th quadrennial convention recap - district lodge...
TRANSCRIPT
7th Quadrennial
Convention Recap
LIRR Ratifies 6.5 Year
Agreement
Agreement on Metro
North
Importance of
Organizing
MNPL “Nineteen
Club”
Agreement on SCFE
7th Quadrennial Convention Recap District Lodge 19 Machinists from all over the country met in Denver Colorado for the 7th Quadrennial Convention. Staff, Delegates, and Executive Board members worked together to ensure that our great District would be prepared to face any challenge that may present itself in the coming years. PDGC Jeff Doerr reported a total of 585 claims and grievances processed in the past four years which lead to a massive 1.5 million dollar total win for our members. He was also pleased to report numerous contract negotiations as well as several successful organizing efforts within the District. Guest speakers including International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, General Secretary-Treasurer Robert Roach Jr, and General Vice President Sito Pantoja addressed the group. All were pleased with the work District 19 is doing and pledged their full support going forward.
(Continued)
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@IAMDL19
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7th Quadrennial Convention (Continued)
The Delegation worked to clean up the Bylaws and all proposals from the Bylaw Committee passed unanimously. One such proposal authorizes the hiring of a full-time District Communicator in an effort to better inform our membership through many different types of communication. Overall, the convention was an impressive display of solidarity between the Delegation, Staff, and Executive Board. It was extremely clear that PDGC Jeff Doer is leading the District in the best direction to serve our members effectively through the challenges ahead. “Every four years, our members send their elected delegates to attend our District Convention where we take care of our business and chart a course for the next four years. Our delegates made it clear they want a stronger, more responsive District moving forward and they laid the foundation for us to achieve it! I am proud of every delegate who attended the Convention and witnessed IAM Democracy in action!”
-PDGC Jeff Doerr
(PDGC Jeff Doerr addresses the Delegation)
(Left to right: IP R. Thomas Buffenbarger, PDGC Jeff Doerr, GST Robert Roach Jr. with OUR Beloved Bell)
General Vice President Sito Pantoja commended the efforts of District Lodge 19. “While in attendance at District Lodge 19's 7th Quadrennial Convention, it was again evident that this District represents the foundation of our great union; Hard-working, dedicated rail workers who continually answer the bell at the bargaining table, on the organizing front and on the shop floor. District Lodge 19 officers, staff and members consistently unite in solidarity and achieve the solid collective bargaining agreements that are the bedrock of the American middle class. The recent contracts at Long Island Railroad, Metro North Railroad and South Central Florida Express Railroad are real examples of preserving and advancing the American Dream. I also congratulate District 19 on its strong organizing efforts, as well as its hard-nosed contract enforcement which has put approximately $1.5 million into IAM members' pockets, where it belongs. Keep up the great work brothers and sisters.”
Machinists Win on LIRR!
After four long years, countless hours of tough negotiations, and two Presidential Emergency Boards (PEBs), Machinists on the Long Island Railroad have finally reached an agreement!
On July 17th, with only a few days from a strike that would have shut down the largest commuter railroad in the country, which transports passengers in and out of New York City, General Chairman Gary Naylor and Assistant President/Directing General Chairman John Lacey, along with a coalition of other rail unions, had reached a tentative agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The new 6 ½ year agreement calls for the following:
• 17% pay increase over 6 ½ years • Medical contributions better than PEB 244 &
245 recommendations • No retroactive medical contributions
"I'd like to thank all coalition members for their support and patience during these four long years of negotiations," said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. "Your negotiating committees were able to reach a fair agreement due to your unwavering solidarity and steadfast resolve".
This agreement was ratified by the Machinists of Local Lodge 754 on August 12th. General Chairman Gary Naylor said, "We could not have done this without the full support of the Local. Local Lodge 754 stood strong together, through all the hardships, and came out with an industry leading agreement. I am very proud and honored to represent the membership of this Local."
Congratulations to Local Lodge 754 on your agreement!
(TCU/IAM National VP Arthur Maratea, SMART GC Anthony Simon, and APDGC John Lacey)
Agreement on Metro North District Lodge 19's Assistant President/Directing General Chairman John Lacey and General Chairman Gary Naylor have signed an agreement with Metro North Railroad. The agreement calls for 18 ¼ percent wage increases when compounded over 6 ½ years, four years of retroactive pay, and no work rule changes. The agreement was ratified on September 11th, 2014 by an overwhelming majority. President/Directing General Chairman Jeff Doerr praises the steadfast efforts of APDGC John Lacey and General Chairman Gary Naylor, "Our team does not stop, we get a great agreement with Long Island Railroad, and just a few weeks later, we have a very similar agreement with Metro North Railroad; great work, great team!"
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ORGANIZING As we move forward, one of the single
most important things we can focus on
is organizing. The strength of our
union grows mainly with our numbers.
It is every member’s responsibility to
get the word out and help with these
efforts. We all have friends and
family that are employed in
non-union shops. Many of them
are unaware of the benefits of
joining a union. Some even view
labor unions with hostility. We must reach out to
these people and inform them of the benefits that we, as IAM members, enjoy.
More importantly, that they can also enjoy the same benefits and job securities through successful
organizing efforts at their workplaces. Be prepared to engage these people and answer any questions they may have. “WHY SHOULD I JOIN A UNION?”
• WAGES: Union workers, on average, earn wages 15% higher than their non-union counterparts.
• BENEFITS: Union workers are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance and retirement benefits.
• SAFETY: The safety record of union facilities is far superior to that of non-union facilities.
• DIGNITY: As a union worker you don’t have to put up with flaky bosses, arbitrary decisions, or harassment. Rules set in a contract will not change every day or from employee to employee.
• SECURITY: The boss can’t walk up and fire you because his/her workforce is aging and he/she wants younger workers.
We urge you to set up organizing committees at your Local Lodges and to spread the word to your non-union counterparts. We must grow our union, even if we start by talking to as little as one person per week about the benefits of organizing. For questions in regard to organizing, or to pass along any organizing leads you may have, please contact our District Organizer Joe May at [email protected] or call him at (559)-736-9718.
WHO IS WORKING TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS AT THE CAPITOL?
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MNPL Who's fighting to protect your job, pension, health insurance and Railroad Retirement? Who's wrestling with Congress over Social Security and JOBS? Who's protecting your health and safety, your right to organize, your job security? Who's taking on the multi-national corporations' schemes to demean the American Dream, to weaken North America's might? Who's battling Corporate America's 34,000 high-priced lobbyists day in and day out?
MNPL is! The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League is IAM's heavyweight champion when it comes to politics and legislation. But these fights are expensive. Sadly, money buys access in the halls of power. Politicians listen more closely when contributors come calling. So, MNPL needs your help to wage these fights. District Lodge 19 has created the "Nineteen Club" to assist our members in contributing to the MNPL fund. For $1.90 per pay period, $3.80 per month, you can become a member of our "Nineteen Club" and receive a pin to wear proudly. Help us continue to fight to protect your job, pension, and health insurance. To find out how you can help, Visit: http://districtlodge19.com/index.php/legislative
District Lodge 19 has come up with several different ways to raise money for MNPL. We have done 50/50 raffles at district events, prize raffles, and the “Nineteen Club”.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Now we are asking you for your help in encouraging your fellow Machinists to join the “Nineteen Club”. If you can sign up five members to the “Nineteen Club”, you will receive a District Lodge 19 Prize pack!
(Prize pack includes District 19 T-Shirt and IAM Polo) Mail completed “Nineteen Club” forms to Cheryl Lane at the Oak Ridge, TN office:
Cheryl Lane
Confidential Secretary to the PDGC 710 S. Illinois Avenue, Suite F-103
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Please be sure to include your full name, Local Lodge, address, phone number, and shirt size with your submissions. Thank you all in advance for your participation!
Our friend and brother, General Chairman Terry Kruciak, passed away at his home on August 28th, 2014, due to complications from stage four esophageal cancer. Terry was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. As General Chairman, Terry worked tirelessly representing traveling mechanics on all class one railroads. Brother Terry Kruciak will be deeply missed.
District 19 Employee Assistance Program
(District Lodge 19 EAP Director Josh Hartford)
The District Lodge and Brother Josh Hartford are urging members to set up Employee Assistance Programs at their Local Lodges. This will serve as a valuable tool to get help to our members when they need it most, while keeping their personal issues out of the hands of the carriers. For information on how to set up an EAP committee at your Local Lodge, please contact Brother Hartford at [email protected] or call him at 207-474-3934.
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AGREEMENT ON SCFE
General Chairman Mike Perry, Local Chairman Mark Thompson and Ray Holcomb, Committeeman of Local Lodge 57, have negotiated a rock solid agreement for the Machinists on South Central Florida Express Railroad. The agreement was ratified on September 20th, 2014 by members of Local Lodge 57. The new agreement calls for:
• Wages increased on an overall average of 29% increase over three years. Some Classes received 50% + raises.
• Employees will receive a $1000 ratification bonus. • Vacation can be scheduled any time of the year. In
the past Vacation could only be taken in the non-harvest season (June thru September).
• If employee is released from work and then called back to work within 4 hours, Carrier must treat employee as if on-call and pay employee for his time off.
• If Carrier asks Operating employee to perform additional duties, Carrier must provide necessary training for employees to perform such duties.
General Chairman Perry said, “Today, September 20, 2014, members working for South Central Florida Express approved a life changing Agreement. These members were united, patient and persistent in their goal of reaching well deserved, significant pay increases. They have earned and gained the dignity and respect of the Carrier. This is a testimony of what unionization will bring.”
Jeff Doerr President/Directing General Chairman and
Railroad Coordinator 7010 Broadway, Suite 203
Denver, CO 80221 Phone: 303-232-9244
Fax: 303-987-3188 [email protected]
John E. Lacey Assistant President/Directing
General Chairman 5 Knollwood Drive
Branford, CT 06405 Phone: 203-483-4241
Fax: 203-483-4258 [email protected]
Mark Schmidt Secretary-Treasurer
7010 Broadway, Suite 204 Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-243-3138 Fax: 720-599-3774
Richard D. Nadeau Jr. Assistant to the President Directing
General Chairman 7010 Broadway, Suite 203
Denver, CO 80221 Phone: 303-987-2075
Mike Perry General Chairman
6905 Martin Mill Pike Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: 865-577-0719 Fax: 865-577-1763
Brian K. Orwan General Chairman
936 South Meadow Lane Palmyra, PA 17078
Phone: 717-469-0316 Fax: 717-469-0317
Lee Carter General Chairman
7010 Broadway, Suite 203 Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-243-3137 Fax: 303-987-3188
Andrew W. Sandberg General Chairman
710 South Illinois Avenue, Suite F103 Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Phone: 865-481-1990
Fax: 865-481-1991 [email protected]
Jim Davis General Chairman
25 Lucy Lane Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone: 501-834-6209
Fax: 501-834-6219 [email protected]
Michael McCarthy
General Chairman 2 Jacalyn Drive
Havertown, PA 19083 Phone: 610-446-1280
Fax: 610-446-1280 [email protected]
Gary Naylor Jr. General Chairman 177 Koehl Street
Massapequa Park, NY 11762 Phone: 516-308-7228
Fax: 516-308-7229 [email protected]
Derrick Battle General Chairman
13134 Sweetgum Shores Dr. Houston, TX 77044
Phone: 832-328-9581 Fax: 281-965-3435
Kyle Loos General Chairman 7220 Eagle Drive
Lincoln, NE 68507 Phone: 402-467-1135
Fax: 402-467-1135 [email protected]
John Denny General Chairman
507 Woodland Avenue Laurel, MT 59044
Phone: 406-633-4590 Fax: 406-633-4590
Joe May District Organizer 651 Tuohy Street Tulare, CA 93274
Phone: 559-736-9718 Fax: 865-481-1991
Josh Hartford Employee Assistance Program Director
184 Tuttle Rd. Canaan, ME 04924
Phone: 207-474-3934 [email protected]
Cheryl Lane Confidential Secretary to the PDGC 710 S. Illinois Avenue, Suite F-103
Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Office: 865-481-1990
Fax: 865-481-1991 [email protected]
Pamela Tovar Executive Secretary to the PDGC
7010 Broadway, Suite 203 Denver, CO 80221
Office: 303-232-9244 Fax: 303-987-3188
Monica Tovar Administrative Assistant to Secretary-
Treasurer 7010 Broadway, Suite 204
Denver, CO 80221 Office: 303-243-3138 Fax: 720-599-3774
Belinda Harrington Administrative Assistant to Secretary–
Treasurer 7010 Broadway, Suite 204
Denver, CO 80221 Office: 303-243-3138 Fax: 720-599-3774
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DIRECTORY