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July 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online
Click here to download the July 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (3.1 mb).
Tell Congress to Support F-22 Funding
Action is needed to help preserve jobs for our members working at GKN and at Edwards Air Force Base in California. We need EVERY member to urge Congress to support F-22 funding and encourage approval of a modified export model of the F-22 for countries like Japan and Australia.
As the current fleet of F-15s age, the U.S. Air Force will face a critical shortage of fighter aircraft in the near future. The proven F-22 Raptor is uniquely suited to fill this gap. Able to fly higher and faster, and according to the Air Force, more survivable in aerial combat situations, the F-22 complements the multipurpose role of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is primarily air-to- ground. The decisive capabilities of the F-22 enable the Air Force to maintain a vital edge over the evolving technological threats of any potential adversary. Only with continual production of the F-22 can the Air Force ensure that it has the resources to fulfill its mission.
Maintaining funding of the F-22 will support 25,000 high-skill, high-wage jobs in 44 states, including thousands of IAM members who make the air frame and engines for the fighter. An estimated 70,000 indirect jobs are also impacted by the program.
Tell Congress that we need to fund an additional twenty F-22 Raptors in the 2010 Fiscal Year Defense Appropriations. In addition, Congress should approve an export version of the F-22 Raptor. According to a Reuter’s report, Japan remains interested in the advanced stealth fighter and is willing to shoulder the cost burden of modifying the F-22 for export. Lawmakers would have to agree to overturn the ban on exports under the Obey amendment. Click here to send your message.
Results from 8th Annual Flight for Sight Fun Run
Below are the race results for the 8th Annual Flight for Sight Fun Run on June 6, 2009. Thanks to all who volunteered or took part in the event.
Click here for overall 5K results as html. Click here for overall 5K results as pdf.
Click here for 5K results in age brackets as html. Click here for 5K in age brackets results as pdf.
Click here for overall 10K results as html. Click here for overall 10K results as pdf.
Click here for 10K results in age brackets as html. Click here for 10K in age brackets results as pdf.
To view photos from the event visit: http://photobucket.com/09GDAfunrun
Members on Layoff With Delayed Unemployment Benefits Should Call the Telecenter 1-800-318-6022
We have learned that several Machinists Union members who
were laid-off from Boeing and filed for Unemployment may have had their
benefits delayed. It appears those impacted were individuals who filed
for unemployment during the strike last year, have subsequently been laid-off,
and filed to reopen unemployment benefits because of lack of work (layoff).
If the Telecenter did not catch this issue up front and you believe your
benefits are delayed, you should:
Contact the Telecenter (800-318-6022) for immediate assistance
to inquire if the strike issue is the cause for the delay of benefits,
and ask them to have the issue lifted because the strike ended November
1, 2008.
You could also go to the website www.go2ui.com and use the "contact us" link at the bottom of the page to send an e-mail; however, this takes about a week to get a response due to the heavy workload.
Negative Economic Factors Result in Zero COLA for June, 2009
Calculations for the June 5, 2009 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) resulted in a negative 46 cents ($-.46) based on the months of February, March and April 2009. This brings the total hourly COLA under the current contract to negative $1.05.
However, because there has not been a positive COLA accumulation since we signed the contract and previous COLA payments were already rolled into the base rate on September 5, 2008, no money will be taken away from the pay of our members. New pay cards are being printed with no change to the wage rates.e June 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.6 mb).
Video of Historic May 30th Health Care March
Over 5,000 people filled the streets of Seattle to demand Health Care for All. Check out some of the video from the recent Health Care for All march and rally!
June 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online
Click here to download the June 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (2.6 mb).
It’s Time We Protect Ourselves!
Artists For Workers Choice – You Tube Video
The middle class built this country and although unions in general have lost many members over the past 30 years, the labor movement is beginning to rise again. It is as simple as increasing the standard of living through collective bargaining which in turn helps our economy thrive.
When the middle class does well, the rest of America does well. The wealthiest Americans still make millions because typically it is the middle class who buy the products and services the wealthiest Americans sell. Whether you own an airline or sell real estate, it all comes down to the ability for people to afford to buy products and services.
If you do not take action NOW, the greed of Corporate America will continue to squeeze more out of workers in this country. Workers will continue to make less, pay more for benefits, lose pensions – while Corporate profits rise and CEO’s take home millions more. It’s time to keep Corporate America out of your pocketbook. Assert your voice, protect your right and demand Employee Free Choice Act NOW!
We are all in this together protecting each other.
Thank you in advance for doing your part.
Obama on Employee Free Choice Act AFL-CIO– YouTube
video
Click
Here for additional information on the Employee Free Choice Act
Click
Here to send a message to your Congressperson
Clarification on Recent Regence Selections Letter
Members on the Regence Selections Health Plan recently received a letter
regarding the Value Added Pharmacy Program. This was an outdated program,
which very few members utilized.
While Regence has discontinued this ValueAdded Pharmacy service,
none of your contractual coverage for prescription drug benefits have
changed. You can still receive the same select drugs through retail
pharmacy or mail order, the quantity and co-pay will be based on the
specific contract benefits.
The ValueAdded Program only applied to 90 generic drugs (mainly older products that have been on the market a while) and 1 brand name drug (Premerin), AND the list hadn't been updated since 2003.
The intent of the recent Regence letter was to educate you on two new programs you may want to utilize.
* The Generics Incentive Program allows members the ability to try a 30-day trial of certain specific generic medications or alternatives and fill your first prescription at no cost. (This is only available if you are not currently using one of the generic medications on the list).
* The Half-Tablet Program (another voluntary program) allows you to split high dosage medications in half – giving you a two-month supply of medication for one co-payment. (Note: Selections will cover the cost of one tablet splitter each year. Simply ask your pharmacisst to submit the splitter as a claim, and your copay will be zero).
More information regarding these programs is available at www.RegenceRX.com. Information on both of these programs will also be available at the IAM lodge meetings in May on the Regence table.
Machinists Union Member Checklist and Resource Guide for Those Facing Layoff
Click
here to download the Facing Layoff Member Guide for helpful advice
and useful resources.
New LOU Offers an Option for VIP Loans
In an effort to assist members who are facing layoff, the Union and Company signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) relating to the provision in the Voluntary Investment Plan (VIP) allowing for repayment of loans by terminated employees. As a result of the LOU, laid-off or terminated members now have the option of continuing to make payments on their VIP loans after leaving the payroll. The LOU is specifically intended to benefit those members recently laid off or terminated who have an outstanding loan balance and may otherwise have difficulty repaying the full loan balance as currently required.
The agreement was effective February 15th and should apply to any members affected by the current surplussing as long as their VIP loans are not already in default status. Without this LOU, an employee who terminates or is laid off with an outstanding VIP loan is required to repay the full amount of the outstanding loan within 90 days of termination. Otherwise, the outstanding loan balance is treated as a taxable distribution.
"The new LOU will help our members avoid the negative consequences associated with a taxable distribution. Both the Union and Company realize the financial strain a layoff puts on individuals and are looking for ways to help. We will continue to work together to explore other options to preserve hourly jobs and to help those who get laid off," stated District 751 President Tom Wroblewski.
May 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online
Click here to download the May 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (3.2 mb).
April 09 Aero Mechanic Newspaper online
Click here to download the April 09 edition of the Aero Mechanic newspaper (3 mb).