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Submissions are in dated order, latest at the beginning.
Please remember that communications about official Union business should be made in writing through the normal chain of command, such as through a steward, local lodge official, or Business Representative, as appropriate. This website is not a substitute for official communications.
From Gregg Parrish
Hi Jon,
I got your e-mail from Lou Proyect. I'm doing Mike Moore's website and one of the bits on it is a daily "mission" for activists. They usually give a brief intro to an issue, provide links for further study, and suggest possible actions people can take. I'd like to focus a lot on labor issues and in giving the working class some kind of sense of empowerment (ie instead of going to your "representatives" go out and kick some ass yourself). Lou said you might be able to halp?
Thanks,
Gregg
Jon,
Thanks for the response! You might want to check out the site now for the general format (www.michaelmoore.com). After today's mission is a link to an archive of past missions. We've covered everything from sweatshops, to the Cuban Embargo (against), to almost every kind of discrimination (unfortunately) in existence.
It's mainly meant to get people active. To not only inform them of current struggles, but to empower them, to make them feel like they don't have to take shit. That we are all in this together and working people gotta look out for one another. So we're looking for information on current struggles (strikes, boycotts, lock-outs, etc) and what people can do to help (send moneyto the strike fund, write the CEO, snuff the CEO...). Anything along those lines would be great.
I love your site. The welder picture is amazing. And it's always good to see a Debs pic.
From: Bob Tousignant >INTERNET:retvetkc@swbell.net
Jon:
Here is a site that you should look at, was sent to me by Brother Dave Pope of LL 356 Please review and forward to all!!!! http://www.safetycongress.com/index.htm
Jon,
I got a flyer in the mail as a result of being a free subscriber to Railway Age
magazine. Thought this might be of interest to you as this is in your neck of the woods.
Sounds to me like it is working towards "ONE BIG RAILROAD" as was envisioned by
I think Cyrus K. Holliday around the turn of the century.
http://www.ipt.com/aboard/nci/nci.htm
Bob Tousignant IAM LL 356 Kansas City Murray Yard, 6-10-99
From Paul Kennedy, May 11, 1999--Please allow me to make a comment on the abolishment of the Heavy running repair jobs. Out here on the west coast, Amtrak, UP, and BNSF do not have specific job descriptions. They are all post the same : "Service and inspection and other machinist duties." Today I chose to work locomotive bottoms, and give a junior man some time out of the pit. My foreman forced me to work tops, and in my opinion violated the machinist agreement. After inspecting a few locomotives, I was sent on a road job to repair a broken door latch on an out bound train. Upon my return, I was back to servicing locomotives, then out to help some hostlers with an air problem, then back to the service track, then to the out bound track to MU and test a consist.
Amtrak had the same system at the Metrolink Facility, except how they got around seniority was to create "technician positions". These were "application" only and the machinist would have to be interviewed by management. Needless to say, these were only doled out to "favorite sons" who may not have been technically knowledgeable, but they were long time Amtrak workers and thus justly rewarded. All I am trying to say to my IAMAW brothers back at Selkirk, is to oppose this at all costs. This will circumvent the whole purpose of seniority which is to prevent rampant favoritism.
From: Jon Flanders--Why labor should oppose the NATO war in the Balkans. The economic background to the role of the IMF and other financial institutions in the breakup of Yugoslavia, the role of investment in Eastern Europe and the military situation analysed by Colonel David Hackworth(Ret.).
From: Bob Dominy--Veterans...get your Cold War Recognition certificate here.
From: Jon Flanders--Celebrate May Day 1999 in Troy this year with a review of Troy's labor history and a Rally and Concert for workers rights.
From: Jon Flanders--A long Washington Post article on the NS takeover of part of Conrail.
From: Stephen Gibbons--Here is the latest District 19 Newsletter for your information. I hope it came through OK.
From Jon Flanders--Read the District 19 communication on Early Retirement, and the response by yours truly.
From Pat Kelley--Answers to the Questions for candidates for General Chairman
From: Jay Cronk-- Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 16:42:38 EST Subject: (no subject) Thought this might be of interest: Keeping In Touch
From: Jay Cronk-- Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 21:25:24 EST For a good place to shop click here: Union Label & Service Trades Department
From: Jay Cronk-- Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 20:49:48 EST Subject: Change Here is another article representing positive change our union has embraced, the first ever Unification Legislative Conference, much too big for your newsletter but again maybe you could link to it on your local website. President's Speech