January 2010 State Council

The first meeting of the Machinists State Council for 2010 convened in Santa Fe on January 28th. 
The attendees from Local Lodge 2515 were DBR Duryea, Eldon Bond, Chuck Marble, Randy Rodriguez, Mike Sale, Dennis Shepan and Paul Zeihl.

Following registration on Thursday, the Delegates discussed bills that were introduced at this years session and then went to the Roundhouse to discuss issues with their Legislators.  

 Chuck, Mike and Bud meeting with District 56 Representative Zachary Cook.

Discussing House bills with Nate Cote, District 53 Representative.

Friday was filled some good question and answer sessions with a variety of speakers. 

Matt Miller from Senator Tom Udall's office read a letter from the Senator who was unable to attend.

Transportation Grand Lodge Representative Dora Cervantes spoke on the merger of Northwest and Delta airlines, and how the IAM is trying to increase it's membership by picking up flight simulator techs.

Harry Montoya Santa Fe County Commissioner and candidate for State Land Commissioner.

New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas told the Delegates how his office investigates companies and  how he has set up a fraud reporting hotline. He also spoke on legislation introduced to be able to penalize and charge companies who fail to report to the State.

U.S. Congressman Martin Heinrich told everyone about bills that had been introduced to eliminate Davis-Bacon and how he is co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act.  The Congressman also talked about the need for health care reform and how bills introduced dealing with mortgage reform and Wall Street reform are sitting stalled in the Senate.

New Mexico District 13 State Representative Eleanor Chavez spoke about introducing a bill to tax internet sales that had been tabled, and how she introduced a House Memorial calling for a jobs bill from the Federal Government.

New Mexico Federation of Labor President Christine Trujillo spoke on how business needs to pay their fair share of taxes.

U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Lujan told the Delegates just how bad the partisanship in Washington is.  He also emphasized just how important jobs and health care reform are.

New Mexico Federation of Labor Executive Director Chris Chavez  told everyone about a memorial to move 2 billion dollars from the permanent fund to make money available to New Mexico banks for home rebuilding and remodeling and an additional 1 billion dollars for restructuring mortgages.  Currently the permanent fund holds approximately 13.4 billion dollars.

Grand Lodge Representative Rod Weigand spoke on the plant closing at GE in Albuquerque and that some Forest Service employees voted to be represented by a branch of the IAM.  GLR Weigand also informed us that the IAM had donated $50,000 to Haiti relief.

Grand Lodge Representative Steve Cooper gave a presentation on the number of  Members in the Western Territory and how many have been lost and gained throughout the IAM.

Grand Lodge Auditor Linda Seeley reminded everyone of the importance of the Recording Secretary position and how the DOL looks at the minutes and disbursements first whenever they perform an audit.  She also reminded us that the LM-2 reports will be due March 31st, and that the audits are due for 2009.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting on Saturday, the Delegates voted to have the next State Council meeting in Albuquerque on June 24th-25th, 2010.