IAM Local 2569 Site Index
 

Home Page     
                           Contains imail content from the international and a link to the
                           IAM web site:

About Local Lodge 2569
                         
                           Contains information about our Local Lodge 2569:

The Leadership

                           Contains information about the current IAM Local 2569 Officers:

Calendar of Events

                           Contains a calendar with events:

                            Example: Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month.

Local 2569 News

                           Contains links to union/IAM related news:

2569 News Archive

                            Contains links to union/IAM related news archives:

MNPL

                             Contains an explanation of MNPL:

Legislative Action

                              Contains Legislative News/Political Action:

Political/Legislative Department
Rich Michalski, Director

Under the leadership of our International President,  R.  Thomas  Buffenbarger,  the
Political/Legislative Department has set goals in order that we are prepared to advance economic opportunities for the benefit of our members. President Buffenbarger is committed to providing the resources which will ensure that IAM stays in the forefront of political and legislative action as we move into the new millennium. 

The IAM is constantly asking members of Congress what kind of new and innovative
approaches to job creation and job retention are they taking, in order that our members and the companies they work for do not become vulnerable to international competition caused by a global economy. 

While the primary functions of the Political and Legislative Department include the
promotion of workers rights, job security, job creation, training and political education through work with the Executive and Legislative Branches of the federal government, the
Department must continually be prepared to confront the attacks presented to us by the
Right Wing Radicals of Congress. 

The agenda these Right Wing Radicals have promoted has brought a battery of assaults to the overall economic security of the working men and women of our country. There are those in Congress who are content in promoting the following agenda, an agenda that only serves the best interest of corporate money mongers and multi-nationals and not working families. 

• Weakened OSHA Standards through attempted budgets cuts which would affect oversight and compliance. 

• The Team Act - Nothing more than a move by the Right Wing and Corporate America to avoid Unions and their representatives and revert back to company unions. 

• Service Contract Act - Attempts are currently being made to weaken the Act by allowing federal contractors to subcontract work they bid on and avoid paying prevailing wages. 

• The Fair Labor Standards Act is under assault by a bill the Right Wing has been trying to push called "Comp Time". If Comp Time were to be passed it would drastically undermine the 40 hour work week and paying a "premium" for overtime. 

Thanks to the grassroots efforts of our State Councils, District and Local Lodges and the overall solidarity of the labor movement, these types of issues have been beaten back. However, it is also these types of issues that prevent us from being proactive on our own legislative agenda. 

The Legislative Department will continue to work with all the levels and branches of
government to develop sound economic policies to rebuild our nations once strong industrial base--policies that will provide high wage jobs with good benefits, job security, jobs with dignity and ultimately the economic security and well being of the men, women and families of this great nation. 

Political Action

Issues that affect you and your job

2004  Voter Guides State-by-State

Indiana  
http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/voters/index.html

The Political / Legislative Department of the IAM

The United States Senate   This site includes links to Senators' offices and also includes bills, calendars, notices of committee hearings, and a daily digest of Senate action (usually with a one day delay)

U.S. House of Representatives   This site includes Member Offices, schedule of hearings, "real time" reports on floor action, a schedule for the week and other current information.

Congress.org    This site has been updated for the 105th Congress. It includes a page for each U.S. Senator and Congressman. All committee assignments are listed as well. The site provides a guide for contacting your Senator or Congressman and an e-mail form for doing so.

THOMAS   Full text of legislation, all versions of House & Senate bills are searchable by keywords or by number. Full text of the Congressional Record from 1994.  This site has links to other useful government information and historical documents.

Political Action by State

The Indiana State Legislature Legislator listings alphabetically and by district.

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Resources

                       Contains links to resources:

Indiana - Unemployment Compensation Up-to-date information on Unemployment Compensation for Wisconsin workers is available on this site, which also includes links to other job-related sites.

Indiana - Workers Compensation  This site includes comprehensive information on Wisconsin's Workers Compensation system and also includes extensive data on health and safety.

Paywatch - The National AFL-CIO's new website on CEO pay.  Shows how CEO pay is skyrocketing; details what the top executives make--and how long it would take you to make that much. Also indicates what you can do about this scandal and how to "talk back."

Pension Benefit Guaranty   The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is using a new Internet site to help workers locate pension money owed to them.  The PBGC lists 9,887 workers who are owed more than $19 million in benefits and about 1,400 companies.  The site can be searched by name, company or state.

U.S. Dept. of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics  Despite cutbacks in their budget for a number of years, this is still the best source for just about any sort of economic data you're looking for.

NIOSH  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Home Page.  This site gives information on the agency, publications, health hazard evaluations and databases.  This site has extensive safety and health weblinks.

OSHA  Occupational Safety and Health Administration Home Page. This site provides information on the agency, technical support, publications and standards.  In addition, the site has extensive safety and health weblinks.

The Department of Labor

Census Bureau  This site contains all sorts of data down to the state and county level.

Union Links

                         Contains union links:

IAM History

                        Contains IAM History:

1888: 19 machinists meeting in locomotive pit at Atlanta, GA, vote to form a trade union. Machinists earn 20 to 25 cents an hour for 10-hour day.

1889: 34 locals represented at the first Machinists convention, held in Georgia State Senate Chamber, elect Tom Talbot as Grand Master Machinist. A monthly journal is started.

1890: First Canadian local chartered at Stratford, Ont. Union is named International Association of Machinists. Headquarters set up in Richmond, VA. Membership at 4,000.

1891: IAM Local 145 asks $3 for a 10-hour day.

1892: First railroad agreement signed with Atcheson, Topeka & Santa Fe.

1895: IAM joins American Federation of Labor (AFL), moves headquarters to Chicago.

1898: IAM Local 52, Pittsburgh, conducts first successful strike for 9-hour day.

1899: Time-and-a-half for overtime has become prevalent. Headquarters moved to Washington, D.C.

1903: Specialists admitted to membership. Drive begins for 8-hour day.

1905: Apprentices admitted to membership. There are 769 locals. Railroad machinists earn 36 to 43 cents an hour for 9-hour day.

1908: Metal Trades Department established within AFL with IAM President James O'Connell as president.

1911: Women admitted to membership with equal rights.

1912: Railway Employees Department established in AFL with Machinist A. O. Wharton as President.

1914: Congress passes Clayton Act limiting use of injunctions in labor disputes and making picketing legal.

1915: IAM wins 8-hour in many shops and factories. IAM affiliates with International Metalworkers Federation.

1916: Auto mechanics admitted to membership.

1918: IAM membership reaches 331,000.

1920: Headquarters moved to first Machinists Building, at 9th & Mt.Vernon Pl., N.W., Washington, D.C. British Amalgamated Engineering Union cedes its North American locals to IAM.

1920: Machinists earn 72 to 90 cents an hour for 44-hour week.

1922: 79,000 railroad machinists pin shopmen's strike against second post-war wage cut. Membership declines to 148,000.

1924: IAM convention endorses Robert M. LaFollette, Sr., for President.

1926: Congress passes Railway Labor Act requiring carriers to bargain and forbidding discrimination against union members.

1927: IAM urges ratification of Child Labor Amendments to U.S. Constitution; 2,500,000 children under 16 are working at substandard wages.

1928: 250 delegates at 18th IAM convention urge 5-day week to alleviate unemployment.

1929: Depression layoffs cut IAM membership to 70,000.

1932: Congress passes Norris LaGuardia Act banning use of court injunctions in labor disputes.Wisconsin adopts first unemployment insurance act. Nearly 30% of union members are jobless.

1933: IAM backs National Recovery drive and 40-hour week. FOR picks IAM Vice President Robert Fechner to head new Civilian Conservative Corps. Membership sinks to 56,000.

1934: IAM establishes Research Department.

1935: Congress adopts National Labor Relations Act establishing right to organize and requiring employers to bargain in good faith. IAM opens drive to organize aircraft Industry.

1936: First industrial union agreement signed with Boeing, Seattle. IAM convention endorses FDR for President. Membership climbs to 130,000.

1937: Social Security and Railroad Retirement Acts now in operation. IAM negotiates paid vacations in 26% of its agreements.

1939: IAM signs first union agreement in air transport industry with Eastern.

1940: Machinists rates average 80 cents an hour. IAM pledges full support to National Defense program. IAM membership climbs to 188,000.

1941: IAM pledges hail support to win the war including no-strike pledge.

1944: 76,000 IAM members serve in armed forces. Total membership now 776,000.

1945: First agreement with Remington Rand. IAM convention votes to establish weekly newspaper, education department. Widespread layoffs follow end of World War II.

1946: 88% of IAM agreements now provide for paid vacations.

1947: Congress enacts anti-union Taft-Hartley Act. Machinists Non-Partisan Political League founded. IAM Legal Department established. Machinists average $1.56 an hour.

1948: IAM membership opened to all regardless of race or color.IAM convention endorses Harry Truman for President.

1949: Railroad machinists win 40 hour week. Membership down to 501,000.

1950: IAM joins International Transport Workers Federation. Machinists now average $1.82 an hour.

1951: IAM pledges full support of UN action in Korea.

1952: Employees on 85% of airlines now protected by IAM agreements. 92% of IAM contracts provide for paid holidays.

1953: IAM has contracts fixing wages and working conditions with 13,500 employers. IAM Atomic Energy Conference organized.

1955: AFL and Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merge, Machinist Al Hayes elected Vice President and chairman of Ethical Practices Committee. 70% of IAM contracts now have health and welfare provisions. Machinists average $2.33 an hour.

1956: 2,000th active local chartered. New ten story Machinists Building dedicated at 1300 Connecticut Ave., Washington, DC.

1958: IAM convention establishes a strike fund which was approved by the membership in a referendum vote. IAM membership now tops 903,000.

1959: Congress enacts anti-union Landrum-Griffin Act.

1960: IAM convention endorses JFK for President after personal visits from both Kennedy and Richard Nixon. IAM convention establishes college scholarship program. IAM establishes Labor Management Pension Fund.

1962: IAM Electronics Conference established. JFK issues Executive Order giving Federal employees a limited right to collective bargaining. Machinists now average $3.10 an hour.

1964: IAM convention endorses LBJ for President, after a personal appearance. Delegates vote to change name to International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Membership at 800,000.

1966: IAM members strike five major airlines and finally break through unfair 3.2% limit on wage increases. First dental care plan negotiated with Aerojet General.

1967: Railroad machinists lead shopcrafts against nation's railroads. Congress forces return to work and arbitration.

1968: IAM membership tops 1,000,000. Machinists average S3.44 an hour.

1969: IAM member, Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, the first space mechanic walks on the moon.

1970: Congress votes first Federal Occupational Safety and Health law. IAM is one of 19 unions in first successful coordinated bargaining effort against GE.

1971: IAM wins biggest back pay award in history, more than $54,500,00 for 1,000 members locked out illegally by National Airlines. IAM establishes Job Safety & Health Department.

1972: IAM membership drops to 902,000 as a result of recession and layoffs in defense industries. IAM President Floyd Smith quits U.S. Pay Board to protest unfair economic policies. IAM convention endorses Sen. George McGovern for President.

1973: IAM and UAW hold first joint Legislative Conference with 1,000 delegates in attendance. Machinists average $4.71 an hour. Membership rises to 927,000.

1974: Watergate scandal cast its shadow over labor unions along with the rest of the country. When President Nixon resigned, IAM wired President Gerald Ford, "You can count on our support and cooperation in your efforts to bring America back to the principles upon which it was founded."

1976: IAM convention endorses Jimmy Carter for U.S. President., Delegates vote to set up Civil Rights and Organizing departments and expand community services program.

1977: William W. Winpisinger sworn in as the lAM's 11th president.

1979: Citizen/Labor Energy Coalition launches first Stop Big Oil day to protest obscene profits by oil conglomerates while American workers' paychecks continue to shrink.

1980: IAM media project begins. Thousands of IAM members and their families monitor prime time TV to determine media's portrayal of working people and unions.

1981: Older Workers and Retired Members Department is established at Grand Lodge.

1982: Reaganomics grips nation. Individual and corporate bankruptcies reach epidemic proportions. IAM membership begins drop to 820,211.

1983: IAM introduces 'Rebuilding America' act to Congress as alternative to Reaganomics and to rebuild nation’s industrial base.

1984: IAM convention in Seattle WA, endorses Walter Mondale for U.S. President. Delegates vote funding for Placid Harbor Education Center to improve the level of understanding of workers in an ever changing world.

1987: IAM Executive Council establishes new Organizing Department, the first ever to be headed by a Vice President. First IAM Communications Conference convened in Kansas City, MO.

1988: IAM celebrates 100th anniversary in Atlanta, GA, on May 5.

1989: George J. Kourpias sworn in as the IAM's 12th president.

1992: IAM moves to new state-of-the-art headquarters building in Upper Marlboro, MD, to keep pace with technological changes and serve members' needs well into 21st Century; IAM convenes 33rd convention at Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

1994: International Woodworkers of America ratify merger agreement. More than 20,000 members join IAM family. Some 8,000 USAir fleet service workers say "IAM yes." Machinist newspaper bids fond farewell, reborn as IAM Journal magazine.

1995: IAM, Auto and Steelworker unions debate plans for unification by year 2000. Unity plan sparks solidarity. Plan would create largest, most diverse union in North America, with more than 2,000,000 active members, 1, 400, 000 retirees. Sixty-nine day strike brings major victory in new contract at Boeing. Members air their views during first round of Town Hall meetings.

1996: ‘Fighting Machinists' spearhead political battle for worker rights. Union efforts provide winning edge in Clinton-Gore presidential victory. Meeting in Chicago, IAM Convention delegates build bridge to 21st century. Delegates establish IAM Women's Department.

1997: On July 1, Robert Thomas Buffenbarger, 46, takes office as 13th International president in 109-year IAM history, moves quickly to reshape Union to reflect growing diversity, interests, concerns of IAM members. Former IAM President Winpisinger dies Dec. 11.

1998: New Blue Ribbon Commission empaneled to provide membership forum to voice opinions. Placid Harbor facility renamed Winpisinger Education and Technology Center to honor visionary union leader, who brought the facility into being.

1999 General Vice President William Scheri retires, Robert Roach, Jr. takes over the Transportation Department.  IAM Shares mutual fund created; llows members to put money to work in a fund that invests in IAM-represented companies. The National Federation of Federal Employees affiliates with the IAM. Unification effort with the Steelworkers and UAW ends because of major philosophical differences; the three unions vow to work together, however.

2000  The IAM endorses Al Gore for President. The AFL-CIO launches its New Alliance campaign, Grand Lodge Convention delegates respond with mandate that all IAM local and district lodges affiliate with their state AFL-CIO labor councils.The IAM meets in San Francisco for the 35^th Grand Lodge Convention. The delegates establish Communicator and Educator positions.

2001 IAM Communications revamped with relaunch of website, online streaming of video, and repositioning of the IAM Journal as an advocacy magazine. IAM Executive Council relected. Wliima W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center increases capacity by 50%. IAM Dedicates memorial to fallen members. IAM members perish in September 11 attack. The IAM volunteers to help in war against terrorism and to help America rebuild.

2002 The IAM establishes the Automotive Department and sets in place dozens of organizing blitzes. LL 2710's Gary Blanke wins the IAM's first photography contest. Members speak out at the 2002 Blue Ribbon Commission town hall meetings. Everyday Heroes, an IAM documentary, which tells the story of the workers who risked their lives in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, goes on sale. The proceeds go to treat rescue and recovery workers at Ground Zero. The Transportation Department ignites a nationwide Day of Action to urge passengers back onto trains and airplanes. IAM members join with other U.S. union members for the biggest midterm election turnout ever.

Join the IAM

                      Contains information on how and why you should join the IAM:

Click Here For More Information

organize (or’ gan iz) vt. -ized’, -iz’ing - to get together for action, as the workers organized; to bring together for action, as we organized a committee; to arrange related parts into a unified whole, as to organize a union.

WHY ORGANIZE

F A Q

The following Questions and Answers may help you decide if joining or forming a union is right for you.


QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MACHINISTS UNION

Q. Who are the members of the Machinists Union?

A. Over a half million men and women who work in more than 350 job classifications or industries, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, in the commercial, manufacturing, non-manufacturing, private, public, Federal, state and local government sectors of our nation,s economy. They live in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the 10 provinces of Canada. Although the Machinists Union began as a railroad union in 1888, today it has one of the most diversified memberships of any organization of its kind.

Q. What are some major industries employing IAM members?

A. Aerospace, air transport and auto repair are three industries where the Machinists Union is the largest, or among the largest, unions representing employees. They work in occupations ranging from front office, computer, clerical, medical and technical positions all the way to the shop floor as tool and die makers, machinists, production, maintenance and security jobs.

Machinist Union members are also employed in metal products manufacturing facilities, on the railroads, in the Federal, state and local government, and in design, construction, repair, support, and maintenance work in an almost endless variety of skills and occupational endeavors.

Q. Are most Machinists Union members actually machinists?

A. No. Originally, Machinists Union members were all skilled craftsmen. Today, however, the union's membership includes, professional, office, clerical, computer, technical, and medical employees, as well as journeymen and apprentice craftpersons, helpers, production, maintenance and specialists of all kinds. Membership includes 
women and workers from nearly all racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

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THE LAW

THE LAW - SAYS YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO JOIN A UNION
THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT SAYS:

Section 7:

"Employees shall have the right to self organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representation of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining . . . "

Section 8(a):

"It shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer . . . to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 . . . "

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

You have the legal right under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to join or support a union and to:

1. Attend meetings to discuss joining a union.

2. Read, distribute, and discuss union literature (as long as you do this in non-work areas, such as break rooms or parking lots, during non-work times, such as during breaks or lunch hours.)

3. Wear union buttons, T-shirts, stickers, hats, or other items on the job.

4. Sign a petition or card asking your employer to recognize and bargain with the union.

5. Sign petitions or file grievances related to wages, hours, working conditions, and other job issues.

6. Ask other employees to support the union, to sign union petitions or cards, or to file grievances.

PROTECTION FROM EMPLOYER ACTION

Under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, your employer cannot legally 
punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity.

For example, your employer cannot legally do the following:

- Threaten to or actually fire, lay off, discipline, harass, transfer, or reassign employees because they support the union.

- Shut down the work site or take away any benefits or privileges employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity.

- Promise employees a pay increase, promotion, benefit, or special favor if they oppose the union.

- Favor employees who don’t support the union over those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working condition.

ENFORCING YOUR RIGHTS

Some employers try to prevent the workers from joining a union.

The best way to encourage your employer to recognize your union and negotiate 
a fair contract is to build a strong organization where you work.

If your employer violates the law, the union can help you file "unfair labor practice" charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

The Labor Board has the power - backed up by the federal courts - to order an 
employer to stop interfering with employee rights, to provide back pay, and to reverse 
any action taken against workers for union activity.

YOU CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS BY:

- Keep written notes of any incidents in which company officials or supervisors threaten, harass, or punish workers because of union activity. Your notes don’t have to be worded a certain way, but you should include what was said or done, who was involved, where and when it happened, and the names of any witnesses.

- Immediately report any such incidents to your organizing committee and the union
staff.

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To send this form by postal mail or to contact IAM District 90 by mail please write to:
 

Main Office
5638 Professional Circle  Suite 201
Indianapolis, IN   46241-5022

Or Telephone
Phone: 317-247-8488

You may print this form and fax it to:
FAX 317-247-8825


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