february - IAM Local Lodge 839

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PAGE 4 FEB RU ARY 2009 Kansas State Council By Terry Rodriquez Camcorder, Tripod & Memory Stick Raffle The community service committee is holding a raffle for a Sony DVD Handycam, tripod and memory stick that will be held on May 9, 2009 at the membership meeting. All of the proceeds will go to LL839 Community Service Committee. The tickets are $1.00 a piece or a book of 6 for $5.00. See any of the committee members or stop by the local to get your chance to win. I would like to thank the membership for electing me to represent them on the Kansas state Council. This is an obligation that I look forward to fulfilling. As we all know working with the state legislature to try to get them to pass labor friendly legislation can be a very daunting task. I promise you it is one I look forward to. Here are some of the bills we will be trying to get passed this year: Workers compensation benefits increase. Children’s health care. We also have a WSU autographed basket ball that we are planning to raffle at the April meeting. This will be just after the Final Four Game on April 6th. Details will come later. Read your Plain Dealer Machinist Matters Insert. A transportation plan. To repair roads, highways and bridges. This plan could create Union jobs. State minimum wage increase. Kansas has the lowest minimum wage in the country at $2.65 an hour. We need to bring Kansas up to the Federal Minimum wage. Prevailing wage. This ties your wages to the area you work in. Fair share service fee. A bill for non-members of unions to pay a service fee equal to the amount of Union dues if they do not want to be part of that union. This year we will be working hard to pass these and many other labor friendly bills. By Larry Stafford The Recreation Committee is gearing up and starting to meet. The District 70 Car Show and Poker Run is the biggest item on our agenda. It takes many months of planning to put this on and it has grown every year. If you are a car or motorcycle aficionado or are just interested in helping, the Committee meets monthly, call the Local for The last week in February is Washington Days, which will be our busiest lobby days of the year. Until then remember : Union Pride Don’t Just Say It show It
PAGE 5 FEB RU ARY 2009 MACHINISTS MATTERS A Look Forward By Michael Burleigh Last year was a busy and emotionally filled year. District 70 had seven labor contracts that were negotiated and two very successful strikes. All seven contract negotiations dealt with health care, wages, and pensions. The two strikes were caused by the companies that wanted to take away healthcare, pensions and very important contract language. The members stood strong and they stayed united throughout. Now that 2008 is over, we must start looking forward to better times in 2009. Last year was not only filled with contract negotiations, but one thing that everyone has had to face, and that is the economic melt down. Additionally, there is an ongoing, relentless attack on Unions and the working class of America. It can make a person believe, they are going to lose their mind. I want you to know, “you can make it”. There is a popular song titled “Never Would Have Made It”. It states, “Never would have made it, never could have made it, without you. I would have lost it all, but now I see how you were there for me. I would have lost my mind a long time ago, if it had not been for you.” As your Business Representative, I must say, “keep your head up, be proud of who you are as a Union, where we came from, and where are going.” There is no other organization that looks out for the working class other than your Union. Without Unions in America, corporations would have you still making 10 cents an hour, with no benefits and no pension. Now Corporate America and Wall Street Executives would like to take even more from the working class, they’ve taken your jobs and sent them overseas. They’ve closed plants in the U.S. to open factories in Mexico and now they want to take your pride away from you. They want to place blame on you for the economic melt down by falsifying the facts, adding all of your benefits to your wages and telling the American public that you, the American blue collar workers, are greedy. Corporate America and Wall Street Executives want you to be ashamed you are represented by a strong Union you earn a fair wage. With good benefits and a good pension, that you work hard for many years to receive. We must speak up for ourselves in many ways by telling anyone who will listen the true facts about Corporate America’s wages and their benefit. Also, their kick-backs are worth more than what a Corporate Jet would cost. We must continue on for the next generations to come. We must think about protecting our children and grandchildren. There will be more fights to come and more mountains to climb but with your help we can make it. LL 839 Donates Items to YWCA By Kathy Petersen, LL839 President The Women’s Committee from Local Lodge 839 collected cell phones, chargers and toiletry items from members. These items were donated to the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center in Dec. 2008. The center helps to provide resources to promote safety and opportunities for women and children in our community. The old phones empower women by giving them access to emergency services. This will be an ongoing program. If you would like to donate any of the needed items listed below, please drop them off at the Local Lodge. Used cell phones and chargers Personal hygiene products (deodorant, brushes, combs, etc.) Diapers (newborn, preemie, 4, 5, 6) Pull-ups (2T - 5T) Baby wipes, baby oil, powder, lotion, shampoo, body wash, baby comb & brush, baby clippers, sippy cups, pacifiers. Band-aids & bandages Kleenex, paper towels & toilet paper Cleaning supplies (dish soap, window cleaner, sponges) Trash bags (13 & 30 gal.) Canned & non-perishable food items (soups & fruits) The LL 839 Women’s Committee would like to thank everyone who donated items! Editors note: The women’s committee will continue to collect cell phones and all of the other products they have been collecting. They are planning to make their next donation around Mother’s Day in May. Continue to drop off your supplies at the local. L.S.
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