couldpump billions of dollars

into modernizingAmerica’s plants.If the investmenttax credit could bebanked to offsetsubsequent profits,it could createtens of thousandsof jobs.

Expanding thatinvestment tax

credit to cover the purchaseof new equipment, asPresident John F. Kennedydid in 1962, would enablemanufacturers to retooltheir factories and plants.Installation and mainte-nance of the new equip-ment could generate addi-tional jobs.

Invest in SkillsFinally, now is the time

to invest in America’s skills.To meet the global competi-

tion that will heat up afteran economic recovery,America’s children need newand clearly defined pathwaysto success. Starting in highschool and continuingthrough two years of classesin community colleges, uni-versities and high-tech insti-tutes, our kids deserve anational commitment toskills development.

Franklin DelanoRoosevelt did it with the GIBill. An entire generationreceived not just a chanceto go to college but theopportunity to hone theirskills for the careers of theirchoice.

A similar, two-year invest-ment in America’s currentworkforce and its newestgeneration of workers willpay dividends over the nextthree decades.

A combination of investment in new technologies, infrastructureand skills training will help rebuild America’s manufacturing baseand provide middle-class jobs.

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Change was in the air onJanuary 20, 2009.Shortly after the strokeof noon – while underthe watchful gaze of

millions on the National Mall andbillions more in front of televisionand computer screens here andacross the globe – the United Statesof America officially inaugurated its44th chief executive: PresidentBarack Obama.

Many in attendance – buried inseveral layers of clothing whilebraving the bone-chilling cold andengulfed in a sea of people – said itwas like nothing they’ve ever expe-rienced before.

“It was fabulous,” said JoeFlanders, Directing BusinessRepresentative of IAM District Lodge4, who traveled from Brunswick,Maine to Washington, DC, with hisfamily and several other IAM mem-bers to witness the historic event.“For me and all the people aroundus, it felt like anything is possible. It’snever been that way. Never have Iseen a president come into officewith the amount of excitement he’sgenerated.”

“My fellow citizens,” saidObama in his first address as U.S.President. “I stand here today hum-bled by the task before us, gratefulfor the trust you have bestowed,

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”The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose ourbetter history; to carry forwardthat precious gift, that noble idea,passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promisethat all are equal, all are free andall deserve a chance to pursue theirfull measure of happiness.”

President Barack Obama

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mindful of the sacrificesborne by our ancestors…Let us mark this day withremembrance, of who weare and how far we havetraveled.”

Our new president is,undoubtedly, a man ofmany firsts. The most obvi-ous, of course, is the colorof his skin. But for many,Barack Obama representsmore than just the first

African-American president.He symbolizes a new begin-ning. A break from ournation’s past. An end to thelast eight years. A chance fornew ideas and new opportu-nities. A new vision. A newhope. A new spirit.

First Priority:Recovery

“The time has come toset aside childish things,”

said the President. “Thetime has come to reaffirmour enduring spirit; tochoose our better history; tocarry forward that preciousgift, that noble idea, passedon from generation to gen-eration: the God-givenpromise that all are equal,all are free and all deserve achance to pursue their fullmeasure of happiness.”

Just two weeks into the


“In reaffirming the greatness of ournation, we understand that greatnessis never a given. It must be earned.”

— President Barack Obama

job, and the president’sdesk is already filled withpressing issues – many ofwhich impact workingfamilies. The good news isObama has a commend-able record on that score.

“In reaffirming thegreatness of our nation, weunderstand that greatnessis never a given. It must beearned,” said the Presidentin his inaugural address.

“Our journey has neverbeen one of shortcuts or set-tling for less. It has not beenthe path for the faint-heart-ed – for those who preferleisure over work, or seekonly the pleasures of richesand fame. Rather, it hasbeen the risk-takers, thedoers, the makers of things –some celebrated but moreoften men and womenobscure in their labor, who

have carried us up the long,rugged path towards prosper-ity and freedom.”

Strong RecordSince being elected as a

U.S. Senator in 2004, he’svoted in favor of workingfamilies 98 percent of thetime. He's voted to raisethe minimum wage, pro-vide overtime pay, equalpay and family medical

With his hand on the same Biblethat was used to administer theoath of office to Abraham Lincoln,Barack Obama was sworn in as the44th president of the UnitedStates. Obama’s inaugurationbrings a much-needed new spiritto the nation in a time of national crisis.

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leave, to protect Medicareand children’s health insur-ance, and stop the privatiza-tion of federal jobs.

In 2007, he introducedthe Patriot Employer Act,which provides a tax creditfor companies maintainingfull-time workers, providinghealth insurance, preparingworkers for retirement, andmaintaining their corporateheadquarters in the U.S.

He also voted against theCentral American Free TradeAgreement and stronglyopposed the Columbia FreeTrade Pact.

Obama pledged through-out his presidential cam-paign to protect our inter-ests. And during his inaugur-al address, he acknowledgedhis intentions on making

good on that promise: “The question we ask

today is not whether ourgovernment is too big or toosmall, but whether it works,”he said. “Whether it helpsfamilies find jobs at a decentwage, care they can afford, aretirement that is dignified.Where the answer is yes, weintend to move forward.Where the answer is no, pro-grams will end.”

Shore Up EconomyHis first priority is to

shore up America’s failingeconomy.

Companies everywhere arescrambling to save money – atthe expense of workers. TheU.S. Labor Department reportsthat more than 11 millionpeople are currently withoutwork. Data shows 2.6 millionjobs were lost in 2008 alone,at a speed faster than anythingeconomists have seen since1975. Sadly, the U.S. manufac-turing sector continues to gethit with a record number ofmass layoffs. Factory job lossestotaled nearly 800,000 lastyear. Economists expect thosenumbers to mount.

With a record number ofjob losses and an unemploy-

“ The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, butwhether it works.” — President Barack Obama


The mortgage crisis was just the tip of the iceberg of an economic storm that is sweeping across North America and the rest of the world’s economies.

Unemployment has jumped tolevels not seen in more than twodecades and could reachDepression-era numbers.

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The Economic Recovery TeamThe key to dealing with the issues and helping America get ahead not only lies with

the successful passage of laws such as the president’s economic recovery plan or theEmployee Free Choice Act; what’s equally important is how, if passed, these and othermeasures will be carried out. Or, more importantly, who will be carrying them out.

Hillary ClintonSecretary of State

Hilda SolisDepartment of Labor

Ray LaHoodDepartment of Transportation

Joe BidenVice President

Sen. Joe Biden has beentapped to head the adminis-tration's taskforce for rebuild-ing America’s middle class.He will also serve as one ofObama's top advisors whendealing with the wars in Iraqand Afghanistan, as well asthe current crisis in theMiddle East.

As Secretary of State, Sen.Hillary Clinton will helpthe president rebuild theUnited States’ reputationabroad. She will work toaddress the wars in Iraqand Afghanistan, the crisisin the Middle East, theinstability in Pakistan, andIran's nuclear ambitions.She brings to the job aunique background hav-ing served as First Ladyand New York Senator.She’s also an honorarymember of the IAM.

Rep. Ray LaHood isexpected to play a largerrole than past transpor-tation secretaries thanksto the president's plan tocreate more jobsthrough public worksprojects. In addition tooverseeing road andbridge repairs, LaHoodwill also have the task ofimproving the country'sair infrastructure.

Robert GatesDepartment of Defense

Tom DaschleDepartment of Health andHuman Services

Tom VilsackDepartment of Agriculture

Robert Gates is aholdover from the Bushadministration. His mainfocus will be aidingObama in his plans forIraq and Afghanistan.

President Obamadescribes former IowaGovernor Tom Vilsackas “forward looking…in fostering an agricul-ture economy of thefuture.” Vilsack will beresponsible for findingmore innovative waysto address the energycrisis as it relates toagriculture. He willalso implement the2008 Farm Bill, gov-erning federal farmand food policy.


Other Cabinet MembersTimothy GeithnerDepartment of the Treasury

Arne DuncanDepartment of Education

Steven ChuDepartment of Energy

Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-AZDepartment of Homeland Security

Eric HolderDepartment of Justice

Retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki Department of Veterans Affairs

Shaun DonovanDepartment of Housing & Urban Development

Sen. Ken Salazar, D-CODepartment of Interior

As the daughter of immi-grant parents with unionjobs, Rep. Hilda Solispledged, “I’ll work tostrengthen our unionsand support everyAmerican in our diverseworkforce.” She supportsthe Employee Free ChoiceAct, expanding job train-ing programs, increasingthe minimum wage,improving equal pay lawsand making sure pensionplans are secure.

Former Sen. Tom Daschlewill head Obama's initiativeto reform the country's$2.3 trillion health care system and help the esti-mated 46 million Americanswho currently live withouthealth insurance.

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ment rate threatening toreach double digits, Obamaproposes an $825 billionstimulus package. The plan isexpected to include $275 bil-lion in tax cuts and another$550 billion in governmentspending.

Remake America“The state of the econo-

my calls for action, bold andswift, and we will act,”Obama said. “We remain themost prosperous, powerfulnation on Earth. Our workersare no less productive thanwhen this crisis began. Ourminds are no less inventive,

our goods and services noless needed than they werelast week or last month orlast year. Our capacityremains undiminished. Butour time of standing pat, ofprotecting narrow interestsand putting off unpleasantdecisions – that time hassurely passed. Starting today,we must pick ourselves up,dust ourselves off, and beginagain the work of remakingAmerica.”

Despite Democratic criesthat the amount is notenough to jumpstart theeconomy and Republicancomplaints that the country

is already staring at a possible$1.2 trillion deficit for thecurrent fiscal year, Obama isurging Congress pass the leg-islation as soon as possible.

“For every day we wait orpoint fingers or drag our feet,more Americans will losetheir jobs. More families willlose their savings. Moredreams will be deferred anddenied,” said Obama earlierthis year. “And our nationwill sink deeper into a crisisthat, at some point, we maynot be able to reverse.”

Also included in Obama’sAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Plan are mea-

“ It’s time to put our people back to work andopen the door of opportunity for our kids.”


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sures to rebuild the U.S.infrastructure while alsoinvesting in alternativeenergy. Translation: morejobs. At least three million,according to the president.

RebuildManufacturing

“We will build theroads and bridges, theelectric grids and digitallines that feed our com-merce and bind us togeth-er,” he said. “We will restorescience to its rightful place,and wield technology'swonders to raise healthcare's quality and lower its cost.”

“He’s talking about re-tooling America’s manufac-turing base,” says IAMPresident Tom Buffenbarger.“Roads, bridges, the watersystem, the power grid andthe supply of energy aregoing to create blue-collarjobs. The president is exactlyright.”

Obama's plan also talksabout modernizing schoolsand providing America’syouth with the 21st centuryskills necessary to meetindustry needs and competeglobally.

“We could lose a genera-tion of potential andpromise, as more young

Creating high-tech jobs and givingyoung people the opportunities tolearn the skills for those jobs must bea high priority for the new presidentand Congress.

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Americans are forced toforgo dreams of college or achance to train for the jobsof the future,” he said, alsoearlier this year. “And, ournation could lose the com-petitive edge that has servedas a foundation for ourstrength and standing inthe world.”

Passage of the stimuluspackage is expected to comein early February.

Free Choice ActAnother key issue await-

ing the new president’sattention is one that hitshome to the Machinists –exercising a worker’s right to

join a union. The EmployeeFree Choice Act (EFCA)would make it easier forworkers to form unions byrequiring businesses recog-nize a union if a majority oftheir employees sign cardsindicating they want one.

For too long, workershave had to deal withemployers who routinelyfire, threaten and coerceemployees in efforts to keepworkers unorganized.According to AmericanRights at Work, 25 percentof employers fire at leastone pro-union worker whenfaced with organizing dri-ves, 51 percent threaten to

close a worksite and 91 per-cent force employees tomeet privately with theirsupervisors.

All despite research thatshows allowing more work-ers to freely join unions andbargain with their employerswill help rebuild the middleclass, expand health careand improve retirementsecurity.

Help Middle ClassThe IAM has been work-

ing hard to get theEmployee Free Choice Actpassed. The measure clearedthe House in early 2007,only to face a filibuster by asmall group of union-bust-ing Republicans in theSenate.

Obama voted in favor ofbringing the bill up in theSenate that year. Althoughhe told a group of tradeunionists, “We need a presi-dent who doesn’t choke say-


“ The state of the economy calls for action,bold and swift, and we will act.”


After giving Democrats increasedmajorities in the House andSenate, voters expect leaderssuch as Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid, left, to fulfill theirpledge to help America’s workingfamilies with middle-class jobs,access to health care, and invest-ments in education and infra-structure projects.

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ing the word union,” howhard he decides to push theEmployee Free Choice Act in2009 could prove to be the

biggest test of his commit-ment to labor.

“The time for workers toexercise their democratic

right to free choice, betterwages, better working condi-tions and quality health careis now,” says Buffenbarger.“We can no longer sit backand let others decide whatour standards of livingshould be. Working with anew president and newCongress, we have thechance to set the nation’sdirection.”

Also at the top ofPresident Obama’s to-do list

Though considered a“super woman” of sorts bymany, the lawyer, medicalcenter executive and publicservant Michelle Obamaasserts her main job will be“Mom-in-Chief.”

“My first priority willalways be to ensure thatour daughters stay ground-ed and healthy, with nor-mal childhoods – includinghomework, chores, danceand soccer,” she toldreporters during her hus-band’s campaign.

Even though she hasn’tofficially declared her FirstLady agenda, many suspectshe’ll continue with the

issues she supported evenbefore her husbandbecame president.

“Michelle looks forwardto continuing her work onthe issues close to herheart - supporting militaryfamilies, helping workingwomen balance work andfamily, and encouragingothers to help those aroundthem through volunteerprojects,” said the transi-tion team’s website.

“Policies that supportfamilies aren’t politicalissues,” says the First Lady.“They’re personal. They’rethe causes I carry with meevery single day.”

President Obama refersto her as his “rock” – theperson who keeps himfocused and grounded. Inher words, she’s just makingsure he’s “keeping it real.”

The two met whileworking at a law firm inChicago. They’ve been married since 1992.

The New First Lady

Michelle Obama

Passing the Employee FreeChoice Act will help restoreAmerica’s middle class by givingmore working families thechance to bargain for betterwages, health care coverage andpension benefits.

Michelle Obama

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is a long series of foreign pol-icy issues: scaling back theU.S. Military operation inIraq, beefing up our presencein Afghanistan, dismantlingIran's nuclear program, andfinding middle ground in thecrisis between Israeli forcesand Palestinian militants.

Our MomentNow, with an agenda in

hand and a team beside him,President Obama hasembarked on his four-yearterm as Commander-in-Chief.With such challenges as abludgeoned economy, an 11-million-people-short work-force, an inferior educationsystem, a massive, but skeletalhealth care system, two wars,and the threat of conflictthroughout the remainingcorners of the globe, it seemsWashington, DC, has beentransformed into a stage withthe whole world watching.

Will he hold true to thepromise of change? Thepromise of hope and notmore of the same?

“This is our moment,” hetold thousands during hisvictory speech on a clear,starry night back in

November. “This is ourtime – to put our peopleback to work and opendoors of opportunity forour kids; to restore pros-perity and promote thecause of peace; to reclaimthe American Dream andreaffirm that fundamen-tal truth – that out ofmany, we are one; thatwhile we breathe, wehope, and where we aremet with cynicism, anddoubt, and those whotell us that we can’t, wewill respond with thattimeless creed that sumsup the spirit of a people:Yes We Can.”

Just after taking theoath of office he vowedagain: “With hope andvirtue, let us brave oncemore the icy currents, andendure what storms maycome. Let it be said by ourchildren's children thatwhen we were tested werefused to let this journeyend, that we did not turnback nor did we falter; andwith eyes fixed on the hori-zon and God's grace upon us,we carried forth that great giftof freedom and delivered it

safely to future generations.”And thus marked the

start of a new journey. A new vision. A new hope. A new spirit.


Inspired by a new spirit in America, millions of people gathered onthe National Mall to witness the historic swearing in ceremony ofAmerica’s first African-American president. The hopes and dreams offamilies around the world are resting on Obama’s ability to steady thenation, create jobs and restore economic security.

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“ With hope and virtue, let us brave oncemore the icy currents, and endure whatstorms may come.” — President Barack Obama


Union Members Answer Call to Community Service

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forty-one years afterDr. Martin LutherKing, Jr. was slainin Memphis andjust days before

Barack Obama was swornin as the 44th president ofthe United States, hun-dreds of union membersgathered in New Orleans,LA, to celebrate a labor-civil rights movement that

is more vibrant than ever.As it has for years,

community servicemarked the week-long2009 AFL-CIO MLKHoliday Observance.Union members fannedout across the city to helprebuild areas still reelingfrom Hurricane Katrinaand the woeful federalresponse that followed.

A visitor to NewOrleans’ Central BusinessDistrict, which includesthe fabled French Quarter,might assume that thecity has largely recoveredfrom the storms of 2005.Shops are thriving, restau-rants are full and zydecomusic fills the air. Butunlike much of NewOrleans, the Central

IAM members were part of the hundreds of union members who performed numerous community serviceprojects in New Orleans neighborhoods to commemorate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.


Business District and theFrench Quarter are abovesea level and were sparedthe flooding that devastat-ed more than 80 percent ofthe city.

Still RebuildingA short drive from the

Central Business Districtreveals ghostly neighbor-hoods that still bear vividscars of wind and water. Inthe hardest hit areas, entireblocks remain vacant, withonly bare foundations mark-ing where homes oncestood.

To help rebuild, hun-dreds of union memberstook part in more than 20separate projects across NewOrleans that ranged fromrestoring parks to rebuildingindividual union members’homes.

Union painters, electri-cians, and drywall artisansworked side-by-side withhomeowners who are deter-mined to remain in theircity, despite surroundingsthat resemble a war zoneand an infrastructure that isoften compared to a third-world nation.

In addition to individ-ual homes and local parks,the union volunteersworked with civil rightsactivists to help restore elec-

trical service to a localchurch and repair anAfrican-American museum.

Isn’t OverIAM members taking

part in the week’s activitieswielded shovels, rakes andwheelbarrows to help restorea pair of local ball fields,

where floodwaters up toeight feet high remained fordays, leaving behind asludge-covered wasteland.

“It’s important to callattention to the condition ofthese neighborhoods morethan three years after thehurricane hit,” said IAMExecutive Assistant DianeBabineaux, who led theMachinists’ contingent toNew Orleans. “The nation’smedia may have packed upand moved on, but it’s up tous to tell the world that thisstory isn’t over.”

In addition to the NewOrleans activities, more than20,000 AFL-CIO unionmembers in 41 citiesanswered a call by BarackObama to honor Dr. King’slegacy with community service activities.

Grand Lodge RepresentativeSteve Cooper, right, was one ofmany union members whohelped restore a baseball field ina New Orleans neighborhood.

“It’s important to call attention tothe condition ofthese neighbor-hoods more thanthree years afterthe hurricane hit.”

Diane BabineauxExecutive Assistant to theInternational President


This is an exciting timefor TCU. The successes of2008 will build a strong foun-dation for many more in2009. Last year’s successfulFMLA arbitration and newAmtrak contracts demon-strate TCU’s effectiveness and determination.

The election of BarackObama as President of theUnited States was a pivotal stepto bring about the changes ingovernment that workingAmericans sorely need. TCUlooks forward to a close relation-ship with the new administra-tion, and we are optimistic thatthe voices of TCU members willbe heard, and acted upon, for

years to come. One of the most important

reasons to support BarackObama was our need for union-friendly appointments to thenumerous federal agencies thatso strongly influence rail work-ers’ lives. For years, our interestshave been battered by anti-laborideologues appointed byPresident Bush.

President Obama has alreadypassed this test. TCU is delight-ed with his nomination ofCongresswoman Hilda Solis asSecretary of Labor. Solis hasbeen a champion of workers’rights throughout her career,and is a close friend of TCU. Sheis a strong supporter of the

Employee Free Choice Act(EFCA). During her confirma-tion hearing, she pointedly testi-fied that for too long theDepartment of Labor hasworked to protect managementinterests instead of labor.

TCU looks forward toPresident Obama’s appoint-ments to the NationalMediation Board, NationalLabor Relations Board,Department of Transportation,Federal Railroad Administration,and the many other agenciesthat hold real power over ourworking conditions. TCU is con-fident that all of his agencyappointments will understandthe needs of working families.

Looking Ahead for Progress

The new Obama administration will bring welcomed changes to federal agencies that govern all aspects of collectivebargaining in the railroad sector, making it possible to win a better future for workers and their families.


TCU is also looking for a seachange on government policytoward Amtrak. PresidentObama sees Amtrak as a keycomponent of his energy, envi-ronmental and transportationinitiatives and we have a VicePresident who is a long-timechampion of Amtrak.

TCU is heartened by AmtrakPresident Joe Boardman’s com-mitment to work with us tomake sure that the second backpay installment is paid on time,and Amtrak’s agreement toreduce copays for certain healthcare providers. TCU is workingclosely with the new Amtrakadministration to secure ade-quate funding and begin theprocess of reversing years ofneglect by getting stimulusfunds for equipment repair,shop expansion and revitaliza-tion and other needed projects.For the first time in memory wehave a chance to change thedebate over Amtrak from sur-

vival to expansion. TCU is also gearing up for

the opening of national freightnegotiations at the end of 2009.TCU is hopeful that a strongstimulus package will begin toreverse recessionary pressures,and TCU will fight for a strong

contract under any economiccircumstances. Having labor-friendly appointments to theNational Mediation Board willbe a welcomed change.

In July, 2009 the 33rdRegular TCU Convention willcelebrate our Union’s historic110th anniversary. The officialcall to delegates has beenreleased, posted on the websiteand preparations have begun.Each delegate will represent hisor her local and will have theopportunity to be a part of thedecisions this convention willmake, including the election ofGrand Lodge officers.

2009 brings with it manyexciting possibilities. With aworking family-friendly Obamaadministration, increasedAmtrak funding and union-friendly government appoint-ments, we can look forward tothe changes TCU and its mem-bers hope to achieve.

About TCU’sConstitution

TCU makes itsConstitution of the GrandLodge, Statutes for theGovernment of Lodges andDistricts, and ProtectiveLaws available to membersin two ways: the documentcan be downloaded directlyfrom TCU’s website atwww.TCUnion.org or, to geta bound version, membersshould send a written

request to InternationalSecretary-Treasurer DanielBiggs at TCU, 3 ResearchPlace, Rockville, MD 20850.

Dues Increase in Aprilper TCU Constitution

Pursuant with Article26, Section 2(b) of the TCUGrand Lodge Constitution,monthly dues will beincreased effective April 1,2009 in most cases by aminimum of $2.20.

Important Notices for TCU Members

The new Secretary of Labor, Representative Hilda Solis, center, pledges to be an advocate for America’s working families. Joining Solis are, from left, TCU Assistant National Legislative Director TonyPadilla and TCU International Representative Ron Kloos.

Note: These notices, policies and procedures apply only to members of the TransportationCommunications Union (TCU) which is an IAM affiliate. All Constitutional references are to the TCU Grand Lodge Constitution. For further information, see the TCU website www.tcunion.org.

T C U

Few agreements are more difficult to achieve than a MasterAgreement, an accord that cov-ers union members working forthe same employer but in differ-ent locations.

The Negotiating Committeefor nearly 900 IAM memberswho work for United LaunchAlliance (ULA) earned their placeamong those who successfullybrokered a Master Agreement.

“This really was a remarkableachievement,” said AerospaceCoordinator John Crowdis, whohelped guide the 23-member

committee. “We set aside indi-vidual agendas and bridged cul-tural and geographic differencesthat might otherwise be used tolimit our bargaining power.”

Before negotiations with ULAbegan in late 2008, the IAMNegotiating Committee tookpart in a unique NegotiationsPreparations Class at the WilliamW. Winpisinger EducationCenter, where they hammeredout differences and created pro-posals that were ultimatelyaccepted by the company andratified by members in all fivelocal lodges.

When the ULA, a jointrocket-building and launch

venture of Boeing andLockheed Martin was estab-lished in 2005, many ofthe pieces for a successfulMaster Agreement werealready in place.

In California, members of

Left, IAM members at the UnitedLaunch Alliance build and launch anarray of rockets for military andcommercial applications.

The Making of aMaster Agreement


Members of the United LaunchAlliance Negotiating Committeelaid the foundation for a newMaster Agreement duringNegotiations Preparations trainingat the William WinpisingerEducation Center. Some of the 23-member committee, from left,Mike Epperly, Local 2786; PhilCarr, Local 44; Jim Asel, Local2786; Gavin Brunner, Local 44;Anthony Michael, Local 44 andLou Vassoler, Local 1163.

A e r o s p a c eSuccess at United Launch Alliance

Local 2024 and 2786 maintainand launch Atlas and Delta rock-ets that were manufactured bymembers of Local 44 in Decatur,AL. In Cape Canaveral, FL, mem-bers of Local 610 and 1163 han-dled East coast launch duties forspace vehicles, carrying every-thing from government recon-naissance probes to commercialsatellites. While IAM members ateach location continued to becovered by their individual con-tracts after Boeing and Lockheedjoined forces, the need for uni-form wages and work rules wasapparent.

“It was one thing to make thecase to members that they need-ed a unified voice, but it wasquite another to convince thecompany that such a move couldalso be to their benefit,” said IAMStrategic Resources ResearchEconomist Loren Almeroth, whoassisted in the negotiations.Among the benefits of the newMaster Agreement are annualwage increases of five percent,four percent and four percent.

The committee also negotiat-ed annual COLA supplements,an $80 pension multiplier, a$3,000 lump sum ratificationbonus and a common expirationdate for all locations, allowingfuture bargaining committees tofocus their combined strength,experience and resources.

“The union’s long-term goalthroughout was parity in wagesand benefits for members in alllocations,” explained Crowdis.“This will be achieved in steps forsome and in leaps for others, butthe goal was always the same: tomove forward as a unit.”

After 57 days on the picketline, Machinists at the BoeingCompany won a new contractlast November that far exceed-ed the company’s “last andfinal” offer and assured all27,000 members at Boeing aplace of honor in the historyof hard won union victories.

Members voted by a 74percent margin to ratify afour-year agreement that covers Boeing facilities inWashington, Oregon, Kansasand California, and ended astrike that began onSeptember 6, 2008.

“Our members at Boeingmade extraordinary efforts towin a contract that shares theprosperity they help create atBoeing and ensures that thenext generation of IAM mem-bers will also be able to sharein that success,” said IAMPresident Tom Buffenbarger.

Among the issues that led

to the strike was Boeing’sattempt to eliminate thou-sands of IAM-represented posi-tions by proposing contractterms that would expand theuse of outside vendors in theworkplace. In its initial propos-al, Boeing also wanted to closethe traditional pension plan tonew hires and sharply cuthealth care benefits for retirees.

In addition to a 15 per-cent increase in wages, pen-sion improvements and sig-nificant lump sum pay-ments, IAM members' shareof medical costs will remainunchanged. Among themany job security gains inthe new accord, the IAMwon scope of work jurisdic-tion over previously unpro-tected bargaining unit work.More than 5,000 jobs at riskunder the company’s initialproposal are protected underthe new agreement.

Machinists Prevailat Boeing

More than 27,000 IAM members at Boeing locations in Washington,Oregon, Kansas and California prevailed after 57 hard-fought days onthe picket line.



Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n

If federal electionshad to follow thesame rules as laborelections in the air-line and rail indus-

try, there would be a lotfewer politicians today. Voterturnout in the United Statesis regularly below 50 percent,and the 60 percent turnoutfor Barack Obama was her-alded as historic.

But if you are in the air-line or rail industry, voterturnout for a union represen-

tation election must surpass50 percent for the NationalMediation Board to considerthe election “valid.”

If less than half of eligibleemployees vote in an NMBelection, including those onfurlough or approved leave,no representative will be cer-tified.

Those extraordinary NMBrules will apply to union rep-resentation elections amongemployee groups at Deltaand Northwest Airlines(NWA) once they are fully

merged. Those elections willhave enormous conse-quences.

NWA workers are cur-rently protected by maturecontracts with hard-wonlanguage that stretches backmore than 60 years.

If an election for a classi-fication fails to meet theNMB threshold require-ments, those workers wouldlose their union representa-tion. Their contract wouldbe dissolved, eliminating allestablished protections,including seniority, biddingand due process rights. And,participation in the IAMNational Pension Plan wouldend.

In determining thethreshold number ofemployees for union repre-sentation, the NMB countspeople who choose not tocast a ballot, or simply forgetto do so, as casting a “no”vote. Either you vote “no” byinaction or you vote “yes” by actively voting. NMB elec-tions are typically conductedthrough the Internet and bytelephone.

The NMB will determinewhich airline employeesbelong in which classifica-tions, and each classificationwill vote in a separate elec-

Delta Air Lines and NorthwestAirlines announced plans to mergein 2008 to form the world’s largestairline. Elections to determine unionrepresentation will require high levels of employee participation tobe considered “valid.”

Airline Merger PlanPuts Workers at Risk

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The IAM TransportationDepartment closed out 2008by adding 40 new memberswith successful organizingcampaigns for Maintenanceof Way, Shop Mechanic,Office & Clerical andOperating Employees (engi-neers and conductors) at theSouth Central FloridaExpress railroad.

Organizing employeesunder the Railway Labor Actrequires separate electionsfor each class and craft. TheIAM won all four electionsin late December. The newIAM members at SouthCentral Florida Express arepart of the Transportation

Department’s RailroadDistrict 19.

Owned and oper-ated by U.S. SugarCorp., the SouthCentral FloridaExpress is the largestprivate agriculturalrailroad in the coun-try. U.S. Sugar is theonly sugar company inthe continental U.S.that transports all itscane by railroad to itsmills.

“These victories werethe result of coordinatedefforts between organizersfrom District 19, the IAMSouthern Territory and a

dedicated in-house organiz-ing team,” said Transporta-tion GVP Robert Roach, Jr.“This railroad is growing,and these victories ensuregood-paying IAM jobs willgrow with it.”

One Railroad, Four Organizing Victories

After a successful organizing effort, new IAMmembers in four crafts at the South CentralFlorida Railroad are now part of IAM DistrictLodge 19.

tion. Each individual classifica-tion must meet the NMBthreshold requirements fortheir election to secure unionrepresentation.

An election that achievesthe NMB threshold and certi-fies the IAM as the bargainingagent for a particular classifica-tion would allow both Deltaand Northwest workers to pro-pose and negotiate a newagreement covering employeegroups from both airlines.

For the first time, rank andfile Delta workers will be able

to sit across the bargainingtable with the legal right tonegotiate as equals with Deltamanagement.

“Despite the challenges ofan NMB election, we need tofocus on making sure employ-

ees at both carriers understandthe critical importance of cast-ing their ballots when the timecomes.” said TransportationGVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Noth-ing less than their entire careersare at stake.”

Local 1759 Committee Chairman RickIacino, center, speaks with NWAEquipment Service Employees KeithSims, left, and Earl Day, right, aboutprotecting their contract in union elections for NWA and Delta employees.

The IAM is holding its annual members-only photography contest andyou are encouraged to enter. TCU mem-bers can also enter the contest. You candownload a contest entry form by goingto www.goiam.org/photocontest.

Be sure to read the contest rules andphotography tips. Entries should catchIAM or TCU members at work in unposedphotos. If your entry wins, you’ll win acash prize and your photo will appear inthe 2010 IAM Calendar.

A portion of the sale of each calendaris donated to Guide Dogs of America.

Photos may be in film or digital format.Digital photos must be shot with a camera with at least three megapixels and must be set at the “fine” setting.

It costs nothing to enter, and you maywin! The deadline for entries is June 1, 2009.

To download a contest entry form, go to: www.goiam.org/photocontestor write to:

Announcing the 2009

IAM Photography

Contest

IAM Photo ContestCommunications Department9000 Machinists PlaceUpper Marlboro, MD 20772301-967-4520

Local Lodge 52 member Jamy Kaiser of Pittsburgh, PA, won the 2008 IAM Photo Contest with “Pantographing.”The photo shows IAM member Paul Cerra at the Pannier Corporation engraving a steel hand stamp for makingparts.


International Association of Machinistsand Aerospace Workers9000 Machinists PlaceUpper Marlboro, MD 20772-2687

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

To learn more about the Plan and model benefits, visit the National Pension Planonline at www.iamnpf.org.

Talk to your business representative about negotiating the National Pension Planinto your collective bargaining agreement.

For more information contact the Communication & Education Department at theIAM National Pension Fund at 1-800-424-9608.

IAM National Pension Fund1300 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Suite 300Washington, DC 20036-1711

In this uncertain economy,

The National Pension Plan Comes Through for You

A traditional defined benefit pension plan

Providing known, lifetime benefits you can rely on, in good times and in bad.

Make the National Pension Plan a Part of Your Retirement

For nearly 50 years, the IAM member’s best bet for long-term financial well-being.

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