IAM URGING SENATE TO PASS BUILD BACK BETTER ACT: The IAM is urging members to contact U.S. Senators, telling the federal lawmakers to vote “yes” for the Build Back Better Act. The U.S. House recently passed the pro-worker legislation, which would provide resources and support to help our nation’s hard-working men and women earn better wages and benefits.
Some key benefits for workers:
- Lowering health care costs.
- Lowering child care and family care costs.
- Investing $390 billion for the child care initiative and the universal preschool initiative.
- Providing $20 billion in workforce development programs.
- Providing $9.5 billion in public health infrastructure and workforce.
- Providing $3.5 billion for domestic manufacturing conversion grants to automobile manufacturers and suppliers.
WATCH an IAM video explaining how the Build Back Better Act would help our nation’s workforce.
The IAM has been a strong advocate for passage of the Build Back Better bill, which would build on the bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden recently signed into law.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (NFFE-IAM) APPLAUDS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR PASSING NDAA: The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and is actively working with the Senate to ensure the legislation is passed through both chambers of Congress. The NDAA includes significant provisions for federal employees, such as:
- A pay raise of 2.7% for all feds.
- Lowering the standard probationary period for civilian workers at the Defense Department from two years to one.
- Changes to how the DoD handles Reductions in Force.
- The continuation of the A-76 moratorium.
- Blocking Base Realignment and Closure authority.
- Ensuring Wage Grade employees receive the same locality pay Adjustments as General Schedule workers in the same location.
- Restoring funding to modernize American shipyards.
- Prohibiting attempts to circumnavigate merit-based hiring and promotions.
MACHINISTS UNION CHAIRS BLACK STATE LEGISLATOR LABOR ROUNDTABLE: IAM National Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon recently chaired the Labor Roundtable at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). The NBCSL Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee members come together with members from different labor unions to discuss labor and workforce development issues pertinent to union members.
Examples include, but are not limited to, labor/management relations, minimum wage standards, so-called Right-to-Work initiatives, wage equality, employment security, family leave, and child care.
The NBCSL labor delegates concentrated on how to increase their collective voice at the NBCSL and pushing out messaging on vital issues for labor members, including the Build Back Better Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure package.
“We always say if your not at the table, you are on the menu,” said IAM Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon. “As chair of the Labor Roundtable, not only do we have a seat at the table – we also participate in setting the legislative agenda for state legislatures across the country.
MAINE LOBSTERING UNION TAKES FIGHT TO SAVE FISHING WATERS TO SUPREME COURT: The Maine Lobstering Union (MLU) today filed a brief with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to end the misguided closure of productive lobstering waters off the coast of Maine.
The MLU previously won injunctive relief from the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine to stop the closure on Oct. 16. A federal appeals court overturned the decision on Nov. 16, closing off about 967 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean to lobster fishing for a third of the year.
WATCH: This is Maine and This is What We Do
“Generations of Mainers have taken pride in sustainably cultivating the world’s best lobster while simultaneously protecting the Right Whales,” said Virginia Olsen of the Maine Lobstering Union. “The decision to close Maine’s waters to this time-honored industry is unfortunately based on misguided and incomplete science. The Maine Lobstering Union looks forward to continuing to fight to save this great American industry and defend the families and communities who rely on it.”
The Maine Lobstering Union (MLU) is a division of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District 4 and the only union-based cooperative in the lobster industry owned and operated by Maine lobstermen. The MLU supports Maine’s lobster community and is committed to the sustainability and safety of Maine’s lobstermen and women and all wildlife that occupy and rely upon the fishery.
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