IAM LOCAL 18 Communications Archive One

Communications Archive One

Greetings Union Brothers and Sisters, 10/18/2010

In November, we will take nominations, for L-3 contract negotiators and an alternate, for a LB&B Fuel Farms Negotiator and Simulator Negotiator. In December, we will vote for the Negotiators.

Since we have contract negotiations coming up in the year 2012. Now is the time to start coming up with ideas for the new contracts, things that might have gotten missed last time. Whatever your suggestion is, write it down. The more people that have the same suggestion, the more it will be looked at. Their will be suggestion sheets available to all, and the completed sheets can be turned in to any union rep. If you need a suggestion sheet, see your friendly Union Rep. Suggestion sheets will be available after the December meeting.

The December meeting designates the one year mark until Union Elections. The By-Laws state, Article X, Section 2a. that in order to hold an office, an individual must attend at least one half of all meetings, in the year prior to Union Elections. See below. More will be posted, from the By-Laws, about election procedures and absentee ballots, a couple of months prior to nominations.

V.R. Chuck Wheeler, President Local Lodge 18

ARTICLE X
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 2. (a) Qualifications for nomination and election for any office, post or position, permanent committee inclusive: Nominees must have attended a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of regular meetings in the twelve (12) month period prior to close of nominations. Members will be required to be at nominations and elections unless work requirements or an emergency does not allow, and approved by Executive Board. Written consent shall be given to presiding officer at the time of nomination. Nomination of absent members will not be accepted without his/her signed statement. All nominees for any elected or appointed office, post or position representing this Lodge must be a member of this Lodge for one (1) year and in good standing at the time of nomination.

Memorial Ride for Glen G. Puder 9/21/2010

On Saturday, September 18, 2010 under blue skies and sunshine, down beautiful country roads, through three counties; the 2nd Annual Memorial Ride for Glen G. Puder was held with many of his friends and family with some from as far away as Kansas . On this 90 mile run, many of his union brothers and sisters from IAM Local Lodge 18 were also in attendance in which over $900 was raised to benefit the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation as a memorial donation in Glens’ name.

Glen was senselessly stabbed and killed at his home on June 11, 2008 as he left for work aboard Naval Air Station Meridian where he had worked for 19 years after serving in the United States Marine Corps. Glens’ parents and little sister were on hand for this special event in which Glen’s motorcycle was towed on a trailer in remembrance behind 25+ motorcycles with around 10 vehicles bringing up the rear. All of this was done with the fondest of memories and greatest respect to honor Glen and the time that he served his country. His smile , and the wonderful man that he was, are greatly missed.

Contributed by a member of Local Lodge 18. Thank You

Great Picnic 8/24/10

Hope everyone enjoyed the 2010 picnic, around seventy members with a total of one hundred twenty one guests showed up. Thanks to Ricky Smith, Phil Runyon, and Lawrence Riddle for some great cooking and to Paula Cole for serving. Their efforts made our picnic a success. There are a couple of pictures below, click on them to see a larger view.

Rallying to organize Delta. 7/11/10

IAM members, including some of our own local members attending the Southern States Convention in Atlanta last month rallied at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to organize Delta employees. There are a couple of member pictures below, click on them to see a larger view.

Thank You C.W.

Disturbing events affecting fellow Union members. 06/27/10

Please visit http://iam837.org/ District 837's site to read about Boeing taking away pension plans in current negotiations. This is why we all need to stand united and fight corporations doing this. If they succeed, how will our next negotiations be? Pass this along, if you agree we need to fight the corporations that want our retirement that we have worked and fought for.

Thank You R.S. and C.W.

Member donations go to Wesley House.

President Chuck Wheeler has presented Wesley House with 78 $10.00 Winn-Dixie gift cards from the IAM LOCAL 18 members who decided to give back a little to the community. These cards will be given out to people who qualify for assistance through the Wesley House. If you would like to make a donation, please go to http://wesleyhousemeridian.org/index.php/donate/ and make a donation. Thanks to all the members who gave and Merry Christmas.

IAM LOCAL 18 in the news. http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/80024292.html

Update 02/05/10: We can now "officially" add 4 more gift cards and a $110.00 check to the donation, some were a little late. Thanks again to all those who have gave.

Arbitration case won!

The arbitration case between International Association of Machinists and LB&B Associates Inc. has been decided! Mr. Ivey an employee at the fuel farm will be returning to work. The company’s disciplinary action of immediate termination was determined to be too severe. He is to be "made whole" and I am sure will now have a much happier Christmas.

Fundraiser a success.

The fund raising efforts for the Falconer family raised a very appreciated $924.00. The Mothers Day Basket was won by Miranda Fulton at Rolls-Royce and the Fathers Day Basket was won by Renecia Willis at NAS Comptroller Office.

New contract averts strike at L-3.

After an overwhelming strike vote by IAM members at L-3 Vertex in Meridian, MS, and Kingsville, TX. Representatives for L-3 made a revised offer that was voted and approved by a large margin, averting a work stoppage. The absence of caps in employee health care contributions was a major stumbling block in the original offer from L-3. Annual raises of 3.5 percent in each year of the three-year pact remained the same, but health care premiums for members were capped in the new offer. In addition to the caps, company contributions to the IAM Pension were increased from .85 cents to $1.50 over the term of the agreement and time required to gain additional vacation benefits was lowered.

“We’re happy a new offer was made,” said Aerospace Coordinator Frank Santos. “We know how important our mission was, and it was imperative we settle the problems without a work stoppage. I believe all sides, our members, the Navy and L-3 walked away winners. We couldn’t have done it without strong leadership from District 776 Business Rep Jody Bennett, who led the negotiations, District 73 Business Rep Joe Harrington and the union’s coordinated bargaining committees from Meridian and Kingsville.” The IAM represents a combined membership of about 550 maintenance and support employees at Naval Air Stations (NAS) in Meridian, MS and Kingsville, TX.

The membership operates training and support programs for the Navy’s T-45, a two-seat carrier-capable training aircraft. Last December, the IAM reached agreement with L-3 at the NAS Pensacola, FL facility, which also supports the T-45 program. L-3 Vertex is a division of L-3 Communications, one of the nation’s largest Defense Department contractors. “The IAM’s experience and expertise in negotiating contracts under the Service Contract Act paid off again with a strong agreement for the members in Meridian and Kingsville,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. "I want to extend my thanks and congratulations to everyone for a job well done."

Thank You J.P.

Information on pension benefit for previous Boeing/McDonald Douglas employees.

If you worked for Boeing/McDonald Douglas at anytime between 1997 and the year 2000 you have a pension benefit. When you are within 90 days of your 55th birthday you need to call 1-866-473-2016 and get a new BEMS ID and password set up. Once you receive that in the mail you can then call that number again and request your pension package. The package you receive will show your options. One will be how much you can collect from 55 to 62 and two months. Two will be how much you can collect if you wait until 62 and that amount you will receive for the rest of your life.

It also has some options for spouse survivor benefits. Once you receive that in the mail you can then call that number again and request your pension package. The package you receive will show your options. One will be how much you can collect from 55 to 62 and 2 months. Two will be how much you can collect if you wait until 62 and that amount you will receive for the rest of your life. It also has some options for spouse survivor benefits. The union employees that I know that are receiving this and you might ask any questions of are - Sam Close, Lewis Clayton, and Clint Ruffin.

Thank You T.R.

Emailing the IAM LOCAL 18 staff.

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