PlainDealer June 2013

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the THIS ISSUE Machinist Union Fundraiser 2 Direct Pipeline 4 Area Events 5 American Airlines 6 VOL. 93 ISSUE 32 June 2013 A Voice for Working Kansans Since 1919 plaindealer The PlainDealer (316) 529-8513 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704 Aide Available to Union Tornado Survivors Union Plus Disaster Relief By Mike Hall, aflcio.org, May 21 Friend Us. Letter Carrier Food Drive A Huge Success By Mario Cervantes, United Way of the Plains, May 17 union news I would like to extend a BIG thank you to all those that leſt food at their mail-box for the letter carriers on Saturday May 11th. To all those that volunteered their time at one of the seven post office locations around the city and helped our sisters and brothers from NALC Branch 201 unload food, also a BIG thank you! I know it was a big job and a lot of fun work, but your efforts (sore muscles) really paid off! Over 140,000 pounds of food was collected during the one-day food drive. Because of your efforts, food pantries around the city will be able to provide food to individuals and families through-out the critical summer months as children are home from school. ank you! Post office totals River City -18, 197 LBS Munger- 23, 176 North- 17, 310 Downtown- 17, 065 Chisholm-20,059 Delano- 26, 284 Corporate Hills -19,575 Total LBS – 141, 666 In Solidarity, Mario Cervantes AFL-CIO CS Liaison United Way of the Plains Missouri First Responders Free To Be Politically Active Press Release by iaff.org, May 14 Aſter the passage of Missouri State Senate Bill 216, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighter (MSCFF) members and other first responders can now be politically active and run for elected office. e law is effective August 28, 2013. While the legislation did pass overwhelmingly, getting initial support was a heavy liſt. “Both sides of the state legislature have a Republican veto-proof majority, which can be an obstacle for legislation like this,” says IAFF 2nd District Vice President Mark Woolbright. “Our MSCFF Executive Board deserves full credit for helping our Missouri members gain the political freedom they deserve.” “Our Legislative Director Mark Habbas did an excellent job of lobbying both sides of the state legislature,” says MSCFF President Tony Kelley. “e MSCFF also appreciates the support of the bill’s senate sponsor, Senator Ryan Silvey (R), and house sponsor, Representative Dave Hinson (R).” Hinson is a retired member of the Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri Local 2665. ere is no statewide law that prohibits first responders from being politically active or running for office. However, many municipalities have their own ordinances prohibiting both. With the passage of SB 216, those ordinances are void. Missouri first responders are now allowed to be politically active and run for elected office as long as they do so off duty and out of uniform. e only exceptions are that active first responders cannot run for a seat on a Fire Protection District Board or for state representative or senator, as both are prohibited by state statute. O klahoma City-area union members who were impacted by tornadoes and who participate in Union Plus programs may be eligible for financial assistance. Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to this devastating natural disaster. e money does not have to be repaid. To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, a union member must: Have been a survivor of the severe weather in counties designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. Have experienced a significant loss of income or property within the past six months due to the disaster. Have had a Union Plus Credit Card, Union Plus Insurance policy or Union Plus Mortgage for at least 12 months, with the account or policy in good standing (be up to date on payments). Describe her or his circumstances and document the income or property loss. To apply for a disaster relief grant, union members who participate in any of the following programs can call: Union Plus Credit Card: 1-877- 761-5028 Union Plus Mortgage: 1-800-472- 2005 Union Plus Insurance: 1-800-472- 2005 Union Plus Mortgage and Credit Card holders also may be eligible to receive payment extensions or SEE TORNADO pg 6 Photo by e Guardian Flag Day - June 13

description

Pro-Labor newspaper, based in South-Central Kansas

Transcript of PlainDealer June 2013

Page 1: PlainDealer June 2013

the

THIS ISSUEMachinist Union Fundraiser 2

Direct Pipeline 4 Area Events 5

American Airlines 6

VOL. 93 ISSUE 32 June 2013A Voice for Working Kansans Since 1919plaindealer

The PlainDealer (316) 529-8513 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704

Aide Available to Union Tornado Survivors

Union Plus Disaster ReliefBy Mike Hall, aflcio.org, May 21

Frie

nd U

s.

Letter Carrier Food Drive A Huge SuccessBy Mario Cervantes, United Way of the Plains, May 17

union news

I would like to extend a BIG thank you to all those that left food at their mail-box for the letter carriers on Saturday May 11th. To all those that volunteered their time at one of the seven post office locations around the city and helped our sisters and brothers from NALC Branch 201 unload

food, also a BIG thank you! I know it was a big job and a lot of fun work, but your efforts (sore muscles) really paid off! Over 140,000 pounds of food was collected during the one-day food drive. Because of your efforts, food pantries around the city will be able to provide food to individuals and families through-out the critical summer months as children are home from school.

Thank you!

Post office totals

River City -18, 197 LBS

Munger- 23, 176

North- 17, 310

Downtown- 17, 065

Chisholm-20,059

Delano- 26, 284

Corporate Hills -19,575

Total LBS – 141, 666

In Solidarity,Mario CervantesAFL-CIO CS LiaisonUnited Way of the Plains

Missouri First Responders Free To Be Politically ActivePress Release by iaff.org, May 14

After the passage of Missouri State Senate Bill 216, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighter (MSCFF) members and other first responders can now be politically active and run for elected office. The law is effective August 28, 2013.

While the legislation did pass overwhelmingly, getting initial support was a heavy lift. “Both sides of the state legislature have a Republican veto-proof majority,

which can be an obstacle for legislation like this,” says IAFF 2nd District Vice President Mark Woolbright. “Our MSCFF Executive Board deserves full credit for helping our Missouri members gain the political freedom they deserve.”

“Our Legislative Director Mark Habbas did an excellent job of lobbying both sides of the state legislature,” says MSCFF President Tony Kelley. “The MSCFF also

appreciates the support of the bill’s senate sponsor, Senator Ryan Silvey (R), and house sponsor, Representative Dave Hinson (R).” Hinson is a retired member of the Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri Local 2665.

There is no statewide law that prohibits first responders from being politically active or running for office. However, many municipalities have their own ordinances prohibiting both.

With the passage of SB 216, those ordinances are void. Missouri first responders are now allowed to be politically active and run for elected office as long as they do so off duty and out of uniform. The only exceptions are that active first responders cannot run for a seat on a Fire Protection District Board or for state representative or senator, as both are prohibited by state statute.

Oklahoma City-area union members who were impacted by tornadoes and who participate in Union

Plus programs may be eligible for financial assistance.

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to this devastating natural disaster. The money does not have to be repaid.

To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, a union member must:

Have been a survivor of the severe weather in counties designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance.

Have experienced a significant loss of income or property within the past six months due to the disaster.

Have had a Union Plus Credit Card, Union Plus Insurance policy or Union Plus Mortgage for at least 12 months, with the account or policy in good standing (be up to date on payments).

Describe her or his circumstances and document the income or property loss.

To apply for a disaster relief grant, union members who participate in any of the following programs can call:

Union Plus Credit Card: 1-877-761-5028

Union Plus Mortgage: 1-800-472-2005

Union Plus Insurance: 1-800-472-2005

Union Plus Mortgage and Credit Card holders also may be eligible to receive payment extensions or

SEE TORNADO pg 6

Photo by The Guardian

Flag Day - June 13

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June 2013

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The Plaindealer (ISSN 0898-4360)Periodicals Postage Paid at Wichita, KS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Plaindealer 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217–3704 (316) 529-8513

Vanessa Whiteside, Editor [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judy Pierce, President, Labor Federation Terry Haskins, Vice Pres (IAM LL 639) Tim Franta, Sec./ Treas (IAM LL 733) Kathy Petersen (IAM Local 839) Dan Rutherford (Local 834) Brian Alexander (IAM Local 774)Jarrod Lehman (IAM Local 839)

Founded in 1919 by Tom Tilma, the Plaindealer covers news of interest to working people.Advertising and stories are due by the 15th of each month. Subscription rates are $15 per year. Special rates available to union members and locals subscribing as a body.Story suggestions and letters to the editor should be sent to: The Plaindealer, 3830 S. Meridian Ave., Wichita, KS 67217–3704; [email protected] or call (316) 529–8513. To be considered for publication, letters to the editor must be signed, include the author’s telephone number and less than 500 words. Views expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily the views of The Plaindealer, its board of direc-tors or affiliated unions.

Published monthly by Plaindealer Publishing, Inc.

at 3830 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS, 67217

Kansas Legislature To Injured Workers: That’s Your ProblemBy Jake Lowen, Working Kansas Alliance, www.workingkansas.com

A recent report by the AFL-CIO on workplace safety, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,

showed a growing problem in Kansas. In 2011, 78 workers were killed on the job in Kansas, a rate of 5.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Additionally, 41,400 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in the state, a rate per worker higher than the national average. Sadly, this has earned Kansas a dismal national ranking of 40th in workplace safety, with 1 being the best and 50 being the worst.

While these numbers would be cause for concern for most reasonable people and perhaps spur corrective action by state policy makers, the Kansas Legislature has taken an entirely different tack. For the Legislature, the safety of Kansas worksites is

not the problem; it’s the Kansas worker who’s to blame. Thus, lawmakers have embarked on an effort to alter the system for compensating injured workers to rectify their perceived problem.

Bruce Tunnell, Executive Vice-President of the Kansas AFL-CIO put it this way, “Far too many people are dying on the job in this state and instead of strengthening protections for working people, our elected officials are further rigging the system against Kansas workers. Their misplaced priorities will mean that the health and well-being of more working people are at risk on the job.”

Now most legislators would simply dismiss this statement as mere hyperbole. But a look at recent actions by the Kansas Legislature lends merit to the notion that our lawmakers are in fact “rigging” the system against injured workers.

Take for example 2013 Senate Bill 187. This bill, pushed by the Kansas Department of Labor and signed by the Governor, changes the way workers compensation judges are selected and places the appointment of these judges in the hands of businesses and workers comp insurance providers. Business and insurance carriers are litigants in the system and have a vested interest in the outcome. Allowing these interests to hand select the judges makes a mockery of the system and makes a fair hearing for injured workers all but impossible.

But it doesn’t stop there. Our lawmakers went even further with 2013 Senate Bill 73. Instead of rigging the workers comp hearing process, this bill goes directly after injured workers. Under the bill, injured workers will have far less time to even report a workplace injury and be eligible

to file a legitimate claim. If they don’t meet this new restrictive timeline, they’re out of luck. Additionally, the bill throws out long-standing guidelines used by doctors to rate the level of impairment of injured workers, and thus their compensation, in favor of new guidelines that have been questioned by practitioners in other states as being too costly and stringent.

The 2013 Legislature will go down as one of the most anti-worker ever to grace the halls of the Capitol…and for good reason. Kansas is one of the ten most deadly states when it comes to a worker’s safety. Unfortunately, for the families of workers who have lost their lives and the thousands of other Kansans injured on the job, their elected officials think the problem is theirs alone to bear.

A coalition of faith organizations, investors and labor groups—including the

AFL-CIO—is urging major U.S. retailers, including Walmart, Gap, Sears and others, to sign on to a binding workplace and fire safety plan to prevent tragedies such as the recent building collapse in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 garment workers and two 2012 fires that claimed the lives of more than 400 Bangladeshi clothing workers.

The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) wrote that those disasters are:

Retailers Key To Bangladesh Worker Safety, Investors Tell WalMart, GapBy Mike Hall, aflcio.org, May 17

A grave indictment of the human rights record of Bangladesh and an illustration of the failure of the global companies that manufacture and source their products there to ensure humane working conditions.

So far 30 companies, mostly European clothing retailers, have signed the Accord on Building and Fire Safety, developed by the International Labor Organization (ILO), international and Bangladeshi unions, retailers and other groups. But major U.S. retailers that import the goods made by very low-wage workers in Bangladesh have not claimed concerns over liability or that they prefer non-binding approaches to

worker safety. They have claimed they will develop their own safety plans. But, as the ICCR letter points out:

Acting alone, companies can and do bring about meaningful and positive changes in human rights in the countries where they source and manufacture, and we encourage companies to be part of the solution to ensure better working conditions in Bangladesh. But when faced with intransigence of the type we have historically seen in Bangladesh on worker safety issues, we are convinced that systemic change will only occur when companies take action together. They must use the full force of their commercial power to

press for reforms.

In a second letter to large U.S. retailers, 15 investor groups, also including the AFL-CIO and union, state, municipal and other pension funds—with more than $1.35 trillion in assets—urge large U.S. retailers to sign the accord.

Improving worker safety in Bangladesh may require a collaborative effort by both companies and government. As shareholders, however, we specifically must rely on the companies in which we invest to monitor and mitigate the risks in their supply chains. We

SEE RETAILERS pg 6

Happy Father’s Day

Sunday, June 16

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Direct PipelinePLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LU441

Richard L. Taylor, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer

LOCALLYThis past month Local 441 had the honor of saying thank you to our Retirees with Retiree Banquets held in Frontenac, Wichita, and the Topeka/Lawrence areas. One obvious benefit that our retirees and past members had the foresight to create for us all is our retirement plans. Multiemployer Pension Plans like ours have provided our membership with modest but reliable retirement incomes. These plans have also been instrumental in giving us the ability to attract and retain highly qualified and skilled labor to our Lo-cal Union.

Each day those of us working as active members move closer to the day when we too can retire with dignity and security. All of this made possible simply because our past members were willing to make the tough decision to start a retirement plan. Thank you.

NEW ITEM…. Take time to visit the new Local 441 website. The new website is easy to navigate with added information and uses for the membership. The address is www.ua441.org. New t-shirts with new design and logo are in. Designer sunglasses with UA Local 441 engraved above the lens. We also have golf shirts and camp shirts and stainless steel pocket knives with Kansas Local 441 engraved on them. And as always, don’t forget Local 441 golf balls, t-shirts (long sleeve and short sleeve), and hats are available for the membership to purchase. Come by and get outfitted with Local 441 apparel.

DEATHS We are sorry to report the deaths of Brother Allen F. Lindbloom, 86, retired Plumber, residing in Topeka, KS, passed away on January 26, 2013, and Brother Cecil Chisholm Jr., 69, retired Pipefitter, residing in Arkansas City, KS, passed away on April 16, 2013. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.

POLITICALSeveral Bills have been submitted in various committees designed to attach labor and the middle class. Please contact your Legislator and let them know you do not appreciate all the negative labor bills that are being pushed through the House and Senate this session. Direct contact with your legislator is the best way to relay concern or a voice of support and does have an impact.

MEETINGSLocal Union 441 meetings are being conducted on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Union Hall located at 1330 East First Street in Wichita. If other meetings are scheduled, you will be duly notified.NOTE: Please take the opportunity to attend Union meetings in your area. The teleconference system is working well and has much better sound and video quality than in the past. The good news is that it is be-ing provided for no additional cost to Local 441.

Richard L. TaylorBusiness Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Local Union # 441

Retirees ClubThe next Retirees meetings will be on June 5th, July 3rd and August 7th at 10 a.m. at the Hall. Please come and join us!

Breakfast is the second Wednesday at 9 a.m., at Village Inn, 7020 W Central from January through No-vember.

Richard Taylor

At the Rail Column by Martin Hawver May 20, 2013

Look very politically strategically at the Kansas Legislature fighting its way to adjournment this week or maybe early next week…and you are

looking at a real test of Republican voters in primary elections in August 2014.

It’s either continuing the State General Fund’s share of the penny sales tax that is to expire on June 30, or letting the tax expire as dozens of Republican office-seekers promised at the last election, and see what happens.

The governor and leaders of the Senate maintain that if the state reduces income taxes—paid for in part by the continuation of the sales tax—more businesses will start up or come to Kansas, more Kansans will get good jobs and spend more money on “consumption” or sales taxable items.

It’s that simple, if you buy the premise, you buy the outcome, and five months into the first tax year in which income taxes have fallen, it’s too early to tell. Might work, might not work, but five months isn’t long enough to know. Maybe two or three years will tell the story, but not five months.

The problem is that there’s a state government and services to Kansans to be financed while that economic growth experiment either works or doesn’t.

That’s the test of the Republican Party. Democrats are convinced that the experiment won’t work. Republicans, or at least the administration and the leadership of the Senate, believe it will work. But…they’re not willing to put a deadline on the experiment. Say, three more years of the sales tax and we’ll know whether this growth-through-elimination-of income taxes works. Nope. No interest in setting a time limit on the test.

While this test is working itself out, the state is going to see a reduction in revenues and less money to spend on higher education, on technical education, on elementary and secondary education, on roads and social services.

Those cuts that will be necessary become a test of whether the Republican-dominated Legislature can keep those shrinking-revenue-forced cuts from becoming noticeable to Republican primary election voters. It’s those GOP primary voters who essentially decide who is going to dominate the Legislature and sit in the governor’s chair in most of Kansas.

So, it’s the state’s Democrats and certain Republicans—both those who aren’t sure the economic experiment will succeed and those who have pledged not to raise taxes anyhow—who will call the shots. The votes to show whether Democrats and questioning Republicans can stop this experiment haven’t been tested yet. No sales tax continuation, and the budget tanks, which means next session—uncomfortably an election year—the budget and cuts to income tax have to be fixed, or the state has to make dramatic cuts to social, educational and other services.

If the sales tax continues? Then there’s a chance for the experiment to at least play out, whatever you think its chances are.

And what happens to the “fixers,” successful or not, if this experiment is canceled? The August 2014 primary elections will tell us.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

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5 — The PlainDealerJune 2013

Local Union Bulletin Board Hero Ride 2013 - June 15 http://hero_ride.eventbrite.com

Honoring Local Heroes

When: Sat. June 15, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Where: Wichita Water Walk Gardens, 500 S. Water, Wichita, KS 67202 Cost: $25 after May 15. Register before June 1 and receive a t-shirt.

Come out and support police officers! These individuals are often the first re-sponders in dangerous situations. The group’s mission is to support local heroes and their families who were injured or gave the ultimate sacrifice. Lake bike out at 10:00 a.m., food court opens at noon, and prizes are awarded at 2:00 p.m.

Father’s Day Car Show - June 16http://www.scz.org

Demofest 2013 - August 17http://www.ksdp.org/

Kansas Politics

When: Sat. August 17Where: Holiday Inn, 549 S. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67207Cost: $8.95 adults, $7.95 adults ages 65+, $6.95 Ages 4-12

Rooms have been blocked off for Friday and Saturday night. Guests can contact the hotel for booking details at 316.686.7131. For questions contact [email protected]

33rd Annual Guide Dogs of America Event - Nov. 23http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/

Wild About Dad

When: Sun. June 16, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Where: Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212Cost: Fathers are FREE when accompanied by a paying child

This is a family event especially for dads interested in antique autos and vintage hot rods. The average visit to the zoo lasts three to four hours to see all the attractions, so families can check out the wildlife during their visit also.

Saturday, June 1Machinists Local 639— E-Board, 8 a.m., Regular Meeting, 9 a.m., WichitaLL733— E-Board, 8:30 a.m., Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., WichitaThursday, June 6Operating Engineers LU101— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaFriday, June 7District Meeting— Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaSaturday, June 8 Machinists Local 834 — Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMachinists Local 839— Regular Meeting, 10 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaMonday, June 10Plumbers & Pipefitters LU441– Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 1330 E. 1st, WichitaTuesday, June 11Machinists Local 708— Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., 3830 S. Meridian, WichitaWednesday, June 12Machinists Local 1989— E-Board, 3:40 p.m., Regular Meeting, 3:50 p.m. 2005 Kansas Ave., Great Bend, 67530Thursday, June 13Wichita Area Union Label— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.Friday, June 14APWU Local 735— Regular Meeting, 8:00 a.m., 6920 W. Pueblo, WichitaSaturday, June 15 Machinists LL2799— E-Board meeting 9:30 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Regular Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Machinists Local 774— 10 a.m. Regular Meeting, 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita Monday, June 17 NALC Branch 201— 7:30 p.m., NALC Br 201 Union Office 227 S. Pattie, Wichita USW Local 01350— Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Union Hall 427 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501 SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001— Membership Recruitment / Organizing Committee 973 S. Glendale, WichitaCWA Local 6402— E-Board, 5:30 p.m., 530 E. Harry, Wichita Stewards, 7 p.m., 530 E. Harry, WichitaThursday, June 20SPEEA— Midwest Council Meeting, 973 S. Glendale, WichitaThursday, June 27Wichita/Hutch Labor Fed— E-Board, 5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m.District 70 Retirees— Luncheon, 11:45 a.m., 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita

Charity Weekend

When: Sat. November 23Where: Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NVSponsor: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Save the date for the 65th anniversary of Guide Dogs of America banquet and celebration. The organization provides guide dogs and instruction in their use to blind and visually impaired people free of charge.

READERSWould you rather see the

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Washington, D.C., - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American

Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

This week the two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline. The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger. The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.

“I am proud that our two great unions put the members first in a true demonstration of solidarity,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “These agreements protect our members’ representation, pensions and seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will ensure both unions’ members are rewarded in this merger.”

“This agreement allows us to use our combined strength and resources on behalf of all our members as we move forward at the new American Airlines,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “Both unions have decades of experience representing workers at US Airways and American Airlines and both unions are members of the AFL-CIO.”

Following certification, negotiating committees comprised of an equal number of representatives from each union will begin working out the details of collective bargaining agreements to cover the combined carriers’ employees.

The accords reached this week, designate which union will enforce a post-merger agreement in specific cities, as well as providing a mechanism to designate contract enforcement responsibilities if the carrier expands to new markets.

The IAM currently represents Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employees at US Airways; TWU represents these classifications at American. TWU also currently represents aircraft dispatchers, flight crew training instructors and flight simulator engineers at both airlines. Additionally, IAM represents Maintenance Instructors at US Airways.

IAM And TWU To Jointly Represent 30,000 At American AirlinesPress Release by iaff.org, May 14

urge companies with significant purchasing power in Bangladesh—companies such as Walmart and Gap—to act swiftly and effectively.

Many of the companies that import products from Bangladesh claim they are unaware of the safety and working conditions and sometimes even unaware of where their goods are made. They say they count on their suppliers to monitor safety and working conditions. But the investment groups counter:

Proper risk oversight requires first that a company knows its supply chain. We expect companies in our portfolios to ensure the integrity of their supply chains. We are dismayed by public statements from any company that states it is unaware that a factory produces its products....It is not sufficient to place the onus for compliance on suppliers alone while pricing systems actively undercut requisite investment in infrastructure or encourage covert subcontracting.

Thanks to what Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller calls a “historic, robust” bipartisan effort,”

the Texas Legislature approved on Monday a “Buy American” provision for water projects that establishes a preference for iron, steel and manufactured goods produced in the United States. Says Moeller:

For the first time in memory, Texas, under this legislation, will give strong priority to American goods and products in the course of major construction projects. The Texas Legislature deserves high commendation from working families for sending a message that buying American creates jobs. This bill will benefit our economy.

The Buy American provision included a major water development bill (H.B. 4)

and includes a requirement that iron and steel products and manufactured goods used in the project be produced in the United States. The bill received overwhelming support, passing 141-4 in the House and 30-1 in the Senate.

Earlier in the session lawmakers approved a “Buy Texan, Buy American” bill that applies to state purchases of manufactured goods. Texas AFL-CIO Communications Director Ed Sills says both bills ”have the potential to create jobs in Texas and in the U.S.”

The labor movement has always been about good jobs. In a legislative session that had the look of potential disaster on several

fronts at the start, seeing two “Buy American” ideas succeed in bipartisan fashion is a signal accomplishment that is at the core of what we do.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is expected to sign the bill.

Texas Legislature Passes Major ‘Buy American’ MeasureBy Mike Hall, aflcio.org, May 21

Visit www.labor411.org to locate long lists of union-made products.

AutoAdvantage

www.UnionPlus.org/Auto

Now there’s one conven-ient resource for buying,insuring and maintainingyour vehicles!

Cars and trucks are major in-vestments—and often major

head-aches. Now you can cutyour costs and ease the stresswith union member benefitsdesigned to meet ALL of yourvehicle needs. Check out theexclusive union deals anddiscounts available to you.

•Hassle-Free Buying Service

•Quality Tires andMaintenance

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•Full-Service Motor Club

For more details, visit us online atwww.UnionPlus.org/Auto

WEB 08

TORNADO cont. from pg 1

RETAILERS cont. from pg 3

other special help.

Learn more about Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants at www.unionplus.org.

The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided more than $780,000 in assistance to union members facing hardships after hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters.

United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund so individuals can give specifically to support rebuilding after these events. Information on the fund can be found at http://www.unitedwayokc.org/. Donations may be made through their website or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.

For more information on the fund, please contact Karla Bradshaw at (405) 235-3534 or [email protected].

How You Can Help

Photo by www.twu.org