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IAM Associate General Counsel Laura Ewan sheds light on Groff vs Joy, a Supreme Court case decision that sets a new standard when workers request religious accommodations from their employer.

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IAM Associate General Counsel William Haller sheds light on Glacier Northwest, a Supreme Court case decision that could negatively impact workers right to strike.

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Welcome to the IAM Legal video series, where we provide you with the latest updates on significant legal developments for workers’ rights.

Here is the first video in this series.

IAM Associate General Counsel Connie Vallas sheds light on two monumental developments in labor law that promise to revolutionize our organizing endeavors.

First in the spotlight are the fresh amendments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rules, meticulously designed to dismantle obstacles and streamline Union elections. These amendments herald a new era of expedited, equitable, and efficient elections.

IAM Associate General Counsel Vallas also discusses a recent landmark decision that’s set to empower workers in their quest to form unions and, more importantly, hold employers accountable for any unlawful practices that sway the outcomes of elections.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2023 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) released the following statement following the National Labor Relations Board’s ruling in favor of the IAM in the Nissan North America craft unit case in Smyrna, Tenn.:  

“The IAM is pleased that the National Labor Relations Board has applied the correct standard in this case, finding that the IAM’s petitioned-for group of tool and die maintenance technicians qualify as craft employees, and therefore should properly be considered as a standalone craft unit.

“The board has reversed the contrary findings of the Acting Regional Director and remanded the case for further appropriate action by the Region. This ruling sets a strong precedent going forward that appropriately classifies standalone craft units.

“It is unfortunate that a broken and painstakingly long NLRB process has again allowed a company to put the brakes on workers obtaining a voice on the job without delay. The IAM will discuss the ruling and its consequences with this group of skilled tool and die maintenance technicians at Nissan to determine the best path forward.”

READ: Tennessee Nissan Workers Joining Together with the Machinists Union May 18, 2021

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed accomplished union, workers’ rights and social justice attorney Connie Vallas as an Associate General Counsel in the IAM Legal Department. The appointment was effective January 9, 2023.

Over the course of her career, Vallas has represented workers in the areas of negotiations, contract enforcement, administrative appeals, unemployment matters and Unfair Labor Practice charges. She has also led all aspects of internal and external organizing in order to strengthen union membership and fight for issues important to working families on a local and national level.

“Connie brings as extraordinarily wide range of experiences and expertise to our Legal Department and our entire union,” said Martinez. “We look forward to her passion for our movement benefiting our membership and the causes we fight for every day.”

Vallas joins the IAM from SEIU Local 500 in Maryland, where as Director of Organizing and Campaigns she helped to organize workers across public and private education, human services and non-profit industries. Prior to that, Vallas served for 12 years with SEIU Local 1000, where she represented more than 100,000 state workers throughout California as the union’s Assistant Statewide Field Director.

In addition to fighting for working people, Vallas also has a passion for serving her community. She has held key volunteer responsibilities with the Black Women Organizing Action (BWPOA), the Poor People’s Campaign, the Volunteer Low Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, the Public Defender’s Office, Domestic Violence Clinics, the Public Law Center, adolescent outreach programs and Bar associations.

Vallas holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach.

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President Biden has appointed longtime labor lawyer and former IAM Legal Fellow Deirdre Hamilton to the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB helps smooth out disputes in the rail and airline industries.

“We are very happy to see Ms. Hamilton appointed to the NMB,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It’s refreshing to have worker friendly members appointed to these very important positions in the U.S. Government. Ms. Hamilton will serve rail and airline workers well, and protect the interests of all those in the sector to protect and grow these great middle-class jobs.”

In January, the IAM joined 18 unions representing rail and aviation workers in sending a letter the Biden administration asking for some immediate attention to the National Mediation Board, which included the nomination of Hamilton.

Since 2014, Hamilton has served as a panelist at meetings of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee and Railway and Airline Labor Law Committee. Hamilton also serves as a Senior Editor for the ABA Railway Labor Act Treatise, Fourth Edition.

Hamilton received her J.D. from the University of Michigan in 2000 and her B.A. from Oberlin College.

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The IAM recently filed a lawsuit against the GOP-led National Labor Relations Board, alleging that NLRB exceeded its authority by declaring an IAM bargaining unit at Boeing South Carolina invalid.

The NLRB recently ruled that the IAM can’t unionize the 176 flight line workers at the Boeing South Carolina campus. This voided a Regional NLRB decision and the IAM’s 2018 win at the North Charleston, SC facility.

Federal labor board in Boeing SC ruling exceeded authority, according to union lawsuit The Charleston (SC) Post and Courier

“It will be an important decision if the court reverses the board, as it should,“ said IAM General Counsel Mark Schneider. “But at the end of the day it’s about vindicating these workers’ rights to have a union.”

We are challenging a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, which nullified an election won by Boeing South Carolina Flight Line workers to be represented by the IAM. https://t.co/N7DGTht7HO

— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) November 14, 2019

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IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed Laura Ewan, an experienced labor lawyer who has represented the IAM and various IAM Districts in the Pacific Northwest, to associate general counsel in the IAM Legal Department.

Over the course of her legal career, Ewan has represented public- and private-sector union clients, as well as individual employees in all aspects of litigation. Ewan is experienced in a variety of legal arenas, whether on behalf of unions in court or in arbitration, or on behalf of working people through class action wage-and-hour suits. Her work has helped protect and raise labor standards for workers in Washington state.

“We are very excited to bring Laura onto our legal team at IAM Headquarters,” said Martinez. “She has been a fierce advocate for IAM members whenever we have called on her in the past. Our membership will be even better served by having Laura fighting for us on daily basis.”

Ewan earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of College and University Law. She was very active in several student organizations, including the Hispanic Law Students Association, the Barristers Trial Team, the Women’s Legal Forum and the ACLU.

“Laura is a terrific addition to our department and we are so pleased she has agreed to join us,” said IAM General Counsel Mark Schneider. “Our members will greatly benefit from her talent and fight.”

Ewan earned her Masters of Arts from Florida State University, where she studied Spanish literature and taught as an adjunct professor of Spanish. Ewan also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida State University. Ewan’s appointment to the IAM Legal Department was effective November 1, 2019.

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Kick your 2018 off by watching the year’s first live studio webcast of Activate L!VE Wednesday, January 3 at 3p.m. EST.

IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo will discuss how the Machinists are rising to the challenges of organizing new members this year and beyond.

IAM General Counsel Mark Schneider will also be in studio to bring us up to date on recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decisions that affect workers.

You can see the show live on:

Facebook
YouTube
Twitter

If you’re unable to see the show live, you can watch and post your comments anytime.

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