Philip J. Gruber has been a member of the Machinists Union since his initiation into Local Lodge 688 in 1972. It was then that he began his apprenticeship. He became a Journeyman Tool & Die Maker in 1976. He served as Steward, Chief Steward, Treasurer and President of Lodge 688. He was elected as delegate to the St. Louis Labor Council, the Missouri State Council of Machinists and the IAM National Tool & Die Conference.

In 1976, Gruber taught the Apprenticeship Program for Belleville Area College and in 1977, he taught the Apprenticeship Program for Lewis and Clark College. In 1978, he helped rewrite and update the Apprenticeship Program that is still being used today.

Gruber has served as Secretary-Treasurer, then President of the District 9/PAC and the Missouri State Council of Machinists. He also has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Midwest States Conference of Machinists, the National Tool and Die Conference and as Chairman of the District 9 Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Gruber was a member of the National Planning Committee, the IAM Law Committee, the Board of Directors of United Way of St. Louis, and still serves on the Board of Directors for Guide Dogs of America, and the Illinois Workers Compensation Advisory Board. He has been a Delegate to every Grand Lodge Convention since 1980.

In 1984, Gruber was part of an IAM delegation that traveled to Japan to study and compare the culture of the Asian workforce and their labor organizations to the American system.

In 1987, Gruber joined the staff of District Lodge 9 in St. Louis, Missouri as a Business Representative. In 1996, he was appointed the Assistant Directing Business Representative of District 9. He became the Directing Business Representative in 2003.

In 2004, Midwest Territory General Vice President James E. Brown appointed Gruber as Administrative Assistant. In 2006, Gruber succeeded Brown as the General Vice President of the Midwest Territory.

Gruber and his wife Jean have two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, one son, Joseph, two son-in-laws, George and Curt, daughter-in-law Ellen, and five grandchildren, Alex, Nicholas, John, Lilly, and Genevieve. Phil and Jean currently reside in Plainfield, IL.

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Gary Allen was initiated into IAM Local 794 in 1979 upon his employment at the General Electric Aircraft Engine Plant in Albuquerque.

Following his father Ray’s example, Allen involved himself in the IAM very early in his career at General Electric by being elected Area Steward in 1981. One year later he was elected First Shift Steward and by 1983 he was elected Chief Steward, overseeing the activities of all shop stewards on all shifts at General Electric. Allen also served as Local Lodge Auditor, Labor Relations Negotiating Committee member, Organizing Committee member, and as a delegate to, then, District Lodge 183.

In 1985, at the age of 24, Allen became President and Directing Business Representative of Local 794, representing members at a variety of shops including General Electric, Greyhound, Fruehauf Trailers, and Arkansas Best Freight. He held this position until 1989, when he was appointed Special Representative.

In 1991, Allen became a Grand Lodge Representative, and in 1996 he was appointed as the Territorial Organizing Leader for the Western Territory where he coordinated the region’s organizing activities. Allen was then moved to IAM Headquarters in 1997 as a Coordinator for Collective Bargaining and later that year was appointed Aerospace Coordinator in the newly-formed IAM Aerospace Department where he coordinated collective bargaining throughout North America with aerospace companies such as General Electric, Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, and Raytheon, among others.

In 2003, Allen was appointed to serve as the Western Territory’s Administrative Assistant where he served in that capacity until 2009, when he was elected General Vice President of the Western Territory.

Since 2012, Allen has represented the IAM as a trustee on the IAM National Pension Fund, the 6th largest multiemployer pension fund in the United States with approximately $8.4 billion in assets, providing over 80,000 retirees and beneficiaries with retirement security.

Since 1991, Allen has served his community as an Executive Board member for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), becoming a Vice President of the Board in 2010.

Allen brings a broad depth and breadth of experience in numerous industries, from aerospace to automotive, as well as his endeavors in organizing, servicing, and representation.

Since his election, Allen has demonstrated that our union is stronger when members come first by maintaining a steadfast emphasis on “growth through organizing, strength through servicing, and prosperity through collective bargaining.”

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Diane Babineaux joined the IAM Executive Council on July 1, 2013 as the first African-American woman to serve as a General Vice President. She previously served as the Chief of Staff, formerly Executive Assistant, to the International President since 2000.

Her assigned duties as General Vice President include coordinating and administering the activities of several IAM Departments at Headquarters and to continue promoting the IAM’s mission to expand women’s and human rights. Babineaux started her career at the IAM in the MNPL/Political Department and moved to the Research Department. She became Special Assistant to the International President, then later appointed Executive Assistant.

Many of her duties include assisting the International President by researching economic and political trends and communicating the impact on working families. She also has responsibility for expense management and budgetary controls. In addition, Babineaux manages and directs the Human Rights department, Women’s Department and the Young Machinist Program.
Babineaux works closely with the international trade union secretariats of IndustriALL with which the IAM is affiliated.

She was instrumental in holding the inaugural IAM Human Rights Conference in Orlando, FL and the first Young Machinists Symposium in Toronto, Canada.

Babineaux is an active member of the Labor, Human Rights and African-American Communities. She is on the IAM’s Board of Directors for Guide Dogs of America. She is a former Maryland Transportation Commissioner.
Her favorite charitable event is participating in the Las Vegas “Hawgs for Dogs” motorcycle event to support Guide Dogs of America.

Babineaux’s most memorable accomplishment of 2015 was completing the re-creation of the historic 1965 march from, Selma to Montgomery, AL, March 4-9, 2015.

MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Diane is a current Trustee of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU) and serves on the CBTU Women’s Committee. She is also on the National Board of A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI). Other memberships include:

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
Voter Participation Black Women’s Roundtable
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and Board Member
Conference of Minority Transportation Official (COMTO)
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Action Network (NAN)
National Coalition of Black Civic Participation and Board Member
National Council of Negro Women
National Democratic Club
National Urban League
Operation PUSH
Pride at Work

AWARDS and RECOGNITION

April 30, 2012-A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, Baltimore Chapter APRI.

U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin, Certificate of Special Recognition, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award. April 30, 2012
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, April 30, 2012.
City of Baltimore, Mayor of Baltimore, April 30, 2012.
Congressional Achievement Award, U.S. House of Representatives, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, Congressman Elijah Cummings, April 30, 2012.
The State of Maryland Governor’s Citation, Martin O’Malley, Anthony Brown, April 30, 2012.

August 9, 2011, Distinguished Visitor Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners

April 2011, APRI Seattle Chapter, Appreciation Award

January 2009, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Service Award

October 20, 2007, NAACP Salutes Women in NAACP Prince Georges Chapter.

July 11, 2007, NAACP Benjamin L. Hooks, Keeper of the Flame Award, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 98th Convention July 11, 2007

February 22, 2003, The District of Columbia Chapter of the CBTU Black History Month Appreciation Award “Commemorating our Spirit”

2003, A. Philip Randolph Gentle Warrior Award, The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.

October 19, 2002, Outstanding Labor Leaders, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Kentucky Chapter)

November 13, 2001, Governor of Maryland for the Kathleen Townsend Award, Parris N. Glendenning, Governor

November 13, 2001, Resolution by the City Council of Baltimore in Recognition for receiving the Kathleen Townsend Award of Excellence for Women in Government Service.

November 13, 2001, Maryland Women for Responsive Government Inc. for receiving the Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Award of Excellence for Women in Government Service.

August 14, 2001, National Black Police Association Life Membership Award.

May 27, 2001, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Rising Star Award, 30th National Convention

January 2000, Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance, AFL-CIO, CLC/Labor Committee

August 12, 2000, In recognition of your Service and Dedication, Women’s Recognition Dinner, Local Lodge 733.

July 1, 1997-July 1, 2000, The State of Maryland, Parris N. Glendenning, Governor to appointed and commissioned a member of Maryland Transportation.

Babineaux has a long history of labor union affiliation. Her father worked for Amtrak and is a retired union member of the Railway Carmen Union, and her grandmother is a retired union member of HERE. Her mother-in-law worked for John H. Swisher Company in Jacksonville, FL, which is represented by the IAM.

Diane Babineaux is a long-time resident of the Washington, DC area. She has one daughter, Telissha and three grandchildren, Taylor, Breanna and Ava. She and her husband, Kenneth, attend Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD. Her main hobbies include collecting music and photography.

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Dora Cervantes became the IAM’s 12th General Secretary-Treasurer on August 1, 2015. She is the first woman to direct the IAM’s finances as General Secretary-Treasurer.

Cervantes first joined the IAM Executive Council on July 1, 2013 as the first Hispanic woman to serve as a General Vice President. Cervantes has served as the Assistant Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer since 2012. As General Vice President, Cervantes worked in partnership with the General Secretary-Treasurer to administer the IAM’s financial operations.

Cervantes initiated into IAM Local 2198 in Houston, Texas in 1989 as a Reservations Agent for Southwest Airlines. She served in many capacities for her Local Lodge, including Organizer, Shop Steward, Recording Secretary and Vice President.

In 1999, Cervantes was chosen to serve as an Apprentice Organizer for Airline District 142, and became a General Chairperson for that District the following year. By appointment from International President Tom Buffenbarger, she served on the IAM’s 2002 Blue Ribbon Commission.

In 2005, Cervantes was appointed to the Grand Lodge staff in the Transportation Department as a Special Representative, and was later promoted to Grand Lodge Representative. It was in July of 2012 when Cervantes was selected by General Secretary-Treasurer Robert Roach, Jr. to serve as Assistant Secretary to the GST.

Cervantes currently serves as a National Board Member on the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), is an active member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), is member of United Against Human Trafficking, and also serves as a Trustee for both, the National IAM Benefit Trust Fund and the IAM National 401(k) Plan.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Cervantes helps teach the Spanish Leadership series at the William W. Winpisinger Education Center and the IAM/Aviation High School Partnership Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labor Studies from the National Labor College.

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James Conigliaro joined the IAM Executive Council on August 1, 2015. As General Vice President, Conigliaro works in partnership with the General Secretary-Treasurer to administer the IAM’s financial operations.

Conigliaro, the son of a union member and a Brooklyn, NY native, began his career as a maintenance mechanic for United Parcel Service in 1977, but quickly distinguished himself as a union leader. From shop steward to organizer to business agent, Conigliaro rose through the ranks of Local 447 to become Assistant Directing Business Representative of IAM District 15, which represents members employed in automotive, trucking and a variety of other industries in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Boston. In 2003, he was elected District 15 Directing Business Representative.

From his key role in organizing the 1996 “America Needs a Raise” rally on Wall Street, to his efforts to pass New York City’s Living Wage Law, Conigliaro has led the Machinists and other unions in playing a more prominent role in city, state, and federal elections. Through his leadership, District 15 won important gains on behalf of thousands of largely immigrant Black Car drivers in the New York City area who had been misclassified as independent contractors.

As a result of these efforts, former New York Governor George Pataki appointed Conigliaro to the Governor’s Task Force on Independent Contractors. He also served on the Board of the New York State Black Car Workers Compensation Fund and persuaded the Board to develop a black car driver safety program. In March 2009, Conigliaro was appointed a member of the New York Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund Board of Directors.

Conigliaro has served four successive terms as a Machinists Union Delegate to the National AFL-CIO. He currently serves as Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO, and as Treasurer of the Consortium for Workers Education (CWE), a private non-profit agency that provides a wide array of workforce preparation, industry specific training and employment services to over 70,000 New York City Workers annually including union members, New Americans, and dislocated workers. The CWE is the workforce development arm of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, whose affiliated unions represent over 1.2 million workers in the metropolitan region.

Conigliaro recently received the annual Peggy Browning Fund Award for his lifetime success and dedication to helping working families across the United States. Conigliaro was honored in 2013 as the “Man of the Year” by the Deborah Hospital Foundation and was a 2015 recipient of the Golden Lion Award from the Order Sons of Italy in America, by the New York State Grand Lodge Foundation. Conigliaro is also a prodigious fundraiser for the Guide Dogs of America having helped raise over $2.8 million for GDA over the last 15 years.

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After more than 22 years as a full-time officer with the Machinists Union, Stan Pickthall joined the Executive as General Vice President of Canada on May 2016.

Pickthall, a journeyman steel fabricator, became a member of IAM Local Lodge 692 when he joined Finning International in 1984. An award-winning IAM newsletter editor for Northwest District Lodge 250 in Vancouver, he served in a variety of local lodge positions until being elected Business Representative of IAM District 250 in 1994. He was elected as Directing Business Representative of District 250 in 2005.

After serving two IAM Conventions as a member of the Law Committee, he was appointed as now retired-GVP Dave Ritchie’s Chief of Staff in August 2013.

Pickthall credited both the membership and the leaders of the IAM with providing him the opportunity to serve the union: “This is my life’s work, and I look forward to continuing that work with all of you at my side,” he said in his remarks to the Vancouver delegation. “I stand here before you because one day my senior steward – a mentor – asked me to get involved. I have had many mentors over the years, including our General Vice President, Dave Ritchie. I believe mentorship is key to furthering our movement.”

“The IAM will continue to organize and grow a stronger labour movement,” added Pickthall. “We will continue to provide the best negotiation and representation for our members. We will continue to be politically active, to build a better Canada. We owe that to our children and our grandchildren.”

Known to pick up a guitar when the mood strikes him, Pickthall is also an avid cycling enthusiast when time permits. Married to Donna Marina, he has two daughters, Amanda and Vanessa, and two grandchildren, Evan and Lila.

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