Machinists Union District Lodge 37

Wyman-Gordon of Local Lodge 15 Heavy into Negotiations

2011-07-27T20:57:00.000-05:00

With the help and oversight of Grand Lodge Rep's Dave Porter and Tony Blevins, Chief Committeeman Keith Stanberry and company; Jason Calhoun, Abel Nuncio, and Ector Ruiz are pushing and fighting to ensure the best possible contract available for the 2011 Collective Bargaining Unit Contract. Check out all the details at the Local Blog http://www.iamawll15.blogspot.com/

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

As you had better be aware of, Early Voting is upon us and has been active for the last week. It will carry on until the Oct. 29th, 2010.
This is probably the most important voting cycle in our generation. Please read up and make an educated decision, every vote is so very important. The internet is just buzzing with all the information that a person could ask for regarding information on EVERY candidate.
Following is the latest from the International regarding the importance of voting.

I AM VOTING

How many of your friends and neighbors are jobless? How many family members
are working part-time or for lower wages because that’s the only job they
could find? And how many citizens of your state have simply stopped looking?
Nationally, 31 million Americans have been idled by this Grave Recession.
Some have been looking for work for over two years. And some who call
themselves 99ers have run out of unemployment benefits.
From factory floors to office suites and airport tarmacs, management is using the massive pool of unemployed as a “productivity” incentive. Squeezing more work out of fewer workers is the newest strategy. Abusive attitudes proliferate. Even state governments find a silver lining in this jobs crisis. Using stimulus monies and disaster relief funds, states like Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina are waving tons of cash in front of corporations to relocate entire facilities to their states. They promote their states as a union-free, right-to-work (for less) environment.
To battle such state-sponsored greenmail, states like Kansas and Wisconsin
make counter-offers to keep the jobs and facilities. And unions like ours face demands for costly concessions to sweeten those counteroffers in order to save jobs.
If this happened once or twice, it might be a coincidence. But it has also happened in Arizona, New Mexico, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Corporations are auctioning our jobs off to the highest bidders.
There’s only one way to stop this pernicious practice: Go Vote on November
2nd. Let us vote for governors who will protect our jobs. Let us vote for Members of Congress who will fight to end this jobs crisis.

NASA Custodians win Labor Board decision for Integrity Intn'l to "PAY UP"

2010-05-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

Check the Blog for LL-1786 for details. Another BAD EGG gets their "Integrity" stepped on!!
http://stll1786.blogspot.com/

Houston We Have A Message

2010-05-08T16:32:00.001-05:00

Houston We Have A Message

Click on this to see what you missed at the April 24th, 2010 NASA Jobs Rally.

The Texas AFL-CIO and Democratic Party of Texas Rally Friday May 14th 7pm

2010-05-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

Please Print and Post a copy of this flier on your Union/ work/ break room bulletin boards and spread the word to all your NASA Friends and Families about this rally. This is so very important, we have the attention of our local Congressional representatives, they will be there. This is for you and me and all the people we work with and their families and friends. This is for the very existence of our community and the life styles we have come to enjoy.
Please Print and Post a copy of this flier on your Union/ work/ break room bulletin boards and spread the word to all your NASA Friends and Families about this rally. This is so very important, we have the attention of our local Congressional representatives, they will be there. This is for you and me and all the people we work with and their families and friends. This is for the very existence of our community and the life styles we have come to enjoy.

Come out and show your support, it is in your back yard and only a couple of hours out of your day. This is a very worthwhile effort, please make it a point and plan to be there. This is not just for Union members, it is for EVERYONE that works at NASA, Contractors and Civil Servants alike.
Here is how to get there:

Galveston Co. AFL-CIO and the Galveston Co. Democratic Party to host "Support NASA Jobs" Rally

2010-05-02T18:27:00.000-05:00

In a letter dated April 20th, 2010 from Lloyd Criss, Chair, Galveston County Democratic Party, the following was expressed to IAMAW GVP Bob Martinez:

We have another opportunity to show our solidarity and that the Jobs at the Johnson Space Center are an important, necessary part of the South Houston, Clear Lake, and surrounding communities.
The Space Center has provided jobs for a majority of the inhabitants of this area for more than 35 years. Enlisting the talents of 3 generations of technical and engineering families to ensure that the space program carries on in the same manner that the world has come to expect.
PLEASE Make Time to come by the sports complex to hear the speakers and make your voices heard, let Washington know that we are a force to be reckoned with. And we will not tollerate the misinformed decisions dictate the future of this economy that we all have worked so hard to establish and maintain for more than 3 decades.
This gathering is in our own backyard, there is no reason to have the deplorable turnout that was noted at the IAMAW rally last week. WE ALL NEED TO BE THERE, and bring your families, bring your friends and neighbors too. This effects EVERYONE in this community, not just those of us that work at NASA.
If you cannot read the details, they are:
"County Judge Jim Yarbrough and Texas AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer John Patrick will be Masters of Ceremonies. Invited guest speakers are US Congressman Gene Green, US Congressman Al Green, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie, Bill White, Democratic nomine for Texas Governor, Linda Chavez-Thompson for Lt. Governor and Bob Martinez, GVP-Southern Territory IAMAW."
The event will commence at 7:00pm Friday, May 14th, 2010 at the Chester L. Davis Sportsplex, 1251 League City Pkwy (Hwy 96) in League City. There will be free food and drink, they are expecting a large crowd, Plan ahead.
I look forward to seeing everyone from 1786 there, and meeting your families.

Machinist Union Rally

2010-04-18T18:01:00.000-05:00

Preserving Our Space Programs and Saving Our Jobs

Brothers and Sisters,

Last week we saw and heard the President speak from the Kennedy Space Center about the plans for NASA's future, did you also read that there were nearly 4000 people rallied at the IAM Space Rally prior to the speech. We are facing hard times in the space program all over the country, the primary issues are in the Southern states with sites in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. This is where the jobs are in jeopardy.

For some reason everyone seems to think that NASA is at the Cape. The forefront of the space program is based out of the Johnson Space Center here in Houston. All the planning, All the research, all the Training for the Manned space program and that of every other program that NASA is involved with is based out of the Johnson Space Center, We here in Houston are the Heart beat of the space program in all facets of the industry. We need to show the world, the industry, and the President that Houston is the primary focal point of the space program, WE need to show our solidarity in all areas of the space program. WE all need to attend the rally at the Hilton Americal Hotel for every one to see, the White House, Senate, Congress, and even our own International.

Make plans to attend the rally, bring along a working partner that is skeptical about the Union and doesn't really know if they want to join, let them see first hand what the IAM is all about and why they NEED to be a memeber.

The Future of the Space Program, and the Future of Your Own Employment and Families Future is at Stake.

Come to the Rally, Meet your Union Brothers and Sisters that represent you and your families.

The Entire IAM Staff will be there, Lets show them that Houston is a force to be heard, considered and reckoned with.

Next Local Lodge Steward Training January 22nd

2009-12-11T14:33:00.002-06:00

the word is finally out, we have asked that Brother James Parker, Educator for the Southern Territory return for another Steward Training session. The response was so positive from the last session that we wanted to make it available for those that were not able to attend the session earlier this year. If you look back in the Blog to August or so, you will find a complete Bio on Brother Parker. Letters will be going out soon for registration, seats are limited so get your name in the hat as soon as possible. Contact the District office (281-681-6786) or fax in your request to (281-681-8426). Remember the date and mark it on your calendar. Get this in as soon as possible so that a "work absence" letter may be sent to your company excusing you for the day, your Local will compensate you for your lost time from work.

The Holidays are upon us, everyone please make just that extra little effort to slow down and be safe. This only happens once a year, we can get through it.

Web Dev. Class was Phenominal !!!!!

2009-11-09T21:56:00.002-06:00

Let me just tell you, the education that is offered at the "Harbor" is incredible!! I have been to several classes there, each and every one is fantastic. We are blessed with some of the most talented, intelectual, and just down right fantastic people in this Union. Any and All of the courses offered at the Winpensinger Center at Placid Harbor are a complete Joy and experience to be taken, given the opportunity. I experienced the Web Developement beginners course just a week or two ago. I cannot start to share the wonderful educational experience that it offered to me, I am no slouch when it comes to computers anyway, but the instructors Kiley Hernandez and Mike King offered everything they could possibly pass on in the time frame given, this could have easily been a two week course, but all the information needed to start up a web site was pounded into our heads with all the grace of an olympic swimmer.
I truley appreciate the talents of the instructors and it doesn't stop there. As with any course of study at the harbor, these instructors will be with you anytime you need them, whether they are in your territory, district or region, they are more than willing to help any way they can.
As always, the IAM manages to surpass any and all expectations when it comes to the dedicated Men and Women that support the efforts of each and every one of the memebers.
I will take this experience with me forever and I can only hope to reciprocate with my efforts toward the cause.
thanks again to everyone at W3 for all their support.
Dave

LL-1786 Monthly Meeting Date Changes

2009-10-21T15:28:00.002-05:00

The monthly meeting date for November has changed. Since Tuesday the 3rd is National Election day, we are changing the meeting date to Wednesday the 4th of November. This is very important. It is the meeting to Nominate Officers for the next 3 year period. Read the details on the Local's blog.

Local 1786 CSC/Ellington Aircraft Maintenance Group Radify Contract

2009-09-21T20:41:00.003-05:00

check out the details at http://stll1786.blogspot.com/
Congratulations!!!

Galveston Co. AFL-CIO to Host Labor Day Breakfast

2009-08-25T17:24:00.002-05:00

The Galveston Co. AFL-CIO in conjunction with the Galveston County Central Labor Counsil will host their annual Labor Day Breakfast at Walter Hall Park on Hwy 3 in Leauge City, Texas.
here is the letter:

July 30, 2009
Galveston County A.F.L.-C.I.O.
6820FM 1765 TexasCity, Texas 77591
409-933-9800

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As another year has slipped past us, Labor Day is once again upon us and so is our annual Labor Day Breakfast.
The past year brought both success and disappointment. The year brought us Hurricane lke but also a sense of community and humanity, it brought us job loss but also the chance for State Representative to show a level of statesmanship that Craig Eiland and leadership we have not seen in years, the year showed change can occur with the election of President Barack Obama but reminded us that more change is needed with the actions of the Texas Senate. We have many challenges that lay ahead and must continue to try to elect friends of labor to office. Nothing demonstrated this more than the battle of Entergy vs. Summers. We won in the House by one vote but could not even get it to the floor in the Texas Senate. We face upcoming battles on Worker's Compensation in the state and passing The Employee Free Choice Act on a national level. There is much work ahead, by Labor Day we will know the results of the ongoing organizing drive by the United Steel workers at the Valero refinery in Texas City.
I want to first thank you for your past contributions to our Labor Day Breakfast and also ask you to once again contribute to helping make Labor Day a success by sponsoring our breakfast. Both Mayor Bill White and John Sharp will be in attendance and allowed to speak briefly. Breakfast will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be served by Grand Prize Bar B Que of Texas City. The Central Labor Council has temporarily moved and the address to send your check is:

Galveston County AFL-CIO
6820FM1765 Texas City, TX 77591

Brother Lee Medley,
President
Galveston County Central Labor Council

Local 15 Ratifies Contract

2009-08-23T12:12:00.001-05:00

check out the details as they come avialable at

http://iamawll15.blogspot.com/

check out the new post

2009-08-08T16:17:00.002-05:00

http://iamawdl37othernews.blogspot.com/

this is information from around the world that applies to our locals and associated locals.

CSC Ellington Field Aircraft Mechanics Contract Soon Approaching

2009-08-08T13:36:00.001-05:00

Go to http://stll1786.blogspot.com/ to find out the details of the preliminaries before the negotiations can begin.

Dortha Newnum Retires after 30 years from NASA Special Purpose Maint. Tool Room

2009-07-30T21:26:00.003-05:00

Check out the details and pictures at http://stll1786.blogspot.com/

Steward Training

2009-07-15T21:46:00.006-05:00

Southern Territory Educator James Parker spent time with some of the District Local's Stewards to update and discuss current issues and protocols that would contribute to the ultimate success of the Stewards day to day dealing between members and Company. Various topics, strategies and the latest in negotiation tactics and workers rights were addressed. interviewing several of the attendee's reveled that it was a very worthwhile event and information was passed along that would be very beneficial now and in the near future. Their will be several contracts coming to renewal in the next year within the district. The information dissiminated during this seminar will most assuredly be a benefit leading up to the coming negotiations. It would appear that the news of Brother Parker's efforts at the District did not make it out to the entirety of the District constituents, we will make efforts to repeat the seminar in the near future. if you have any questions regarding Steward rights and responsibilities, available information, documentation, or support concerning specific issues, please feel free to contact the District Office via phone, fax or email.

James Parker, Southern Territory Education Representative

In 2008 Brother Parker was assigned by International President Tom Buffenbarger to serve as the Education Representative of the Southern Territory on General Vice President Bob Martinez’s Staff in Dallas, Texas.
Responsibilities and assignments include, but are not limited to working with all Local Lodge and District Lodge Educators. Working with all Education Committees in the Southern Territory, including all Woodworker Local Lodges and District Lodges. Preparing and distributing education materials. Conducting Education programs, seminars, classes and sessions for all Local Lodges, District Lodges and State Councils whom may request Education. Continuously developing, designing and implementing new effective training programs. Machinists Non-Partisan Political League Check Off Programs and Campaigns. James Parker is a thirty-year member of Local Lodge 776B at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, TX, where he worked as a General Machinist. He has also served as an IAM CREST Associate Instructor since 1998, as well as the Safety and Health Coordinator on the Safety Committee at the Lockheed-Martin plant. Brother Parker has been married for 18 years. He and his wife Debbie have two children.

Welcome to IAMAW District Lodge 37, Houston, Texas

2009-06-26T20:51:00.007-05:00

District 37 of the Southern Territory for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is a very unique combination of incredibly talented Men and Women supporting the vast industries that make up the Houston area. We have Craft workers in Refineries, Foundries and Forges, Machine Shops, Chemical Plants, Aircraft Maintenance and Fueling Services, Custodial Services, Maintenance, Design and Manufacturing of Space Flight components, and Astronaut Training Support for NASA, as well as Maritime Services Support Companies. Keeping up with the industries and
cultures that are Houston is a monumental task, but with the leadership that is in place in both the District Office as well as the individual Local Lodges, the Men and Women of the IAM stand head and shoulders above the rest with better wage base and better working conditions in some of the most challenging of environments.
In the coming months we will be improving our communication capabilities through updating our website and through this blog site with current labor news and events that effect the Houston area. Please make it a point to bookmark this blog site and check it from time to time for all the latest information we can provide for you. if you have a particular interest that we can spotlight or just a question or statement please feel free to post it here on YOUR blogsite.