The latest from the Delta Organizing Blog:
INDEPENDENCE DAY
PATRIOTISM TAKES ON MANY FORMS
SHOWING LOVE OF COUNTRY IS NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS
July 4, 2008 - We celebrate today the beginning of our nation; the birth of freedom for a new country delivered from bondage and unfair taxation through years of spilled blood and struggle. An idea really that over time became the beacon of freedom and fairness; a bastion of equality and equal rights that the rest of the world admired and envied; copied and in some quarters, despised.
We take pride and give thanks this day for what we as a nation have sacrificed in struggles and lives lost in subsequent wars and battles throughout our history to keep our freedom and independence; to preserve our democracy and our constitution.
This is a day to celebrate and to rejoice in our love of Country and show our pride and patriotism. A great Day for all Americans, wherever we come from or however long we have been here. A country that has been and should always be a welcoming beacon for all those who love freedom and these great ideals. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.." has meaning to all Americans and to most of the world who admire our past decency, democracy and sense of fairness and equal justice.
Showing patriotism takes on many forms and has multiple meanings to a variety of Americans. Some of us show our love of Country by obvious methods such as wearing lapel pins displaying flags, emblems or other patriotic symbols in our yards or having bumper stickers with slogans emblazoned across our cars or rear windows; all well and good acts of showing love and patriotic zeal.
There are other ways to stand up for America and her values; to enrich the lives of our fellow citizens both new and old as well as strengthening our democracy and the heart and soul of our country. Those that toil for others whether it be in doing voluntary work for the poor and needy or serving in the military in dangerous places around the world honor us and make us all proud. We give thanks for all those that have volunteered to give of themselves and their time both in obvious ways and the more obscure ways.
This country is about so much but we are nothing without each other and the strength we derive from within. This land has been strong for so long because of the power and decency of its people and the solid, giving nature of the American Family.
Anything that strengthens family ultimately enriches and enhances our future and our constitution. We cannot prosper and stand strong without families that continue to produce our future leaders and citizens; diplomats and warriors, we need them both.
A strong and vibrant middle class has always defined our power and our compassion; our ability to provide the world with stability and leadership. Strong families produce good citizens and a base for continuing our prosperity and world leadership.
We who have decided to unionize Delta are cognizant of the importance of the family and dedicate ourselves to helping Delta realize that offering a living wage with benefits that enhance life serves not only Delta’s family but America’s families; ultimately strengthening our company and our country. Let’s show our patriotism today by loving our country through strengthening each of our own families. It’s the American thing to do. Check out the Delta Ramp Workers Organizing Blog
The next Local Lodge 141 meeting is scheduled for July 16th
Make plans today to attend the next Local Lodge 141 meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the Union Hall beginning at 11:00 p.m. Take some time out to get more involved in your Union. With all that's going on right now you can't afford not to. AGENDA
This year's elections are key to labor—first step is to register
Key in this year's national, state, and local elections is electing those persons who are labor conscious and friendly. The first step to getting these individuals in office is to register to vote.
To register, people must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. They must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register.
Voters may register in person or by mail. The mail-in form is on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. To check their registration status, voters may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. Residents will be able to find information on voting by absentee ballot, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. They can also find a map to their local polling place.
Voters are again reminded of the identification requirement. They will be asked to present photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Voters who don't have a Michigan driver's license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID:
- Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
- Federal or state government-issued photo identification
- U.S. passport
- Military identification card with photo
- Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
- Tribal identification card with photo.
Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or is not carrying one can still vote. They will sign a brief form stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.
Voters who qualify may choose to vote by absentee ballot on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee voter ballot if you are:
- Age 60 years old or older
- unable to vote without assistance at the polls
- expecting to be out of town on election day
- in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
- unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
- appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.
Breaking Legislative News
AFL-CIO Endorses Obama
With 10.5 million members from every walk of life, the AFL-CIO has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president. Barack Obama’s record demonstrates he is a champion for working families and his proposals will improve life for generations of working people and our children. Barack Obama says, “Politics didn’t lead me to working folks; working folks led me to politics.” He was raised by a working mother and grandparents, worked as a community organizer in a Chicago neighborhood devastated by the closing of steel mills, fought for working families in the Illinois State Senate and earned a 98 percent AFL-CIO voting record as a U.S. senator. Barack Obama is not someone who just talks the talk—he walks the walk with working families, on picket lines, in organizing campaigns and in bargaining for a better life. Read the whole story HERE.
IAM: Endorse Obama? Not the Right Time
“Now is not the right time for the IAM to endorse Senator Barack Obama,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger in a letter to IAM members after voting “present” in the AFL-CIO presidential endorsement process. Also declining to endorse Obama for President was the Transportation Communications Union (TCU). Other unions also voted “present” or abstained. Read the whole story HERE.
Keep up on the Legislative News that affects you and Local Lodge 141 HERE.
District 143 Updates
Organizing
District 143 continues to seek the assistance of all stations to provide contact names of individuals willing to assist in the Delta organizing campaign. District 143 continues to organize all class and crafts of Delta employees. If you or anyone that you know may be interested in helping, please have them contact the following individuals Al Wojcik, Michael Rachfal or Gary Mobley.
ALPA: Me-Too
As previously reported, District 143 has filed a grievance based on the restructured ALPA agreement and the “Me-Too” clause of the applicable collective bargaining agreements. Based on our fundamental disagreement over the related cost to the modified ALPA agreement, we have asked NWA to expedite the grievance to arbitration.NWA believes that this case is not arbitral, and is without merit. Clearly we disagree based on the fact that we did not have all the requested information, nor did we have a complete understanding from NWA as to how this deal was “cost-neutral” and even today we obviously disagree with the Company’s explanation.
Therefore, the Company and District 143 have agreed to waive the second step hearing and go to the System Board of Adjustment (arbitration) in order to resolve the outstanding issue. Once a date and time have been mutually agreed upon we will advise the membership.
Latest Merger Watch update released
Continental and United Announce Alliance
June 19, 2008 - Less than two months after Continental Airlines rebuffed United Airlines’ merger overtures, the two airlines have announced a comprehensive global alliance. The airlines issued statements indicating they developed teams to achieve significant cooperation on frequent flier programs, lounges, facility utilization, information technology and procurement.
The airlines’ statement read, “This work was assisted by the efficiency opportunities identified and relationships developed during the parties' earlier merger discussions.” Specifics of the cooperative agreement have not been released. The Machinists Union has contacted both carriers demanding all details of the agreement so we can assess the impact on workers at both airlines.
“Alliances like this are just mergers on the installment plan,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Integrating programs and technology today will make it easier for the airlines to complete a merger tomorrow. The IAM will remain vigilant in our fight to block mergers that hurt employees.”
Oberstar Tells DOJ to Scrutinize NWA/Delta Merger
“I strongly urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to oppose the Delta/Northwest merger that has been filed with the DOJ,” said Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in a June 5th letter to the Department of Justice. Oberstar’s complete letter is available HERE.
“I urge the DOJ to conduct an exhaustive review of the Delta/Northwest proposal,” wrote Oberstar. “Many past mergers have resulted in financially weaker carriers.” General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. and members of the IAM’s Transportation Merger Team met with Congressman Oberstar on June 19th in our continuing effort to stop the Northwest/Delta merger from negatively impacting employees, passengers and the cities served by the two airlines. Check out the local lodge Merger Watch page HERE.
Internal organizing drive underway with training classes
With the organizing drive at Delta well under way District 143 and Local lodge 141 have turn theirs sights on the "internal" organizing drive. The drive designed to make sure that all NWA IAM members are informed as to the facts, and to reaffirm their commitment in this merger.
Organizing classes have started at the Local Lodge 141 Union Hall. The program designed to educate on all facets of the drive. Trainers for the program featured Local Lodge 141 Financial Officer/Legislative Committee member Tom Collard Jr., District 143 Education Director Raymond Painter, and District 143 Organizing Director Mike Rachfal. Turnouts have been great. All members participating do on their own time, accentuating their commitment to the program and it's success. If you are interested in getting involved contact Raymond Painter for more details.
IAM National Pension Fund—good news about the National Pension Plan's status
IAM National Pension Fund has some good news about the National Pension Plan's status. President Bush signed the Pension Protection Act of 2006 the most significant legislation affecting pension plans since the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).Read the whole story HERE.
International discusses possible change in dues structure in latest issue of the IAM Journal
What kind of union do we want to be? That’s the question delegates at the upcoming Grand Lodge Convention in Orlando, FL, will have to answer when the discussion turns to the IAM’s 32-year-old dues structure. Do we want to remain a full-service, first-class union capable of standing up to global corporations and their political allies? Or, will we become “the union formerly known as the Fighting Machinists?”
The current formula for calculating dues was approved back in 1976 when Walter Aconite still read the news each night, a gallon of regular gas cost 62 cents and the aver¬age price of a new home in the U.S. was $54,000. Read the whole
story HERE.
AFL-CIO 2008 'Ask A Working Woman' Survey
Do you love your work but hate your job? Do you have ideas—big or small—about how to make things better?
It’s time for working women to sound off about what would make their work lives easier. The AFL-CIO and our community affiliate, Working America, want to know what it’s like to be a working woman in America this election year. If you’re a working woman, please take a moment to complete the 2008 Ask a Working Woman survey. So click here now to take the survey. It is short, easy (we promise) and will serve as an invaluable tool for moving working women’s issues into the national dialogue. If you’re not a working woman, forward this article to your sister, your mother, your co-workers and your friends to make sure their voices are heard. Send a message to Just Say No! to Airline Mergers
The Machinists Union strongly opposes mergers among the major airlines: airline hubs will be eliminated, service frequency will be reduced, competition will be diminished, jobs will be lost, customer service will deteriorate and pension obligations will be jeopardized and fuel prices will remain unaffected by a merger. The IAM is part of a coalition of consumer advocates, political leaders and passenger rights groups who oppose the mega-mergers, but we need your help. All IAM members are asked to contact their elected representatives and urge their opposition for airline mergers that will only benefit airline executives and bankers. Please contact your US Senators and Representatives as soon as possible to voice your opposition to this merger by clicking on the following link: Send an Email !
Employee Assistance Program: Geared To Help
As our members face personal problems in their lives the E.A.P. program offers free, confidential help for employees and their families when personal problems develop. For confidential help members can call the Local Lodge 141 EAP extension to leave a message for EAP Committee Members Mike Satlowski and Judy Haag at: 734-946-6140 ext.13. Or call your EAP Committee:Judiy Haag, 313-234-6841; Mike Satlowski 734-247-3280. Contact us regarding yourself; or for a brother or sister in need of help. See the newly updated EAP page HERE.
United Way offers help to those in need - Just dial 2-1-1
2-1-1 is here to help improve the lives of individuals and families through thousands of local resources and our compassionate and understanding staff. By dialing 2-1-1, you can get access to thousands of resources such as: housing and utility assistance, after school programs and tutoring, medical care and senior care services, and credit counseling and mortgage foreclosure assistance. You can also call 2-1-1 to get connected to volunteer opportunities in your area.
United Way 2-1-1 is a multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service available 24/7/365. Its database contains more than 7,000 programs and services such as after school programs, senior care services, medical and prescription assistance, credit counseling and mortgage foreclosure assistance, and housing and utility resources. Individuals can also call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer opportunities in their area. 2-1-1 partners include: The Information Center, The Detroit Public Library, Common Ground Sanctuary, Macomb County Crisis Center, Neighborhood Service Organization, and United Way 2-1-1 Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. Click HERE to see the countless services available for those in need.
FHA and HUD offer help with mortgages
Owning a home has always been at the center of the American Dream. For many homeowners, however, that dream is threatened by foreclosure. An estimated 240,000 families can avoid foreclosure by refinancing their mortgages using the new FHA Secure plan. FHA will allow families with strong credit histories who had been making timely mortgage payments before their loans reset-but are now in default-to qualify for refinancing. For all the details: FHA Secure: Working Hard for Your Home ownership