Hawker Beechcraft's Wichita Facility Won't Get Jobs From Closing Salina Plant BY Molly McMillin
The Wichita EagleHawker Beechcraft's Wichita facility will not get work from the company's Salina plant, which is closing. Read the full story that appears in the Tuesday February 16th, 2009 Wichita Eagle newspaper.
Contact Your Elected Officials
Everyone across our country is experiencing the effects of this economic downturn, but as you are all aware, the aviation industry has been hit especially hard. Due to criticism of business aviation by some politicians and many in the media, the overall demand for our aircraft and services has been reduced and this has led to the loss of tens of thousands of high-paying U.S. jobs. It’s time to fight for your industry. Click here to encourage your elected officials and tell them to take action to help our industry and to save aerospace jobs and to keep those jobs in America.
The Executive Council of the IAM&AW
Has voted unanimously to oppose any health care reform legislation that is funded by taxing the value of workers’ existing health care benefits. Read the rest of the article.
No Response From Obama To Invites
Obama has twice been invited to Wichita but has not responded to the Machinists union's invitation says Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Read the full story that was published in the Wichita Eagle January 21st, 2010. Page 3C
UCUBED Goes Live
Today January 15th, 2010. IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger announces the launch of Ur Union of Unemployed. Nicknamed UCubed, it links together local jobs activists into a potent force to end this Grave Recession. Check it out at www.unionofunemployed.com. Play the video. Explore UCubed Resources, Legislative Action and Deep Discounts.Then let's start organizing the unemployed -- cube by cube, neighborhood by neighborhood, and power block by power block. View a brochure.
Send’em A Warn Notice
Ur Union of Unemployed, or UCubed, launched ten days ago. And not a moment too soon. In Massachusetts last Tuesday, Scott Brown won the unemployed vote by five points and the union vote by three percent. He won blue collar males by 27 percent and he won blue collar females by 13 percent. His victory was propelled, in large part, by a statewide unemployment rate of 9.4 percent.
Jobless Americans are angry. And they have every right to be.
They were last in line when Washington doled out the goodies. Banks, insurance companies, investment firms and government contractors got trillions -- yes, trillions of dollars -- in the last fifteen months. Now the politicians have the gall to say, “Wait! We need to focus on deficit reduction.” What they really mean is “Wall Street got the gold mine; you got the shaft.”
It's time to send those politicians a WARN Notice: Either start putting Americans back to work or start looking for a new line of work yourself. UCubed's jobs activists are sending that message right now from www.unionofunemployed.com.
And they are building communities all across this country. Over 6,200 folks visited the UCubed website and chalked up 59,200 page views. More important, jobs activists started 46 cubes in 20 states.
So please pass this link along to all your friends: www.unionofunemployed.com.
Tell them to send the politicians a WARN Notice. Urge them to start a cube. And ask them to join the fight to end this Grave Recession.
Rick Sloan
IAM Communications Director
Hire Unemployed To Renovate Manufacturing View the article from IAM President R. Thomas Buffenbarger that appeared in the December 15th, Wichita Eagle on page 11A.
No Secret Talks
There are no “secret talks” as reported in the Seattle Times, just the ongoing discussions on a variety of topics which the Union has continually reported to our members and the public. We are committed to ensure the success of Boeing and our members. Read the letter from Steve Rooney President/Directing Business Representative
Mended Hearts
The public health care system in Canada, which provides free care to all its citizens, is the latest target of anti-reform zealots in the United States.Despite reduced costs, higher life expectancy and lower infant mortality, the Canadian system is being vilified as a system plagued with problems, delays and corruption.
These outrageous lies are debunked in Mended Hearts, a compelling new video that features Canadians describing their personal experience with their health care system.
The 10-minute video, introduced by Canadian Vice President Dave Ritchie, click here to view the video which features compelling stories from individuals and health care professionals, who tell the truth about the benefits of universal health care. To view the latest Have You Heard from the IAM with more information click here.
Hawker Beechcraft Announces Salina Plant Closing
Monday November 9th, Hawker Beechcraft announced that the plant will be closing. The plant currently employs some 240 people. Hawker laid off half its Salina workforce earlier this year. For more information go to the Wichita Eagle. Story 1 - Story 2 or the SalinaJournal or LL2328's home page.
Rita Rogers Receives Ronald A. Walters Achievement Award
Rita Rogers ADBR for District Lodge 70 and a member of LL733 received the Ronald A. Walters Achievement Award at the Wichita Branch of the NAACP's Freedom Fund Banquet. Congratulations Rita. View pictures of the banquet. Also read the article that appeared in Tuesday October 20th i-mail.
On October 27th: Terry Haskins along with Pat Lehman and Judy Pierce present Raj Goyle a check for $5,000.00 from MNPL for his campaign for the 4th Congressional District.
Faces Of The Unemployed
While the U. S. Economy struggles through the worst economic recession since the great depression. Many Americans face some of the worse decisions of their lives. In this special report we give you their stories, their struggles for they are the faces of the unemployed. Where Have All the Jobs Gone?
The need for jobs, good jobs and the benefits that should accompany them - quality health care and retirement security have reached crisis levels in the United States. Jobs are disappearing from the American economy at an alarming rate. Since 2001, America has lost 3.1 million private-sector jobs. Long-term unemployment is at its highest level in a decade. Tell Congress America Needs JOBS Now!
The New Cutting Edge
The 2009 Communications Conference became the launchsite for the new GoIAM 3.0 website.
With the increasing popularity of social networking sites, blogs, and ways to interact with content on the web, the IAM Communications Department has introduced the new GoIAM website. Along with the new look you can also share, rank, and comment on stories that are important to you.
Other ways to get information is to start following the IAM Twitter page and become a fan of the IAM on Facebook.
“Our goal is to bring IAM communications into the 21st century and better stake our claim in conversations important to our members and working families”
2009 Communicators Conference
The 2009 Communicators Conference
was held September 27th
thru the 30th, in beautiful
Vancouver British Columbia.
View a slide show of
this years conference.
Food for the Hungry in Wichita
This map shows food pantries
and meal sites associated
with the Kansas Food Bank
and summer meal sites operated
by USD 259 Wichita Public
Schools. Click on icons
for times and dates that
food is available. Meal
sites are shown with a fork
and knife. Pantries are
shown with a milk and apple.
Summer food sites of children
are shown with a sun.
District 70 Poker Run -
Picnic - Car and Bike Show
In celebration of Labor
Day 2009. District 70 and
LL839 once again hosted
their annual Poker Run,
Picnic, Car and Bike show
at 3830 S. Meridian. The
2009 Labor Day festivities
was filled with food, fun
and fellowship. View slide
shows from this years events.
Poker
Run Picnic Car
and Bike Show
President
Considers Wichita Invite BY MOLLY
McMILLIN
Machinists union president
Tom Buffenbarger had only
a few seconds Tuesday to
invite President Obama to
visit Wichita.
The president's response?
"We'll get back to you.''
Buffenbarger said Monday
that he intended to ask
Obama to visit the city
and "talk about aviation.''
Buffenbarger is working
with aviation trade groups
and leaders of Wichita's
aviation manufacturers to
encourage Obama to speak
out about the benefits of
business jets.
"I said, 'Will you come
to Wichita with me and bring
Air Force One home?' " Buffenbarger
asked Obama, referring to
work Boeing Wichita does
on the presidential aircraft.
"'We'll tune it up and change
the oil.' "
Buffenbarger said Obama
was aware of his desire
to invite him to Wichita.
"Hey, I've heard," Obama
replied. "We'll get back
to you."
Buffenbarger spoke with
Obama after the president's
address to the AFL-CIO annual
convention in Pittsburgh,
Pa.
He said aviation leaders
want Obama to see firsthand
the importance of the business
jet industry and how it
has been hurt by the economy
and from negative remarks
from Congress about the
use of private jets. Reach
Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708
or mmcmillin@wichitaeagle.com.
Machinists Union
Chief To Invite Obama To
Wichita
Machinist’s union president
Tom Buffenbarger plans to
invite President Obama to
visit Wichita when the two
meet today.
Buffenbarger wants Obama
to see the importance of
the business jet industry
and how it has been hurt
by the economy and by negative
remarks from Congress about
the use of private jets.
Read the rest of the story
from the Wichita Eagle September
15th, 2009.
GVP Bob Martinez Editorial
in the Wichita Eagle
Brother Bob Martinez GVP
of the Southern Territory
wrote an article titled
This Labor Day, local workers
are struggling which appeared
in the Wichita Eagle Newspaper
Sunday September 6th, on
page 15A.
View a copy of his article.
Letter Carriers Food Drive
View a slide show from
the Substation at 2325 Arkansas
Avenue. Volunteers help
unload the Letter Carriers
Vans as they come in for
the day from a hard day
of delivering mail and picking
up food donations for their
yearly Food Drive.
Workers Memorial Day 2009
View A Slide Show taken
from this years dinner honoring
those that have ded in the
work place.
2009 American Heart Walk
View a slide show from
this years event. It was
a perfect day for a walk.
Huberta's Retirement Party
View a slide show from
her retirement party Thursday
June 4th, 2009. Huberta
we will miss you.
Theron Black:
2009 Charles Duran Award
Winner
Theron Black became a member
of LL 733 in 1941. Board
member with Community Chest.
Founding Board member of
United Way of Wichita which
is now United Way of the
Plains. Founding member
of KANSEL. Plus a lot more.
Read more about him and
see his picture.
If You Are Being Laid Off
And Have Physical Problems
Report Them
Recent economic problems
have resulted in many workers
receiving layoff notices.
Many of these workers have
valid work-related injuries
but fail to protect their
rights. Kansas law
requires that an injured
employee give notice to
their employer within 10
days of any work related
injury. Many workers,
especially those with hand
and arm problems, have not
reported their injuries
to their employers out of
fear of being medically
laid off. When these same
workers are laid off in
a general economic layoff,
they must report their injuries
within 10 days of their
last day of work.
Many of the aircraft employers
in this area perform a pre-employment
physical, including a hand
and arm electrical test,
on new employees. Workers
who have had previous hand
and arm problems will not
pass these tests and will
not obtain employment. These
same workers will not be
able to make a claim against
their previous employer
unless they have reported
their work related problems
within ten days of their
last day worked. If you receive notice
you are being laid off,
report any physical problems
you think are caused by
or made worse by work to
your employer with a witness.
The reporting of any injury
should not affect call back
rights.
If you are being laid off
and have physical problems;
hands, arms, neck, back,
etc., call our Union
attorneys
Hammond, Zongker & Farris,
at 262-6800 for free legal
advice and a free legal
consultation. Don’t
let your employer cause
you more economic harm than
they already have.
Sign The Card Online.
Sign the
Employee Free Choice Act
Card online plus get
information on this important
legislation. Become a member
of the million member mobilization
campaign.
In Loving Memory of Bill
Hourigan and Frank Lunga
11-8-08. LL774
Congratulations
to Kathy Petersen
LL839 being named
Sister of the Month
for January 2009.
Kathy is a 12-year member
of Local 839 in Wichita,
KS, where she was overwhelmingly
elected president after
serving as the lodge’s vice
president. Petersen, who
is employed as an Inspector
for Spirit Aero Systems,
is the first woman to hold
each of those offices in
the history of the local.
Petersen became more involved
in her local following the
sale of Boeing to Onex Corp.
Sensing a need, she stepped
up and volunteered to serve
on numerous committees and
became involved in various
local, district and community
activities. She has become
an effective leader by reading
the bylaws, learning the
constitution, asking questions
and at times, making mistakes.
“It is important to learn
from your mistakes and keep
the lines of communication
flowing in all directions,”
said Petersen. “Don’t second
guess yourself. Just do
the right thing for the
right reasons and always
remember to communicate.”
As a local leader, Petersen
has focused on growing her
union, working tirelessly
to organize non-represented
workers. It’s her
goal to help build a stronger
union and encourage other
sisters to be more active.
Most recently, Petersen
was one of the recipients
of the Women in Organizing
Grant awarded by the Berger
Marks Foundation.
Rita
Rogers Named to Wichita
Eagle's Top 10 to Watch
Representing
nearly 19,000 workers in
the Wichita, KS area, IAM
District 70 is an integral
part of the local economy.
The Wichita Eagle recognized
this fact recently when
it named District 70 Assistant
DBR Rita Rogers to their
annual list of “Ten
to Watch in 2009.”
Workers throughout the Kansas
aviation industry are deeply
concerned about the possible
effects of the economic
downturn on their companies,
which include Cessna Aircraft,
Hawker Beechcraft, Spirit
AeroSystems, Bombardier,
LearJet, and Boeing. Wichita
is a major aircraft manufacturing
cluster, and the city is
known as the “Air Capital
of the World.” Cessna, Beechcraft
and LearJet were born in
Wichita.
Rogers has been an IAM member
of Local 733 for over 30
years, serving as a Business
Representative before becoming
the assistant to District
70 DBR Steve Rooney in 2001.
Rogers was Chief Spokesperson
for Local 733 during the
recent successful Hawker
Beechcraft strike in 2008.
“I’m
happy the Wichita Eagle
has recognized what we’ve
known for a long time,”
said Southern Territory
GVP Bob Martinez. “Rita
Rogers is a great representative
for our union, and she’s
an important civic leader
and a voice for working
people in Wichita.”
January 8th i-mail article.
Get your free FICO score
at this secure, confidential
site.
Through a special Union
Plus limited-time offer
from
Fair Isaac/myFICO, they
are able to offer union
members the ability to get
their free FICO score online.
America 's Edge
Say yes! I support sharpening
America's Edge in the global
economy. America's
Edge relies on our skills
and our kids' abilities
to learn and adapt to the
ever-changing demands of
tomorrow's workplaces. And
it is time public investment
flowed in their direction.
Go to
www.americasedge.tv
and sign the petition.
Each
decade, 30 million American
children enter high school
but only 6 million of them
ever receive a college degree.
The remaining 24 million
either drop out; complete
high school and enter the
workforce; or attend a community
college or university for
a couple of years.
Each year, over half a trillion
dollars of local, state
and federal monies is focused
on students bound for college.
Technical and vocational
education, by contrast,
receives less than two percent
of that amount.
Increasingly, blue collar
kids find the path to college
blocked by exorbitant tuition
costs, intense academic
competition, static enrollment
levels in colleges and universities,
and the financial realities
facing their families. Entering
the workforce immediately
after high school seems
their only realistic option.
And yet, America faces a
growing skills shortage.
Labor economists predict
that a serious lack of skilled
workers will begin in 2005
and grow to 5.3 million
in 2010 and 21 million in
2020.
A recent white paper on
California's growing labor/skill
shortage reports that the
percentage of employers
who indicate that they have
difficulty filling vacancies
for highly skilled blue-collar
workers is very high 68
percent. The paper asserts
that California is suffering
from chronic underinvestment
in training. And California
is not alone.
Senator Tom Harkin put the
issue in perspective. Today's
skill deficiencies and tomorrow's
skill demands will require
significant investment in
education and training.
Employers estimate that
39 percent of their current
workforce and 26 percent
of new hires will have basic
skill deficiencies Seventy-five
percent of the American
workforce will need to be
retrained merely to retain
their jobs. The IAM's SKILLS
initiative is called America's
Edge. It has three components:
Re-emphasizing technical
and vocational classes
in Americas 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
IAMs SKILLS initiative with
its inherent appeal to the
values of family security,
fairness, work and personal
fulfillment has great potential.
It connects with blue collar
workers at many levels:
taking pride in their
work and workmanship
achieving more job security
and a higher standard
for living for their
family
getting a fairer start
for their kids to face
the global competition
Simply
put, AMERICA'S EDGE relies
on OUR SKILLS and OUR KIDS
abilities to learn and adapt
to the ever-changing demands
of tomorrows workplaces.
And it is time public investment
flowed in their direction.
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