Two years ago at the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention, delegates voted to pass Resolution No.1: Supporting Committee on the Future of the Union, authorizing the establishment of an IAM Committee on the Future (COTF) chaired by the Resident General Vice President and comprised of 21 members.
The group was created to conduct listening sessions for members in every part of the union and learn what changes and improvements IAM members think are needed to grow the union and develop the next generation of leaders and activists.
Now, after traveling to IAM locals and districts near and far, Committee on the Future members discussed some of the Committee’s findings and recommendations in a panel interview for delegates of the 41st IAM Grand Lodge Convention in New York City.
Director of the William W. Winpisinger Center Mary McHugh moderated the panel and focused discussion on one of the most prevalent and important themes raised by members at COTF listening sessions: union structure and dues.
“Many people don’t understand the structure, they don’t know what the other levels of the union beyond the local lodge do,” said IAM District Lodge W2021 President and Directing Business Representative Chuck Bennett.
“One of their suggestions was that there be more reps,” said Bennett. “A lot of them didn’t know that business reps service many locals across the region. So being transparent about job descriptions is important to them.”
The panelists explored how to better educate members about the union’s structure and the responsibilities of each position and level.
“People want to be more informed about how the organization works,” said IAM Eastern Territory Grand Lodge Representative David DiMaria.
“There’s a desire for an official portal for members to be able to access their contract, see their union representation, and update their information with the union,” said Bennett.
COTF panelists then discussed how the dues structure could be made more competitive and equitable.
“The average membership had no idea how their dues are determined,” said IAM Canada Grand Lodge Representative Scott Jackson.
“They want a breakdown to see how dues money is spent,” said IAM District 19 Assistant President and Directing General Chair Juan Estrada.
In response to that feedback, the Committee heavily deliberated to develop a recommendation on a direction for revising the dues structure.
The Committee presented its full report to the IAM Executive Council in the second week of 2024, and the IAM Executive Council unanimously accepted all of its recommendations.
“I think the Committee on the Future created a sense of comradery,” said Estrada. “We were there to listen to them, and they were happy that we were there to be informed.”
“We came back with a want to get this right,” said IAM District 250 Directing Business Representative Walter Gerlach
In-person COTF meetings were held from May through August 2023, and online sessions were available at the end of September for members who couldn’t attend their nearest meeting.
Committee on the Future Union Structure and Dues panelists:
Juan Estrada, IAM District 19 Assistant President and Directing General Chair
Amanda Andrew, IAM Local 435 Shop Steward
Mary Farley, IAM District 9 Business Representative
Chuck Bennett, IAM District W2021 President and Directing Business Representative
Jason McAdoo, IAM District 142 General Chair
Walter Gerlach, IAM District 250 Directing Business Representative
Scott Jackson, IAM Canada Grand Lodge Representative
David DiMaria, IAM Eastern Territory Grand Lodge Representative