Congratulations to IAM lodges who have created outstanding online and print work for the 2021 IAM Communications Contest. Their words, design, and imagery are invaluable tools to keep the membership in tune locally and union-wide.

Over the years, the communicators, most of whom are volunteers in local and district lodges, work to capture, inform, and celebrate the work of their peers—communicating the importance of their members’ role in making North America move.

Dozens of IAM member communicators from across the U.S. and Canada are now celebrated as winners in the IAM Communications Contest for 2021.

“The work our members do in highlighting the work of the IAM every day is vital to keeping their fellow IAM members informed and educated,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We congratulate our lodge web stewards, editors, and communicators for their work. Their commitment is unwavering to our membership and is vital to the success of this organization. We truly appreciate all that you do.” 

Click here for a complete list of winners.

Check here for the official call for the 2022-2023 IAM Newsletter and Website contest. Get your entries in today.

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by Kevin Murphy, IAM Local 1522

Completing the basic web design class for IAMAW Local Lodges, conducted at the esteemed William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center from February 26 to March 1, 2024, marks a significant achievement for participants.

Through rigorous training and hands-on experience, attendees have acquired fundamental skills in web design, empowering them to effectively enhance the digital presence of their respective lodges.

This comprehensive program, meticulously crafted to cater to the specific needs of IAMAW affiliates, equips participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to create engaging and user-friendly websites.

As participants of this course complete this training, they are poised to leverage their newfound expertise to strengthen communication, engage members, and further the objectives of their local lodges in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

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We are calling all IAM District and Local Communicators to participate in the 2022-2023 IAM Newsletter and Website contests. The contest is an excellent opportunity to recognize the hard work of our brothers and sisters across the IAM.

You can visit the official call on the Contest website to learn more.

The IAM Newsletter and Website Contest is open to all local and district lodges in good standing, having publications in distribution regularly or mailed to members and maintaining regularly-updated IAM websites.

This contest will consider newsletters published between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, and websites operating online during the judging period. 

An independent panel of judges will review submitted entries and select the winners. Contact the Communications Department at 301-967-4520 if you have any questions.

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Longtime lodge officer, journalist and military veteran Bill Harkum has been appointed as a Communications Representative, effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

“Bill has a unique skill set that we will use to our advantage in our award winning Communications Department,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We welcome Bill to our team at Headquarters and look forward to the assistance he will provide our membership.”

Harkum has been a member of the IAM since 2007 and recently served as IAM Local 2424 President at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Under his leadership, the local focused on increasing the number of defense contractors.

Harkum has served as a shop steward, chief shop steward, and negotiator and has actively participated in various campaigns throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and southern New Jersey as an assistant to the district-wide organizer in District 1.

Harkum is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force with more than 24 years of active duty including service with the Maryland Air National Guard. During his military service, he was a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in Charge of Public Affairs for the 175th Wing, leading a team of enlisted military public affairs specialists. Harkum earned the distinction of winning two consecutive Air Force-wide awards for public affairs.

Harkum is a University of Maryland Baltimore County graduate. He also earned a ultra-high-speed film and video techniques certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Harkum is also a graduate of the Baltimore Improv Group program, an independent improv team that performs at local theaters.

Harkum was a finalist for the 2023 Writers Guild Foundation (WGF) Veterans writing program.

Harkum is active with the Disabled American Veterans and the IAM Veterans Services Committee.

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The winners of the 2023 IAM Photo Contest have been named and the 2024 Calendar, featuring the winning photos, is now available for order.

To order the 2024 IAM Calendar, use the online order form to purchase calendars individually or in bulk. A print individual and bulk order form is also available.

Calendars are $7 for individual orders and $5 per calendar for orders of 100 or more. Two dollars from each calendar sold are donated to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines.

The 2024 IAM Calendar is a great way to promote the IAM and the work our members do, as well as help to bring independence and confidence to those who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, and children with autism across North America.

View the winning photos.

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The IAM Communications Department has once again been recognized as one of the best communications teams in the labor movement by winning four awards in the International Labor Communications Association’s (ILCA) 2022 Labor Media Contest.

The ILCA annually hosts what is now the largest competition exclusively for labor journalists. Thousands of entries that tell the story of the global labor movement are judged by experts in the field across the industry. The 2022 ILCA Labor Media Contest honors work from calendar year 2021.

“The critical work the IAM does cannot be understated. Our jobs are to call the microphone to workers’ voices or to hold it up to them, and without those two critical pieces, worker stories are missed,” said DeLane Adams, IAM Assistant Communications Director and ILCA Treasurer. “The incredible amplification ILCA members are doing right now has made unionism a dinner table conversation, and the impact of the work we’re doing right now will last generations.” 

The awards are open to all ILCA member organizations and are given in two different classes: national/international unions, federations, councils, and allied organizations, and local/regional/state federations, central/area labor councils, and allied organizations. ILCA award categories are general excellence, visual communications, best multimedia campaign, writing, electronic media, best use of earned media, political action, and organizing. 

“The IAM Communications Department is one of the best in the labor movement,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Their work helps grow and strengthen our membership. This talented staff helps tell our union’s story and provides much-needed support in organizing campaigns and negotiations. I am sure 2023 will bring even more accolades for this award-winning department.”

Awards received by the IAM:

First Place

Visual Communications, Best Illustration: National Aviation Day

Visual Communications, Best Illustration: Local 701 Strike

Second Place

Visual Communications, Best Design in a Single-Issue Publication: IAM Eastern Territory Newsletter

General Excellence, Electronic Publication: IAM Month of Labor Toolkit

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Attention all IAM members who enjoy taking photos. The 2023 IAM Photography contest is now open, so get out your cameras or smartphones and start snapping some pics of your Union sisters and brothers.

The official call letter and entry forms can be found here.

Submit your pictures of IAM members in their workplace, union function, or performing community service for a chance to win a cash prize and have your photo featured in the 2024 IAM Calendar. The entry deadline is May 26, 2023.

Two dollars from each calendar sale is donated to Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC). You can order your 2023 Calendar here.

Scan to enter online from your mobile device

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The winners of the 2022 IAM Photo Contest have been named and the 2023 Calendar, featuring the winning photos, is now available for order.

Winning photos are featured in the 2023 IAM Calendar. To order the 2023 IAM Calendar, download an individual order form or bulk order form for Lodges that want to order large quantities of calendars. Calendars are $7 for individual orders and $5 per calendar for orders of 100 or more. Two dollars from each calendar sold are donated to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.

This is a great way to promote the Machinists and the work we do, as well as help to bring independence and confidence to people who are blind/visually impaired, veterans, and children with autism across North America.

View the winning photos.

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IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Elías Flamenco Rivera as a Headquarters Communications Representative, effective September 1, 2022.

Flamenco Rivera joins the IAM from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union where he developed content and strategies to grow the union’s online influence and engagement among members by promoting key policy issues and organizing campaigns. Flamenco Rivera is fluent in both Spanish and English and will be integral in increasing the IAM’s outreach to Spanish-speaking members.

“We welcome Elías to the IAM’s Communications Department and look forward to the contributions he will make to our membership and beyond,” said Martinez. “Elías’ background in labor, non-profits and public and legislative affairs will be a great asset to best serve our members’ interests.”

Previously, Flamenco Rivera worked at a public affairs agency in Washington, DC, where he provided advice and strategic guidance regarding the use of digital media across the firm’s diverse clientele spanning from non-profits to prominent trade associations. Notably, Flamenco Rivera received PR News’ “Rising Stars 30 & Under Award” in 2019 as recognition for his consistent ability to deliver for his clients.

Flamenco Rivera worked at Public Citizen as a Program Associate coordinating digital media strategy to increase public and congressional awareness of the impact of trade policies. In 2016, he completed a public policy fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and served at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and for then U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). 

Flamenco Rivera has also worked for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), leading its digital organizing and online strategy efforts. 

Flamenco Rivera graduated from Towson University with a B.A. in international studies and a minor in anthropology. 

Elías Flamenco Rivera Nombrado Representante de Comunicaciones

El presidente de la IAM, Robert Martinez Jr., nombró a Elías Flamenco Rivera como representante de comunicaciones de la sede internacional, entrando en vigencia el 1 de septiembre de 2022.

Flamenco Rivera se une a la IAM proveniente de la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores Comerciales y de Alimentos (UFCW, por sus siglas en inglés), donde desarrolló contenido y estrategias para aumentar la influencia en línea de la unión y la participación de la membresía tales como la promoción de temas importantes de política y campañas de organización. Flamenco Rivera es bilingüe en español e inglés y será parte integral para aumentar el alcance de la IAM a los miembros de habla hispana.

“Le damos la bienvenida a Elías al Departamento de Comunicaciones de la IAM y esperamos con interés las contribuciones que hará a nuestra membresía y mucho más”, dijo Martínez. “La experiencia de Elías en asuntos laborales, en organizaciones sin fines de lucro, y en temas públicos y legislativos será un gran recurso para servir mejor a los intereses de nuestros miembros”.

Anteriormente, Flamenco Rivera trabajó en una agencia de asuntos públicos en Washington, DC, donde brindó asesoramiento y orientación estratégica a diversos clientes con respecto al uso de los medios digitales, abarcando desde organizaciones sin fines de lucro hasta asociaciones comerciales destacadas. En particular, Flamenco Rivera recibió el “Premio Rising Stars 30 & Under” de PR News en 2019 como reconocimiento por su capacidad constante para cumplir con sus clientes.

Flamenco Rivera trabajó en Public Citizen como asociado coordinando la estrategia de medios digitales para generar conciencia pública y del Congreso sobre el impacto de las políticas de los tratados de libre comercio. En 2016, completó una pasantía de política pública con el Instituto del Comité de Congresistas Hispanos (CHCI, por sus siglas en inglés) y se desempeñó en la Comisión de Derechos Humanos de Tom Lantos en el Comité de Asuntos Exteriores de la Cámara de Representantes de los EE. UU. y para el entonces representante de los EE. UU. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Flamenco Rivera también ha trabajado para el Consejo Laboral para el Avance del Trabajador Latinoamericano (LCLAA, por sus siglas en inglés), liderando sus esfuerzos de organización digital y estrategia en línea.

Flamenco Rivera se graduó de Towson University con una licenciatura en estudios internacionales y una especialización en antropología.

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There’s still time to enter the 2022 IAM Photography Contest! The deadline to enter has been extended to August 5, 2022.

Photos entered in this year’s contest will be featured in the 2023 calendar. First, Second, Third Place, and Honorable Mention photos will also be awarded cash prizes.

You can visit the official call on the Contest website to learn more.

So, get out your camera or smartphone and capture your fellow members at work or performing community service. Your entry in the IAM Photography Contest will make the 2023 IAM Calendar the most successful yet. Good luck!

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