IAM and AW District Lodge 190

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April 2010/January 2010 Vol. 12, No. 2

Letters to the Editor

We're glad to print "Letters" when we get them, but none were received this edition. If something in The Sparkplug makes you happy or mad or inspires you to action, write us a letter. All letters will be used, space permitting. They may be edited for length or grammar, but not for content. Letters may be submitted as follows:

E-mail: dchaplan@mindspring.com • fax: 510-288-1346

Mail: IAM District 190, 7717 Oakport Drive, Oakland, CA 94621

Machinists Back TRADE Act at Concord Congressional Hearing

A vocal contingent of IAM members took part in a Congressional hearing in Concord on January 21 to support passage of the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act of 2009. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME), would revamp U.S. trade policy to provide a measure of protection for American workers and include enforceable labor, environmental and human rights standards. The legislation would also create a way to enforce the standards in existing "free trade" policies, including NAFTA, CAFTA, and the WTO.

"Our labor trade policies have failed to deliver on the promise of globalization. Instead, they have created untenable trade deficits, eroded our manufacturing base, and placed tremendous downward pressure on wages and benefits for ordinary Americans," said Western Territory GVP Gary Allen.

Also attending the rally were Congressmembers George Miller and John Garamendi. A majority of the 256 - member House Democratic Caucus endorses the TRADE Act.

"We need to push policies that will reverse the damage caused by previous trade agreements so that we can create jobs here, not ship them overseas," said Miller, a 35-year House veteran who has opposed all of the major trade deals dating back to NAFTA. "These trade agreements – I didn't vote for any of them. They were wrong then, and they're wrong now."

Garamendi said that he would not support trade deals unless they provide the protection that every human being on this planet deserves. "We should not reward deplorable labor and environmental conditions abroad only to see jobs exported at home. There is nothing 'free' about oppressive labor conditions."

"In the last decade the U.S. has lost more than five million manufacturing jobs; jobs that have historically been the key to a middle class life," said GVP Allen. "We have seen employers move to places where they can repress workers' rights, disregard the environment, and engage in illegal trade practices. This legislation requires that we fix our failed trade agreements before we enter into new pacts."

IAM Testifies for High Speed Rail in Palo Alto

On January 21, IAM staff and members went to the Palo Alto City Hall to testify before the Senate Budget Fiscal Review Committee in support of the high speed rail proposal. The event was a joint hearing of the Senate Transportion and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Simitian, and the Senate Budget Committee.

Area Director Tom Brandon testified on the need for jobs as did several members of Local 1414 and the San Mateo Central Labor Council.

"I told them that this feels a lot like it did in the 60s, when cities in the North Bay and South Bay put their heads in the sand and opposed BART. Now they're crying. We can't be in the same position in 30 years around high speed rail," Brandon said.

"We need jobs and we need infrastructure. Unfortunately, we're dealing with "not in my backyard" naysayers," he explained. "High speed rail will be cool. It will provide the access and the ability to get from the Bay Area to Los Angeles in 2-3 hours without having to go to an airport.

To read more, download the current issue of the Sparkplug.