RTI SpeedFacts
Recent SpeedFacts and Media Events
August 26, 2008
LABOR DAY PARADE
Dear Sisters and Brothers
of District 837,
This coming Monday, September 1, 2008, the St. Louis Labor Council will again be hosting the annual Labor Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. The District will be participating and would love to see the membership join in!
Our position for line-up this year will be located around Olive and 16th Street. The float should be parked at 7:00 A.M. with participants beginning to gather then. The parade starts at 9:00 A.M. The District Delegates approved purchasing T-shirts with our logo and the parade theme that will be made available to members and their family marching or riding in the parade. Sizes will be first come – first serve but most years everyone’s needs are taken care of. (See map on back of Speed facts).
I look forward
to seeing you at the parade!
Fraternally yours,
Gordon King
President Directing Business Representative
-
August 14, 2008
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The Boeing Company in St. Louis has currently posted job openings in the following Union job positions:
Maintenance Mechanic
Requisition Number: 08-1019478
Closing Date: 8/19/08
Support Coordinator
Requisition Number: 08-1019359
Closing Date: 8/20/08
Job seekers can apply online at: www.boeing.com/employment/index.html
Steve McDerman
Assistant Directing Business Representative -
July 8, 2008
FLOOD DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Dear Sisters and Brothers of Boeing, GKN Aerospace and RTI Tradco,
Canned Goods
Bottled Water
Gatorade or similar bottled drinks
Bug Spray
Bleach
Cleaning Supplies
Mops
Brooms
Dust Masks
Laundry Baskets
Laundry DetergentsAny other items that you would find useful are also welcome. If you have large items, such as freezers, refrigerators, or furniture, you can contact the Winfield/Foley Fire Department direct at (636) 566-8406 to discuss how to donate those larger items.
Fraternally yours,
Gordon King
President Directing Business Representative - April 9,
2008
Dear Sisters and Brothers of Boeing, GKN Aerospace & RTI Tradco,
The results of the election last Saturday for District Lodge 837 President Directing Business Representative can be viewed at www.iam837.org. Now that the election is final I am required by District Bylaws to fill any vacancy that occurs in office for the rest of the unexpired term.
After discussion with the Staff, I have taken the following actions:
· Selected current elected Business Representative, Steve McDerman to serve as Assistant Directing Business Representative effective immediately.
· With approval of the District Delegate body appointed Plant Chairman, Earl Schuessler to fill the Business Representative vacancy, effective Monday, April 14, 2008.
· With approval of the District Delegate body appointed Shop Steward Ron Evola to fill the Plant Chairman vacancy, effective Friday, April 11, 2008 on second (2nd) shift.
· Plant Chairman Roger Smith will transfer to first (1st) shift effective Friday, April 11, 2008.
This weekend, members of both Lodge ‘A’ and Lodge ‘B’ will be nominating members to serve as delegates to the IAM Grand Lodge Convention. Meetings will be Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. for Lodge ‘A’ and Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. for Lodge ‘B’. I encourage every member to attend and take an active part in what is sure to shape the future of this great Union.
Fraternally yours
Gordon King
President Directing Business Representative - Archived SpeedFacts align="center">March 17, 2008 Support Striking Workers against Valley Ford Dear Sisters and Brothers of Boeing, GKN and RTI Tradco,
I have been contacted by our sisters and brothers from Machinist District #9. They are asking District #837 members for our support in their fight against Valley Ford. Below is a copy of a notice with detailed information. Let’s show our solidarity for our Union sisters and brothers in our community.
Fraternally yours,Gordon King
Assistant Directing Business Representative
Notice Notice Notice
Members of Automotive Local 777 and Teamsters Local 618 went out on strike against Valley Ford on November 1, 2007.
The reasons for this strike were the unreasonable concessions demanded by the company including but not limited to: q Gut paychecks (a 10% cut for current employees, a 25% cut in base pay for new employees) q Kill their current pension and replace it with a nickel donation to the company’s 401K plan q Destroy their current family-protecting health plan and force them into a much lesser plan (with the employee being forced to pay up to $540 of the cost monthly) q Cut tool allowance by 30%The importance of winning this strike is the fact that the outcome of this strike could possibly affect all future contract negotiations in this area especially the automotive shops.
As we enter the 3rd month of the strike, we are requesting your support of these striking members by volunteering to walk picket duty to relieve these members so that we may continue to keep the pressure on the Valley Ford.If you can help by walking a specified picket assignment, Monday thru Saturday, please contact your Business Representative at 314-739-6200 or Automotive Local 777 at 314-739-6217 so that we may schedule you to walk.
Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of winning this strike and with the collective efforts our membership we can win.
In Solidarity
Roger E. PooleTony Rippeto
Directing Business Representative
Tim Young
Secretary Treasurer
March 12, 2008
TANKER DEAL Dear Sisters and Brothers of Boeing, GKN and RTI Tradco, Outrage continues to grow over the U.S. Air Force decision to award a $40 billion Aerial Refueling Tanker Contract to European Company EADS a contract which could eventually be worth $60 billion. Appearing on CNN’s Lou Dobb’s tonight, IAM President Tom Buffenbarger ripped into the Air Force’s decision. “How we could turn over the crown jewel of support of our nation’s Air Force to foreign manufacturers is beyond me,” said Buffenbarger. “We’re going to take this on tooth and nail and get the decision overturned. We’re going to see that America gets what it deserves in the form of economic justice and fairness for American workers.” The AFL-CIO Executive Council, meanwhile, called on Congress to “defund” the contract, as well as conduct a full investigation into the circumstances under which the contract was awarded to a foreign contractor. The House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee also held a hearing, beginning a formal inquiry into the contract, “I personally consider our Aerial Refueling Program to be a major weapons system that is essential to our national security,” said the committee’s Chairman, John P. Murtha (D-PA). “I think it’s imperative that the Air Force explain to this committee its decision to award a major U.S. weapons system to a foreign company.” Boeing’s KC-767 tanker would be built with over 85 percent domestic U.S. content and would support more than 44,000 U.S. jobs and 300 contractors in over forty states. The tanker competition was mandated in 2003, allowing a heavily subsidized European manufacturer, EADS to bid against Boeing, a U.S. firm that received no subsidies. Boeing had filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office. The decision does not impact the jobs of District #837 members directly, but in addition to several other reasons, I am concerned that it opens the door for our government to outsource other military manufacturing work like the fighters we produce. I met with KSDK (Local Channel 5) yesterday to express these concerns and issued a press release to all local media outlets. I strongly urge every member to voice your outrage by contacting your elected officials. We have provided links on the District Website, www.iam837.org, for you to easily deliver an email message to your Congressional Representatives. You can also view my press release. This issue is not about Republican or Democrat, Union or Non-Union- it is about what is right for the taxpayer dollars and Aerospace Manufacturing jobs of America’s working families. I will keep you informed about the Districts actions as they develop. Fraternally yours, Gordon KingAssistant Directing Business Representative Press Release Issued Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Machinists Speak Out on Recent
USAF Tanker Deal
The Machinists Union is opposed to the awarding of the USAF Tanker deal to a foreign company as it is not the best decision for the U. S. economy, will not create the 44,000 jobs in the U. S. that Boeing would have created, and poses a potential threat to our nation and its military, while further eroding the U. S. manufacturing base by allowing foreign governments to continue subsidizing aerospace work.
It’s Tankers today; will it be fighters tomorrow? Issue One: The U. S. economy will not realize the gain of 44,000 high paying jobs by allowing foreign companies to build the next generation tanker. Our economy cannot afford to lose that type of boost. § Boeing estimates that 44,000 jobs would be created across the United States if they were the supplier of the next generation tanker. With our current economy in the tailspin it is in, we need these jobs to keep America economically strong. § EADS has promised around 1,500 jobs in Alabama. This was done to appease some Congressmen but will not have a large impact across the U.S. (Yesterday, Northrop revised that figure to 48,000 jobs across the U. S. making us wonder where the extra jobs came from.) § It is American tax dollars being used to procure this tanker but we will be sending our tax dollars overseas, pumping up European economies, while Americans continue to lose out. We owe the American people the respect to use their money to assist in the American Economic recovery first. Issue Two: The security of the United States and our men and women in uniform are compromised by allowing foreign companies to build the products used to defend our freedoms. It’s tankers today, will it be fighters tomorrow? § In the event of war or conflict where any of the countries involved in the EADS deal are involved, we are not guaranteed continued production of promised but un-delivered aircraft or spare parts that would be crucial in keeping the tankers functional. § Our military depends on inter-service dependability. Boeing consistently upgrades or modifies their products to achieve this goal whenever possible. Foreign companies may not be cleared to have access to the latest technologies and delays in obtaining that approval may delay our military from having the best of the best to save American lives. > § During a not to distant conflict in the Middle East, our supply of military parts from a nation involved in that conflict delayed delivery of contracted parts. Any nation involved in a war will take care of their own needs first. We need our military production to take place in the United States for this purpose. Issue Three: Foreign governments subsidize EADS, allowing for an unfair competitive advantage over U. S. aerospace companies and U. S. congressmen are investigating what they call “shady practices” inside the European aerospace community. Americans cannot compete without a level playing field. § The World Trade Organization currently has a complaint over the unfair state-funded subsidies European nations give their aerospace companies. The U. S. companies cannot compete with this type unfair practice. § Senator Pat Murray is collecting information on Airbus’s “checkered past” and “shady dealings” when it comes to securing contracts from the U.S. § American Aerospace workers are the most productive and efficient workforce in the world, but if they are not allowed to compete on a level playing field, they do not stand a chance of securing new work.----END---
January 24, 2008STRIKE RALLY FOR IAM LOCAL 777
Dear Brothers and Sisters,IAM Local 777 members have been on strike against Valley Ford since November 1, 2007. This Saturday, January 26, 2008 there will be a Rally by Union. Members throughout the area to show our support and solidarity for the striking members.
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008Time: 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. (NOON)
Location: 675 Dunn Road, Hazelwood, Missouri
Parking will be along Dunn Road or at the UAW Regional Office nearby. Please make every effort to attend. It is vital that we display the strength of unity.
Fraternally yours,Gordon King
Assistant Directing Business Representative
January 24, 2008
RALLY * RALLY
AMERICA’S EDGE
OUR SKILLS
OUR KIDS
www.americasedge.tv
Dear Brothers and
Sisters,
Good jobs come from good skills – it’s America’s Edge in the global economy. But will our kids get the training they need to keep America’s jobs here? Will our children work in safe factories with good pay and benefits, or will the work be done overseas?
(It is up to us to demand affordable training for the next generation of workers, our kids.)
You are invited to a rally with IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger and other special guests to keep America’s Edge at the forefront of the 2008 Presidental Campaign.
Date – Sunday, January 27, 2008Time – Doors open at 12:00 P.M.
Place – District Lodge 837
212 Utz lane
Hazelwood, MO 63042 This rally is sponsored by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, www.goiam.org. Bring your children. Refreshments will be provided. Group photos will be taken for use in the IAM Journal.
I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday.
Fraternally yours,Gordon King
Assistant Directing Business Representative
January 18, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With deep sorrow and a heavy heart I must report to the membership that our Brother and President Directing Business Representative, Rick Smith, passed away on the morning of January 18, 2008.
Currently, Funeral arrangements are being made at Stygar Funeral Home, 5987 Mid-Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Missouri 63376, (636) 970-7200. Further information on visitation and burial arrangements will be available tomorrow at www.iam837.org or by contacting Stygar Funeral Home.Rick was a proud union member for 41 years and served the District 837 membership as President since 1998. He was and always will be admired for his conviction and dedication to organized labor and his devotion to our members which never wavered. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
The Smith family has requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Guide Dogs of America – St Louis Chapter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family.
Fraternally yours,Gordon King
Assistant Directing Business Representative