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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

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