Legislative Report - January 13, 2010

The Florida AFL-CIO Political Conference was held in Orlando, January 9th - 10th. Mike Williams, President, opened the conference by thanking each member for giving up their weekend. Brian Empsey, Secretary-Treasurer, advised the members that the Florida AFO-CIO is looking for activists with heart and conviction. Ken Johnson, Regional Director/AFL-CIO, thanked all the staff and volunteers that worked so hard dring the past election. Congressman Alan Grayson, District 8, received a standing ovation - look for a bill in the near future to STOP the Billions of dollars going to companies sending our jobs overseas!

Jobs for Jacksonville - Rally

PLEASE JOIN WITH US JAN 26, FOR A RALLY AT THE NEW DUVAL COURTHOUSE JOBSITE. AFTER THE RALLY, WE’LL MARCH TO, AND ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

WHEN: TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, AT 3:OOPM

WHERE: CORNER OF WEST ADAMS, AND NORTH PEARL STREETS

WHY: For the last six months, volunteers from ‘JOBS FOR JACKSONVILLE’, have been regularly attending City Council Meetings, voiced our disapproval of Turner Construction, and have been virtually ignored.

As taxpaying citizens, many unemployed, we are tired of being ignored, and the time is NOW to expose Turners’ unlawful practices to the entire Nation!

FACT: Turner Construction, through their subcontractors have employed undocumented labor, while turning away qualified applicants who are taxpaying Duval County Citizens.

FACT: While acknowledging Turners’ unlawful behavior, rather than entering breech of contract with Turner, the Mayors approach has been an endless series of warnings. Our polls indicate that ten to one, Duval Taxpayers want their Courthouse constructed by local crafts people!

Please come and join us. We anticipate hundreds of taxpayers that agree with our stance, will show up and support our cause. We will not be satisfied until The City adheres to the law and replaces Turner with a reputable contractor, and shows preference to local workers. Bring your family, wear RED shirts, and please BLOG at www.jobsforjacksonville.org

Thank you

RALLY AT THE COURTHOUSE!

Jobs for Jacksonville

We are a grassroots movement, made up of taxpaying citizens of Duval and surrounding counties. Our cause is simple, yet just. We contend that in order for Duval county to recover economically, all municipally funded construction jobs should provide for preferential treatment to local contractors and workers. We also DEMAND from our government, that all undocumented workers be removed from these jobs, contractors that hire them be removed and prosecuted, and that meaningful steps be taken to prevent this from reoccurring on future projects. As of now, the Duval County Courthouse is in the spotlight, but we have a blemished track record here, and many fear that the Grenland Energy Center will continue this infamous tradition.

The purpose of this website is to gather and distribute information, and allow opinions to be voiced on these matters. We encourage participation, and ask that angry citizens contact their Mayor and Council Persons.

LL731 January 2010 Business Meeting

The January 2010 Business meeting of Local Lodge 731 was held on Tuesday, January 12. Special guests included Dora Cervantes, a Grand Lodge representative; John Medeiros, Assistant General Chairperson District Lodge 141; and Sean Ryan, Assistant General Chairperson District Lodge 142.

The Chief Stewards gave reports on their respective units. President Hartless gave his report on the Florida AFL-CIO Political Conference he attended in Orlando, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 8, 9 and 10, 2010.

Robert Campbell (Flytele/BA) was appointed a delegate to the North Florida Central Labor Council (CLC).

Health Care Reform 2010

Obama plunges into health-care talks

White House, unions reach deal on taxing insurance coverage.

Union leaders say they're happy with health-care deal

Click on the Subject Line to read more.

Human Rights in the IAM

SAY NO TO HARASSMENT

We support dignity, diversity and fairness for all our members

The IAM's Department of Human Rights reaffirms the Union's commitment to providing an environment free of harassment and discrimination for all of our members and their communities.


SAY NO TO VIOLATIONS OF PERSONAL DIGNITY

We are dedicated to ensuring that women and minorities are free from discrimination in employment, job training, promotions, access to skilled jobs, and pay. Our programs have been created to uphold dignity, equality and equal opportunity in the workplace - and within every level of the leadership of our Union as well.

IAM policies prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other prohibited grounds.


HOW WE CAN help

The Department of Human Rights will partner with your local and district representatives to:

• Ensure that no behavior is tolerated that undermines the dignity of an individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment


• Counsel members who believe they have suffered discrimination as a result of employer and/or Union action


• Investigate and respond to complaints of discrimination or harassment


• Encourage greater minority and women's participation in Union affairs


• Promote job training for minorities, women, and the differently abled


• Serve as a communications link to other similar human rights organizations


• Keep current on human rights legislation and increase staff underestanding of their duties under the law


• Prepare and distribute manuals and materials to help local and district lodge human rights committees fulfill their missions


• Educate members, union officers and staff on these human rights issues

SAY NO TO DISCRIMINATION

We're here to protect you from harassment, racism and discrimination

One of the IAM's key missions is to guarantee members a safe workplace free from harassment and discrimination of any kind. The IAM takes a strong position in the support of diversity and dignity on the job and in your communities.

When called upon, your Union representatives will listen to your complaints, investigate and advise you of your rights and the options available to you.


SAY NO TO RACISM

For additional information about our services and programs, please contact us

Charlotte Sund, USA
Director, IAMAW Human
Rights Department
9000 Machinists PL
Upper Marlboro,
Maryland, 20772
303-967-4571
esund@iamaw.org

The above information is from the IAM brochure "human rights IN THE IAMAW"

Click on the Subject Line to read more about human rights in the IAM.

Statement: IATA Comment on New US Security Procedures

Geneva - IATA understands the need for government-mandated emergency security measures as a result of the attempted downing of Northwest Flight 253 on 25 December 2009. Security is a government responsibility. Emergency measures should be revised as information is gathered in the investigation.

Click on IATA under Airline Industry News to read more.

U.S. FAA Calls for Inspections of Older Boeing 737s-WSJ

Jan 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has called for enhanced inspections of more than 130 older Boeing (BA.N) 737 planes, the Wall Street Journal said, citing a safety directive that is likely to be issued on Tuesday.

The FAA has asked for enhanced structural inspections to find possible cracks in the fuselage skin of the planes, according to the paper.

Undetected cracks "could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression," the paper cited the FAA's safety directive as saying.

Boeing and the FAA could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours. In July 2009, a 737 operated by Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) developed a foot-wide hole and lost cabin pressure about 30 minutes after takeoff. Inspections in July revealed no problems with 737-300 jetliners flown by Southwest. [ID:nN14286676] (Reporting by Ajay Kamalakaran in Bangalore; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

American Airlines, oneworld partners boost JAL offer

Its a new bidding war for an alliance partner.

Click on Airline Industry News to read the story.

Tokyo Favors Delta Alliance for JAL

TOKYO—Government officials are pushing Japan Airlines Corp. to choose Delta Air Lines Inc. as its new alliance partner over American Airlines parent AMR Corp., according to people familiar with the matter, even as the embattled carrier moves closer to a likely bankruptcy-protection filing.

Click on Airline Industry News to read more.