Chairperson: Christine Diaz

Committee Members:

Jessica LaForce

Maureen Samuels

Virginia Stogner McDavid

Kelly Tucker
Angela Wells

Many voters never make this connection – how we vote and our benefits at work. Many laws and regulations, especially in our industry, affect our working daily lives are decided by the policymakers we elect to office. Health care, pension, workplace safety, job security, overtime rules, worker’s compensation, trade policy, minimum wage, and the right to organize are all issues that are determined by our elected officials.

It is extremely important that we elect policymakers who will fight to improve worker’s rights. The Legislative Committee is committed to educating and promoting pro-worker legislation to our members.

Currently, many of the laws that protect workers are being dismantled.  We encourage members to write to elected officials when there is critical pending legislation that affects working families.  We must continue to voice our dissatisfaction against anti-labor practices. As constituents, our opinions and personal stories are powerful tools we have to make change.

So next time you vote, look at where a candidate stands through the eyes of a worker.  You spend a lot of time at work, why wouldn’t you?

2008 Legislative Conference Report

by Christine Diaz

Delegates from Local Lodge 2339H attended the annual IAM Legislative Conference, May 19-22, in Washington, D.C. Members in attendance were Christine Diaz, Maureen Samuels, Jessica LaForce, Ginny Stogner McDavid, Julie Martin, and Bridget Weiss.

Members of Congress addressed the delegates speaking on current issues of the economy, the war in Iraq, health care, immigration, trade, US defense measures, and the Employee Free Choice Act. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas’ 18th Congressional District spoke directly on transportation issues and highlighted the hard work of IAM flight attendants.

Other members of Congress speaking were Representative Mike Michaud of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, Representative Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, Representative Linda Sanchez of California’s 39th Congressional District and David Scott of Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.

Other featured speakers included Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, and Tod Hullin, Senior Vice-President, Public Policy of the Boeing Company speaking on the recent Air Force refueling tanker bid being awarded to Airbus.

Delegates lobbied on Capital Hill for two days on issues that affect their daily lives at work and home. The Houston flight attendant delegation met with the staff of Texas Senators, John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Also, Texas Representatives Ted Poe, Al Green, Gene Green, Kevin Brady, Nick Lampson and Sheila Jackson Lee and New Jersey Representatives Steve Rothman, Albio Sires and Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Issues discussed were the Northwest/Delta prospected merger, outsourcing of maintenance of US commercial aircrafts, the need of OSHA safety measures on aircrafts, flight attendants role in TSA’s “multi-layered protection of aircrafts,” health care, Railway Labor Act, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League is the political arm of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.  It was created in 1947 to allow IAM members to gather individual contributions, coordinate political activity, and elect candidates who support IAM members and their families.

Candidates we support know that the MNPL stands for economic justice, security in the workplace and equality for every member.  They do not take us for granted.

The MNPL scrutinizes each candidate thoroughly.  We ask tough questions such as their positions on trade, labor law reform, economic conversion, transportation policies, and enhancement of the U.S. manufacturing base.

The top ten multi-national corporations contributed over $23.6 million to federal candidates during the 2004 election cycle.  Each year, the top ten lobbying organizations for Corporate America spend over $108.7 million to influence Congress and the White House.  To fight back, MNPL needs your help.  Please contribute what you can.

The Department of Labor affects everyone in America who works for a living. The federal agency is charged with improving working conditions, advancing opportunities for profitable employment, protecting workers’ health and safety, strengthening collective bargaining, and administering a variety of federal labor and employment laws.

In the last seven years, Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, has seemingly hijacked the Department of Labor to benefit big business.

American Rights at Work launched ShameOnElaine.org to expose Elaine Chao’s deplorable conduct as Secretary of Labor. The public deserves an honest picture of her administration and its egregious policies affecting workers.  To learn more visit http://shameonelaine.org