The IAM Veteran Services Program recently reported how it has helped IAM members who are U.S. military veterans get the benefits they deserve. The IAM Veterans Services Program has now surpassed $1 million in back pay for our IAM military veterans since the inception of the program.

Former U.S. military service men and women are a significant membership base of the IAM, and the union has assisted them by expanding the IAM Veteran Services Program in recent years. The endeavor has helped hundreds of Machinists deal with everything from PTSD to filing complicated claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If anyone is interested in learning more about the IAM Veteran Services Program, please visit https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/veteran-services/.

A year ago, the IAM Grand Lodge hired U.S. Navy veteran Richard Evans of IAM Local 4 to run the veterans program. Since then, he’s publicly promoted the program by crossing the country, visiting union halls, speaking at conferences, and visiting worksites.

Through the IAM Veteran’s Services Program, Evans helps veterans correctly apply for VA benefits and compensation. He also offers aid and resources in education, employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits.

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Machinists Union’s Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans runs the IAM’s Veteran’s Services Program, helping members who are U.S. military veterans understand and apply for benefits they’ve earned after serving.

Since Evans’ appointment as Coordinator, starting April 1, 2022, the program has already

• Won back-pay for veterans totaling more than $300,000
• Gotten 38 veterans’ claims confirmed
• Improved the disability status of eight veterans to 100% permanent and total
• Helped two veterans who were deemed homeless
• Attended and won at the Board of Veterans Appeals and identified 15 discrepancies through the Higher-Level Review process
• Found two ‘Clear and Unmistakable Errors’ (CUE) on already-confirmed veterans’ claims (resulting in five-year retroactive benefits being awarded for a total of 50% and over $25,000 in back pay).

The 38 veterans helped have a combined 23 spouses and 42 children who will also benefit from this aid. Currently, the program is working on 74 active claims and hopes to have more wins as more veteran members learn about this resource.

Not only does the Veteran’s Services Program help veterans correctly apply for VA benefits and compensation, but it also offers aid in education, employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits.

The mission of the IAM Veterans Services Program is to make sure veteran members and their families are taken care of and supported. To find out more about IAM’s Veteran’s Services, visit our website at iam4.me/VeteranServices.

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Winpisinger Education and Technology Center and District 4 staff recently installed a new entry sign at Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home, purchased with funds raised by the 2021 IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament.

That tournament raised more than $100,000 for capital improvement projects for U.S. military veterans at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Southern Maryland.

Those funds also made it possible to completely renovate the home’s overgrown courtyard. Professional landscapers were hired to build two water fountains and overhaul the entire space.

“Because we have members who work here and because International President Martinez is a veteran himself, this time he chose to have the proceeds of the tournament benefit Charlotte Hall,” said IAM District 4 Business Representative Mark Duval.

Local 4 represents the maintenance crew, Restorative Nursing Aides (RNAs), Certified Medicine Aides (CMAs), and Geriatric Nursing Aides (GNAs) who work at Charlotte Hall Veterans home.

Richley Delahay, Facility Manager for the IAM’s Winpsinger Center, offered to have Winpisinger Center staff Chuck Lowe, John Wibel and Benny Johnson complete the sign installation at Charlotte Hall.

“The Winpisinger Center has been inviting members of the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home for lunch a couple times a year for the last six or seven years, so that was our first association with the veteran’s home,” said Winpisinger Center Lead Groundsperson Chuck Lowe, who was there helping install to the sign. “It’s just a way to give back to veterans. We have a lot of veterans in the IAM. President Martinez is a Navy veteran himself so it’s a big priority for him, and it’s nice for us to be able to help in our local community.”

“The IAM is incredibly proud of our military veteran members and the members who work at Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home. It is important to the IAM and to me, personally, that our union supports military veterans in our communities,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I’m very thankful to everyone who stepped up to make this fundraising initiative a huge success. The IAM will continue to find ways to support those who have served our country.”

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Veterans from all generations are processing the news of what is currently unfolding in Afghanistan and could be experiencing a wide range of emotions and feelings right now. The IAM Veteran Services Program wanted to share resources available to veterans.

“As a U.S. Navy veteran, I can empathize with any Machinist or family member who might be affected emotionally or mentally with the events in Afghanistan,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “I encourage anyone who may need help to utilize resources that the IAM and other organizations have to offer. We are always available to help our Brothers and Sisters in need.”

IAM Resources:

IAM EAP Services can be accessed by emailing iameap@iamaw.org or by calling 301-335-0735.

IAM Addiction Services can be reached by calling 1-888-250-4IAM (4426).

Resources from the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council:

• Veterans Crisis Line – If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
  • For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
• Vet Centers – Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
• VA Mental Health Services Guide – This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
• MakeTheConnection.net – information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
• RallyPoint – Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
• Download VA’s self-help apps – Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) –  Request a Peer Mentor
• VA Women Veterans Call Center – Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET)
• VA Caregiver Support Line – Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET)
• Together We Served –Find your battle buddies through unit pages
• George W. Bush Institute – Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email:checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes – Join the Community
• American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network – Peer Support and Mentoring
• Team Red, White & Blue – Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
• Student Veterans of America – Find a campus chapter to connect with.
• Team Rubicon – Find a local support squad.

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Brothers and Sisters,

The Machinists Union has a special bond with our armed forces and the brave men and women who serve and have served. Every day, our membership proudly supports our military’s mission.

We work alongside service men and women at military bases across the country. We build and maintain the state-of-the-art equipment our military counts on in dangerous areas of the world. Our union has a long tradition of being there for those who put their lives on the line for all of us.

Many of our members are veterans themselves. They don’t often speak about their service because they did not enlist for recognition or accolades. Today, and every day, we honor their bravery and recommit our union to serving every veteran and their families.

Happy Veterans Day, Machinists.

In Solidarity,
Bob Martinez
International President

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Sisters and Brothers,

Today is a day set aside to honor the great men and women of the U.S. and Canada who have served their countries through military service. A huge “Thank You” to our neighbors, friends, IAM Brothers and Sisters and everyone who has put on the uniform and took the oath to defend our countries.

It is an honor for me to serve in a union with so many military veterans. I am proud of each and every one of you.

The IAM has a long-standing and proud history with the military. Thousands of IAM members build the equipment that carries our men and women into battle and keeps them safe. Thousands more work on military bases in support of those serving, making sure they get the care and assistance they need and deserve.

From my own service in the U.S. Navy, I understand the commitment and sacrifice it takes to earn the title “veteran.” Veterans defend our right to organize, our right to vote and our right to speak freely. We are also indebted to their families for the sacrifices they make for the betterment of our nation.

The IAM promises to continue to fight for veterans to have access to good paying jobs and quality healthcare. We will keep up the fight against veteran homelessness, and fight to end the epidemic of veteran suicides caused by PTSD. We owe them that much.

We owe those who serve a great deal of gratitude and thanks for the freedoms we enjoy, and sometimes even take for granted.

We salute you.

Happy Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada.

In Solidarity,

Bob Martinez
International President

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