International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)

Summary:

The Machinists' PAC is the fourth largest registered PAC in the state. Contributions from the Machinists are not derived from members who give annual authorization. Instead, officials receive three quarters of the money in the state PAC from the Federal PAC. It appears that the Machinists' officials use their Federal PAC as a conduit to the state PAC so that it can avoid the law that requires obtaining annual written authorization. The other quarter is primarily from locals that appear to draw the funds from general assessments of all members.

Membership:

Approximately 54,000 workers from more than 200 wide-ranging industries. The biggest IAM locals principally represent airplane manufacturing workers (Boeing members belong to IAM District Lodge 751) and workers in the forest products industries.

Structure:

International affiliated with the AFL-CIO
State – State Council and two District Lodges
Local – Twenty-seven lodges

PACs:

Only one statewide PAC, the Washington State Machinists Council, is active.
By the first quarter of 2000, this PAC had amassed $126,209 for the 2000 election.

Financial:

Annual data from most recent LM reports (representative of 1998)

Receipts (excludes transfer transactions)

Membership dues, fees etc. $24,073,848
Sale of supplies & investments $152,768
Interest, dividends & rent $519,976
Other $3,027,356
Total $27,773,948

Disbursements (excludes transfer transactions)

Wages & benefits $8,256,211
Per capita tax, fees, fines, etc. $11,138,821
Office, administrative, prof fees, & direct taxes $3,855,669
Educational & publicity $215,424
Contributions, gifts, & grants $92,802
Purchase of supplies for resale & investments $490,473
Other $1,472,101
Total $25,521,501

Contributions:

As reported to the PDC by IAM-affiliated registered state PACs and campaigns and candidates receiving IAM funds.

$219,210 was contributed by the IAM state PAC in calendar years 1997-98

Issues: $42,500
Democrats $52,325
Republicans: $0
Non-Partisan: $4,050
Democratic Party: $110,135
Republican Party: $0
Union Organizations: $6,200
Non-political $4,000

Funding sources:

The PAC had income of over $315,000.

77% of the PAC's income came from the Federal PAC, "Machinists Non-Partisan Political League," 17% from the locals, 2% from the Victory '98 Coordinated Campaign and the Washington State Labor Council, and only 4% from individuals. Contributions to the PAC from the locals were derived from dues and assessments. No candidates or statewide ballot campaigns reported receiving direct funds from Machinist affiliates that did not come from the PAC.

Other issues:

Washington state's Machinists locals have consistently been among the top three in the nation giving to the national PAC, the Machinists Non-Partisan League (MNPL). The fundraising method of the officials of the Boeing local are both heavy-handed and filled with bonuses for those who have earned the union's favor by signing many members up to give.

Shop stewards are required to attend a training meeting on how to convince members to sign up for MNPL. One shop steward reported that the pressure to sign up and get others to sign up is intense and that the union officials threaten to remove any shop stewards who fail to do so.

The enticements are also generous. Members who sign up to contribute $7.51 per month are able to attend a $130,000 banquet funded from general dues. One official is reported to advise stewards to offer to match the contribution of a prospect for the first month. The prospect is told that they will be free to quit after one month, but will not be reminded of that option. Thousands of dollars in prizes from general funds are awarded to stewards who garner the most sign-ups according to publications and district council meeting minutes of 1997.

Despite these methods, only 31% of their members had willingly signed up for MNPL by 1998. It appears that the union locals add a general dues contribution to the voluntary donors before sending the total to Washington DC.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org

Quotables:

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical." - Thomas Jefferson

"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." - John Stuart Mill