Notice

Vought has just brought to our attention a blog comment that constituted a threatening attack on a company official. The IAM does not support or condone such attacks, and we have removed it. Our real struggle is against Vought itself. This is a company that has used cruel anti-union and anti-worker tactics from the beginning to take hard-won benefits from their workers and families. This is a nationwide and Vought-wide war, to drive down wages, end our retirement plans and shove costs onto the workers. THAT is the struggle we are in, and the Solidarity of Local Lodge 735 is a powerful tool in that struggle.

We are strong, proud Tennesseans and Americans, and we are standing up against injustice and corporate greed, and from the beginning this Local has led a peaceful strike. We are proud of the way we’ve ran this strike in the face of Vought’s campaign of buses and guards. We can all be proud of our Union.

Christmas on Strike

The Sprit of Christmas

or
When Vought Stole Christmas

For many families of Vought strikers in Tennessee, this will be the toughest Christmas in years. For many, it’s hard to remember the kudos Vought had given its workforce, for vastly improved safety, productivity and return on investment.

The kudos, of course, stopped at the bargaining table. Vought demanded their employees take big takeaways. When the proposal was rejected, instead of coming back to the table and listening to their fine workforce, they decided instead to PUNISH the workers. They quickly hired out-of-state scab temporary workers, spent millions on private union-busting security and buses, in an attempt to break the union and the workers.

At the table, Vought negotiators said they were the only one that cared about the employees. One wonders, when they are at their Christmas tree tomorrow morning with their families, stuffed with presents for their kids, what they will think about the families of those on strike.

For many years, we thought the world of Charles Dickens was a relic of the past. Bob Cratchit was a wage slave, with a sick child. The greedy, ruthless Ebenezer Scrooge hoarded his wealth, never caring about his hard-working employee. Some things, it seems, never changes.

Sadly, there seems to be no Ghosts of Christmas past, present or future in Tennessee this year to change the hearts of Vought management. They want to HURT the workers, break their will, make them come crawling back, happy to work for whatever crumbs they deign to give you.

And they want you to be GRATEFUL for it.

One wonders, as they watch those Christmas retellings of Dicken’s classic story, whether they see themselves in it, or if they root for Scrooze, telling him not to give in to HIS ungrateful employee?

Remind your children and family that this strike is about a brighter future for all the workers at Vought, for better Christmases in the future. Sometimes sacrifice now is needed to ensure better days ahead. Tell them that other sacrificed so that we could have a good life, and that we can’t give up what they fought so hard to get.

Here’s the bottom line. Our strike continues to work, the pickets hold up well. The company did everything they could to break our will, and they are more than willing to ruin our Christmases and punish our children, too. Our Solidarity ensures we will win our strike. The TRUE Spirit of Christmas resides in each and every one of us, on this Christmas Eve, because we have our families, we have our pride, and we stand up together for a better life.

Greed has no place in the true Christmas Spirit. We can only pray that a spirit DOES touch the hard hearts of Vought managers, and heal them and make them remember that millions of dollars in their pockets does nothing to cover up the pain they’ve caused to make it.

Bill Dowdy passed away

With much sadness and respect
we regret to report that

Bill Dowdy

passed away Tuesday morning
due to heart failure

He was shopping in Gladeville when he collapsed
and then passed away, before making it to the hospital

Our deepest sympathies are with his family.

Visitation will be Friday December 26th from 4-9 p.m.
And from 12-2 p.m. Saturday December 27th, followed by the funeral at 2:00

Memorial services will be held at
Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens
535 Shute Ln, Hermitage, TN‎ - (615) 889-0361

Yes, there IS a Santa Claus!

Look to the folks next to you on the picket line. Look to your fellow Union members here in Tennessee. Look to your fellow IAM members across the USA.

They are the true heirs of the jolly old Elf! It seems that for Vought children, elves this year wear the Union Label. We want to thank Michael Allen of the United Way and the Central Labor Council, along with IBEW Local 429 for the Toy Drive for our children, and your fellow strikers who gave so much, even as their own pocketbooks were empty, along with IAM members in LL 733 (Hawker Beechcraft, Wichita, KS, they just recently won their strike), LL 834 (Boeing, Wichita) LL 839 (Spirit Aerosystems, Wichita), District Lodge 70 (Wichita), LL 2003 and District Lodge 75 (Ft. Rucker, AL). The IAM locals gave a total of $3800.00 to for LL 735’s Angel Tree.

Other Santas include Angel Rock, along with Barry Weatherspoon, his wife Nick, and Susan Butler and many others for their hard work.

Our kids can find presents under their tree this year because of the hearts of these fine people, along with your fellow strikers. They want you to be able to survive and continue on the picket lines, as they know your fight is their fight, too.

They know that Vought is trying to break their workers. They know there is little they won’t do to destroy the ability of the workers to negotiate good contracts.

As you make it to the picket lines this week, realize that the true spirit of Christmas, and the jolly old Elf is on this side of the Vought gates.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Hug your kids, and let them know that yes, Santa didn’t forget them this year. We aren’t alone at Christmas.

A visit we won't forget

Friday a woman and her eight-year-old daughter came to the picket lines. Her daughter has seen the strikers walking the picket lines every day, and wanted to do something to help. They brought bread, luncheon meats, chips and cokes for the strikers. They didn't leave their names.

Our picketers all hugged and thanked the little girl for caring. It's a great thing, in this Christmas season, that the little eight-year-old wanted to do something to help and to show she cared.

Brothers and sisters, this is something that touches your heart. We are grateful, and we won't forget your act of kindness.

From our union, to the mother and daughter in the Ford Ranger who stopped by the pickets 2:00 Friday, thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in your hearts.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to the Police

LL President Worrell sent a Christmas Card to Commander Richter at the Hermitage Precinct with the following message:

Dear Commander Richter,

To you, your supervisors, and all the officers of the Hermitage Precinct. I just wanted to let you know how much the members of Local Lodge 735 at Vought Aircraft appreciate your professionalism and the hard work you have put in these past twelve weeks that we have been on strike. I know it has been a sacrifice to stand in the cold and rain working our picket lines. But thanks to you we have been able to exercise our right to strike in a safe and peaceful manner. God bless each of you and your families. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mike Worrell

President Local Lodge 735

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Blood Drive

Thanks to everyone who came out and gave blood yesterday. Even though we are on strike, we still take care of our duties to the community and those in need.

The Christmas spirit endures at Local Lodge 735 and the Machinists Union!

Reminder

Remember our blood drive tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Union hall for Red Cross is from 10 am to 3 pm! More information here.

IMPORTANT: RESPONSE TO FACT CHECKER #8

Here is the real story on the company’s so-called “Fact Checker #8: Working During The Strike”

Last Friday, we put a message on this website warning people that crossing a picket line is like walking into the lion’s den. We said, “People don’t realize that, if you cross the pickets, you no longer have protections on the job. The company can fire you for any reason or no reason, and without a Union Contract in place, there is no grievance procedure or any way to regain your job.”

The company then said in its so-called “Fact Checker #8” that we were wrong, but it only told half the story. It said that during strikes, companies must maintain most terms and conditions of employment until lawfully changed, and it pointed to the “just cause” termination provision in our expired contract. It said you would still have that protection.

The half of the story that the company left out is that the arbitration clause is not one of the terms and conditions that the company must maintain. As the U.S. Supreme Court made clear in a case called Litton Financial v. NLRB, companies do not have to arbitrate things that happen after a CBA expires. So if you cross the picket line and the company disciplines or fires you without just cause, you are out of luck. Your real protection is walking the line. “FACT CHECKER #8 IS ONLY AN EMPTY PROMISE.

Of course, Vought hasn't been straight with either the Committee or the membership for a long time. They've hired fancy Philadelphia Lawyers versed in union busting to give half-truths and lies to divide us, and make you think they are on YOUR side. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Call our Elected Officials!

Click the flyer for large size.

Strike Update

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Toy Drive and Angel Tree

Toy Drive Sponsored by The United Way and the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Benefiting the children of striking IAM Local 735 members.

Dec. 22, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at the IBEW Local 429 Union Hall
2001 Elm Hill Pike Nashville, TN 37210

Drive north from the IAM Union Hall
Turn left on to Elm Hill Pike
Then watch for it on the left, across from Hardee’s


IAM Contact: Angel Rock 615- 720-3939
or 517-9939 angelrocks2day@yahoo.com

IBEW Contact: Michael Allen 780-2413

**********

Also, the Angel Tree Presents will be available
Dec. 22, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
At the IAM Local 735 Union Hall
1844 Air Lane Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37210Phone: 615-885-1756


View Larger Map

Chicago workers use solidarity to win.

Via Business Week:

Laid-off Chicago workers hope to inspire others:

They've taken their sleeping bags and pillows back home and hauled away their protest placards after ending a nearly weeklong sit-in at a Chicago factory that came to symbolize the plight of laid-off labor.

But a day after dozens of protesting workers walked out of the Republic Windows & Doors plant with their demands met, they said they hope their triumph will inspire others nationwide to take similar stands against employers if need be.

"Sometimes people are scared to say something to big companies," said Ricardo Caceres, who spent his first night in his own bed after sleeping on a flatbed truck in the plant during the six day sit-in. "But we stood up -- opened everyone's eyes."

That should include the eyes of factory executives, some business leaders said Thursday.

"I'd be the first to say to companies that what you saw with workers at Republic will be repeated over and over across the country," said Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. "We haven't seen this since the '30s."

About 200 of the 240 laid-off workers occupied the doors and windows manufacturer last week, demanding severance and accrued vacation pay after Republic gave them just three days notice before closing the plant down.

Jubilant workers cheered and chanted "Yes We Can" outside the factory late Wednesday night after they voted to approve a $1.75 million agreement that put an end to their protest.

"This has inspired a lot of people," Leah Fried, an organizer for the United Electrical Workers, which represents the Republic workers, said Thursday.

She said the union is looking to harness the goodwill springing from the sit-in, which even drew supportive words from President-elect Barack Obama. She said that could include networking with unions in the United States and abroad.

Caceres said he has already fielded calls from workers at other Chicago factories asking how the Republic workers took on their employer so successfully. The key, he told them: "You've got to stick together."

Even after all the attacks upon organized labor the last several weeks in the press, people standing together can still win. The Chicago workers have proved it. Our elected officials are looking at our strike and Vought's attacks and takeaways, and soon we will have a Congress and Administration who will stand up for working people. Pretty soon it won't be as easy to attack the ability of workers to earn a living.

Notice

We have gotten several calls from people who have crossed the picket lines and went back to work. They said they’ve realized the terrible mistake they’ve made.

People don’t realize that, if you cross the pickets, you no longer have protections on the job. The company can fire you for any reason or no reason, and without a Union Contract in place, there is no grievance procedure or any way to regain your job. The Union can’t help you once the strike is over, either. It will be permanent.

You have the lawful right to honor the picket lines. You can tell your Supervisor you have re-thought your position, and you are honoring the picket lines, and your Constitutional right to strike will be protected. Of course, this must be done BEFORE the company fires you.

Strike Update

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Back to the table

IAM Local 735 Negotiation Committee

Negotiators returned to the bargaining table this morning at 9:30. Members were encouraged that both sides were able to remained at the table. “It seems that they may actually be talking this time.”

Please spend some time in prayer and let’s hope for an equitable conclusion. This company is a vital component of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee workforce plays a vital role in the success of this company.

Red Cross Blood Drive

We all expect blood to be there for us, but barely a fraction of those who can give do. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face a time of great vulnerability in which we will need blood. And that time is all too often unexpected.

From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The honor, spirit and resources of the American people comes forth with neighbors helping neighbors in need — during earthquakes, floods, fires, storms — and also for the deeply personal and often quiet disasters that require a gift of blood.

IAM Local 735 will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross,

Wednesday, Dec. 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

at the Union Hall

1844 Air Lane Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37210

Phone: 615-885-1756, Fax: 615-885-0314 map

All blood drive participants will receive a packet of custom greeting cards, while supplies last.

Basic Computer and Internet Class

We will be offering Free Basic Computer and Internet skills instruction, including email on Tuesday Dec. 17, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, at the Union Hall. Bring a notebook computer with you if you can. This class is for people who know very little or nothing at all about computers.

We will cover the basics of the computer and then after an orientation of the Internet browser, we will surf the web and then learn how to email. Everyone who attends the class should be able to leave with their own email address.

Obviously people who need this class will probably not read about this on the Internet so please pass the word around and if you would like to come by and help on Tuesday, it would be greatly appreciated.

We will also be teaching how to sell things on eBay and Craig’s List but we have not set a date for that class yet. We could also use some help teaching that class, which will also be free.

A lot of us have a lot of time on our hands and so this is a great time to get some new skills. We are also working on offering Financial Peace University classes. When we get that worked out we will post it here with details about cost, dates and times.

These classes are for IAM 735 member and their families.

Got Food ?

Thanks to generous donations, there is food at the Union Hall for members in need and their families. Of course, donations are continually needed and appreciated. The Union Hall is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Special thanks to IAM Lodge 1296 out of Clarksville for their very large donations Tuesday before our regular Union Meeting.

Don’t forget about the Hardship Blog. There are leads on jobs, a short-term health insurance policy, a debt snowball calculator, a strike loan, the hardship and jobs committee, free credit reports, clothes and even half price on haircuts.

We are also looking for fund raising ideas for the hardship fund.

Come on ya'll and get you some !!

Angel Tree

Angel Rock said Tuesday at the Union Meeting that 57 children had been signed up for the Angel Tree. If any members have not yet signed up, be sure to get your name in the pot or on the tree before it’s too late. Gifts will be handed out on the Monday, December 22, 2008.

Money has been coming in to buy gifts for these children but there is defiantly room for more contributions. We are very thankful for all the donations we have received.

Children range in ages from age 18 on down. We’ll start with the youngest (Santa age) children and then do the best we can for the older children, in that order.

Gifts and donation can be received at the Union Hall 24-7. Mondays are great for donations but there is only one Monday left between now and the 22nd.

The Blessing of Christmas is the Joy that comes with giving.

Regular Union Meeting

Regular Union Meeting

Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.
December 9, 2008
4:15 pm

at the

IAM Local 735 Union Hall
1844 Air Lane Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37210 Phone: 615-885-1756

Picket line schedule change request

We are looking for people who would like to change your picket line schedule to

Friday night 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Willing members should contact

Adlai Coffee
Email: acoffee@iam735.com

Phone 615-736-3273 or 615-885-1756

Thank you!

Strike Update - From LL President Mike Worrell

Brothers and Sisters:

As we begin the eleventh week of our strike against Vought Aircraft, I cannot commend you enough for the solidarity you have shown. The way you have stuck together, supported one another, encouraged one another, and braved the cold and the rain on the picket lines are something you and your families can truly be proud of.

As you know the Federal Mediation Service has called both sides to a meeting this coming Friday, December 12th. Again we are cautiously optimistic. This strike resulted because the company stopped bargaining with your elected committee and tried to sell it’s demands to the bargaining unit. All it would have taken to avoid a strike was to offer some increases in wages, pension, and insurance and we could have continued working. But the company chose to take away sonority rights, overtime pay, and offer a substandard wage and benefit proposal that your committee told them would not be accepted by the membership.

Your negotiating committee has listened to you over the past ten weeks and is preparing to negotiate with the company over the issues that put us on the street. If the company is serious about negotiating over those issues then I believe we can come away from the table with a proposal that your committee can recommend.

I personally want to thank each of you for the support you have given to me and to each other. It is amazing how well you have conducted yourselves during this strike. We have approximately 70 who have disgraced themselves and their families by choosing to become a scab. They will have to live with their shame. But for the other 860 of us, we can hold our heads high! God bless each of you.

In Solidarity;

Mike Worrell

President Local 735

Strike Update

We have been contacted by the Federal Mediator, and we have been asked to meet with the Mediator and company negotiators next Friday, Dec. 12th in Nashville. We have accepted and will be there.

strike update

Thanks to everyone that has used our site to send letters to your elected Congresspersons and Senators. If you haven’t sent an email yet, please do so. Have your family, friends and relatives do so, also. It’s important, and it’s having an effect.

Congressman Bart Gordon has received the emails you’ve sent, and he’s talked with your IAM District 711 DBR George Mays, and has contacted Vought CEO Elmer Doty.

Congressman Gordon told DBR Mays that Vought was ready to meet at any time to restart negotiations. We, your negotiating committee, stand ready to meet any time and any place, and have also reached out and shared this information with Federal Mediation. We will keep you informed of any developments as they happen.

Angel Tree

click for large size

Notice

Monday when you pick up your checks, we'll have sign-in sheets for everyone to let us know how many children you have, and what age and sex, up to 18 years of age, for the upcoming holiday season.

'Tis the season

... to help

families in need.

We will be accepting donations Monday at the Union Hall when you come to pick up your Strike checks. Please take this opportunity to make sure everyone is able to enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Donations will be used to buy Kroger Gift Cards for our members who need a little help to provide a thanksgiving meal for their families.

Your help is deeply appreciated
and we wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Write to your elected official!

Help support a fair contract for workers at Vought Industries Nashville, TN who have been on strike since September 27, 2008. Send a message to your Senators and Congresspersons to ask them to stop Vought's unfair tactics against their workers and demand that Vought bargain an equitable agreement.

Here's the link. A letter is pre-written for you if you wish, or you can add to or change the letter as needed. You can tell them your story and how this has affected your family. At the bottom of the page, there is also a "tell-a-friend" button, where you can let your friends and family also ask for the support. Let's shower them with emails!

Let your elected officials know that they need to support the working families of Tennessee.

Click on flyer for large size

Something to think about

From the late, great Tennessee Ernie Ford - This is how workers lived in the past, and this is how Carlyle and Vought wants the worker in Tennessee to live in the furture.

This is what we are fighting for, the future for our families and our coworkers. Tennessee Ernie embodied the pride and fight in Tennessee workers. Carlyle has misjudged us.

From the Tennessean 11/19

To the Editor:

George Reynolds, in his letter, “Vought workers are lucky to have jobs,” Nov. 15, makes several statements that simply are not true.

When a company has made money because their workers are highly skilled and committed to producing quality products and satisfying their customers, it is not luck that they have a job.

Then, when that same company takes advantage of a down economy and record unemployment to try to take benefits from those same workers who had made them profitable, then it does matter what we are striking for. Mr. Reynolds then tries to lay the blame for this nation’s failed trade policies on labor unions.

My heart also goes out to workers who have no jobs to go to because of the greed of corporations who have moved their jobs out of our country and exploited workers around the world.

If there ever was a time when labor unions are needed, it is now.

Mike Worrell,
President, LL 735
IAMAW

Strike Update

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Monday Morning!

All hands on deck Monday morning at 6 AM for a show of strength to the arrogant Vought management and the scab workers. We will show them we aren't going anywhere, and they won't have any production until we have a contract. Be sure EVERYONE comes out to show our determination and Tennessee Solidarity! Let Vought know they can't divide us - because United We Bargain, Divided We Beg.

And WE DON'T BEG!

Strike Update

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Vought Story

From the Channel 4 website:

Vought Strike Continues

Negotiators Were Armed, Union Officials Say

POSTED: 11:10 am CST November 13, 2008

UPDATED: 12:09 pm CST November 13, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Federal mediators didn't work out any contract issues Wednesday at Vought Aircraft Industries.

According to union officials, Vought negotiators arrived armed with guns.

Federal mediators tried to keep the peace by attempting to hash out the unsettled issues between the company and union officials. The two sides never spoke face to face.

The strike began at the end of September. About 800 union workers are now on strike but have been replaced by temporary workers.

One word, folks. Priceless.

IMF support

We just received this from the participants of the International Metalworkers World Conference for union representing workers at Airbus and its supply chains. Delegates attended from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Click letter for large size.

Press Statement

Machinists Determined to Address Pension

November 11, 2008 – As the IAM met with a Federal Mediator today, company Negotiators arrived at the hotel where mediation was being held with armed guards that accompanied the company officials into the meeting room. The Union met with the Mediator separately. The Federal Mediator asked both parties to a meeting, and they often use ‘shuttle diplomacy’ to attempt to reach a deal during a strike. This is how the mediator handled this situation.

“This was certainly an insult to both the IAM and the Vought workers, who have conducted a peaceful strike in the face of outrageous tactics by Vought management, using strikebreakers instead of negotiating in good faith,” said Local Lodge 735 President Mike Worrell. “This shows a complete lack of respect for their workers who have given years of loyal service to this company. It is shameful to demand that workers give their pensions up to a highly profitable company at a time like this.”

"This strike was triggered when Vought tried to walk away from its pension obligations," said Worrell. "It will be resolved only when Vought responds to the very legitimate concerns of its workforce."

IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger said “Our Union is democratic, and the elected negotiators of the Local Lodge are in charge of the negotiations. Vought obviously doesn’t understand how our union operates. We are working with the Local Lodge to keep the Carlyle Group from committing grand larceny in their immoral attempt to steal the pensions of hard-working Americans who have made Vought a highly profitable company,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger. “Vought was unwilling at this time to bargain to keep the pension for all the employees on strike, so the mediator ended the meeting.”

“The tactics of Vought and Carlyle are NOT good-faith tactics. Armed guards and attacks in the press is no way to come to an agreement,” said Buffenbarger.

Additional information about the strike is available at www.iam735.blogspot.com

LET THERE BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING !

Our Intrenational Representatives are here for our support. The people that were elected by you are making the decisions in these negotiations. We have been and will continue to rely on the experience and expertise of our International support.

We feel that the company is using the same type of tactics that have been used in other recent negotiations. We know you will not fall for this. We want to thank each and every one of you for your support. Obviously, the Company hasn't heard the membership!

Your elected Negotiating Committee.

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Mediation Unsuccessful

Brothers and Sisters,

We met this afternoon with Federal Mediation. The mediator worked with each of the parties separately, and after several back-and-forth trips, the mediator released both parties, saying, “Federal Mediation was not successful at this time.”

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee

click on picture to enlarge

Winpisinger Negotiations Class

Here's an IAM video from earlier this year of the negotiations class our negotiators went through at the Winpisinger Center. This was with a different group, but it explains the process well.

IAM video on Negotiations

This is a great video the IAM made on negotiations. Although it's an overview, much of it applies to our contract. Our negotiators went through the Negotiations class at the Winpinsinger Center, and it educated our committee to stand strong for a good contract.

We're always pushing harder for good contracts across the nation. Our International has worked hard to give our locals the tools they need to be successful, whether it's at the negotiating table, or on the picket lines.

Strike Update

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Support Letter from IG Metall

Click for large size. IG Metall is one of the largest labor unions in the world. We certainly appreciate their international solidarity for our strike.

57-day strike at Boeing ends

Machinists in Wichita, KS, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA voted by 74% to ratify the contract proposal. Of course, this was yet another big Aerospace win for the Machinists.

No Boeing strike vote tally yet

Voting didn't end in Seattle until 6 PM Pacific Time, or 8 PM our time. It'll be much later tonight, so you can always got to District Lodge 751's website to get the count when it comes out.

Hardship Committee and Jobs Committee

Announcing the Hardship Committee and Jobs Committee

And the companion Blog Spot

http://www.iam735help.blogspot.com/

Go here to assist others with job leads, clothing, food, and money or in whatever way you can.

This is also a place to find assistance.

There are many job leads posted on this blog.

Also visit www.iam735.com/help to contact the committee members.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

...and as the sun goes down, keep those trick-or-treaters safe!

Family is what this day is about, and it's what our strike is about. You can bet that, when all is said and done, all that Mr. Carlyle gets in his sack is a rock!

BIG thanks for support!

Thanks go to Cecil E. Martin a retired member of Teamsters Local 480 came by the union hall with 10 lbs of barbeque, buns and sauce.

From Aeronautics Metalworkers CGT

This is a letter of support from the Union in France for Airbus. They know of our strike and are in full support. Solidarity is a strong thing, it can cross oceans.
Click on pic for large size

The latest from Vought...

Today, the company posted a letter that had been sent to Business Representative Chuck Killebrew last week. It was disregarded by the Union, as the offer was effectively taken off the table BY THE UNION MEMBERSHIP ON SEPT. 27TH WHEN THEY VOTED TO REJECT THE COMPANY’S LBFO.

They are welcome to take it off the table, because this membership is in no way ready to accept it.

In order for Vought to end this strike and return to producing product, our members are demanding OUR PENSIONS. We are demanding a contract WITH NO TAKEAWAYS. We are demanding, above all, a fair and equitable contract, which the LBFO was not!

When you get a chance, head down to Briley Parkway, and see “Mr. Carlyle” with his top hat and stogie, his pocket filled with money from trying to steal their employee’s retirement!

"Mr. Carlyle"

BIG thanks for support!

We were visited yesterday by Brenda Clanton of Waynesboro, who is the former President of LL 2325. She was laid off from her job two years ago, and has lost her seniority. She's obviously never forgotten her union roots, however. She dropped off four cases of water, and personally donated $200 for our hardship fund.

Thanks, Brenda, from the bottom of our hearts.

Also, District Lodge 711 has donated $500 to the hardship fund, and several of our members have donated their strike checks to help out.

Folks, that's what solidarity is all about. Thanks to EVERYONE!

International Support!

We are not alone! Our work for Airbus puts us in solidarity with unions in Europe, and International President Tom Buffenbarger has received several letters of support from our brothers and sisters in Europe. Thanks to Owen Herrnstadt, the IAM International Affairs Director, for his work in keeping in contact with the other unions.

Click on the pic for larger size, or click here for the Dansk Metal letter as a .pdf.

Click on the pic for larger size, or click here for the IF Metall letter as a .pdf.

Click on the pic for larger size, or click here for the Nordic IN letter as a .pdf.

Click on the pic for larger size, or click here for the Unite The Union letter as a .pdf.

A new sight on Briley Parkway!

When International President Buffenbarger visited us, he mentioned that the IAM had a corporate pig at headquarters, and he graciously sent it to us to let everyone driving by know that we are fighting corporate greed, to keep a pension for our retirement. Thanks to our International President for the pig, and be sure to honk your support as you drive by!

FLASH: Negotiations Will Resume

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IAM / Boeing Tentative Agreement

The IAM has a tentative agreement in Seattle, Portland and Wichita with Boeing. They've improved job security, improved pension, raises and bonuses, as well as frozen health care costs at 2005 levels. They will be voting on the proposal this weekend. Go here for more info on the contract.

Bottom line - this is a big improvement over the contract they rejected, and they were able to protect their job security.

Strike Update, Monday Oct 27

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IAM Local 735 Picket Line

A video by one of our members.

Boeing burns through cash

Well, since Boeing is a publicly-held company, they can't lie about how much the strike hurts them, via Bloomburg News:

Boeing Co., the second-largest commercial-plane maker and defense contractor, burned through $3 billion in cash last quarter as a strike by machinists halted aircraft production, hurting revenue.

The walkout shaved about 35 cents a share off third-quarter earnings, Chief Financial Officer James Bell said on a conference call today. That works out to about 1.4 cents a share for each day from the start of the strike on Sept. 6 until the end of the quarter. The strike is now in its 47th day.

We know that Vought is also losing money hand over fist. The only way they make money is if we're building assemblies.

District 751 President Tom Wroblewski issued the following statement in response to Boeing's 3rd Quarter Earnings Report:

"Obviously, this Company continues to have record backlogs, success, and sizeable profits - demonstrating Boeing has the ability to better share this success with Machinists Union members who generate the profits.

It would be a better business decision and a better investment to have made a fair contract offer with Machinists Union members. Partnering with the Union for the future is the best way to ensure success and to embrace the ideas our members can bring forward. There was no reason the Company needed to come at this Union with takeaways. These bad decisions contributed to this strike. Customers want their planes, shareholders want their value, and our members want to get back to building the best airplanes in the world.

We hope Boeing comes to the bargaining table tomorrow to resolve this strike, rather than simply giving the CEO a convenient answer to what this Company is doing to resolve the strike. McNerney should have to justify the lost revenue and answer why they continue to keep their employees on the picket line.

The Machinists were not involved in the decision to outsource the 787, which took airplane production out of Boeing's control. Although the strike might be a convenient excuse for production delays, these delays started 15 months ago because of global suppliers. The best way to get the 787 and Boeing back on track is to put the correct people to work, and that is the Machinists' Union members. Every time Boeing has problems, it is our Machinists Union members and SPEEA members who lead the way to success.

Our strike is about Boeing trying to bring outside non-union vendors they can't control into our workplace to replace our members. Many of their own managers have admitted this is not working, but Boeing continues on this path. The 787 is being delayed because of Boeing's flawed globally outsourced production system and has nothing to do with this strike.

There was no reason for the outsourcing, health care takeaways and other negative components to Boeing's best and final contract offer. In fact, this strike was unnecessary. With substantial profits and backlogs, our members expected Boeing to be fair and share the profits so they could grow with the success of the Company. Again, we hope that this new round of talks that begin tomorrow will be the answer to resolving this strike."

Update: Boeing returning to bargaining table

From the IAM District 751 website:

After 45 days on the line, your solidarity brought Boeing back to the bargaining table. Since talks adjourned last Monday, we have kept the lines of communication open and have agreed to pursue additional talks through the federal mediator. At the direction of the federal mediator, new talks will be held in Washington DC beginning Thursday, October 23rd.

We hope this marks a major step forward to resolve this strike. The Union will continue to do everything possible to bargain a contract that addresses the concerns our members have identified.

It is important as we move forward that we continue to stay strong on the picket lines. That's how we're going to secure a contract that will settle this strike.

In Solidarity
Your Union Leadership

Thank you!

Big thanks to brother David Mottern and Local 480 of the teamsters union for bringing water and supplies to our picker lines, and also to Jerry Lee and Eddie Bryant of the Tennessee AFLCIO for bring 7 cases of water to our picket lines!

It was very appreciated, and won't be forgotten!

SECOND ALERT

DON’T BE MISLED BY VOUGHT. On September 29^th, Vought said on its website that it had a way for IAM members to cross our picket line without being subject to union discipline. It said that members could change to being “financial core” members, which would release them from any responsibility to the union except payment of fees. The company’s explanation was legally WRONG, and the IAM immediately put up an Alert to make sure that our members were not taken in.

On October 20^th, Vought put up even more misinformation, including a letter for our members to use in supposedly changing to financial core membership. DON’T BE FOOLED. “Financial core” membership is a phrase that courts use to describe NON-members in states, unlike Tennessee, where unions are permitted to spread the cost of representation to all bargaining unit employees, whether they are union members or not. IT DOES NOT APPLY IN TENNESSEE.

The IAM establishes the IAM’s membership rules, not Vought. We do not have two tiers of responsibility. Either Vought does not understand the law, or they are trying to trick you. Don’t let them do it.

Strike Update, Monday Oct 20

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Strike Update

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Video from Seattle Strike

We aren't alone, there's a lot of other Machinists out there. We are all fighting the good fight for our families.

Short video of IP Buffenbarger's visit to the picket line

International President visits picket lines!

Our very busy International President Tom Buffenbarger made a quick visit today to Nashville and our picket lines early this afternoon. We'll have video up this evening.

Boeing Strike Update

Here's the latest news on the Boeing Strike in Seattle. The IAM Strikers are holding strong and are determined.

Strike Update - October 13, 2008

Statement by IAM District 751 President Tom Wroblewski

The Federal Mediators adjourned talks today between the Machinists Union and the Boeing Company without reaching an agreement. The Union had hoped Boeing would come to the table looking to resolve this strike, which is in its fifth week; however, this was not the case.

The Company is attempting to put the Union in an unacceptable position to bargain away our members' jobs. The Union currently has 2000 members involved in material delivery, inventory, distribution of parts, materials, equipment, etc. Throughout these talks and in earlier statements made by the Company, it has become apparent that the long-term strategy of The Boeing Company is to eliminate these IAM positions and replace the Union workers with outside suppliers. The words "flexibility" and "competitiveness" for Boeing appear to mean eliminating IAM jobs. It is a systematic attack on the employees who have generated unprecedented success for Boeing. If Boeing succeeds in their plan, it is our members' concern this will expand to other jobs in the factory.

The IAM is interested in bargaining a contract for the future, which provides success for Boeing and for our workforce -- but Boeing has a different agenda. We expect to be a part of the future of the Boeing Company and remain committed to achieving a resolution that protects our members and their families.

The fact is our members have bent over backwards for this Company to make them profitable. We have participated in every lean program, new initiative, fixed vendor mistakes and offered alternative ideas - all to make them successful. It is our members who consistently step up and get the job done for Boeing. We will continue to do that, but not at the price of our jobs. The Union will continue to look for ways to resolve this strike so that our members can return to building airplanes and making Boeing record profits, but it cannot be at the price of selling out thousands of our members' jobs.

Keep in mind other top issues are still not resolved, i.e. medical, wages, and pensions.

Strike Update - Mike Worrell Letter

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Local Lodge Meeting Reminder

Our monthly Local Lodge meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 4:15 P.M. at the Union Hall. Directions

IAM 735 LIVE on the Bill Press Show!

This morning, Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge was a guest on the Bill Press Show, a nationally-syndicated radio show that's heard on many radio stations across America, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio.

Ron was on to speak about our strike against Vought, and talked about our pension issues, and how it tied in with the current market meltdown.

Here's an mp3 of the seven minute segment. Our story is important, and it resonates in the news because of the stories of so many retirees that relied on their 401(k) to retire, and now they find they have to go back to work, or will never be able to retire because of the market meltdown. We are fighting for our future, and for a retirement that is safe and secure.

Bill said he wants to keep abreast of the situation down here, and we will certainly keep in touch with him as the strike continues.

Strike Benefit Checks

Strike Benefit Checks will be at the union hall Monday morning, the 20th, at 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Come in through the back door and have your photo ID ready. After you have been identified and have sign for it you will receive your check and then exit through the side door so we can keep an orderly flow.

Because of strict federal regulation, checks must be picked up in person at the union hall. If you don’t pick your check up during this time, it will be sent back to the Grand Lodge and returned the following week along with your next check. Your checks will begin to accumulate, week after week until you pick them up.

We know that this is not convenient for many who live out of town. One suggestion is to carpool with others in your area and another suggestion is to trade places with someone who walks the picket line on Mondays.

If you live close to Nashville, please consider changing places with someone who lives far away. Here are two lists where you can sign up.

Click here if you need to walk on Mondays
Click here if you can change from Mondays

Retirement Wreck

New article in the Washington Post:

For many Americans, 401(k) plans were supposed to be their own little golden parachutes into retirement.

Now, it seems, those parachutes may not open in time.

The global financial crisis that revealed the flaws of Wall Street has also exposed the vulnerability of America's retirement system. Employers have increasingly abandoned traditional pensions, forcing workers to rely on 401(k)s and similar plans that have a lot more exposure to the stock market. The assumption was that even if the market suffered short-term losses, over time it would rise, allowing workers to recoup their savings. But the steepness of this year's market collapse and the still-uncertain depth of the economic downturn has prompted lawmakers, academics and economists to question the wisdom of letting workers hitch their retirement fortunes to the precariousness of the stock market.

Read the entire article. It's unbelievable that Vought is STILL trying to say that it's a good thing they want to freeze the pension for everyone with 16 years or less and give us a 401(k) in it's place!

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Strike Update 10/09

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401(k)s meting down.

From yesterday's USA Today:

The financial meltdown has demolished Americans' retirement savings, wiping out $2 trillion — or about 20% of value — in the past 15 months, Congress' top budget analyst said Tuesday.

This estimate probably comes as no surprise to millions of Americans who have reviewed their 401(k) statements in recent weeks.

"This is a financial panic right now, and one reason it feels so bad is that everything is going down," says Kurt Brouwer, a financial planner in San Francisco.

The sharp drop in savings has led Americans to postpone contributing and, in some cases, delay retirement, Peter Orszag, head of the Congressional Budget Office, told the House Education and Labor Committee.

A new study by the AARP found that one in five workers 45 and older have stopped putting money into a 401(k), IRA or other retirement savings account during the past year.

Vought wants you to put your retirement security into the Vought Casino, and hope you have enough when it's time to retire.

Here's the AARP story, Retirement Dreams Falter as Economy Slumps. It links to the study.

This is our future we're fighting for. Let's make sure we can retire when it's time, instead of continuing to work until we drop.

Breaking - Boeing Returning to Bargaining Table

From the IAM DL 751 website:

After 33 days on the line, your solidarity brought Boeing back to the bargaining table. Tonight, District 751 President Tom Wroblewski announced that throughout the strike Union leaders have talked regularly with the mediator and had several conversations with Boeing.

Today, Tom Wroblewski and Mark Blondin met with Scott Carson and lead negotiators for Boeing to further outline your issues. At that meeting, it was agreed to return to the bargaining table. We are working out the details of the return to the table with the federal mediator.

We hope this meeting marks a major step forward. The Union will continue to do everything possible to bargain a contract that addresses the concerns our members have identified.

Boeing returned to the bargaining table because you stayed united on the picket lines. It is important as we move forward that we continue to stay strong on the picket lines. That's how we're going to secure a contract that will settle this strike.

This shows the simple fact, companies won't keep losing money when there's airplanes to be built. We'll keep you up to date as those negotiations continue.

Mind Games Flyer

Strike Update - Mike Worrell Letter

The Rat is here!

When a company forces it's workers out on strike with a contract full of takeaways, after calling them "family", then buses in scab labor to do their work, it's clear they've sunk pretty low.

So, the IAM has brought in the rat, and it now sits at the Briley Parkway gate to let the citizens of Nashville know what a rat this company is being to the very employees who create the wealth of Vought Aircraft. And, they scabs in the bus can see every time they are bussed in and out what THEY are, too.

Strike Checks Monday Oct 20

CORRECTION!!!

Strike Checks will be available Monday, Oct. 20, and every Monday thereafter. They can be picked up at the Union Hall from 10:00 AM - 5 PM.

Titans Solidarity!

In the comments today, walktheline said:

I thought it was cool today. Iwas walking on satuerday from 12 - 4 and was joking with the guy iI was walking with that since the Titans were in the players union that they need to stop by the line. Well not 5 minutes later Kevin Mawai, the center for the Titans came pulling up and said that we are all union brothers and sisters and needed to stick together. The Titans were loading on to a plane to go to the Baltimore game. Several of the players drove by and either honked and waved or gave us a thumbs up in a show of support.

GO TITANS

Now THAT is great! Something that everyone might not know is that in the seventies and eighties, our then-International President William W. Winpisinger helped nuture and support the then-fledging (and broke) NFLPA, the players union. The Union was headquartered out of the IAM HQ in D. C. for many of those years, and it was Machinists support that got them through tough times.

And Mawae is currently PRESIDENT of the NFLPA!

Did anyone get any photos???

Well, if the Titans will root for us, we will CERTAINLY root for them!

GO TITANS!!!

From the Comments!

This one deserves to be promoted to the front page:

Anonymous said:

Hey Vought!!!!!!!

We shot that contract down, got it?

Fact checkers or not, it's over. Time to make a brand new contract and give up on that garbage you presented already. No one wants that big pile of crap you called a contract. We voted and gave you your answer already on that last contract. Do you not understand that? It is already spoken for, a done deal, and it's time to put your money where your mouths are. I do have a suggestion on where to plant those lips too!

October 4, 2008 2:37 PM

EXACTLY RIGHT! Fantastic post, Anon!

Weekend Update

You'll be seeing a new face on the picket lines. Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge and GLR T.L. Smith will be working the Vought Assignment in South Carolina and Nashville, while Communications Representative Bob Wood will be staying here. General Vice President Bob Martinez is making sure there is plenty of Grand Lodge support for the strike, so he's assigned Special Representative Mark Love to assist in the strike.

Brother Love (yep, that's what we call him) is brand new to the Southern Territory staff, just assigned as of Oct. 1. This is his first assignment!

However, Mark is a highly experienced Aerospace Representative. Mark was a LL 834 Organizer in Wichita, KS from 1991 to 1997, then Business Representative at District 70 from 1997 to the present.

Mark was Strike Coordinator for the 1995 Boeing Strike and several other strikes in District 70, including the recent strike at Hawker Beechcraft. Mark is one of the experts in the IAM when it comes to running a successful strike. His knowledge and guidance will be very helpful during the strike.

As with all our Representatives from the Grand Lodge, Mark is here to help and to assist your very capable Negotiating and Strike Committee. Be sure to say hi when you see him on the picket line or at the Union hall!