Members Win &

Community Wins!

By Kathy Petersen,

Chairperson Community Services Committee

 

 

In May the LL839 Community Services Committee raffled off two Mother’s Day Baskets.  The winners were Russell Walker a second shift steward in Plant II and Stan Chapman LL Trustee in Strut/Nacelle first shift.
 

                                                   
                                   Russell Walker                                           Stan Chapman
                                                                              

 

In June the LL839 Community Services Committee held a raffle for a Panasonic Digital Camcorder.  We raised over $500 and Brent Allen a first shift steward from Strut/Nacelle was the winner.  The winner of the Father’s Day Basket ($55 value) was Neal Mullen a first shift steward from Strut/Nacelle
.
                                               
                                   Brent Allen                                               Neal Mullen
                      

 

 

The Community Service Committee cooks and sells cheeseburgers at the Local Lodge meetings each month in order to raise funds to help local organizations and laid-off workers.  If you are looking for a way to get more involved in the union, you can become a member of the Community Service Committee.  We have immediate openings now!  Contact the Local Lodge (524-1090) for more information.

 

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Machinists Fight Back in Wichita

 

In a well-timed and well-placed editorial, District 70 President Steve Rooney saluted generations of aerospace workers in Wichita, KS, who built everything from WW II bombers to the latest business jets.

Rooney’s editorial, titled ‘Don’t Sit Back and Let Aircraft Industry Leave,’ appeared in the July 4 edition of the Wichita Eagle, where he called on the community to resist a plan by Wichita-based Hawker Beechcraft to transfer increasingly large amounts of aircraft assembly work to a facility in Mexico, where workers would earn as little as $3 per hour.

“The aviation industry is the last great American industry in which we indisputably lead the world,” said Rooney. “The aircraft jobs in Wichita provide the ability to make a good living and raise a strong family. Aviation fuels a tax base that allows the city to be vibrant with good schools and services. In short, it makes Wichita a great city.”

The City of Wichita also deserves credit for its decades-long support of the aerospace industry, according to Rooney, including a research center at Wichita State University to the soon-to-be-built National Center for Aviation Training.

“There's no good reason for these companies to leave,” said Rooney. “The skills that build these airplanes are American, and much of the technology on which these companies rely was developed with government funding.”

In closing, Rooney sounded a battle cry that is as relevant today as it was in 1776: “Some would say there's nothing we can do. I disagree,” declared Rooney. “Americans are tired of the exodus of American industry, and we need to shake the rafters and demand that our legislators work to keep the aviation industry in America and in Wichita.”

 

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Globalization Driving Wages Down Even

 In Mexico
 

More than 15 years after supporters of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) predicted a boatload of benefits for workers on both sides of the border, the hemispheric trade pact is fast becoming a global albatross for workers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

While workers in the U.S. and Canada are continually subjected to downward pressures from China, competition from China is actually widening the wage gap between the U.S. and Canada with Mexico.

“Global corporations who turned their backs on U.S. and Canadian workers are now using China to cut even Mexico’s ridiculously low wages,” said IAM Trade and Globalization Director Owen Herrnstadt. At an assembly plant where workers build Ford Fiestas on the outskirts of Mexico City, wages were cut from $4.50 per hour to as little as $1.50 per hour to prevent work from being moved to China, where wages at a foreign-owned factory are as low as $2 per hour.  

The squeeze on wages is reaching astounding levels. At a Volkswagen plant in the central city of Puebla, workers now face a seven-year progression to get to what used to be starting pay of $1.95 an hour.

“This is just one more example of why we need a new trade agenda—one that is based on fairness and that works for all of us,” said Herrnstadt.

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Union Support Grows for Boeing Tanker

Twenty-two unions, labor federations and affiliated organizations have signed and delivered a letter to House and Senate lawmakers calling for Boeing to immediately be awarded the Air Force refueling tanker contract.

Citing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that said the Airbus tanker lacked the ability to refuel all of the Air Force’s aircraft and calling Boeing’s KC-767 “the clear winner” in the competition to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of tankers, the labor groups are urging Congress to award the contract to Boeing without delay.
 
“The Air Force needs new tankers now,” said the letter, which was delivered to all 535 members of Congress. “Continuing this phony “competition” only adds unnecessary delays and costs to the tanker refueling program. The Boeing KC-767 fulfills the requirements of the original Request for Proposal (RFP) and has over 85 percent domestic content – a clear win for America.”

The Air Force decision to award the $40 billion contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS Airbus, was rebuked by the GAO report, which cited the Air Force for failing to follow its own guidelines and awarding the massive contract to a more costly aircraft that is too large for many airfields. Additional concerns outside the scope of the GAO report were also raised.

“Only Boeing has the skilled workforce and fully operational production line to meet the Air Force’s demand for new tankers. We strongly urge that Congress act now and award the tanker refueling contract to the original winner, the Boeing KC-767.”

 

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Hawker Beechcraft Plans Mexican Assembly Plant

 

In a move that will send economic shock waves across Kansas for generations, Hawker Beechcraft is planning to build a tip-to-tail aircraft assembly plant in Chihuahua, Mexico. The company expects to move from manufacturing small parts and sub-assemblies to full aircraft assembly after 2012.

The five-year plan, code named Project Pelican, is outlined in (documents look at slide 34)containing detailed instructions on how the company planned to conceal the scope of the plan from the public, the press and employees at Hawker Beechcraft's Wichita assembly plant.

“Never mention the potential of full aircraft assembly,” is among the covert marching orders for Hawker Beechcraft managers tasked with purchasing land, negotiating tax breaks with the Mexican government and hiring a workforce for as little as $3 an hour.

Instead, managers are instructed to frequently cite global competition and the need for “additional capacity other than Wichita.”

“Hawker Beechcraft shows no recognition of the damage they do to our economy, our industrial base or our national security when they transfer sophisticated technology and production to countries that turn around and compete with U.S.-based companies,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “Thanks to NAFTA and other job-killing trade deals, we’re encountering this phenomenon at every bargaining table in the aerospace industry."

“The real story is what’s going on in Wichita,” said Hawker Beechcraft spokesperson Andrew Broom, in an article published in the Wichita Eagle. Broom did not deny the company’s outsourcing plans.

“Never before did Hawker Beechcraft disclose their intent to build a final assembly line in Mexico,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge, who is engaged in contract negotiations for 4,300 IAM members at Hawker Beechcraft. “This is deceit on a grand scale and will be a huge issue in the workplace and at the bargaining table.”

The IAM represents nearly 20,000 workers at Kansas aerospace and aircraft companies, including Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna, Bombardier, Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing. For additional information about Project Pelican, visit www.projectpelican.blogspot.com .

 

 

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GAO Sustains Boeing Tanker Protest

 

They said it couldn’t happen. The industry experts and defense analysts who track the aerospace industry said there was no way the Government Accounting Office (GAO) would ever recommend an overhaul of the $35 billion tanker contract that was awarded earlier this year to EADS/Airbus over Boeing.

But the so-called experts were wrong. Not only did the GAO recommend a new round of bidding, but they rebuked the Air Force decision to award the contract to Airbus in blunt and unequivocal terms.

“Our review of the record led us to conclude that the Air Force made a number of significant errors that could have affected the outcome of what was a close competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman,” the GAO said. “We therefore sustain Boeing's protest.”

The 69-page GAO decision was not made public because it contains proprietary and sensitive information about the Boeing and Northrop tanker bids. But the GAO did issue a three-page summary that found significant mistakes by the Air Force in seven key areas.

Among the points made in the GAO report was that the Air Force did not assess the relative merits of the tanker proposals in accordance with the criteria it initially established. The GAO also cited the Air Force for conducting "misleading and unequal discussions" with Boeing by informing Boeing that it had fully satisfied a key performance objective, but later determined privately that Boeing had not. The GAO also concluded the Air Force miscalculated the life-cycle costs of Boeing's tanker, and incorrectly concluded that the Northrop tanker would have lower operating costs.

The IAM enthusiastically welcomed the GAO report as the foundation for reversing the award without delay. “Not only is the Boeing aircraft superior, but we can begin building these planes right away,” said GVP Rich Michalski, who urged IAM members to contact lawmakers and demand the contract be awarded to the workers, the aircraft and the company that won it in the first place.

 

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GAO says Air Force Flawed in tanker contract

The Government Accountability Office concluded today that the Air Force made "significant errors" in awarding a $35 billion contract for aerial-refueling tankers to a team that included a European aerospace company.

 

Effective Friday, June 13^th, the COLA will be eleven cents (11¢).
On Friday, June 13^th, the outstanding COLA of four cents and
the new eleven cents will be rolled into the base wage, for a
total of fifteen cents.

If you have questions, please call the Local at:  316-524-1090.

Fraternally,

LOCAL LODGE NO. 839

 

Election Results

Winners for the 2008

Grand Lodge Convention
In order with most votes

1   Howard Johnson

2   David Eagle

3   Kathy Petersen

4    Joni Pierce

5    Terry Rodriquez

6    Stan Chapman

7    Susan Hiebert

8    Larry Stafford

9    Brent Allen

10  Jeff Meis

 

Women's Committee Makes Donation

 Chryle Nofsinger-Wiens, Executive Director of the YWCA Administration
 and Kathy Petersen, Chair of the Women's Committee, Local 839.

 

The Women's Committee from Local Lodge 839 collected cell phones and cell phone chargers from members during the month of April.  The cell phones were donated to the YWCA Crisis Center.  The center works with cell phone companies to program the phones with 911 access.  A total of 56 phones were collected from District 70 and Local Lodge 839 members!  The Women's Committee would like to thank everyone who took the time to drop off their old phones at the Local Lodge in support of this effort to empower women by giving them access to emergency services.   A big, heartfelt hug goes out to all  of our Brothers and Sisters!
 

 

April Showers?  Bring ‘em On!

                                                                  By Kathy Petersen

Trying to keep up on keeping your car clean?  Brad Stewart will have an easier time of it!  Brad is the winner of the Car Care Bucket at the April Local Lodge 839 meeting.  The contents of the bucket included: 1 Free Basic Wash and 1 Free Super Wash at Green Lantern Car Wash, a chenille wash mitt, a detail brush, 2 wax applicators, Turtle wax wheel cleaner, Coastal glass cleaner, Rain-Ex, Armor All extreme tire shine, Turtle Wax zip wax, car polish and an Air freshener.  The total value of Brad’s winnings exceeded $90.00.  Brad Stewart is a 1st shift union steward over shop 68E0 in the CFF building.  Stop by and congratulate Brad on his winnings, or better yet, ask him to wash your car!  (Just kidding, Brad!).

Be sure to attend the May 10^th Local Lodge meeting for a chance to win a beautiful Mother’s Day basket from MRS. TEA.  Heck, even if you don’t win, it is a great way to meet the Local and District leadership and to learn more about what’s going on in YOUR union. 

The Community Service Committee cooks and sells cheeseburgers at the Local Lodge meeting each month in order to raise funds to help local organizations and laid-off workers.  If you are looking for a way to get more involved in the union, you can become a member of the Community Service Committee! We have immediate openings now!    Contact the Local Lodge (524-1090) for information.

Speaking of new members, we’d like to welcome the newest members of our committee:  Neal Mullen and Tim Petersen.  Neal is a 1^st shift union steward in the Nacelle Building and Tim is a 2^nd shift member in the Tooling Building.

 

 

Negotiating Committee Meets With Company

Seated on the left for LL839 (l to r) Gary Cochran LL839 Pres., Michael Burleigh DL70 BR, Mark Love DL70 BR, Steve Rooney DL70 DBR, Bob Martinez GVP, Ron Eldridge GLR Aerospace Coordinator, Don Barker GLR, David Eagle LL839 In-Plant Rep., Kathy Petersen LL839 VP

Wichita’s aerospace community will be closely monitoring the progress of talks between Local 839 and Spirit AeroSystems, which opened this week on behalf of 6,200 workers at the former Boeing facility. The trend-setting IAM contract with Spirit, which delivered a $240 million payout to members in 2006, also provided for early negotiation on economic issues.

“We fully expect the next contract with Spirit to reflect the skills and contributions our members have made to the success of this company,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, who joined the Local 839 Negotiating Committee for the initial meeting with Spirit representatives. “I have no doubt this negotiating committee will fully relay the concerns of the membership throughout the course of these negotiations.”

Key issues included pensions, improved health care, regularly scheduled cost-of-living increases and general wage increases. Any changes negotiated and ratified in the current round of talks would remain in force until the contract expires in June 2010.

In preparation for the talks with Spirit, the Local 839 Negotiating Committee took part in one of the Winpisinger Center’s most innovative training opportunities; a week-long class that included bargaining simulations using real financial data and actual contract proposals. “This committee has already demonstrated how serious they are about these negotiations,” said Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge, who helped guide the training sessions and will take part in the talks with Spirit.

 

 

IAM Celebrates 120 Years

Machinists marked the 60th anniversary of the IAM, commemorating its founding at a meeting of 19 workers in a railroad pit in Atlanta, GA on May 5, 1888.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers celebrate its 120th anniversary this week. It was on the evening of May 5, 1888 that railroad machinist Tom Talbot held a secret meeting with eighteen fellow machinists in a locomotive engine pit in Atlanta, Georgia. That meeting was the foundation of the IAM.

Unemployment was high in the 1880s and people were still hurting from the ravages of a depression of the 1870s. With 10-hour days, unsafe working conditions and declining wages (journeymen machinists, at $2.00 an hour, were earning about half as much as twenty years earlier), the need for workers to unite and organize was never greater.

First named the Order of United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers of America, Tom Talbot became the union’s first president. With the help of “Boomers,” Machinists organizers who traveled by rail, membership grew to 4,000 in just two years.

 

 

 

Clock Ticking on Tanker Decision

 

With less than two months remaining before the Government Accountability Office is set to rule on a formal objection filed by Boeing, opponents of the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award a $40 billion tanker contract to Airbus and Northrop Grumman are stepping up the pressure.
Boeing, which has been supplying tankers to the Air Force for nearly half a century, took out a full page ad in the Washington Post stressing the importance of experience and expertise in securing the tanker contract.

“Designing, building, certifying and delivering tanker aircraft and booms is a complex, high-risk process,” the ad states. “Boeing’s track record of superior management of complex military programs is unsurpassed.”

Union members, meanwhile, continue to flood lawmakers with petitions protesting the deal. You can send a message to Congress telling them “U.S. Forces Deserve U.S. Tankers” by clicking here.

Lawmakers also continue to remain active in their opposition. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), along with seven other Senators, recently sent a letter to President Bush questioning the decision.

 

 

Derby Days Parade

By Kevin Jamis Union Label Parade Chair

 

Wichita/Area Union Label will have a float in the Derby Days Parade on Friday May 30, 2008 at 6:30. Everybody is invited to come and enjoy the fun. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Thirty Years”. We would like a bunch of people to come out and help spread the word “Buy American, Buy Union“.

                                                            
   

A IAM L.L 839 member Leo Larouche from Last years Parade

 

 

 

Election Results Winners

District 70 Business Representative's

Mark Love

Rita Rogers

Becky Ledbetter

Terry Carrington

Steve Groom

Mike Burleigh

Tony Larkin

 

2nd Shift In Plant Rep

Howard Johnson

 

 

Tellers Needed

Please be reminded, and remind others, we need
volunteer tellers for the election, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2008 from
6:00 am to 4:00pm . 

If a person can only volunteer for a certain period of the day, they may state that on the volunteer sign up sheet.  Volunteer tellers will be paid $50.00 after serving for a minimum of two hours and we would like for them to return to count the votes.

 If you have questions, please contact the Local Office……and consider stopping by the Hall to sign the volunteer sheet. or Call 524-1090 for more info.