The Air Capital
Wichita, KS. is the Air Capital of the World. General Aviation was founded here, with legendary Companies such as Cessna, Stearman and Travel Air.
Wartime
The IAM grew with Wichita. District Lodge 70 was chartered in 1942, and the union workforce helped win World War II at the Bomber Plant in Southeast Wichita, with thousands of Rosie the Riveters working around the clock.
Peacetime
With the end of the war, Boeing made airliners in Wichita, and general aviation took off, and Wichita continued to boom with Cessna, Beechcraft, and in the sixties, Learjet started production in Wichita.
The Union Advantage
With tens of thousands of unionized workers in Wichita earning high paychecks and good benefits, Wichita prospered. Aircraft workers spent their money at local merchants, fueling the local economy and fed the tax base, so Wichita could have god schools and Police and Fire protection.
Hard Bargaining
Aviation companies pull money from around the world, and the paychecks for workers are how the money from the companies benefits the local community. The IAM bargains hard to make sure Wichita gets its cut, and the strikes occur from time to time are a benefit to the community in the long run.
The Greatest Aerospace Workers In The World
Wichita has a history of aerospace manufacturing clear back to the beginning of the industry. Wichita aircraft workers are multi-generational, with the craftsmanship passed down through three and four generations. Most aircraft workers have grandfathers or grandmothers who worked in the plants.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Aircraft is in the blood of Wichita Machinists members. The skills and knowledge are passed down through the generations in and out of the factories, but pride is the most important factor that makes Wichita great.
Skills For The Future
The Machinists Union doesn’t just bargain for pay and benefits. We look to the future, and realize that a highly-skilled workforce is important to keep jobs in Wichita. So, we bargain with the companies for increased skills training, and lobbied and worked with the local government and the companies to help create the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita.
The Last Great American Industry
As corporations climb on the outsourcing bandwagon, so many of our industry have left our shores. The aerospace industry is the last one where America still leads on innovation and quality. The Machinists Union bargains with our companies and lobbies our government, both local and national, to keep the industry in America – and Wichita.
Breaking New Ground
The IAM in 2010 negotiated a ground-breaking partnership contract with Spirit AeroSystems that guaranteed that all jobs remained in Wichita for the 10 years of the contract. The IAM tries to put job guarantees into our contracts, and lobbies the government to include job guarantees in government assistance.
Support Our Community
The Machinists Union and its members support the AFL-CIO and United Way partnership, giving millions of dollars every year, volunteering for charity, and being there when disaster hits, such as tornadoes and storms. The IAM is there when our community needs us.
Wichita Strong, Wichita Proud
The Machinists Union has been an important part of Wichita for decades, and we’re here to make sure the aerospace industry stays in Wichita and Wichita remains the Air Capital of the World.
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Make Your Food Dollars Stretch Prairie Land Foods August Menu August Menu is now available. Packages can be ordered in any quantity to meet your family’s needs. If you are being laid off or furloughed this can be a great resource for you and your family. Locations
| United Way of the Plains expanding free book program for preschoolers in all of Sedgwick County Any child under five years old in Sedgwick County is now eligible for a free age-appropriate book once a month. United Way of the Plains has expanded a program to all of Sedgwick County that it previously offered in a few areas of Wichita. Since 2011, United Way has been locally funding the program called Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and has distributed over 52,000 books to children. "We want every child to experience the joy of books even if their families cannot afford them," said Patrick J. Hanrahan, president of United Way of the Plains. "We know if children get exposed to reading early, they will learn more quickly and every aspect of their lives will benefit." In addition to Sedgwick County, United Way provides books in Sumner County, Andover and Augusta. Parents can register these ways:
- sign up online at United Way Imagination Library
- call 2-1-1 (United Way's 24-hour information line)
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a national program started by Dolly Parton to inspire children to learn to read. The experiences of thousands of families, as well as research in child development, affirm the benefits of early learning experiences for children. Research shows that activities such as reading regularly with children, beginning in infancy, can produce a significant growth in I.Q., which lasts a child’s lifetime. Anyone interested in helping fund the program can send a donation to: United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202. If by check, make it out to "United Way of the Plains" with "Imagination Library" in the memo line.
| Attention Golfers
Start making plans to play in the 3rd Annual Bob Martinez, Jr. Invitational Golf Tournament benefiting Guide Dogs of America. View the flyer for all the details with all the information you’ll need to either play or be a sponsor for this year’s exciting fundraiser.
| To the membership of Local Lodge 733 and Local Lodge 774
The Beechcraft and Cessna Union Negotiating teams are currently meeting to compare both contracts.
We would like to stress that we are not in contract negotiations at this time with the company.
We are taking the livelihood and security of all our members and their families very seriously, in an effort to secure all of our futures.
We will continue to communicate to you any updates or changes that may arise in the future.
View the flyer
| District 70 held it's 2nd annual Bowling Tournament Benefiting Guide Dogs of America at North Rock Lanes on June 21st, 2014.
Everyone had a good time bowling, winning prizes and eating while raising money for Guide Dogs.
View a Slide Show taken during the tournament.
| Secretary-Treasurers from AFL-CIO-affiliated unions across the nation received a front row seat to the IAM’s premiere showing of “Pensions 101: Surviving Bankruptcy,” an introductory video to a new program the IAM is building to teach unions and union representatives how to better protect their members at companies facing corporate bankruptcy.
One of the people interviewed for this video is Kelly Cleaton a plant chair for Local Lodge 733 at Beechcraft.
