Category Archives: History

The State of Our Union on the IAM’s 136th Birthday

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Dear IAM Family,

Happy 136th birthday to the IAM! It’s a testament to all of you, and all those who came before us, that our great union has risen from a railroad pit in Atlanta in 1888 to the powerful force for working people that we are today.

Since having the honor of becoming the IAM’s 15th International President on Jan. 1, myself and your Executive Council have hit the ground running to build on our successes.

We are listening to you – our membership. We are organizing and growing our union. We are embracing our diversity. Most of all, we are moving the IAM into an even brighter future.

Led by membership input gathered last year by the IAM Committee on the Future, myself and your Executive Council are already implementing changes to strengthen our union. We are working toward new ways of communicating with our members and branding our union, expanding mentorship and training opportunities, improving our union’s structure, and much more. 

And, our renewed focus on organizing is paying off. The IAM was amongst the fastest growing unions in 2023, and this year, we’ve already won campaigns to represent airline workers, healthcare professionals, artificial intelligence workers, manufacturing workers and more.

We are taking on employers big and small and winning record gains for our members. And, we are realizing our true potential by investing in the leadership of women and other under-represented groups through our new IAM Human Rights Department, and more.

As I continue to travel North America to meet our membership and hear your ideas, I am more hopeful than ever about the future of the IAM. Every day, we are moving closer to fulfilling our purpose of delivering security, dignity and opportunity for all.

Most of all, thank you to all of you for being a part of this journey. Together, we will continue to inspire, empower and create this more perfect union.

In solidarity,

Brian Bryant
International President

Resources for our Brothers and Sisters who were affected by the recent layoffs from Stolle Machinery

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Colorado Department of Labor
CDLE connects job seekers with great jobs, provides an up-to-date and accurate picture of
the economy to help decision making, assists workers who have been injured on the job,
ensures fair labor practices, helps those who have lost their jobs by providing temporary wage
replacement through unemployment benefits, and protects the workplace – and Colorado
communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.
https://cdle.colorado.gov/

Connect for Health Colorado
The Health Insurance Marketplace for Coloradans: Connect for Health
Colorado works to expand access, affordability and choice for individuals
purchasing health insurance throughout our state.
https://co.colorado.gov/access-connect-health-colorado-states-health-
insurance-marketplace

Cesar Alvarado 720-251-6855
Brandy Cronberg 303-921-9682
Garry Harper 720-490-2795

Machinists Union Celebrates Black History Month

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Machinists Union Celebrates Black History Month

February 2, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/embed/tNz06skng3E?width=640&height=360&autoplay&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goiam.org

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the fullness of African American history and culture while honoring the triumphs and struggles of African-Americans throughout U.S. history.

Black History Month has been celebrated since 1926 when Carter Woodson proclaimed a week in February “Negro History Week.” Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the entire month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada, also devote February to celebrating Black history in their respective countries.

The fight for equal rights still continues today. The IAM shares in that same fight, and has fought for Civil Rights even before the historic passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

IAM leaders knew racial equality could not be achieved without participation in every part of our union. IAM Shop Steward training played a critical role, and IAM leadership ensured a focus on recruiting and training African American men to become shop stewards going back to at least the 1950s. 

In January of 1963, Local 1781 in San Mateo, CA announced that a multiracial group of members successfully passed the Stewards Training Course. That same year, Local 1666 in Stamford, CT, had a basketball team comprised of eight players, six Black, and two white members. Teams like these continued throughout many lodges through the 1960s.

One act for justice can cause ripple effects that change the world. So don’t hesitate to get involved and support the labor movement’s push for equality. You can become a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) or the A. Philip Randolph Institute, constituency groups that work with unions to ensure the rights of our African-American brothers and sisters are protected. 

The Fighting Machinists continue to make impacts in the community and have had a large presence recently at the AFL Martin Luther King, Jr Civil, and Human Rights Conference and March.

Happy 4th of July

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Dear IAM Family,

The Fourth of July is here, and today we celebrate America’s birthday. The birth of our nation, and our independence, remind us of generations of Americans, then and now, who have continuously advanced our freedoms.

Our history tells us that freedom is never free. Our military service members have fought and died to defend the rights we hold dear. Brave Americans of all backgrounds have stood up and demanded the expansion of those freedoms for all of us.

The IAM and our members are proud to be a part of that great American tradition. We stand up for the rights of all working people to live, prosper and be free – and we will always will.

In solidarity,

Robert Martinez Jr.
IAM International President

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Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the IAM,

Juneteenth is recognized as a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. A holiday that remembers June 19, 1866, when Black Texans gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of the ending of slavery. This day marked the end of an ugly chapter in American history and a new beginning for Black Americans and their quest for equality.

This day is a reminder that the fight continues for democracy and economic justice for all Americans. Our union has played a part in dismantling the barriers that keep everyone from fully participating in our society. 

The collective bargaining agreements we have fought for over the years have been an essential tool that allows everyone to succeed economically and confront any threats to their futures. Threats like the erosion of voting rights, which the labor movement is working to protect by highlighting harmful legislation.

We must all come together and fight for workers’ rights. The best way to achieve that goal is to embrace and celebrate our diversity.

Our union has recognized the importance of racial justice in and outside of the workplace over the years. We fight hard to ensure it’s essential to our collective bargaining agreements. Racial justice and economic justice go hand in hand. 

Please take this holiday to reflect on how far we have come and the work needed in the future to achieve racial and economic equality for all.

In solidarity,

Robert Martinez Jr.
IAM International President

Local 47 has a new Communicator

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Maurice Jewell will assume the duties of Communicator effective March 1, 2022 he has successfully attended the basic web class at Winpisinger Training Center in Maryland and has been practicing the duties of Communicator over the last few months. I am pleased to make this announcement and to have been the acting Communicator during this transitioning period.

The Communicator position is a demanding one that comes with a great deal of responsibility to our members, such as, keeping the doors of communication open between members, our officers and the Grand Lodge, as well as, making available important information and useful resources through our website.

Maurice has demonstrated great qualities and enthusiasm necessary to fulfill this position and I believe he will continue to be a valuable asset to Local 47 and will server our members well.

Congratulations Maurice

Fire devastation in Boulder

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Brothers and Sisters

We have watched in horror as fires ripped through Boulder County, knowing that hundreds of our fellow Coloradans, are likely impacted. Our hearts are with all of you and those communities affected. If you have been evacuated, lost your home, or do not know yet, please know that your local 47 is here to help. Brothers and Sisters you are not alone, reach out to us as we are here to help. Please use the email address below and let us know how you or your family has been impacted.

You can contact us at communicator@iawamlocal47.org

In addition this IAM Relief fund page is were members can connect or make donations or apply for additional disaster relief through the

IAM Western Territory Relief Fund

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ACCESS LINK

 

Updated Membership Cards

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We have created an updated membership card for all members that we have records for and they will be handed out to our members soon.

If you have not updated your address please send an email with your updated information to communincator@iamawlocal47.org  or secretarytreasurer@iamawlocal47.org and  we will correct it.

You can also access the members only section icon by registering to this website under Registration icon.  You do not need your membership number to register, we will look it up and insert it for you. If you have only been a member for a few months we may not have one for you yet, but we will work to get you officially registered.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the appropriate officer listed in the contact page of this website. Just click on the email address and send your questions/comments.

Thank You.

 

Updated Membership Card Click on picture to view card