Woodworkers District Lodge W1 IAM

What's New at District W1 IAM

Updated On: Dec 02, 2011 (11:17:00)

The Machinists District W24 new website is located at: http://www.iamw24.org/

Paste the above address to your browser.

Updated On: Jan 10, 2011 (09:22:00)

A NEW IAM DISTRICT!

On January 1, 2011, District Lodge W1 and District Lodge 24 in Portland, Oregon, merged into one District called District Lodge W24. Following is an article written by Joe Kear, a Business Representative of the new District for the Labor Press, which will begin being distributed to the membership beginning in January. The information is written from the perspective of the District 24 membership but also will help the District W1 membership understand the make-up of District W24. I want to thank Joe for putting together a very informative Article.

Robert Wilson

President/DBR

A NEW YEAR, A NEW IAM DISTRICT!

Now We’re IAM DISTRICT W24

By Joe Kear

Business Representative-Organizer

When you thought of the Machinists Union in Portland, you probably thought of the locals in District 24, and the jobs we represent in the Portland area including Boeing, various machine shops, Gerber Knives, Johnson Controls, ConMet, Silver Eagle Manufacturing, the Daimler Truck Plant, diesel mechanic shops, etc. Now we are much more than that, with the creation of the new International Association of Machinists District W24. Our new district organization is chartered to cover Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and yes, even Alaska and Hawaii.

Beginning January 1, our former District 24 no longer exists. Instead we are part of a newly merged district with the IAM Woodworkers District W1. Woodworkers have been part of the IAM since 1994. Woodworkers District W1 has offices in Gladstone, Oregon and has IAM represented shops and mills in some areas of Oregon and Washington where we also have represented shops. Our new combined District W24 is the result of several years of discussions, with a merger agreement reached in October of 2010 and ratified by the District 24 Delegate Council and the District W1 Executive Board. The new District W24 has been approved by our IAM International Executive Council.

Why merge? We have been struggling with expenses during difficult economic times which have resulted in layoffs and fewer members. For instance, we began 2007 with 1300 members at the Daimler Truck Plant and we are beginning this year with 500 members. Our district membership has dropped to about 2800. We have seen large layoffs on the Woodworkers side too. What is the answer? Help people get the Union going at non-represented workplaces. But that takes resources too. A combination of the staffs and the local leaderships from both District 24 and District W1 is a great way to maximize the effectiveness of our organizing efforts. This is the way forward for our Union, and for working people in the Northwest. The newly created District W24 represents a hope of reaching out and helping people who really need representation and rights on the job. We can leverage the strength of our combined numbers to make this a reality. It isn’t an easy task, but with the support of all members and some dedicated work, we can make our organizing efforts succeed.

Of course we can also save money by sharing resources and not duplicating services or areas we represent. That means eventually leaving the current Machinists Building on 32^nd Ave. near Powell Blvd. That building jointly belongs to three Portland locals (63, 1005, 1432), and they have all voted to look into placing the building up for sale. For the time being though, this will still be your location for meetings and for your dues office and your business representative.

By the ratified merger agreement, Bob Wilson from the Woodworkers side is the new President / Directing Business Representative. Bob Petroff from former District 24, Steve Wilson from the Woodworkers W1, and Chip Elliott from the Woodworkers W1 are Assistant Directing Business Representatives. Dan Sass from former District 24 is the Secretary-Treasurer.

Bob Wilson, Dan Sass, Bob Petroff,

President/ DBR Secretary-Treasurer ADBR

Steve Wilson, Chip Elliott,

ADBR ADBR

President/DBR Bob Wilson, and Assistant DBR’s Bob Petroff, Steve Wilson, and Chip Elliott attended the monthly Local 63 and Local 1005 shop steward classes in December to explain how the merger will work.

Bob Wilson offered that “you need to see the merger agreement.” He promised to make the merger agreement and the new District W24 bylaws available to all members very soon. “There are no secrets,” he said. He explained that the merger will not affect the functioning of your local, or your local meeting, except that the meeting location may change in the future. The Labor Press will still be the method of communication to you. The locals on the Woodworkers side have been receiving a newsletter, which will be continued for the time being. The governing body for the new District W24 is a Delegate Council, which will meet at least twice a year. An Executive Board, consisting of the five officers mentioned above, also includes four trustees: John Hall of Local 63, Ray Simonis of Local 1005 and Mike Heuer and Gary Lokan from the Woodworkers side.

Assistant Directing Business Representative Steve Wilson commented that the merger is not between strangers. “We have worked together on the Oregon Machinist Council, on the annual Legislative Conference and more.” He explained that the merger is “the right thing to do. We are dying on the vine if we don’t put it together.” Our new District W24 puts us in the position to focus on organizing.

Bob Wilson commented that Woodworkers side has been aggressive about organizing over the last 18 months. “We have won 6 out of 8 campaigns. We are organizing because it helps us at negotiations. Everyone fails together if we aren’t organized. If we are, we rise together.”

Bob Wilson also pointed out that “…in the long run we will be spending less on administration.” But he emphasized “We won’t sacrifice representation.” He explained that we are combining about 60 union contracts under former District W1 and about the same number under former District 24 for a total of 120 contracts. Add a total membership of over 6000 and a much larger area to cover than the old District 24 and we have a lot to work with.

The former IAM Woodworkers District W1 has approximately 3400 members with locals and union offices in California, Idaho and Washington as well as Oregon. In Oregon there are three locals: W12 in Klamath Falls, W246 in Springfield and W261 in Central Point. Oregon members work at several locations of Weyerhaeuserincluding in Springfield, Collins Products in Klamath Falls, Timber Products in Medford, Georgia Pacific in Coos Bay and Sierra Pine in Springfield. There are five locals in Washington: W2 in Aberdeen, W38 in Shelton, W130 in Centralia, W157 in Tacoma and W536 in Longview. IAM Woodworkers locals represent loggers and drivers as well as every position associated with a mill: electricians, millwrights, machinists, operators, electronic techs and mechanics.

Woodworkers locals also represent public workers in several smaller cities and towns, including Reedsport, Winston, and Elkton in Oregon. Recently the Woodworkers have successfully organized healthcare workers and auto mechanics. If you want to learn more about this part of our newly combined District W24, look up the former District W1 web site at: http://www.woodworkersdist1iam.org.

The next time you think of your union, you can think with pride that our new District W24 represents many different occupations and trades and regions of the Northwest and we are stronger for that. And if you know someone who is in need of a union at their job, remember to tell them about your own IAM District W24. With this new district, the IAM is in a good position to represent them too!

Woodworkers District W1 Newsletter October 21, 2010

Posted On: Oct 21, 2010 (13:24:21)

Logistic Solution Group Ratifies First Contract

Employees of Logistic Solution Group ratified a first contract on October 4^th in Tacoma Washington. After nearly one year of bargaining an agreement was reached thanks to this crew that stuck together through this long process. The Committee did an outstanding job with the assistance of Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin and District W1 Business Representatives Noel Willet and Wayne Thompson. We wish to welcome the 55 new members to Woodworkers Local Lodge W157 in Tacoma. Wayne Thompson has been assigned as the District Business Representative to assist this group.

Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Ratifies First Contract

On October 7^th the employees of Montesano Health and Rehabilitation voted to accept their first Union contract. Bargaining began in July of 2009 and the process took 14 months to complete. We wish to welcome these 82 new members, who are members of Woodworkers Local Lodge W2 in Aberdeen Washington. This contract was hard fought and without a strong committee it would have never been completed. Wayne Thompson and Marvin Abbott were the Representatives of District W1 who assisted with this contract. Marvin Abbott will be the area District Representative for this contract.

Bargaining Continues at Rabey Trucking

The company is preparing a proposal for the Union to review in an attempt to resolve our differences and reach agreement on a contract. When the proposal is complete Noel Willet will be talking with the crew to see what they wish to do.

Wayne Bare Trucking Contract Talks Continue

On November 2^nd bargaining will continue to reach an agreement on a first contract at Wayne Bare Trucking in Arcata California. This bargaining has been in process for nearly a year and the bargaining committee feels that a tentative agreement is now within reach. Many of the issues that caused the employees of Wayne Bare Trucking to seek for representation have been addressed. There are approximately 65 drivers involved in this unit. Marty Demaris has been the lead in bargaining this agreement.

Timber Sales Arbitration in Arbitrators Hands

The briefs have been sent to the Arbitrator in the Weyerhaeuser Timber Sales case. A decision is due by the end of October.

Get Out to Vote November 2^nd

Members of IAM Woodworkers District Lodge W1 are encouraged to go to the poles on November 2^nd.

Woodworkers District W1 Newsletter September 10, 2010

Updated On: Sep 16, 2010 (10:25:00)

WOODWORKERS DISTRICT W1 WIN FIRST CONTRACT AT BOEING

On August 31^st District W1 with the assistance of Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blonden reached a tentative contract agreement with Boeing in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The four-flight simulator instructors ratified the agreement by a unanimous vote and are now members of Local Lodge W12 in Klamath Falls. This was the first ratification of a newly organized unit since the new organizing emphasis began in District W1 in 2009. There are three other first contracts being bargained in the District and we hope to conclude bargaining on these in the near future.

LABOR BOARD YET TO RULE ON BARRIER WEST

As of September 8^th we are still awaiting word from the National Labor Relation Board on Certification of Election at Barrier West in Aberdeen, Washington. On May 24, 2010, the crew at Barrier West in Aberdeen voted to be represented by IAM Woodworkers Local Lodge W2 in Aberdeen, Washington. The company has appealed the election results to the National Labor Relations Board and as of this date, the Labor Board has not sent down a decision on this case.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DISTRICT W1 TO REVIEW MERGER AND BY-LAWS PROPOSAL

On September 9^th the Executive Board will have a meeting at the District office in Gladstone. The topic of the meeting will be the proposed merger of District 24 and District W1 into one District. The Merger and By-Laws proposals come after eight months of discussions. There are over 3,000 members in Woodworkers District W1 and 2,800 members in District 24. The proposed merger of the two Districts will involve changes at the District level; however, there will be no changes to the Locals in respect to name of the Local or Union Dues as a result of this merger. A merger agreement will be in place to meld the two Districts into one, over a four-year period. The new District will be lead by the President / Directing Business Representative of the “heritage” Woodworkers District W1 until 2014 when an election of officers will take place. The Local Lodge Presidents, who are not members of the District E- Board, will be invited to a meeting to express their concerns and have their questions answered about the merger on September 28^th. On October 14^th the Executive Board will be called back to the District Office in Gladstone to vote on ratification of the Merger of the two Districts.

WEYERHAEUSER ANNOUNCES ANOTHER SALE

Weyerhaeuser announced the sale of the landfill in Longview located at the end of Headquarters Road. All the waste from the Mill and the Sort Yard is hauled up there by train. Cowlitz County is the puchaser of the operation and plans to utilize our members if needed. Our plans are to keep the busness organized and continue the wages and benefits that are provdided today. Theseworkers are members of Woodworkers Local Lodge W536 in Longview.

DENNY HECK

Denny Heck is a businessman, an entrepreneur and the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of creating jobs and growing businesses in the private sector.

Denny is the only candidate in this race who made job creation the single most important issue on the first day of this campaign as well. A vote for Heck is a vote for jobs. How do we get there?

- “If we do not comprehensively reform Wall Street and its casino capitalism, no job is safe.” – Denny Heck

o Denny is the only candidate in this race who called for comprehensive Wall Street reform, and continues to advocate for improvements on the law that just passed. Reining in these Wall Street banks and reckless CEO’s will mean more credit flowing to Main Street, and businesses hiring again.

- A Green and Clean Energy Economy means thousands of new jobs right here in Southwest Washington.

o From wood chips to windmills, Washington’s 3^rd Congressional District has nearly unlimited potential to create jobs for a clean energy economy. That means more workers in the woods, more workers to retrofit our homes and office buildings, and more skilled workers for high-tech products we can manufacture right here and export overseas from our ports.

- We need to move Southwest Washington forward by fixing our embarrassing infrastructure deficit.

o Southwest Washington is blessed with transportation infrastructure that, if properly working, will allow companies to move products and goods to market quickly and efficiently, and get people to and from work to spend quality time with the family. That means replacing the Columbia River Crossing on Interstate 5, helping our ports streamline rail access and keeping the Columbia River navigable for our exports.

Denny Heck grew up in the Lake Shore area of Vancouver in Clark County, where he and his family spent the summers and fall hunting, fishing and fully appreciating the natural beauty of Southwest Washington. Gun ownership is a right, and importantly a family tradition for the people of Southwest Washington. “I’m a respecter of individual citizen’s rights under the second amendment,” he said recently in an interview on KING-5 news.

With over a decade of growing several small businesses in Washington State and creating, Denny is ready to get to Congress and actually get something done. Heck is perhaps best known however, for creating TVW in 1993, Washington State’s version of C-SPAN, that brought an unprecedented level of transparency and openness to our state government. Prior to that, Heck served as Chief of Staff to Governor Booth Gardner and was elected to five terms in the State House representing Clark County in 1976.

The choice in this election is very clear. Elect Denny Heck, who has a plan to get people back to work in good jobs and get our economy moving again. Or go back to the same failed policies that got us into this economic mess in the first place.

District Lodge Newsletter of August 13, 2010

Updated On: Sep 10, 2010 (10:40:00)

WEYERHAEUSER TIMBER SALES/ JOB SECURITY ISSUE IN THE ARBITRATOR'S HANDS

On August 10^th Arbitrator Eric Lindauer heard the arbitration of the grievance on Timber Sales and Job Security in the Weyerhaeuser PeEll and Aberdeen Woods contracts. Arbitrator Lindauer was presented testimony by Woodworkers District W1 Retired President / Director Steve Fluke, President / Director Robert Wilson and Assistant Director Chip Elliott and Weyerhaeuser Representatives Jim Johnston, Brad Kittselman, Doug Mays and Brian McDonald. The Arbitrator’s duty is to interpret and apply the agreement, with no power to add to or subtract from or modify any terms of the agreement. His decision is final and binding on both sides. With the information presented, we now await his decision to determine if the Company has the right to do Timber Sales while bargaining unit employees are laid off due to lack of need for harvesting, or to uphold the grievance on behalf of the Union members. The Union’s position on this issue is no one should be harvesting timber on Weyerhaeuser Timberlands in areas, where bargaining unit employees are laid off, with the exception provided for in the contract or Salvage and Right of Way logging which was agreed to in the severance document of July, 2009. The results of this Arbitration should be known in late October.

WEYERHAEUSER ANNOUNCES SALE OF THEIR RAILROAD LINES

The week of July 19^th Weyerhaeuser announced they had a tentative agreement to sell all the Railroad lines they own in the U.S. One of those lines will affect members of Woodworkers Local Lodge W536 in Longview, Washington. The announcement said the potential buyer Patriot had 90 days to establish funding and get all permits in order. An additional 90 days will be needed to close the deal. Woodworkers District Lodge W1 Assistant Director Chip Elliott has been in close contact with our members and the company concerning the Rail Line. Our intention is to work out an agreement with Patriot to continue our relationship with the Railroad and provide job security for the workers involved. We will not be able to determine what will take place until the sale actually happens.

BARGAINING TO START AT BOEING

On July 27, 2010, the IAM Woodworkers District Lodge W1 was certified as the bargaining agent for Training Device Technicians at Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base in Klamath Falls, Oregon. One hundred percent of the workers voted to join our union. Bargaining will begin on August 30^th and continue through September 2, 2010, if necessary. Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blonden has been assigned by the International to assist in bargaining this contract.

WOODWORKERS UNION HANDBILL WEYERHAEUSER PLANTS

On August 5, 2010, Woodworkers District Lodge W1 with the assistance of the Local Lodges hand billed the employees of all Northwest Hardwoods, Weyerhaeuser Mills on the West Coast. Mills are located in Eugene and Garibaldi, Oregon and Arlington and Centralia, Washington. Weyerhaeuser announced on July 22^nd their intent to sell all Northwest Hardwoods operations in the U.S. Our belief is this group has always believed Weyerhaeuser when they were told you don’t need a Union--we will take care of you. Clearly that has changed. The non-union Northwest Hardwoods employees have lost benefits over the past couple years, working conditions have changed, and now Corporate Weyerhaeuser has decided the Hardwood Mills no longer fit their future plans. One Northwest Hardwood plant is organized in Longview, Washington. The working relationship with the Union has been very good and benefits have been maintained at the Longview Plant.

BARGAINING CONTINUES TOWARDS FIRST CONTRACTS

Montesano Health and Rehabilitation contract bargaining is nearing completion. There are a few areas of strong disagreement that continue to exist and will need to be resolved before the vote is scheduled with the members at Montesano.

Wayne Bare Trucking, bargaining will continue on August 17^th in Arcata, California. Talks have been progressing on schedule.

LSG bargaining in Tacoma, Washington, will continue the week of August 16^th. This a service contract on the Joint Lewis McCord base. Talks are progressing on schedule.

NLRB TO RULE ON ORGANIZING WIN

On May 24^th Woodworkers District W1 won an election for representation at Barrier West in Aberdeen, Washington. The Employer has challenged the election to the Regional Director of the NLRB. The Regional Director recommended the election be certified. The employer then appealed to the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C. We are waiting for the results of that appeal and believe the election will soon be certified and bargaining of a contract will begin.

UNION BARGAINS IMPROVEMENTS TO IFA AGREEMENT

On July 19^th the Local Lodge bargaining committees along with the Woodworkers District W1 Representative bargained wage adjustments during a mid-termwage opener that was called for in the last contract bargain. Improvements came mostly in longevity wage increases. Business Representative Noel Willet lead the bargain and continues to work on the safety incentive program at the Nurseries.

NO AGREEMENT REACHED AT RABEY TRUCKING

Business Representative Noel Willet will be bringing the Rabey Trucking members together to discuss the employers proposal to resolve the contract. Our members at Rabey trucking are very supportive of this Company and understand the economic position of the Company but expect no less than a break- even contract.

MERGER TALKS CONTINUE BETWEEN DISTRICT W1 AND DISTRICT 24

On August 19^th the staff of District W1 and the staff of District 24 will meet in Gladstone at the District W1 office. The purpose of the meeting will be to go over the proposed By-Laws and Merger Agreement of a merged District. On September 9^th the Executive Board of District Lodge W1 will meet in Gladstone for a special meeting to go over the proposed By-Laws and Merger Agreement. After both groups have had time to look the proposals over and have had their questions answered, a time will be set in October for Executive Board action on the proposed merger. The proposal includes the newly established District to be lead by the President / Directing Business Representative of the legacy Woodworkers District Lodge W1 until the first election cycle in 2014. Woodworkers Local Lodges will not have an additional dues increase because of this proposed merger. Any increases will be because of Convention action at the International level or action by the District Delegate Council, which would be made up of Local Lodge representatives. Our intent is to have this merger in place by January 1, 2011. There are slightly over 3000 District W1 Woodworker members and 2800 District 24 members at this time due to lay-offs.

ORGANIZING ACTIVITY CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT

Woodworkers District Lodge W1 staff along with the Volunteer Organizing Committees in the Local Lodge are keeping the pressure on organizing. Activity is occurring in nearly every area we have Local Lodges. If you are aware of friend or neighbors in non-union operations that feel a need for working rules and better benefits, contact the District Office at 1-503-656-1475 or talk to a representative when they come to your area.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MNPL CONTRIBUTIONS

This year due to economy contributions from our members to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political fund is lacking. This fund comes from donations (usually payroll deducted with your permission) from your paychecks. To be a sponsoring member of the MNPL the contribution rate is $25.00 per year. That is approximately $1.05 per payday. The monies from this fund goes to support political supporters of labor regardless of which party they belong to. Before donations are made, the governing body of the MNPL fund must be convinced the political candidate has the interests of working men and women as their foremost priority. Become a sponsoring member of the MNPL and help make a difference in the actions of those who are in office to take care of working families. If you are unsure how to become a sponsoring member, contact your Local Union Office.