Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Absolute Last Chance

There were a few people who did not make the final call to pick up their strike checks. We will offer one more chance. "The Absolute Last Chance to Pick up your Strike Checks will be this Friday, January 30, 2009 between the hours of 11:00am and 7:00pm at the Union Hall."

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Retirement information

If a person wants to retire they do not have to wait for the company to call them. They can call Nisha Anderson at (615) 360-4968 to request retirement package and make an appointment with her if they want to retire.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Strike Checks "Last Call"

This Monday, Jan. 26, 2009 will be the last day to pick up strike checks. Every Member who has walked the 2 qualifying weeks will have the opportunity to receive one last strike check for the week ending Jan. 24, 2009. Also if you have any other checks for 2009 that you have not picked up, this Monday will be your last chance.

As usual, checks will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Please spread the word.

Life-Time membership in the IAM for Retirees

Members who plan to retire and would like to apply for Life-Time membership in the IAM, please see Recoding Secretary, Adlai Coffee or Secretary/Treasurer, Watson Driver at the Union Hall this Monday, when you pick up your strike check.

There is a one-time charge of $10.00, which is an application fee.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A letter from LL President, Mike Worrell

Brothers and Sisters:

I want to commend each member of our local for the solidarity you have shown, the sacrifices you have made, and the stance each of you took during the strike. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF! Although we did not receive the contract we know we deserve, we are returning with a contract!

Our struggle was not unlike the struggles of our brothers and sisters in the past. They too took a stand against the Carlisle groups of their day. Owners with obscene wealth and unbridled greed. Those brothers and sisters of the past had to take a stand when labor laws, needed to protect working families, were not there or not enforced. They too took a stand while the Benedict Arnolds, the Esaus, and the Judases of their day crossed the picket lines. But because there are still men and women willing to sacrifice and stand for what is right, the future of our nation becomes brighter. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF!

Brothers and Sisters, I encourage you to return to your jobs with your heads held high! Yes, the next ninety days will be another test for each of us. But rest assured that there is not a stronger or prouder local in the country. I want to thank each one who worked at the hall, who brought food, water, coffee, and firewood to the picket lines. And especially those who manned the picket lines in spite of the cold, wind, rain, and the holidays. I am honored to be serving as your president. God bless each of you.

In Solidarity,

Mike Worrell

Friday, January 16, 2009

Returning to Vought

Vought will be calling you to give you a date to return to work. Make sure Vought has a correct phone number, where you can be reached by calling (615)-361-2065. You can also go to http://www.voughtaircraft.com/employees and then click on Employee Portal (Active Employees) to update your contact information with Vought. If you have any problems logging in, call the help desk at (972) 946-4357.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Summary of the Company's Jan. 13, 2009 Proposal

Click here to see the Summary of the Company's Jan. 13, 2009 Contract Proposal

Contract Vote

We will be voting the contract proposal from Vought tomorrow, Thursday Jan. 15th at 7 PM at McGavock High School, 3150 McGavock Pike.

It's the same place as our previous votes. Keep a watch on the blog for updates today and tomorrow from your Committee.

Negotiations Update

Negotiations have concluded. We have a proposal from the company, and will give more information tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Andrew Netherton has passed away


IAM Local 735 extends our
sympathy and prayers
for the family and friends of

Andrew Netherton
Dept. 944

who passed away Sunday afternoon
reportedly from heart failure

Visitation begins today, Jan. 13, 2009
from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m.
and resumes tomorrow, Jan. 14
from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
followed by
Burial Services at 2:00 p.m.

Services will be held at

Anderson-Upper Cumberland Funeral Home
2131 S Grundy Quarles Hwy
Gainesboro, TN 38562
(931) 268-1550
(931) 858-7474

Monday, January 12, 2009

Letter from LL President, Mike Worrell

Brothers and Sisters:

As you know this past week has been a trying week. But it has also been a very revealing week. The company has decided, after they had agreed and even set the date for Tuesday’s negotiations, to attack our resolve again. They sent their letters, used the media, and advertised our jobs in the newspapers with a large expensive add. All meant to attack and weaken our solidarity. The company has been frustrated over their previous attempts.

The company has said from the first week of the strike that they were getting their products out and that they had learned to become more efficient while using their temporary Scab labor. Now they say they cannot continue to operate with temporary Scabs and must resort to seeking permanent Scabs. Which is the truth? Elmer Doty never committed to us that the new Cessna work would be done in Nashville. If the strike is settled this week, nothing says the company would not build the wings at another facility and blame it all on this strike.

Brothers and Sisters, I am asking you to give your negotiating committee a chance to negotiate beginning Tuesday to end this strike. If the company wants to bring this strike to an end and bring their permanent employers back to the job, then they will have their chance this week. I cannot commend each of you enough for the solidarity you have shown and the sacrifices you have made. Please be encouraged to know that you have a negotiating committee who will do everything they can to represent and negotiate on your behalf. God bless each of you.

Mike Worrell

Regular Union Meeting

Regular Union Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009
4:15 p.m. at the Union Hall
1844 Air Lane Drive Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-885-1756
Map

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

STRIKE CHECKS, 2008 Deadline!

!!! Important Notice !!!

2008 Strike Checks
will not be available
after Jan. 12, 2009

Be sure to get in here this Monday, the 12th,
for your 2008 strike checks if you have not already done so
or else you will loose them forever

We did not know about this deadline until today
Please spread the word

2009 strike checks are not affected by this deadline

Press Release

Vought to Operate Nashville Facility with Strikebreakers

Washington, D.C., January 7, 2009 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today strongly condemned Vought Aircraft Industries for plans to hire permanent replacement workers at its Nashville, TN, facility.

Vought would rather threaten their employees than negotiate a fair contract for nearly 1,000 striking members of IAM Local 735,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger.

The workforce at Vought voted September 27 to reject a company offer that would eliminate the existing pension plan for employees with less than 16 years seniority and replace it with an inferior 401k savings plan. Vought refused to modify the proposal even as the stock market crashed, stripping billions from 401k-based retirement accounts.

“The attempt by Vought to force a 401k plan on employees who deferred wages to fund a secure retirement plan would be outrageous under any circumstances,” said Buffenbarger. “In the current investment atmosphere, it is nothing less than a financial death sentence.”

IAM negotiators met repeatedly with federal mediators and company officials to broker a settlement that protected the workers’ pensions. Vought officials, however, refused to address the issue, arriving at one bargaining session accompanied by security guards.

“Many of us see Vought’s decision to hire permanent replacements as a bid to get one last shot in before a more labor friendly administration takes over in Washington,” said Local 735 President Mike Worrell. “I’m hopeful that the change so many of us voted for in November will arrive in time to make a real difference.”

Vought Aircraft Industries is 90 percent owned by Carlyle Group, the $8 billion private equity firm based in Washington, D.C. Among the political figures linked to Carlyle have been current President George Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former Secretary of State James Baker III, former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci and others.

The IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, representing nearly 700,000 active and retired members in dozens of industries. For more information about the IAM, visit www.goiam.org.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Prayer Request

Linda Crawford, A330/340 Leading Edge, is asking for prayer concerning her 45-year-old son, who is having open-heart surgery this Thursday.

Update; Linda called and said her son is recovering and the surgery went well. Thank you very much for your prayers and concern.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Thursday, January 1, 2009

A New Year, and a New Day!

A new year is usually full of hope. As we move into 2009, with the news we’ve had, it might be hard to look at the New Year with optimism.

However, we DO have a lot to be positive about. After all, as proud Americans, we are naturally optimistic, right?

For these past many years, the government has turned against the working family. We were stripped of any rights or support we ever had. The Department of Labor turned into the Department of Union Busting. The National Labor Relations Board ignored the law and ruled against workers time after time. It has been open warfare on the workers, corporate America being joined by our own government against us.

Well, the times, they are a’changin’!

For the first time in decades, someone stood up and spoke FOR us! President-elect Barack Obama stood up for the workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, and said they deserved to get the money they were owed, and suddenly the company and Bank of America suddenly gave the workers what they were due.

This New Year brings a President, Congress and Senate that will stand up for workers. It brings a Department of Labor that protects workers, instead of attacking them.

Suddenly, this year, when Carlyle tries to explain that they should be able to attack the workers and their ability to earn a livelihood, they won’t have a cheering section in the government.
This year, they’ve tried to take all they could while they could. Next year they will find themselves with a government that doesn’t look kindly upon union busting. Hilda Solis will the new Secretary of Labor, and she is a strong ADVOCATE of working men and women. In her speech accepting the nomination, she said her job will be to strengthen and grow unions. She also said she was going to start ENFORCING LABOR LAW against corporations. Are you listening, Vought?

Yes, we are looking at tough economic times. But we now have someone on our side, someone who knows what Vought has done to their employees is wrong.

Our Solidarity and our reliance upon each other is what will ensure we can get through these tough times. Vought hasn’t broken our Solidarity yet, and we continue to stand strong together.

Remember, tough times don’t last, tough people DO! And there’s none tougher than the proud members of IAM Local Lodge 735.