hange was in the air on “It was fabulous,” said Joe January 20, 2009. Flanders, Directing Business Shortly after the stroke Representative of IAM District Lodge of noon – while under 4, who traveled from Brunswick, the watchful gaze of Maine to Washington, DC, with his Cmillions on the National Mall and family and several other IAM mem- billions more in front of television bers to witness the historic event. and computer screens here and “For me and all the people around across the globe – the United States us, it felt like anything is possible. It’s of America officially inaugurated its never been that way. Never have I 44th chief executive: President seen a president come into office . with the amount of excitement he’s Many in attendance – buried in generated.” several layers of clothing while “My fellow citizens,” said braving the bone-chilling cold and Obama in his first address as U.S. engulfed in a sea of people – said it President. “I stand here today hum- was like nothing they’ve ever expe- bled by the task before us, grateful rienced before. for the trust you have bestowed, AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World 10 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 ”The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” President Barack Obama AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 11 mindful of the sacrifices African-American president. said the President. “The borne by our ancestors… He symbolizes a new begin- time has come to reaffirm Let us mark this day with ning. A break from our our enduring spirit; to remembrance, of who we nation’s past. An end to the choose our better history; to are and how far we have last eight years. A chance for carry forward that precious traveled.” new ideas and new opportu- gift, that noble idea, passed Our new president is, nities. A new vision. A new on from generation to gen- undoubtedly, a man of hope. A new spirit. eration: the God-given many firsts. The most obvi- promise that all are equal, ous, of course, is the color First Priority: all are free and all deserve a of his skin. But for many, Recovery chance to pursue their full Barack Obama represents “The time has come to measure of happiness.” more than just the first set aside childish things,” Just two weeks into the

12 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness c 2009 Kaveh Sardari / Group Page One is never a given. It must be earned.”

— President Barack Obama

With his hand on the same Bible that was used to administer the oath of office to , Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United Photo Wide AP/ World States. Obama’s inauguration brings a much-needed new spirit to the nation in a time of national crisis.

job, and the president’s “Our journey has never have carried us up the long, desk is already filled with been one of shortcuts or set- rugged path towards prosper- pressing issues – many of tling for less. It has not been ity and freedom.” which impact working the path for the faint-heart- families. The good news is ed – for those who prefer Strong Record Obama has a commend- leisure over work, or seek Since being elected as a able record on that score. only the pleasures of riches U.S. Senator in 2004, he’s “In reaffirming the and fame. Rather, it has voted in favor of working greatness of our nation, we been the risk-takers, the families 98 percent of the understand that greatness doers, the makers of things – time. He's voted to raise is never a given. It must be some celebrated but more the minimum wage, pro- earned,” said the President often men and women vide overtime pay, equal in his inaugural address. obscure in their labor, who pay and family medical

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 13 “ The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but

whether it works.” — President Barack Obama good on that promise: “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too

AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World small, but whether it works,” he said. “Whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, pro- grams will end.” Shore Up Economy His first priority is to shore up America’s failing economy. Companies everywhere are scrambling to save money – at The mortgage crisis was just the tip of the iceberg of an economic the expense of workers. The storm that is sweeping across North America and the rest of the U.S. Labor Department reports world’s economies. that more than 11 million leave, to protect Medicare Obama pledged through- people are currently without and children’s health insur- out his presidential cam- work. Data shows 2.6 million ance, and stop the privatiza- paign to protect our inter- jobs were lost in 2008 alone, tion of federal jobs. ests. And during his inaugur- at a speed faster than anything In 2007, he introduced al address, he acknowledged economists have seen since the Patriot Employer Act, his intentions on making 1975. Sadly, the U.S. manufac- which provides a tax credit turing sector continues to get for companies maintaining hit with a record number of full-time workers, providing mass layoffs. Factory job losses health insurance, preparing totaled nearly 800,000 last workers for retirement, and year. Economists expect those maintaining their corporate Photo Wide AP/ World numbers to mount. headquarters in the U.S. With a record number of He also voted against the job losses and an unemploy- Central American Free Trade Unemployment has jumped to Agreement and strongly levels not seen in more than two opposed the Columbia Free decades and could reach Trade Pact. Depression-era numbers.

14 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 The Economic Recovery Team The key to dealing with the issues and helping America get ahead not only lies with the successful passage of laws such as the president’s economic recovery plan or the Employee Free Choice Act; what’s equally important is how, if passed, these and other measures will be carried out. Or, more importantly, who will be carrying them out. AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World Photo Wide AP/ World

Hillary Clinton Ray LaHood Secretary of State Department of Labor Department of Transportation Department of Agriculture

Joe Biden As Secretary of State, Sen. As the daughter of immi- Rep. Ray LaHood is President Obama Vice President will help grant parents with union expected to play a larger describes former Iowa the president rebuild the jobs, Rep. Hilda Solis role than past transpor- Governor Tom Vilsack Sen. has been United States’ reputation pledged, “I’ll work to tation secretaries thanks as “forward looking… tapped to head the adminis- abroad. She will work to strengthen our unions to the president's plan to in fostering an agricul- tration's taskforce for rebuild- address the wars in Iraq and support every create more jobs ture economy of the ing America’s middle class. and Afghanistan, the crisis American in our diverse through public works future.” Vilsack will be He will also serve as one of in the Middle East, the workforce.” She supports projects. In addition to responsible for finding Obama's top advisors when instability in Pakistan, and the Employee Free Choice overseeing road and more innovative ways dealing with the wars in Iraq Iran's nuclear ambitions. Act, expanding job train- bridge repairs, LaHood to address the energy and Afghanistan, as well as She brings to the job a ing programs, increasing will also have the task of crisis as it relates to the current crisis in the unique background hav- the minimum wage, improving the country's agriculture. He will Middle East. ing served as First Lady improving equal pay laws air infrastructure. also implement the and New York Senator. and making sure pension 2008 Farm Bill, gov- She’s also an honorary plans are secure. erning federal farm member of the IAM. and food policy.

Other Cabinet Members Department of the Treasury Department of Education Department of Energy AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World

Tom Daschle Gov. , D-AZ Department of Health and Department of Defense Department of Homeland Security Human Services Robert Gates is a Department of Justice Former Sen. Tom Daschle holdover from the Bush will head Obama's initiative administration. His main Retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki to reform the country's focus will be aiding Department of Veterans Affairs $2.3 trillion health care Obama in his plans for system and help the esti- Iraq and Afghanistan. Department of Housing & Urban Development mated 46 million Americans who currently live without Sen. , D-CO health insurance. Department of Interior

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 15 “ It’s time to put our people back to work and open the door of opportunity for our kids.”

— President Barack Obama AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World

ment rate threatening to our goods and services no is already staring at a possible reach double digits, Obama less needed than they were $1.2 trillion deficit for the proposes an $825 billion last week or last month or current fiscal year, Obama is stimulus package. The plan is last year. Our capacity urging Congress pass the leg- expected to include $275 bil- remains undiminished. But islation as soon as possible. lion in tax cuts and another our time of standing pat, of “For every day we wait or $550 billion in government protecting narrow interests point fingers or drag our feet, spending. and putting off unpleasant more Americans will lose decisions – that time has their jobs. More families will Remake America surely passed. Starting today, lose their savings. More “The state of the econo- we must pick ourselves up, dreams will be deferred and my calls for action, bold and dust ourselves off, and begin denied,” said Obama earlier swift, and we will act,” again the work of remaking this year. “And our nation Obama said. “We remain the America.” will sink deeper into a crisis most prosperous, powerful Despite Democratic cries that, at some point, we may nation on Earth. Our workers that the amount is not not be able to reverse.” are no less productive than enough to jumpstart the Also included in Obama’s when this crisis began. Our economy and Republican American Recovery and minds are no less inventive, complaints that the country Reinvestment Plan are mea-

16 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World

Creating high-tech jobs and giving young people the opportunities to learn the skills for those jobs must be a high priority for the new president and Congress.

sures to rebuild the U.S. infrastructure while also investing in alternative energy. Translation: more jobs. At least three million, according to the president. Rebuild

Manufacturing Photo Wide AP/ World “We will build the roads and bridges, the “He’s talking about re- Obama's plan also talks electric grids and digital tooling America’s manufac- about modernizing schools lines that feed our com- turing base,” says IAM and providing America’s merce and bind us togeth- President Tom Buffenbarger. youth with the 21st century er,” he said. “We will restore “Roads, bridges, the water skills necessary to meet science to its rightful place, system, the power grid and industry needs and compete and wield technology's the supply of energy are globally. wonders to raise health going to create blue-collar “We could lose a genera- care's quality and lower jobs. The president is exactly tion of potential and its cost.” right.” promise, as more young

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 17 “ The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act.”

— President Barack Obama

After giving Democrats increased majorities in the House and Senate, voters expect leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, left, to fulfill their

AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World pledge to help America’s working families with middle-class jobs, access to health care, and invest- ments in education and infra- structure projects.

close a worksite and 91 per- cent force employees to meet privately with their supervisors. All despite research that shows allowing more work- ers to freely join unions and bargain with their employers will help rebuild the middle Americans are forced to join a union. The Employee class, expand health care forgo dreams of college or a Free Choice Act (EFCA) and improve retirement chance to train for the jobs would make it easier for security. of the future,” he said, also workers to form unions by earlier this year. “And, our requiring businesses recog- Help Middle Class nation could lose the com- nize a union if a majority of The IAM has been work- petitive edge that has served their employees sign cards ing hard to get the as a foundation for our indicating they want one. Employee Free Choice Act strength and standing in For too long, workers passed. The measure cleared the world.” have had to deal with the House in early 2007, Passage of the stimulus employers who routinely only to face a filibuster by a package is expected to come fire, threaten and coerce small group of union-bust- in early February. employees in efforts to keep ing Republicans in the workers unorganized. Senate. Free Choice Act According to American Obama voted in favor of Another key issue await- Rights at Work, 25 percent bringing the bill up in the ing the new president’s of employers fire at least Senate that year. Although attention is one that hits one pro-union worker when he told a group of trade home to the Machinists – faced with organizing dri- unionists, “We need a presi- exercising a worker’s right to ves, 51 percent threaten to dent who doesn’t choke say-

18 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 Michelle Obama The New First Lady AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World Though considered a issues she supported even “super woman” of sorts by before her husband many, the lawyer, medical became president. center executive and public “Michelle looks forward servant Michelle Obama to continuing her work on asserts her main job will be the issues close to her “Mom-in-Chief.” heart - supporting military “My first priority will families, helping working always be to ensure that women balance work and Michelle Obama our daughters stay ground- family, and encouraging ed and healthy, with nor- others to help those around President Obama refers mal childhoods – including them through volunteer to her as his “rock” – the homework, chores, dance projects,” said the transi- person who keeps him and soccer,” she told tion team’s website. focused and grounded. In reporters during her hus- “Policies that support her words, she’s just making band’s campaign. families aren’t political sure he’s “keeping it real.” Even though she hasn’t issues,” says the First Lady. The two met while officially declared her First “They’re personal. They’re working at a law firm in Lady agenda, many suspect the causes I carry with me Chicago. They’ve been she’ll continue with the every single day.” married since 1992.

Passing the Employee Free Choice Act will help restore America’s middle class by giving more working families the chance to bargain for better wages, health care coverage and pension benefits.

right to free choice, better wages, better working condi- tions and quality health care is now,” says Buffenbarger. “We can no longer sit back and let others decide what our standards of living should be. Working with a new president and new Bill Burke, Page One Photography Congress, we have the ing the word union,” how biggest test of his commit- chance to set the nation’s hard he decides to push the ment to labor. direction.” Employee Free Choice Act in “The time for workers to Also at the top of 2009 could prove to be the exercise their democratic President Obama’s to-do list

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 19 AP/ World Wide Photo Wide AP/ World

Inspired by a new spirit in America, millions of people gathered on the National Mall to witness the historic swearing in ceremony of America’s first African-American president. The hopes and dreams of families around the world are resting on Obama’s ability to steady the nation, create jobs and restore economic security. is a long series of foreign pol- November. “This is our icy issues: scaling back the time – to put our people U.S. Military operation in back to work and open Iraq, beefing up our presence doors of opportunity for in Afghanistan, dismantling our kids; to restore pros- Iran's nuclear program, and perity and promote the finding middle ground in the cause of peace; to reclaim crisis between Israeli forces the American Dream and and Palestinian militants. reaffirm that fundamen- tal truth – that out of Our Moment many, we are one; that Now, with an agenda in while we breathe, we hand and a team beside him, hope, and where we are President Obama has met with cynicism, and embarked on his four-year doubt, and those who term as Commander-in-Chief. tell us that we can’t, we With such challenges as a will respond with that bludgeoned economy, an 11- timeless creed that sums million-people-short work- up the spirit of a people: force, an inferior education Yes We Can.” system, a massive, but skeletal Just after taking the health care system, two wars, oath of office he vowed and the threat of conflict again: “With hope and throughout the remaining virtue, let us brave once corners of the globe, it seems more the icy currents, and Washington, DC, has been endure what storms may transformed into a stage with come. Let it be said by our the whole world watching. children's children that Will he hold true to the when we were tested we promise of change? The refused to let this journey promise of hope and not end, that we did not turn more of the same? back nor did we falter; and safely to future generations.” “This is our moment,” he with eyes fixed on the hori- And thus marked the told thousands during his zon and God's grace upon us, start of a new journey. victory speech on a clear, we carried forth that great gift A new vision. A new hope. starry night back in of freedom and delivered it A new spirit.

20 IAM JOURNAL Winter 2009 “ With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.” — President Barack Obama

Winter 2009 IAM JOURNAL 21