february - IAM Local Lodge 839
february - IAM Local Lodge 839
february - IAM Local Lodge 839
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PAGE 1<br />
FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
International Association of Machinists and<br />
Aerospace Workers<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong><br />
3917 E. MacArthur Rd.<br />
Wichita, Kansas 67210<br />
U.S. Labor Department Says It<br />
Pays To Belong<br />
from: www.goiam.org/publications/imail/<br />
imail_02_03_2009.htm<br />
A new report from the U.S. Department of Labor<br />
shows union workers made an average of $10,140<br />
more than non-union workers last year.<br />
The report further supports previous surveys that<br />
show having a voice on the job gets workers higher<br />
wages, better health care, stronger job security<br />
and the ability to retire with dignity.<br />
Researchers also say the number of workers belonging<br />
to a union in 2008 rose by 428,000 to 16.1<br />
million – a welcomed increase after a few years of<br />
declining membership. But with the current economic<br />
climate, the continuing decline of America’s<br />
once-powerful manufacturing sector, and the enormous<br />
difficulty workers face when trying to form<br />
or join a union, those numbers could change.<br />
“In a time of high unemployment and uncertain<br />
economic times, it’s critical to know our families<br />
are protected,” says <strong>IAM</strong> President Tom Buffenbarger.<br />
“That’s why it’s even more important for<br />
our new president and Congress to step up to the<br />
plate and pass the Employee Free Choice Act, and<br />
enable the voices of working families to be heard.”<br />
Cell Phone Policy<br />
By Larry Stafford<br />
At the January meeting, the<br />
membership adopted a cell<br />
phone policy that will help limit<br />
the disruptions of ringing cell<br />
phones and pagers and conversations<br />
being held during the<br />
meeting. All the policy says is that everyone<br />
should put their devices on vibrate or turn them<br />
off. If you need to use the phone, and we know<br />
there are times that it is required, all we ask is<br />
that you leave the room and go into the hall or<br />
outside until you are finished. Here is the policy<br />
as voted on:<br />
E-Board recommendation to have all cell<br />
phones to be silenced during the E-board<br />
and membership meetings with a fine of<br />
$5.00 for ringing and $10.00 for answering,<br />
with the fines going to Guide Dogs. This<br />
policy starting in Feb. This will be announced<br />
at the start of each meeting. Motion<br />
seconded and accepted.<br />
New Sign-In Policy<br />
By Larry Stafford<br />
There will be a new way of signing in at the<br />
membership meetings starting this month, Feb.<br />
14, 2009. All stewards must sign their name<br />
next to their printed name on the sign-in sheet.<br />
We have been having trouble reading some of<br />
the signatures. Also there will be sign-up sheets<br />
for members and all guests that are in attendance.<br />
This will give us a better idea of who is<br />
attending meetings.<br />
We are also discussing having a door prize give<br />
away at each meeting and this will give you the<br />
opportunity to pick up a door prize ticket when<br />
you sign in.
PAGE 2 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
Benefits Resource Guide<br />
Benefits Enrollment:<br />
Spirit AeroSystems Benefits Center<br />
www.myspiritbenefits.mercerhrs.com<br />
1-877-459-3345<br />
Kansas Medical & Vision Plans:<br />
Preferred Health Systems (PHS)<br />
http://www.phsystems.com<br />
316-609-2559 1-800-660-8114<br />
Life and Disability:<br />
Aetna<br />
http://www.aetna.com<br />
1-800-523-5065 (life) 1-800-269-9401 (Disability)<br />
Accidental Death and Dismemberment<br />
Business Travel Accident:<br />
AIG<br />
http://www.AIG.com<br />
1-800-551-0824<br />
Dental Plans:<br />
Delta Dental<br />
http:///www.deltadentalks.com<br />
316-264-4511 1-800-234-3375<br />
Flexible Spending Accounts:<br />
Spirit AeroSystems Benefits Center<br />
www.myspiritbenefits.mercerhrs.com<br />
1-877-459-3345<br />
Spirit Retirement and Savings Plan:<br />
CitiStreet<br />
http://myrsp.csplans.com<br />
1-877-669-9777 (Information & Enrollment)<br />
I.A.M. National 401(k) Plan:<br />
Prudential<br />
www.prudential.com/online/retirement<br />
1-877-778-2100 (Information)<br />
HR Benefits Specialists:<br />
Barb Nickel - 316-523-09327<br />
Editors Note.<br />
At times I will include information<br />
everyone needs to use if<br />
and when they plan on retiring<br />
from Spirit. When you decide to<br />
retire you will have to contact HR. Be sure to come by the <strong>Local</strong><br />
to inform them and sign up for your retirement life insurance,<br />
There is a one time fee of $10.00, then $20.28 per year<br />
until the end of your 75th year for a $5,000.00 policy. L.S.<br />
How to Apply For<br />
Pension Benefits<br />
Your application can be requested no more than 180<br />
days before your intended date or last day of work.<br />
Request Pension Application:<br />
By Telephone: 1(800) 424-9608<br />
By Fax: (202) 857-3713<br />
By E-mail: iamnpf@iamnpf.org<br />
By Mail: 1300 Connecticut Ave., N. W.<br />
Suite 300<br />
Washington, D.C. 20036<br />
On-Line:<br />
www.iamnpf.org<br />
(Applications may be filed on-line)<br />
You must provide the following information<br />
when requesting an application:<br />
Name<br />
Social Security Number<br />
Address<br />
Date of Birth<br />
If married:<br />
Spouse’s name<br />
Spouse’s date of birth<br />
Spouse’s Social Security Number<br />
Intended Retirement Date<br />
If you have questions about the<br />
<strong>IAM</strong> National Pension Plan please call<br />
1 (800) 424-9608<br />
Union Choices Employee<br />
Benefit Systems, Inc.<br />
To contact EBS to check on coverage, to make a<br />
claim, to see about making a payment if you are on<br />
leave, to drop or add coverage or to inform them you<br />
are leaving Spirit’s employment;<br />
Employee Benefits Systems, Inc.<br />
10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 800<br />
Houston, TX 77024<br />
http://ebsworksite.org<br />
Tel: 713-812-0900<br />
Fax: 713-812-0888<br />
Toll Free: 1-888-521-2900<br />
Jeff Black 1-800-604-9775<br />
jblack@ebsworksite.com
PAGE 3 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
President’s Corner<br />
February 2009<br />
We are into our second month of the New Year,<br />
and things are moving at the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong>. New<br />
committees have been formed and will be electing<br />
Chair and Co-Chair positions at their meetings<br />
in February. There are still a few openings<br />
left; if you are interested in signing up for a<br />
committee please call or stop by the <strong>Local</strong><br />
<strong>Lodge</strong>.<br />
Delegates to the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor<br />
Federation were sworn in at the January 22,<br />
2009 meeting. New delegates were also sworn<br />
in at the January meeting of the Union Label<br />
and Service Trades Council. These delegates<br />
have begun work on the 28 th Annual Chili Feed<br />
and Bingo fundraiser to be held on Saturday,<br />
February 14, 2009.<br />
District 70 Delegates took their oath of office on<br />
Friday, February 6 th and have nominated and<br />
elected their E-board members.<br />
Let’s talk about layoffs and shortened work<br />
weeks. We’ve heard the rumors going around<br />
about how Cessna officials contacted the Union<br />
and wanted to implement 3 day work weeks and<br />
the union said “No”. Well, as usual, this is only<br />
part of the story. The truth is Cessna’s bargaining<br />
agreement does not allow for short work<br />
weeks. The hours of work are spelled out in the<br />
contract. Cessna was not willing to put out<br />
fewer WARN notices if the reduced work weeks<br />
were allowed and could not guarantee that any<br />
jobs would be saved. Upholding the contract<br />
and membership concerns are always of the utmost<br />
importance.<br />
A focal group for communication has been<br />
formed at the <strong>Local</strong> and is meeting bi-weekly.<br />
We are working on a “Negotiations Survival<br />
Handbook” for 2010. The book can also be used<br />
for family and friends who are being laid off from<br />
one of the other aircraft facilities. The book will<br />
contain useful information on how to prepare yourself<br />
for negotiations, community outreach programs,<br />
insurance and medical benefit assistance,<br />
debt consolidation information and other helpful<br />
hints to cope with stressful circumstances. Organizing<br />
remains our number one priority. This focal<br />
group creates flyers and other forms of media<br />
to help everyone organize the non-members. This<br />
is a top concern because we need everyone to become<br />
a part of our membership so that we can<br />
stand in solidarity in 2010. Videos have been created<br />
and should be viewed on our <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong><br />
website at www.ll<strong>839</strong>.org . These videos are personal<br />
views on why everyone should belong to our<br />
union.<br />
If you have questions about the union that do not<br />
concern in-process grievances or contract questions<br />
(which have to be handled through the Inplant<br />
Reps), please feel free to contact me at<br />
kpetersen@ll<strong>839</strong>.org<br />
In Solidarity,<br />
Kathy Petersen<br />
P.S. To the brother at Hawker Beechcraft: please<br />
accept my retraction about your <strong>Local</strong> not owning<br />
a building. I stand corrected.<br />
Call for Pictures<br />
The Communications Focal Group is<br />
compiling a “Negotiations Survival<br />
Handbook” for 2010. We are searching<br />
for pictures of the Boeing strikes of<br />
1989 and 1995.<br />
We are asking all of you to search your<br />
homes to see if you have any pictures<br />
of any of those strike activities. If you<br />
find any, please bring them by the local. The originals<br />
will be returned to you.<br />
If you would like to help on this Handbook or help create<br />
flyers for organizing and building our membership, this<br />
group meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.<br />
The next meeting will be on February 19th at 3:45 and<br />
lasts an hour.
PAGE 4 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
Kansas State Council<br />
By Terry Rodriquez<br />
Camcorder, Tripod<br />
& Memory Stick Raffle<br />
The community service committee is holding a raffle<br />
for a Sony DVD Handycam, tripod and memory stick<br />
that will be held on May 9, 2009 at the membership<br />
meeting. All of the proceeds will go to LL<strong>839</strong> Community<br />
Service Committee. The tickets are $1.00 a piece<br />
or a book of 6 for $5.00. See any of the committee members<br />
or stop by the local to get your chance to win.<br />
I would like to thank the membership for electing<br />
me to represent them on the Kansas state Council.<br />
This is an obligation that I look forward to fulfilling.<br />
As we all know working with the state legislature to<br />
try to get them to pass labor friendly legislation can<br />
be a very daunting task. I promise you it is one I<br />
look forward to.<br />
Here are some of the bills we will be trying to get<br />
passed this year:<br />
<br />
<br />
Workers compensation benefits increase.<br />
Children’s health care.<br />
We also have a WSU autographed basket ball that we<br />
are planning to raffle at the April meeting. This will be<br />
just after the Final Four Game on April 6th. Details<br />
will come later. Read your Plain Dealer Machinist<br />
Matters Insert.<br />
A transportation plan. To repair roads, highways<br />
and bridges. This plan could create Union<br />
jobs.<br />
State minimum wage increase. Kansas has the<br />
lowest minimum wage in the country at $2.65 an<br />
hour. We need to bring Kansas up to the Federal<br />
Minimum wage.<br />
Prevailing wage. This ties your wages to the<br />
area you work in.<br />
Fair share service fee. A bill for non-members of<br />
unions to pay a service fee equal to the amount of<br />
Union dues if they do not want to be part of that<br />
union.<br />
This year we will be working hard to pass these and<br />
many other labor friendly bills.<br />
By Larry Stafford<br />
The Recreation Committee is gearing up and starting to<br />
meet. The District 70 Car Show and Poker Run is the biggest<br />
item on our agenda. It takes many months of planning<br />
to put this on and it has grown every year. If you are<br />
a car or motorcycle aficionado or are just interested in<br />
helping, the Committee meets monthly, call the <strong>Local</strong> for<br />
The last week in February is Washington Days,<br />
which will be our busiest lobby days of the year.<br />
Until then remember :<br />
Union Pride<br />
Don’t Just Say It show It
PAGE 5 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
A Look Forward<br />
By Michael Burleigh<br />
Last year was a busy and emotionally filled year. District<br />
70 had seven labor contracts that were negotiated and two<br />
very successful strikes. All seven contract negotiations<br />
dealt with health care, wages, and pensions. The two<br />
strikes were caused by the companies that wanted to take<br />
away healthcare, pensions and very important contract<br />
language. The members stood strong and they stayed<br />
united throughout. Now that 2008 is over, we must start<br />
looking forward to better times in 2009.<br />
Last year was not only filled with contract negotiations,<br />
but one thing that everyone has had to face, and that is<br />
the economic melt down. Additionally, there is an ongoing,<br />
relentless attack on Unions and the working class of<br />
America. It can make a person believe, they are going to<br />
lose their mind. I want you to know, “you can make it”.<br />
There is a popular song titled “Never Would Have Made<br />
It”. It states, “Never would have made it, never could have<br />
made it, without you. I would have lost it all, but now I see<br />
how you were there for me. I would have lost my mind a<br />
long time ago, if it had not been for you.”<br />
As your Business Representative, I must say, “keep your<br />
head up, be proud of who you are as a Union, where we<br />
came from, and where are going.” There is no other organization<br />
that looks out for the working class other than your<br />
Union. Without Unions in America, corporations would<br />
have you still making 10 cents an hour, with no benefits<br />
and no pension. Now Corporate America and Wall Street<br />
Executives would like to take even more from the working<br />
class, they’ve taken your jobs and sent them overseas.<br />
They’ve closed plants in the U.S. to open factories in Mexico<br />
and now they want to take your pride away from you.<br />
They want to place blame on you for the economic melt<br />
down by falsifying the facts, adding all of your benefits to<br />
your wages and telling the American public that you, the<br />
American blue collar workers, are greedy. Corporate<br />
America and Wall Street Executives want you to be<br />
ashamed you are represented by a strong Union you earn<br />
a fair wage. With good benefits and a good pension, that<br />
you work hard for many years to receive.<br />
We must speak up for ourselves in many ways by telling<br />
anyone who will listen the true facts about Corporate<br />
America’s wages and their benefit. Also, their kick-backs<br />
are worth more than what a Corporate Jet would cost. We<br />
must continue on for the next generations to come. We<br />
must think about protecting our children and grandchildren.<br />
There will be more fights to come and more mountains<br />
to climb but with your help we can make it.<br />
LL <strong>839</strong> Donates Items to<br />
YWCA<br />
By Kathy Petersen, LL<strong>839</strong> President<br />
The Women’s Committee from <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong> collected<br />
cell phones, chargers and toiletry items from<br />
members. These items were donated to the YWCA<br />
Women’s Crisis Center in Dec. 2008. The center<br />
helps to provide resources to promote safety and opportunities<br />
for women and children in our community.<br />
The old phones empower women by giving them<br />
access to emergency services. This will be an ongoing<br />
program. If you would like to donate any of the<br />
needed items listed below, please drop them off at the<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong>.<br />
Used cell phones and chargers<br />
Personal hygiene products (deodorant, brushes,<br />
combs, etc.)<br />
Diapers (newborn, preemie, 4, 5, 6)<br />
Pull-ups (2T - 5T)<br />
Baby wipes, baby oil, powder, lotion, shampoo,<br />
body wash, baby comb & brush, baby clippers, sippy<br />
cups, pacifiers.<br />
Band-aids & bandages<br />
Kleenex, paper towels & toilet paper<br />
Cleaning supplies (dish soap, window cleaner,<br />
sponges)<br />
Trash bags (13 & 30 gal.)<br />
Canned & non-perishable food items (soups & fruits)<br />
The LL <strong>839</strong> Women’s Committee would<br />
like to thank everyone who donated<br />
items!<br />
Editors note: The women’s committee will continue to collect<br />
cell phones and all of the other products they have<br />
been collecting. They are planning to make their next donation<br />
around Mother’s Day in May. Continue to drop off<br />
your supplies at the local. L.S.
PAGE 6 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
Super Bowl Basket<br />
Sonny Nguyen Scores Again!<br />
By Kathy Petersen<br />
The winner of the January<br />
Super Bowl Basket was<br />
Sonny Nguyen. Sonny is a<br />
2 nd shift Steward over Shop<br />
328D. This is Sonny’s second<br />
win in a row! The basket<br />
was put together for the<br />
Community Service Committee’s<br />
monthly drawing<br />
and was filled with plenty<br />
of snacks for a head start to<br />
a fabulous Super Bowl Party! The value of the basket<br />
was over $100.00 and included a variety of satisfying<br />
snacks and coupons for CiCi’s Pizza. Summer<br />
Sausage, Salsa, Bean Dip, Tostitos chips, Sloppy Joe<br />
Mix, Chili, Sardines, Crackers and Snack Bars were<br />
the mainstays of the basket. Also included was a<br />
$50.00 coupon for Nebraskaland Kansasland Tire<br />
Company. Congratulations, Sonny!<br />
The Community Service Committee would like to<br />
thank the membership for the support you give to us<br />
when you purchase food from the kitchen and tickets<br />
for the basket drawings. The money you spend enables<br />
us to procure additional items for raffles and to<br />
help members.<br />
Bec’s Meatloaf<br />
1-2 lbs. ground beef<br />
2 eggs<br />
3 slices bread or 6-8 saltine<br />
crackers<br />
1/4 chopped onion<br />
1/4 c. chopped celery<br />
1 clove garlic chopped<br />
3.T. Worcestershire sauce<br />
4 T. ketchup<br />
4 T. BBQ sauce<br />
1/4 t. salt<br />
1/8 t. black pepper<br />
In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients together until<br />
mixed well. Shape mixture and place into a loaf<br />
pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees.<br />
Rebecca Espinosa<br />
Ernest Espinosa<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> 733<br />
Fruits of Our Labor<br />
There is a cook book being sold at the District called<br />
“Fruits of Our Labor.” All of the recipes have been submitted<br />
by Union members and their families from <strong>Local</strong>s<br />
and Districts of the Southern Territory, Transportation<br />
Department, Woodworkers & NFFE of the Machinists<br />
Union.. The cost is $8.00.<br />
I will print a recipe each month from this book, starting<br />
with any entries from the area <strong>Lodge</strong>s. - Editor<br />
Kitchen Help<br />
Needed!<br />
By Larry Stafford<br />
You will notice that the grill cook, the crazy one who<br />
wears the weird hats, is now your Recording Secretary.<br />
I will not be able to man the grill and take the<br />
minutes also. We need some able bodies to step up<br />
and help in the kitchen. Right now we are relying on<br />
sons and daughters of members to supply you with<br />
food.<br />
If we can not get any help soon,<br />
we will have no recourse but to<br />
close the kitchen and the fund<br />
raising will stop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Union Plus Discount<br />
Flower Delivery Service<br />
The Union Plus Flower Delivery Service provider,<br />
Teleflora, is committed to a 100% local<br />
florist delivered model with no drop shipments<br />
for flowers & gifts ordered online or by phone.<br />
Provides hand-delivered flower arrangements, baskets,<br />
and gifts through local florists rather than flowers delivered<br />
in a box by express mail.<br />
Labor union members receive a 20% discount on all<br />
flowers when they call: 1-888-667-7779 or order online<br />
at: UnionPlus.org/Flowers.<br />
All customer service calls are answered in the United<br />
States.
PAGE 7 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
Union Member Profile<br />
Larry Stafford, Closet Actor<br />
By Larry Stafford<br />
Many of you have seen me wear many hats. I mean<br />
that literally, but figuratively also. I have always enjoyed<br />
acting but life sometimes gets in the way of some<br />
of our passions. I was in some plays in high school,<br />
back in the dark ages, and a little in college, but I did<br />
not pursue it. I joined the Fraternity of Masons in 1992<br />
and became involved in the Ritual work of the Fraternity.<br />
I enjoyed that greatly, but little did I know that<br />
advancing in Masonry, I would get to fulfill my desire to<br />
be on stage.<br />
I became a Scottish Rite Mason in 2000 and a Shrine<br />
Mason in 2004. It is a well kept secret, which we are<br />
trying to let out, that there is a wonderful 700 seat<br />
theater and stage in the Scottish Rite Center at 1 st and<br />
Topeka. There are also hundreds of costumes there,<br />
with some a hundred years old. We<br />
perform our rituals on that stage in<br />
those costumes. I have been lucky to<br />
have been given many roles to learn<br />
and perform there. Most of those are<br />
performed to a closed audience but<br />
there are a couple we have performed<br />
for the general public. When<br />
I joined the Shrine, I became involved<br />
in their stage work.<br />
We have one ceremony that we perform<br />
that I have a major role in. It<br />
is called the Arch Ceremony. The<br />
next time we will perform this will<br />
be March 14 th at 2:00 in the auditorium<br />
of the Scottish Rite Center.<br />
This is open to the public and if anyone<br />
would like to come down and see<br />
what I do away from the <strong>Local</strong>,<br />
which is now taking up a lot more time, I am inviting<br />
all of you to come. It is right after our membership<br />
meeting. Just park in the lot north of the building and<br />
come in the North door. It will only take about 45 minutes<br />
from start to finish. Come a little early so you can<br />
find you way up stairs and get a seat.<br />
Editors note: This is the first Union Member Profile article<br />
that I am trying to start on a monthly basis. If you<br />
know of any member with any interesting hobby or activity,<br />
send in a short article and I will see if it can be<br />
printed. As you can see above, you can write about yourself.<br />
Include pictures if you want. E-mail the article to<br />
lstafford@ll<strong>839</strong>.org or lair68@cox.net<br />
QUOTE BY<br />
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:<br />
“In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must<br />
guard against being fooled by false slogans, as<br />
'right-to-work.' It provides no 'rights' and no<br />
'works.' Its purpose is to destroy labor unions<br />
and the freedom of collective bargaining... We<br />
demand this fraud be stopped.”<br />
Solidarity in 2010<br />
By Becky Ledbetter<br />
It has been a good month for our brothers and<br />
sisters in the way of grievance issues. I have 2<br />
terminations coming back. I am working on 2<br />
more at this time. My grievance log at this time<br />
is 14 and 9 are set to close out at 10:00 this morning.<br />
They should all be wins for our membership.<br />
I know we have many issues still in front of us<br />
but we will keep fighting for you to get these resolved.<br />
In walking the floor and talking to our<br />
membership I know there are very hard feelings<br />
about the bonus your CEO received and I don’t<br />
blame you. We have got to grow this membership<br />
and show solidarity in 2010 and I know<br />
we can do this, as we are all in this together.<br />
I would also like to say that 3 weeks ago, I was<br />
issued my Hawker badge. Many brothers and<br />
sisters are hurting over there. I will need to<br />
break away a few days a week and go see them. I<br />
know it is hard to be laid off, as I have been before.<br />
They compare the depression to a death in<br />
the family or a divorce.<br />
I just want you all to know I am not forsaking any<br />
of you; I just have to get out there on the floor as I<br />
do with you. Please know if you don’t see me at<br />
Spirit, I am at one of the other plants. In closing,<br />
I would like to say keep our brothers and sisters
Page 8 MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
December 26, 2008<br />
Lack of<br />
good wages, not unions,<br />
to blame for crisis<br />
NEWS-LEADER.COM<br />
Springfield, Mo.<br />
This column is in response to Paul Schneider's letter,<br />
"Union assisted companies' decline." I can understand<br />
his frustration. I am, as well as most workers in America,<br />
frustrated at the loss of good-paying jobs in the U.S.<br />
What I don't agree with is his statement, "....they are<br />
the main reason that the automakers are in such bad<br />
shape. The union has demanded such huge salaries,<br />
such complete health care coverage and such outrageous<br />
pensions that the cost of a new car or truck has<br />
become unaffordable for many Americans."<br />
The union did not demand salaries and benefits. Wages<br />
and benefits were negotiated between management and<br />
labor. They were agreed to and a contract was signed.<br />
Union leaders didn't demand, they negotiated, as well<br />
as management, in good faith. The problem now being<br />
that time, the economy and situations beyond our control<br />
have changed. What made good sense in the past<br />
may now be misunderstood or even look ridiculous.<br />
"Complete health care coverage" that Mr. Schneider<br />
refers to as being part of the fall of the automakers was<br />
given to almost all American workers in the past. America<br />
had an abundance of good-paying jobs. These were<br />
factory jobs where goods were being made in America.<br />
Americans could actually work, pay taxes and provide<br />
for their families with these jobs. Corporate America<br />
did have a problem, though -- that being too much work<br />
and not enough workers. Companies lost employees to<br />
competitors. One way companies solved this was by offering<br />
free health care to employees. Health care was<br />
very cheap and a good benefit to give employees. This<br />
benefit was not forced on companies; it was just a good<br />
deal for all concerned at the time.<br />
The automakers do pay a weekly wage to employees<br />
who have been laid off. In the past this probably made<br />
sense. The assembling of an automobile takes many<br />
highly trained employees. They were probably paid during<br />
retooling times so as to retain their skills. It was<br />
cheaper than training new workers.<br />
I believe the UAW negotiators and union leaders understand<br />
that America, as well as American workers, have<br />
a horrendous problem. They are willing to talk and negotiate<br />
with the automakers.<br />
Mr. Schneider implies that auto workers need to lower<br />
their wages and benefits in order to compete. As I have<br />
said in the past, low wages have never brought prosperity<br />
to America. What brings prosperity to us is lots of<br />
good-paying jobs. Paychecks to spend. Automobiles<br />
made in America and across seas cost about the same;<br />
the difference is in how the company splits the pie. It is<br />
a dangerous situation when American workers agree to<br />
lower their wages and benefits to "compete." It doesn't<br />
matter what the UAW negotiates as a wage concession<br />
if they choose that route; the imports will move somewhat<br />
below that amount. It's a vicious cycle.<br />
All workers in America, no matter what their occupation,<br />
should make a wage that will give them the ability<br />
and dignity to raise a family and save for the future.<br />
Right now, that is not the case.<br />
We should not ask employees to work for less. The solution<br />
is to bring back good-paying American jobs where<br />
workers can make a good living and pay taxes. We<br />
should be trying to bring the low-paying jobs up in pay<br />
and stop trying to bring good-paying jobs down.<br />
Mike Brumley is president, <strong>Local</strong> 1553, International<br />
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers IBEW, Springfield.<br />
Editor’s Note; I was in Springfield , Mo. For Christmas.<br />
The article above was in the Springfield News-<br />
Leader on December 26th. I felt Brother Brumley<br />
spoke about the lack of good wages and the rush to<br />
blame the Unions in a way that made sense for everyone<br />
to understand. I contacted him and he has given<br />
me permission to reprint his letter to the editor. L.S.<br />
Quote from Robert B. Reich January 26, 2009 in an article for the Los Angles Times<br />
“Go back about 50 years, when America's middle class was expanding and the economy was soaring. Paychecks<br />
were big enough to allow us to buy all the goods and services we produced. It was a virtuous circle. Good pay<br />
meant more purchases, and more purchases meant more jobs.<br />
At the center of this virtuous circle were unions. In 1955, more than a third of working Americans belonged to<br />
one. Unions gave them the bargaining leverage they needed to get the paychecks that kept the economy going. So<br />
many Americans were unionized that wage agreements spilled over to nonunionized workplaces as well. Employers<br />
knew they had to match union wages to compete for workers and to recruit the best ones.”
Page 9 MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
<strong>IAM</strong> Organizers Plan for Post-Bush Era<br />
The <strong>IAM</strong> Organizing Department<br />
is preparing to<br />
take full advantage of a<br />
political landscape that is<br />
shifting decidedly in its favor.<br />
“What a difference it makes<br />
having a little help at the<br />
top,” said International<br />
President Tom Buffenbarger<br />
at a planning summit<br />
of the <strong>IAM</strong> Organizing<br />
Department. “In addition to<br />
pro-labor executive orders and a<br />
pledge to sign the Employee Free<br />
Choice Act (EFCA), we’re looking<br />
forward to federal agencies that<br />
don’t use their power to aggressively<br />
block the basic right of workers to<br />
join a union.”<br />
Unlike previous administrations<br />
that failed to protect the rights of<br />
workers seeking to organize, President<br />
Obama recently signed a remarkable<br />
series of pro-labor executive<br />
orders, including one that prohibits<br />
government contractors from<br />
using any federal funds to finance<br />
anti-union campaigns.<br />
Buffenbarger urged the organizers<br />
to have campaigns ready to go.<br />
International President Tom Buffenbarger (center) addresses<br />
<strong>IAM</strong> Organizers during a planning meeting this<br />
week in Nashville, TN<br />
“Winning the EFCA fight won’t be<br />
easy, our adversaries are spending<br />
millions and are ready to spend<br />
millions more, but now is the time<br />
to develop plans for when we do<br />
win,” said Buffenbarger.<br />
While the political landscape has<br />
shifted, the economic landscape is<br />
changing too, with mass layoffs,<br />
bankruptcies and factory closings<br />
sending shock waves through the<br />
economy and adding a new dimension<br />
to the job of union organizers.<br />
“We have something workers desperately<br />
need and want in times of<br />
economic turmoil,” said Organizing<br />
Director George Myers. “And that’s<br />
the promise in writing<br />
that their rights will be<br />
protected, their pensions<br />
defended and their voice<br />
will be every bit as loud<br />
as shareholders, managers<br />
or investors.”<br />
In addition to planning<br />
for upcoming campaigns,<br />
the organizers took time<br />
to salute Larry Washam,<br />
the much loved and recently<br />
retired former director of<br />
the <strong>IAM</strong> Organizing Department.<br />
“Thousands of men and<br />
women all across the country are<br />
living better, richer lives because<br />
of the work this man has done<br />
over the years,” said Headquarters<br />
Vice President Rich Michalski,<br />
who hosted the event attended<br />
by more than 100 friends,<br />
family and co-workers. “Larry<br />
Washam has always been one of<br />
those people who makes you proud<br />
to belong to the Machinists union.”<br />
http://www.goiam.org/<br />
publications/imail/<br />
imail_02_12_2009.htm<br />
LOCAL LODGE NO. <strong>839</strong> ORGANIZING PROGRAM FOR 2009<br />
1. Program to start with applications submitted to Company for first payroll deduction in January 2009 and end with<br />
those submitted for the first payroll deduction in December 2009.<br />
2. To be eligible for this Program, the new member’s application must be a payroll deduction, not cash pay.<br />
3. One Union Shirt will be given to the new Union member.<br />
4. Only one application is accepted for any new member. If member joins at the Interview Desk, no one gets ‘credit’ for<br />
the application. When called back to Spirit within one year’s time, the member is automatically reinstated. No one<br />
gets ‘credit’ for reinstatements.<br />
5. Any eligible member who signs up a new member will receive $10 for every new member’s application turned in and<br />
paid at the monthly Union meeting.<br />
6. The <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> Organizing Committee will assist this Program.<br />
7. The money generated from the new members will support part of the expense of this Program. *Any tax liability<br />
incurred by the winners of prizes, under this Organizing Program, is the responsibility of the winner. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> No.<br />
<strong>839</strong> will accept no responsibility.<br />
8. Full time Union Representatives, Organizers, Staff of <strong>Lodge</strong> No. <strong>839</strong> and persons assigned to the Interview Desk will<br />
not be eligible for prizes.<br />
9. With the adoption of this Program and inception, effective January 01, 2009, all past Programs are concluded.<br />
*All eligible members must fill out a W4 Federal and State withholding form and turn in to the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> to receive any pay out.
PAGE 10 FEB RU ARY 2009<br />
MACHINISTS MATTERS<br />
Welcome To Our New Union Brothers & Sisters<br />
George M. Anderson<br />
Rene G. Ayala<br />
Keith R. Barrier<br />
Adrian Batiste<br />
James Bell<br />
Steven Beskett<br />
Benjamin C. Brown<br />
Mark Cradduck<br />
James S Crandall<br />
Daniel Gilliand<br />
Todd Hardison<br />
Alex Islam<br />
Lonnie Knowles<br />
Stuart L. Miles<br />
Huan Vu Nguyen<br />
Thanh Nguyen<br />
Brent Pearce<br />
David L. Pulsifer<br />
Dave Rickard<br />
George L Roberts<br />
Teresa K. Scharff-Bernard<br />
Troy Schreiber<br />
Ted Seiler<br />
Robert M. Soell<br />
Robert Michael White<br />
Lawerence R Williams<br />
Randy Windhorst<br />
Mark Winter<br />
Monthly Union Meetings<br />
2nd Saturday of the Month<br />
Executive Board meets at 8:00 AM<br />
Regular Meeting at 10:00 AM<br />
International Association of Machinists<br />
and Aerospace Workers<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong><br />
3917 E. MacArthur Rd.<br />
Wichita, Kansas 67210<br />
Phone: (316) 524-1090<br />
Fax: (316) 529-1277<br />
The Fighting Machinists<br />
www.ll<strong>839</strong>.org<br />
President - Kathy Petersen<br />
Vice President - Brent Allen<br />
Recording Secretary - Larry Stafford<br />
Treasurer - Joni Pierce<br />
Conductor/Sentinel - Jeff Meis<br />
Trustees - Susan Hiebert, Stan Chapman, Terry Rodriquez<br />
Communicator - Dennis Williams<br />
Educator - Roger Stamback<br />
1st Shift In-Plant Rep. - David Eagle<br />
2nd Shift In-Plant Rep. - Howard “HoJo” Johnson<br />
Editor - Larry Stafford<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong><br />
Get Ready to<br />
Fight & Win<br />
In 2010<br />
We are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. We belong to <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong> of<br />
District 70 in Wichita Kansas. We represent the Fighting Machinists of Spirit AeroSystems. We work to give our members a<br />
voice on the job. Visit our website often at www.ll<strong>839</strong>.org for helpful and timely information.<br />
If you have any questions, contact one of your In-Plant Representatives at 524-1090.<br />
If you have any articles you want published, e-mail the Editor at lstafford@ll<strong>839</strong>.org<br />
All Content © of <strong>IAM</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>839</strong> 2005-2009, All Rights Reserved