IAM Local Lodge 778 is a united Lodge representing workers in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.  We are located in south Kansas City just 1/2 mile west of 71 Highway or 1 mile west of I-435 at 9404 Grandview Road.  Meeting on the 2^nd Saturday of each month.

Mailing address is:

Kansas City, MO. 64132

This Web Page last updated on Saturday, December 13, 2008 07:05 PM

Convention Report by Greg Goold.

As hurricane Ike was growing in the Caribbean, delegates to the 37^th Grand Lodge Convention of the IAM&AW were arriving in Orlando, FL to begin what promised to be a historic convention. The delegates to this convention would set the course of our Union for the next 4 years and possibly for many years to come. It could be as stormy as hurricane Ike if revenue was not increased. Or it could be clear and calm with a dues increase if you believed what President Tom Buffenbarger and the Grand Lodge representatives had been talking about all year. With the drama in place, the delegates ready to take on the storms arrived in sunny Florida.

 During Saturday and Sunday over 1500 IAM member delegates arrived at Coronado Springs Resort on the property of Walt Disney World from the U.S., Canada, and Guam, with every IAM Territory represented. Delegates were checked in and received their credentials and convention packet. The line was often long, snaking out of the meeting room and down the hall for several hundred feet at times.

Walking into the hall for the first time was truly a scene to be remembered. The hall was the size of a football field with the end zones included; a sea of tables each with 12 chairs all facing a 200-foot long stage dominated by the largest video screen ever erected. Two additional huge video screens were hung on the front walls on each side of the stage for the far right and left seats to see better. On the right sidewall was hung an American flag; all the way over on the left sidewall was hung the Canadian flag. A central aisle split the delegate tables from the Stars and Stripes to the Canadian Maple Leaf. Six microphone stands were spaced every other cross aisle all the way across the hall and numbered 1 through 6. Each territory had its own area and delegations were staking out their claims, trying to get seats in a good spot as the seating was only reserved by territory not delegation. This was truly a sight to remember.

Lodge 778 dropped stakes at the 3^rd table from the back in the second section from the right hand wall after the doors were opened Sunday at 1 p.m. We then had to guard our chairs from squatters from other Locals and Districts that were out hunting. Unfortunately, our entire delegation never did get to sit as one complete group for any session throughout the week. We did finally get all 12 of one row and 3 seats in the next row back, but 2 of our members were not seated with the rest of the group. The delegate members of LL778 were: Louis Anaya, Danny Brooks, Bob Cary, Ken Cox, Dan Dickerson, Mike Franklin, Greg Goold, Randy Hallock, Ronald Hazley, Steve Johnson, Don Long, Janice McMillian, Landon Miner, Jerome JR Rogers, Elmer Seamster, Berta Washington and Paula Welcher

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 The convention was called to order at 2 PM. The Boy Scouts of the Central Florida Council paraded the colors into the hall with Pipes and Drums from the Orlando Fire Department escorting; President Tom Buffenbarger was presiding.

 The IAM celebrated its 120 year anniversary with a ceremony that included a procession of members, many dressed in period accurate work clothes, representing Local Lodges that were founded in each decade since the IAM was founded in 1888. Paula Welcher represented LL778 in the ceremony for the 7^th decade from 1948 to 1957. It was an impressive sight to see 12 decades of members from across this nation lined up on stage representing 120 years of organized labor. At the end of the ceremony “The Bell” was brought in and rang. The bell symbolizes freedom that organized labor represents and the fight it has taken to win the freedom. More on the bell later...

 The theme of the convention was the “Four Universal Freedoms” taken from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address to Congress on January 6, 1941. The Four Freedoms FDR proposed are four points. Fundamental freedoms humans everywhere in the world should to enjoy, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The guest speaker to introduce the theme was FDRs’ grandson James Roosevelt, who made the point in his speech that the Four Freedoms are just as important today in our global economy as they were in 1941. The theme for each day of the convention would be one of the four points, with panelists and discussion groups taking each one and relating it to today’s labor movement.

 President Buffenbarger delivered a speech that started with calling out the “Corporate Rottweillers running today’s business”...”we are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.” “12 years out of the last 20 have been Bush League politics and the Bush error (era).” “The choices that confronted FDR are similar to the choices that confront the Unions of today, we will not do as the AFL-CIO does, mortgage the future to pay for the present. Weakness is not an option. Plan B is needed, a new dues structure is needed now for our Union to remain strong and prepared for the future.” Those are just some quotes from it. The focus was already on the financial situation of the IAM, and President Buffenbarger was challenging the convention to provide for the means for the IAM&AW to take the lead as the strongest and most democratic Union in the nation.

 Over the week of the convention we as delegates read, debated and voted on 28 Resolutions and 79 Proposals that had been submitted. Sunday we jumped right in and started with proposals. Right away someone called for a division of the house on a vote and President Buffenbarger explained that this would be about 7 ½ hours to complete. Did we really want to do this? The division of the house was voted down and we continued with business. Don Long was appointed to the Health, Safety & Workplace Benefits Committee by the Executive Committee prior to adjournment at 6:50 PM. The convention hours for the week would be 8:30 to 12:30 and 2:00 until 6:00 each day, with Saturday a possibility if we were not able to finish business on Friday.

 Fear in the workplace is the theme for Mondays’ session. During one of the panel discussions chemical and biological hazards are the topic of a discussion panel. There are more than 1.4 million different types of chemical substances in the workplace today, but less than 2% of the substances are actually tested thoroughly enough for safe guards to be established. However employers have now started genetic testing to protect themselves against lawsuits. This could be used against the employee when a predisposition for a disease or genetic marker for some other type of malady is found. This has serious and far-reaching implications now and in the future. The IAM is taking the lead in fighting for regulation to prevent this type of profiling.

 The financial report is read, the IAM is over $58,000,000 in the red. We have 416,916 members as of 2007 and without a more sympathetic administration in office we will see additional losses.

 The bell is missing! It may be a hostage, being held for ransom. More information will be available later.

 Senator Hillary Clinton addressed the delegation in person right after commencement of the afternoon session. Whether you agree with her politics or not, she is a very dynamic speaker in person. She received many standing ovations during her speech and delivered a very pro-union and pro-Obama speech. Every delegate was furnished an IAM for Clinton poster and at the end of her speech most were standing and waving posters. This set the scene for a historic swearing in of Sister Hillary Rodham Clinton as an honorary IAM member. Only two other people in the history of the IAM have been sworn in as honorary members. Moon walking astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and Kansas City, Kansas native and Wyandotte High School graduate Ed Asner who played Lou Grant. Sister Hillary Clinton now joins them and us as IAM members.

Directly after Sister Clinton’s swearing in, President Buffenbarger nominated Senator Barack Obama as the endorsed presidential candidate of the IAM. Senator Obama’s name is put forth on the floor for vote and the vote was thunderously approved.

 An anonymous note had been found regarding the bell. $20,000 is needed for the return of the bell payable to the Machinists Non Partisan League (MNPL). Or the bell may end up keeping the fish company.

 Tuesday’s theme was freedom of speech with panelists and guest speakers taking the stage most of the morning. Lodge 778 was recognized on stage and represented by LL778 Secretary Treasurer Don Long who received for the Local Lodge a plaque for organizing 250 or more new members in an unaffiliated local in the Midwest district.

 When we returned from lunch we were greeted by the proposal everyone had been anticipating. The committee on law’s proposal for dues change booklet had been placed before each seat. There were 74 proposed amendments turned in by Local Lodges and one by the IAM Executive Council. Many stated similar proposals and were grouped together. Many set dollar amounts, some provided for a one-time levy, and others for varying percentages of increases. Nearly 200 delegates attended the law committees hearings, a few spoke in favor of the 2% proposal but the majority voiced concerns about it. All were considered by the committee on law and included in the proposal booklet. As per convention rules the entire proposal was read prior to any debate.

 According to the booklet, the break down of per capita paid to the Grand Lodge was stated as this. “Every dollar of the Grand Lodge per capita goes directly to representing our members. Right off the top 10% goes to the strike fund; 17% is returned to the districts and locals to pay half the salaries of their business representatives and general chairpersons (the IAM is the only Union that does this). Large sums go to lodges as special dispensations and servicing donations. What’s left supports the departments that provide essential services to our members, such as Strategic Resources, Collective Bargaining, Legal, Communications, and all the others”.

 The condensed and clarified proposal quoted directly from the proposal booklet states: “Leave the current per capita methodology largely intact. Base annual per capita increases on the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, rather than the cumbersome survey of weighted average hourly increases. Adjust the base per capita in two installments: add $5.00 in 2009 and $1.00 in 2011 (these increases will not automatically lead to any increase in district lodge per capita taxes that are over the minimum). Leave the current percentages in place for district lodge per cap, eliminate the five methods for calculating dues, and allow districts and locals to set their own dues rates and collection methods based on their particular needs. Clarify the situations in which special dispensation is available. Make Grand Lodge collection of membership dues voluntary except in cases of chronic failure to remit monies and reports as required by the IAM Constitution.”

 The entire proposal takes 5 pages in the booklet to describe.

 As the reading was nearing the end delegates started to line up at the microphones. Debate was opened and immediately it was clear that the Consumer Price Index was confusing the delegates as many questions for clarification were directed at that point. Debate was heated at times but 15 delegates spoke in favor of adopting and 3 spoke against adoption. Still, confusion over the CPI was evident. A motion was made from the floor to send it back to committee for further review. The voice vote was too close to call so a standing vote was called from the chair. The result was 950 to send it back to committee, 376 to retain on the floor. The motion carried and this proposal was sent back for further review.

 Freedom from want was Wednesday’s theme with guest speaker Mike Huckabee former Republican Governor of Arkansas speaking. He thanked the IAM for the endorsement in his presidential primary candidacy. Also making the point that, “The worst thing that has happened to this country in a generation is that we are losing our capacity to manufacture our own weapons of self-defense.” “The day that we outsource the last manufacturing job is the day that we’ve outsourced our freedom.”

 During the afternoon session the committee on law took the podium at 3 p.m. for the reading of the returned per capita tax proposal. During the reading the microphone lines started to fill up. President Buffenbarger cleared the lines requesting all to return to their seats. Debate opened again about 3:20 with microphones 1, 3, and 5 reserved for delegates wishing to speak against the proposal and microphones 2, 4, and 6 reserved for delegates wishing to speak for the proposal. Debate again was focused on the CPI mainly but several points of clarification were requested. Microphone station 2 had well over 150 delegates lined up. Lodge 778 Delegates Greg Goold, JR Rodgers, and Ron Hazley were numbers 20, 21, and 22 respectively in line. The lines behind microphones 1, 3, and 5 each averaged about 15 to 20. This was a clear indication that the majority of the delegation was in favor of the revised proposal.

 The revision was the $5.00 first year increase was reduced to $4.00 and the $1.00 third year increase was increased to $2.00. The question was called after 11 delegates voiced their concerns or opinions. Several points of clarification were allowed by the chair, then the Chairman was challenged from the floor. The vote for challenge failed by voice vote so the vote to accept the proposal as amended continued. All that was needed was a voice vote to pass, it was clear that the delegates were in favor of the proposal. The gavel dropped and a thunderous applause erupted in the hall. History, according to President Tom Buffenbarger, had just been made. President Buffenbarger congratulated the delegation in providing the necessary means to insure that the IAM continues to be the greatest Union.

 Thursday’s theme was freedom of religion and a diverse group of panelists talked to the subject of religion and the separation of government and religion. Former Secretary of State Dean Acheson’s son David, addressed the delegation on the 56^th anniversary of a national prime time radio broadcast that then Secretary of State Acheson of Harry S Truman’s administration gave to the 1952 IAM convention. This was a testament to President Truman’s commitment to organized labor and the IAM, and focused on U.S. foreign relations and the eight-year winter we are now in with the current administration.

 The delegation covered a lot of amendments, proposals, and committee reports during the day. Time was getting short and many delegates were being excused to travel back to the Gulf States prior to hurricane Ike coming on shore. Airline travel to the Southwest was already being effected.

 The big announcement came prior to adjournment: Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama would speak to the delegation tomorrow via live direct satellite hook-up, visitors to the proceedings would be welcome.

 Friday’s proceedings opened with a sea of blaze orange vests with IAM and TNT (The November 4^th Team), Obama Biden campaign posters and buttons were laid out at each delegate’s chair, all in preparation for the live speech. President Buffenbarger warmed up the crowd until Barack Obama came on at 8:40. He gave a rousing if somewhat disjointed speech due to the time delay of the satellite feed. There were times the delegation was applauding when he was speaking, but that was only a minor issue.

The message was dynamic and clear: Senator Obama stands with the middle class. He wants to provide legislature and programs to help the working man and woman, curb the excesses of the CEO’s and corporations that offshore and out-source jobs, and promote fair trade instead of free trade. He encouraged us as union members we need to stand together to help pass the Employee Free Choice Act. One of his first items on his agenda if elected will be to push EFCA through congress for passage. A rousing standing ovation finished the speech.

After the speech the delegation got back to finishing up the remaining committee reports. Mike Wipinsinger was recognized for life service to the IAM. Newsletter and web site awards were handed out on stage. There are many very good web sites and newsletters out there, if you get time check out District Lodge 70, NFFE 1 in Washington D.C., and District Lodge 947 web sites. Our LL778 web site is pretty good too!

 The bell has been found! It was found safe and returned after ransom payment of $21,000 to MNPL was received. It looked as good as new.

 The convention was dismissed around 3:30 P.M. with President Buffenbarger announcing Toronto, Canada as the next IAM Grand Lodge Convention site in 2012.

 Sunday to Friday, six days of IAM Grand Lodge convention drama: the threat of a hurricane, expensive bad food, hard lumpy beds, air conditioners that wouldn’t cool, hot water that wouldn’t heat, James Roosevelt, Senators Clinton and Obama, and former Governor Huckabee. Include a compromise dues increase that will provide for the union for at least the next 4 years, yes, this was an experience that will not be forgotten.

 The delegation that represented Local Lodge 778 took their responsibility seriously. We were well aware that we represented your wishes. You placed us in this position and entrusted us to make the decisions that you would have made had you been there. Every delegate provided input and was diligent in carrying out their responsibilities. We had members represent us in committees, on stage, at the microphones, receiving awards and recognition, selling tickets and generally participating in the convention of the most democratic union in this great nation. It was a great honor to be selected as a member of your delegation and I believe that I can speak for all the delegation when I say, “thank you” for the trust and privilege of attending the 37^th IAM Grand Lodge Convention.

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Editor  Greg (Homer) Olson      

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