Aerospace Conference Opens in Hartford, CT

   From iMail

 While 81,000 skilled Machinists were building aircraft engines, rocket launchers and defense systems across North America, their representatives were working hard at the 2003 IAM Aerospace Conference.
     At the five-day event held in Hartford, CT, delegates heard detailed financial presentations, took part in negotiations workshops and gave individual reports about their worksites across the U.S. and Canada.
     Employers like Boeing, Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney were sharply rebuked for using the 9-11 tragedy to accelerate the layoff of thousands of employees while shifting more and more assembly work overseas.
     "The global politics of greed are killing this industry," said GVP Bob Thayer who chaired the conference. "Until we change the laws that allow these companies to indulge their worst corporate instincts, the bleeding of jobs will continue."
     Nearly every speaker echoed the need for more political action and involvement. "Things will not get better until we make them better," exclaimed Aerospace Coordinator Dick Schneider. "The upcoming presidential election is undoubtedly the best chance we have to reverse the damage being done to our industry," added GST Warren Mart.
     Additional events planned for this week include a rally at the front gates of United Technologies Corporation and legislation drafted by delegates to protect aerospace jobs across North America.