IAM&AW Local Lodge 1786

Long Shoremen New District Office Grand Opening Today, Space Center Issues Discussed with Congressman

2010-10-27T19:32:00.001-05:00

I had the good fortune to be a guest at the ILA Texas District "New" Office Grand Opening. It is quite a nice facility (as all New facilities are). It is at the corner of Hwy 3 and Clear Lake City Blvd (FM2351) in Webster, Texas. As it turned out, there were some distinguished guests invited to the event including Congressman Gene Green, Congressman Al Green, and County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia was expected, Even got to see Judge George Riesner, Justice of the Peace in Pasadena (he married my wife and I). I had the opportunity to talk with Congressman Gene Green about the Machinists and NASA. I mentioned the problems that we are having with Integrity International and their antics with the Custodial group as well as the seemingly endless "Put-off's" of CSC and the Special Purpose Maintenance group regarding jurisdictional issues at the center. We are to meet up again to discuss these points of interest and the key personnel that are the root of the issues between Labor and the contractors they support for the Space Center and the Center personnel responsible for the continuing issues and the lack of "Step Up Resolution" that you would expect from a government agency. The BBQ was outstanding and the conversation interesting, I believe the event was a complete success. All the best to our Union Brothers with the ILA, Congradulation on the "New Diggs"

Integrity International Forced to "Pay UP"

2010-05-11T21:18:00.001-05:00

In a TOTALLY bogus refute to NOT pay the Custodial Staff for the Space Center including JSC, SCTF, and Ellington their Contractually agreed upon annual pay increase, the Labor Board sided with the workers on this "NO BRAINER" and made it retroactive (Of Course). This "Integrity International" Group has displayed anything but a scarce morsel of "Integrity" from the very first day of their awarded contract. It has been nothing less than "HELL" for the fine men and women of the time honored custodial staff of the Johnson Space Center and associated facilities. This company has displayed and exuded the very reason Unions where conceived in the first place. Constant badgering and belittling of the staff for doing their job and attempting to stand up for themselves. This bunch has to go! They have no place in this family. Or we can show them some "Real Southern Hospitality".
I remain....

Galveston Co.AFL-CIO and the Galveston Co. Democratic Party to sponsor Picnic Rally

2010-05-02T18:36:00.000-05:00

To Find out the details of this event please log onto http://iamawdl37.blogspot.com/
this is an important event as stated in the Blog, Please follow the link to some very important information regarding this event.
DJH

"Save Our Jobs" Rally Hosted By the IAMAW International

2010-04-26T18:05:00.003-05:00

It was quite an impressive show at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Downtown Houston, all the key players were there, IP Buffenbarger, GST Warren Mart, All of the GVP's. There were guest speakers; Congressman Pete Olsen, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Brother Johnny Walker, DBA for the IAM at the Cape.
Both IP Buffenbarger and GVP Martinez opened with rousing speeches, "Who's going to tell the President we will not accept these changes to the space program?!", with a hearty reply, "We Are!". There was a good 30 to 40 minutes of this, chanting and very boisterous reply. I am sure that the other hosted events in the adjoining ball rooms that had nothing to do with our event were quite disturbed.
But then I looked around, all (or most) of these people were there for the staff conference (that is taking place this week) anyway. Everybody knows that a good Union Member loves a good rally,no matter what the cause. But the cause this time was for us. I bet I could count on less than the number of fingers on my two hands the number of members from my local, the folks that this rally was for. They were there to rally for us, and to make noise as far as they can to support us and save our jobs. So when the chant is raised, "Who is going to stand up and shout to save our jobs?!".....It damn sure needs to be US!!
I witnessed it myself, last year when the USA brothers and sisters were on Strike over the contract they couldn't ratify at the Cape. Word around the site was "it really sucks not being able to go to work, hope something happens for those poor bastards soon", what sort of attitude is that?!! we should have been rallying in support of our brothers and sisters, to let them know we were behind them.
I tell you what, if we don't get up off of our butts, start writing letters, sending emails, and generally making our selves visible to those that make the decisions, we won't have to worry about saying "Gee, I wonder when those folks are going to get to go back to work", because there won't be any job to go back to. that project or program will have been abandon, done away with, and nothing plausible to replace it.
click on this to see what you missed: http://iamawdl37.blogspot.com/ and view the video "Houston we have a message"

I will be posting information about another rally to SAVE OUR JOBS sponsored by the Galveston Co. AFL-CIO, on the 14th of next months (May), lets see if we can do better, and show these key people that we are worth the fight, and that it DOES matter what happens to the space program. THIS IS OUR FUTURE!!

I remain....

Galveston Countoy AFL-CIO Christmas Dinner was a Hit!

2009-12-11T14:53:00.002-06:00

Having this be my first casual encounter with the Galveston County AFL-CIO directly I was most impressed. The dinner was held at the Fishermans Wharf at pier 21 in Galveston, where it has been held for many years aside from last year following Hurricane Ike. The food was great, and the company, an impressive lot. From Texas State AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller to the distinguished speakers Hank Gilbert (running for the head Agriculture office) and Mayor Bill White. The hard work that Galveston Co. AFL-CIO President Lee Medley and his staff turned out certainly paid off and made for one heck of a good party. I personally would like to thank the Local for sponsoring my attendance, the room was filled with some of the most influencial people in Galveston County and the State for that matter. I very much look forward to attending again next year.

November Meeting to be Held Wed. November 4th

2009-10-21T15:21:00.002-05:00

Because of National Elections being held on Tuesday November 3rd, we are forced to change our Monthly meeting day to the 4th of November. This is very important because it is the meeting that Local Lodge Officers are nominated for the next 3 year term. Officers include:
President, Vice-President, Secretary Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Conductor Sentinal, Trustee's, Auditors, Deligates, and Sterwards. This is a big deal, it will be held at the regular place, American Legion Post 490, across from Ellington Field on Hwy-3 (just north of hwy 1959).
Please get the word out. Look forward to seeing all of you there.

Congradulations CSC Ellington Aircraft Mechanics

2009-09-21T20:19:00.006-05:00

Negotiating Committee

Brother Terry Smith, Grand Lodge Rep.

The Gallery

at 10:05 on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 you ratified your contract for the next 3 years 78 to 20. Good work! the efforts of your negotiating team: Luther Levan, Richard Phillips, Jim Whitmore, Michael Brown and Brian Wooley, along with your DBR Preston Brown and Grand Lodge Rep. Terry Smith, you were able to secure what would be termed the best contract available. For those of you that were in attendance you know that the best job possible was presented to you for the vote and you acknowledged that with your acceptance vote of the contract. Your negotiating team worked long and hard for you to get the best possible benefits available. Congratulation on the next three years and "Good Work" for all those responsible.

Negotiations "Working Out"

2009-09-16T20:09:00.002-05:00

the negotiations for this next 3 year contract are working out pretty much as expected. This established group of professional aircraft maintenance workers have a long standing working contract. for the most part the negotiations are surrounded in the standard bits of annual salary increases, company pension contributions, insurance premiums/co-pays, and the like. their has also been quite a bit of language manipulation regarding overtime distribution both domestically and abroad with regard to disbursement based on seniority and customer requested talent.
Fairness, stability, and integrity is the baseline for this contract negotiation.
The Ratification Vote will be held at the Gilruth Center, Alamo room (the big room) on the 19th of September (this Saturday). All Employees are urged to attend. there will be coffee and water available. please do not bring any food or drinks into the facility.
We all look forward to seeing each and every one of our members from the Ellington facility at the meeting. This is very important for everyone.
If you should have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 832-283-1648.
Good Luck, David

CSC-Ellington Negotiations Coming Up

2009-08-08T12:51:00.003-05:00

Negotiations for the CSC Ellington Field Aircraft Maintenance Contract are quickly approaching. Some of the things members of this group need to consider are key topics that your negotiating committee will be bringing to the table. The standards will be addressed, ie. wage increases, and insurance benefits. Your responsibilities are to address issues that have been constant throughout the last contract and need attention, these issues need to be brought to your Steward and the committee.

The first step in the process is that the entire group needs to have a meeting to bring these issues that you want addressed at negotiations and to have a Strike Vote.

Now don't get all crazy, this is not to say that you are going to go on strike. It is a necessary step on several levels, one is that it shows solidarity within the group, it tells the company that you are a single group that means business and that you share the same ideals as to how you want the negotiations to deliver on your demands. The results of the vote are sent to the International, this reveals again, you are unified in your decision and that if need be you will consider a strike to get what you want. Two is that the International will then sanction your negotiations and support your need for a swift, successful, and fairly negotiated contract.

The meeting will be Tuesday, August 18th at the American Legion Post 490 (our regular meeting place) 11702 Highway 3, Houston, TX. 77034, (across the street from Ellington Field)
ph. 281-481-5686
The Hall will be available from 13:00 to 16:30 so to accommodate the day shift and night shift members.
The night shift members should plan on the meeting starting between 13:30 and 13:45, and the day shift personnel get there as soon as you can after work.

Please make every effort to attend this meeting, it is very important in the to you and your fellow union members, it will determine the working conditions and salaries for the entirety of the next contract.

Dortha Newnum Retires after 30 years at NASA

2009-07-30T18:11:00.008-05:00

Today was a good day and a sad day for the members of CSC Special Purpose Maintenance Group at the Johnson Space Center. Dortha Newnum Retired today after 20 years manning the Tool Room for the Site Maintenance and Construction Groups. A lot of her friends and acquaintances came by to share a BBQ lunch in her honor. We had some old friends come by, Randy Ryder of Bealine Services, as well as Tim Murphy, to help send Dortha off into Retirement. Today was Dortha’s last day after more than 30 years on-site and with the IAM, she started back in July of 1979 with Northrop working in a clean room rebuilding valves and the like. Then in September of 1981 Dortha moved to Pan Am as a Mechanic. In April of 1986 she took on the roll as Electrician in building 8, she carried on in that position until November of 1989 when she took the position as Tool Room Attendant and has been working that effort since. Her predecessor is Mr. Steve Ogura, Steve has some very large shoes to fill, we are confident he will step up to the calling.
Dortha’s granddaughters, and daughter and her husband, were able to make the luncheon to help with her send off. We appreciate the efforts of everyone that helped pull this thing off. It went very well. Please enjoy some of the pictures of the luncheon.

Dortha, you will be greatly missed, all the best.

Special Purpose Maintenance Group

Tim Murphy, Randy Ryder, Robert Morris and John Jeffords

John Molina (Joe Morino), Leonard Scott, Ken Steadham

Tim, Jimmy Hayman, Randy Ryder, Chris Vanos

Dortha and her followers load'n up the chow!

The Last Domino Game, We think David cheated.....

David Strowd, John Jefford, Dortha, and Donnie Gray

2009-07-09T09:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the IAMAW Local Lodge 1786 Blogspot

2009-06-14T12:25:00.000-05:00

We are finally going to step up to the 19 century and move into the virtual age. Please make yourself welcome and feel free to peruse the site for anything that might be of interest to you regarding our Local. this is a new adventure for me, so any positive criticism will be greatly appreciated, any negative reports will be discarded immediately.
Please remember this is a work in progress, be kind.

Another point of interest is that this year is an election year for our Local, So get together to select individuals that meet the criteria for the various posts that will be coming available. the posts are as follows:

President, Vice-President, Sec. Treasurer, Recording Sec. Conductor Sentinel, Trustee (x3), Auditors (x3), we are adding a Communicators position this time around. You will also be voting on Stewards for the different CBA's under our Local.

So, you will need to assign a representative from each CBA to attend the November 3rd meeting to officially name the nominee's for the various posts available, and voting will be during the day on December 1st, 2009 at the American Legion Hall, Post 490, across from Ellington on Hwy 3, All Day, the polls will close upon start of the regularly scheduled meeting (16:30) and the results will be read at the end of the meeting, usually about 17:30-18:00.

These elected posts are for a 3 year term, your participation is very important to the success of our Local, District, Region, and International efforts. So start planning now.

If you should need any other information, please do not hesitate to contact me.