What started as a celebration ended in chaos when shots were fired at the Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl parade, leaving one person dead and 22 others injured. In the aftermath of this tragic event, Vinny Ceraso, Assistant Director of the IAM Addiction Services Department, quickly traveled to the Kansas City area to provide support to IAM members and their families who may have been impacted by the traumatic incident.

Responding to critical incidents is one of the six services the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department provides, at no cost, to IAM members and their families. They also have programs that assist with mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction, disaster relief, retirees, and veterans.

While in town, Ceraso sat down with IAM Local 778 member Nate Spoor, who hosts the “411 on 778” podcast, to talk about these services and let the membership know that their union is here to help.

“I can’t reiterate this enough, all of these services are brought to you by the IAM,” said Ceraso. “If you are paying union dues, you and your family members are eligible for these benefits.”

Listen to Ceraso’s full interview.

To reach the IAM’s Employee Assistance Hotline, call 301-355-0735. 

For help with drug and alcohol addiction, contact the IAM Addiction Services Department at 888-250-4IAM (4426). 

The post Tragedy Shows Kansas City Local 778 Members How IAM Benefits Comfort Membership appeared first on IAMAW.

The Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) recently hosted a day-long symposium called “Preparing for Retirement: Individual and Collective Efforts” at the AFL-CIO’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Clear here for symposium resources and materials.

The symposium brought together government officials, labor movement leaders, policy experts, Social Security and pension advocates, academics, economists, attorneys, and people who work in retirement security and social insurance.

“Retirement security is under attack,” said ARA President and retired IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Robert Roach Jr. “This is very important because a lot of us, in my family and in yours, are just not ready. You need a plan. We’re going to give you the tools to develop a plan.”

Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65. ARA is trying to help financially prepare these workers for leaving the workforce.

“One of our priorities, as a union, is to ensure that members are able to retire comfortably,” said IAM General Secretary/Treasurer Dora Cervantes. “We fight for it in the contracts we negotiate, but we also encourage members to take advantage of resources like ARA and this symposium to learn about how to put their hard-earned money to work for a happy retirement.”

Ilana Boivie, Senior Research Economist in the IAM Strategic Resources Department, spoke to attendees about defined contribution plans and the importance of social security.

“Unionization matters. For pension coverage in both public and private sectors, unionization matters,” said Boivie. “It’s probably the No. 1 thing that matters in that space.”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and ARA Executive Vice President Fred Redmond, and U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) also spoke at the symposium. 

Find all of the symposium resources and materials. 

To find out more about how to best prepare yourself and your family for retirement, go to retiredamericans.org.

The post How to Plan for Retirement: IAM Lends Expertise to Alliance for Retired Americans’ Symposium appeared first on IAMAW.

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed James “Stretch” Little, a 21-year member who has served on the Southern Territory staff since 2014, as Director of the IAM’s Retirees and Membership Assistance Department. The appointment is effective Oct. 1, 2023.

Little will lead an IAM department charged with providing IAM members with world-class, one-of-a-kind benefits, such as the IAM EAP Program, Addiction Services Program, Veterans Assistance Program, Disaster Relief Program, Retirees Program and more.

“Brother Little knows the difference that our membership assistance programs make in the lives of our members,” said Martinez. “We look forward to continuing to build on these groundbreaking programs that truly make the IAM a leader in the entire labor movement.”

Little joined IAM Local 776A while working on the F-16, F-22 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programs at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. He held positions of Shop Steward, President of Shop Stewards and served on the Negotiating Committee.

Little also served as a delegate to the Texas State Council of Machinists and was active on fundraising committees. Stretch served as the Educator for the IAM Southern Territory from October 2014 until May 2016, when he was promoted to Southern Territory Special Representative, and then Grand Lodge Representative. He has handled NLRB duties within the Territory and focused on organizing.

“I couldn’t be more excited to lead our Retiree and Membership Assistance Department into the future,” said Little. “Together with the talented professionals and members who have made these programs what they are today, we are going to continue to make life-changing benefits available and accessible to members of our great union.”

The post James Little Appointed IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Director appeared first on IAMAW.

The Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) is hosting a day-long symposium called “Preparing for Retirement: Individual and Collective Efforts” at the AFL-CIO’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

Click here to register to attend the event in person.

Click here to register for virtual attendance.

The symposium will bring together government officials, labor movement leaders, policy experts, Social Security and pension advocates, academics, economists, attorneys and people who work in retirement security and social insurance.

The event is hosted by ARA President and retired IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Robert Roach Jr.

Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65, and our country needs to prepare for the retirement of these workers. Right now, a majority of U.S. households have no retirement savings.

This symposium is intended to educate workers about planning for retirement and how retirement security can be strengthened.

Expected speakers include AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and ARA Executive Vice President Fred Redmond, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y. / invited) and U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.).

Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, will present on Social Security Ins and Outs. Speakers will discuss the state of retirement security, the challenges of traditional pensions, and the legislative prospects to expand Social Security.

The post Retirement Symposium by Alliance for Retired Americans on Oct. 17 appeared first on IAMAW.

The IAM Retirees and Membership Services Department will offer the EAP III program from Sept. 10-15, 2023. The program will be held at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.

The registration deadline is Monday, July 17. The call letter and registration instructions for the program are located here.

This course equips IAM-EAP representatives with skills and resources to assist members who are seeking help for personal problems involving addictions and psycho-social issues. 

The curriculum takes members from an introduction into the field to prospective certification. This is a valuable program that is fully recognized at the college level, in the work place, in the employee assistance community, and throughout the IAM.

The post Deadline Approaching to Take Part in EAP III Program appeared first on IAMAW.

Through a partnership with Humana, the IAM offers a Group Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage available to all IAMAW Medicare-eligible retirees, their spouses, surviving spouses, and Medicare-eligible dependents.

The exclusive Passive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Group Medicare Advantage plan is rich in benefits and has nationwide coverage. Participants can see any doctor and receive any treatment at facilities that accept traditional Medicare, and the in-network and out-of-network benefits are identical.

The annual enrollment period for Medicare began October 15 and is open until December 7. For questions regarding the exclusive IAM-Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan or to enroll, call 1‐800‐833-2411, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET, to speak with an IAM-Humana representative.

The post Prescription Drug Coverage and More Available to Medicare-Eligible IAM Retirees Through IAM-Humana Group Plan appeared first on IAMAW.

The IAM recognizes that these are stressful times for many Machinists members, staff and family members.

At any time, anyone can encounter problems associated with, but not limited to; substance abuse and addictions, mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, financial hardship and socioeconomic issues.

These are serious matters that cause problems by worsening the situation and negatively impacting the quality of life for many of our members.

If you’re feeling depressed, alone or just need to talk to someone, your IAM Employee Assistance and Addiction Services Program stands ready to assist members, staff and their families 24/7.

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).

Your IAM EAP and Addiction Services program provides confidential assistance services to IAM members, staff and family members.

We stand ready to assist with prevention, intervention, assessment, directed care and follow-up services so our members can resume and maintain their quality of life and work.

Learn about the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, as provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Please take care of yourself, family, sisters, brothers and friends during the holiday season and remember, the IAM EAP and Retirees Department stands ready to help.

We’re Here!

The post IAM EAP and Addiction Services Program Available to Membership and Their Families appeared first on IAMAW.

Millions of Social Security beneficiaries, including many IAM members, will receive a 5.9 percent cost-of-living increase in 2022. The average retired worker can expect to receive an additional $92 per month.

Active and retired IAM members have long called for an increase to earned Social Security benefits and for measures that secure the solvency of Social Security. As Machinists, we continue our fight to ensure Social Security continues to pay retirees their life-long earned benefits. The IAM remains committed to the fight to achieve dignified retirement benefits for our members and all seniors.

Union retirees were instrumental in some of the first significant Social Security benefit increases and the implementation of Medicare.

“While this is welcome news for IAM members, retired Americans, disabled veterans and millions more Social Security beneficiaries, we must do more to ensure to help older Americans and others in need make ends meet,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “We can start by passing the Build Back Better Act, which would lower the cost of prescription drugs. It is also past time to make the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share into Social Security.”

Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

The post Machinists Union Applauds Social Security Benefit Increase appeared first on IAMAW.

With hurricane season on our doorstep, it is essential to remind our members that the IAM has your back in your time of need. Now is the time to prepare and extend a helping hand to your sisters and brothers. The IAM Disaster Relief program is another of many examples of how members are helping members in our great union.

Through your collective generosity, we are able to help our sisters and brothers when they need us most. Additionally, our union is often there for our members before other entities are able to react. In order to remain prepared to provide immediate financial assistance to our sisters and brothers impacted by natural disasters, we ask that you please consider donating to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund. All monies donated to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund goes directly to IAM members and their families in need.

This meaningful assistance program would not be possible without your support. 

If you have been affected by a natural disaster and need financial assistance, click here for information on how to apply for help from the IAM. To expedite assistance claims, please contact your local or district lodge to help you through the process.

Please Note: If you participate in specific Union Plus programs and have been affected by natural disasters, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.

Visit the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund & Hardships to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

IAM members can also receive confidential help 24/7 through the IAM Membership Assistance Program, We’re Here.

IAM Disaster Relief Fund is financed entirely by member donations, and all donations go directly to IAM families in need.

IAM Assistance (ID # 46-2575531) is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The post As Hurricane Season Begins, Please Consider Donating to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund appeared first on IAMAW.

The IAM recognizes that these are stressful times for many Machinists members, staff and family members.

At any time, anyone can encounter problems associated with, but not limited to; substance abuse and addictions, mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, financial hardship and socioeconomic issues.

These are serious matters that cause problems by worsening the situation and negatively impacting the quality of life for many of our members.

If you’re feeling depressed, alone or just need to talk to someone, your IAM Employee Assistance and Addiction Services Program stands ready to assist members, staff and their families 24/7.

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).

Your IAM EAP and Addiction Services program provides confidential assistance services to IAM members, staff and family members.

We stand ready to assist with prevention, intervention, assessment, directed care and follow-up services so our members can resume and maintain their quality of life and work.

Learn about the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, as provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Please take care of yourself, family, sisters, brothers and friends during the holiday season and remember, the IAM EAP and Retirees Department stands ready to help.

We’re Here!

The post IAM EAP and Addiction Services Program Available to Membership and Their Families appeared first on IAMAW.