2010 IAMAW Legislative Conference
In May, the IAM held its annual Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.. Local Lodge 141 was represented at the conference by Legislative Director and Secretary-Treasurer, Thomas Collard Jr. along with Legislative Committee member Carmen Johnson. Both were able to meet with their Representatives in congress. They discussed current labor issues, and thanked them for their help and support with the recent NMB (National Mediation Board) voting rule change which brings union representation voting in the transportation sector on par with all others.
They also had the opportunity to experience and listen to some of the most supportive and union friendly government officials at the conference. Here is just a sampling:
Representative Elijah Cummings from Maryland's 7th Congressional District addressed the 2010 Legislative Conference. He thanked all of us for the life he was given, because of the union job his Daddy had. Representative Cummings revealed to us his family story, and how his father moved from South Carolina where he was making .15 per day, to Baltimore where he was hired making $1.15 per hour; "now that's a raise". The one thing that made it possible was that the job in Baltimore was a Union job, which included a good benefit package. Elijah Cummings is a friend of labor, and is willing to fight the tough battles with us. He sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. To contact Representative Elijah Cummings to thank him for supporting us, call: 202-225-4741; or visit his web site www.house.gov/cummings .
Representative Al Green from Texas 9th Congressional District addressed the 2010 Legislative Conference, with a 100% voting recorded for labor, and a dues paying union member; Representative Green was warmly received by the Machinists. Representative Green stated "if business can join the Chamber of Commerce then the employees who work for those businesses should be free to join a union". In closing he said "We need a living wage not a minimum wage. It is wrong for an American to work full time and then have to stand in a welfare line, that's wrong and needs to change." You can thank Representative Al Green by calling his office at 202-225-7508 or visit his website at www.house.gov/algreen.
Amy Klobuchar Senator from Minnesota in her address to the 2010 Legislative Conference said she is pushing hard for a fair election with the Delta representation elections coming up. From her position on the Science and Transportation committee she has worked to change the voting rules for the National Mediation Board, and is behind the FAA Reauthorization Bill still in the Senate. Senator Klobuchar stated "we need to do Nation building in our own Nation this must be the focus of all new bills in congress". The IAM could not agree more with the Senator. You can reach Senator Amy Klobuchar at 202-224-3244 or visit her website at www.klobuchar.senate.gov .