IAM Local Lodge 1426
Wins 3rd Place
John Herrig, ADBR Accepting
MNPL 3rd Place Award
for finishing in the
"Top Percentage of Sponsoring Members"
in Local Lodges with less than 1,000
but more than 100 members category.
Please click on picture to view names.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wayne L. Laufenberg Jr.
Wayne L. Laufenberg Jr.ST. DONATUS, Iowa -- Wayne L. Laufenberg Jr., 56, of 308 Oak Court, Saint Donatus, passed away at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010, at home, surrounded by his family and friends.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Key West, Iowa, with the Rev. Donald Bakewell officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, where military rites will be accorded by Dubuque American Legion Post 6. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.
He was born on Feb. 13, 1954, in Dubuque, son of Wayne and Geraldine (Harry) Laufenberg Sr. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School. He married Debbie Thul on July 10, 1982.
Wayne served in the Army from 1972 to 1974, and was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War.
He was a member of the Machinist Local 1238 of Dubuque for over 30 years. He was a business representative for the Machinist Local 1238 for the past 16 years, serving and working to improve wages and benefits for his fellow union brothers and sisters. Wayne also was involved as a business representative for the Machinists Union District 6, president of the Dubuque Labor Temple Building Corporation, vice president of Dubuque Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, vice president of Midwest State Council of Machinists, vice president of Iowa State Council of Machinists, dele-gate to the Dubuque Metal Trades Council, past member of the Dubuque County Zoning Board of Adjustments, member of the United Way Board of Directors, a labor volunteer for the Salvation Army Bell Ringers for Christmas, and he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 2008.
Wayne's zest and love for life was evident by his focus and dedication to helping his family, friends and co-workers. He participated in the annual Labor Day Parade in Dubuque, and was vital in coordinating the annual Hawgs for Dogs Benefit Ride. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, camping with friends and family, spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, the Packers, Hawkeyes and NASCAR.
Surviving are his wife, Debbie; sons, Corey (Nichole Jepsen) Laufenberg, of Barneveld, Wis., and Jason Laufenberg, of Maquoketa; a daughter, Kara Laufenberg, of Dyersville; three grandchildren, Brayden, Kior and Kalysa; brothers, Chris (Mary) Laufenberg and Mark Laufenberg, both of Dubuque; a sister, Sue (Mark Roth) Jentz, of Dubuque; father- and mother-in-law, Dale and Sharron Thul, of Dubuque; brothers-in-law, Danny Thul, Dennis Thul and Donnie (Staci) Thul, all of Dubuque; a sister-in-law, Kathy (Brian) Schwager, of Dubuque; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Sassy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister in infancy.
A Wayne Laufenberg Jr. Memorial Fund has been established.
The family wishes to extend a special thank-you to Gary "Sal" Beecher for his care, kindness and friendship he gave to Wayne and his family.
"Its not the destination, it's the journey."
Iowa Machinist Featured on
National News
Machinist Jerry Nowadzky, 49, of Montilcello, Iowa, is fast becoming a national icon representing American workers as he travels the country talking about the devastating effects outsourcing.
Nowadzky, President of IAM District 6, first came to national attention in January during the IAM “Wall of Shame” tour across Iowa, telling his story about being laid off from two different Machinist jobs. One job was outsourced to China and the other was sent to Mexico. He now works at a supermarket making half of what he used to make.
Nowadzky recently appeared on stage during the Democratic National Convention in Boston and was prominently featured in news stories during the AFL-CIO “Show Us the Jobs” bus tour. Earlier this week, Nowadzky could be seen on the CBS Evening News talking once again about the lack of good paying jobs and the difficulties still being faced by ordinary Americans trying to survive in the worst job market in decades.
Toro visited by GVP
March 24, 2004 - General Vice President James E. Brown recently went on a tour of the Toro facility in Windom, MN. IAM Local 1956has 500 members at Toro. Our members produce lawn mowers and snow blowers.IAM Midwest Territory Special Representative Luther Williams coordinated the tour and took the tour photos.
Machinists at ammunition plant end strike
and ratify new contract
September 27, 2005 The two hundred Machinists Union members working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant near Burlington, IA ended their 9-day strike and ratified a new 4-year labor agreement recently. The plant is operated by American Ordinance and our members make munitions for the military.
The contract deadline was extended until September 10, 2005 at which time our members of IAM Local 1010 overwhelmingly rejected the company’s last, best and final offer. The main issues causing the strike were wages, increases in the employee portion of health insurance premiums and pension benefits.Further negotiations lead to an agreement our members could ratify and they returned to work onWednesday, September 21, 2005.
IAM District 6 Business Representative Ed Miller proudly said, “Our members solidarity and professionalism on the picket line allowed the bargaining committee to negotiate a successful end to the strike.”
The new agreement includes $2.08 in wages increases over the term of the agreement. The employee portion of insurance rates are frozen until December 31, 2006 and after that there are some modest increases. Increases in the company pension apply to all service credit and will add 25 cents the first year. Then on January 1, 2008 pension benefits will increase seventy-five cents and on January 1, 2009 pension benefits will increase by 1 dollar.IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President James E. Brown praised BR Ed Miller and the Local 1010 bargaining committee saying, “We appreciate their hard work and dedication seeking the wages, benefits and working conditions our members at Local 1010 deserve. We congratulate our members on their new contract and wish them continued success in the future.”
Local Lodge 1238
The 6th Harley Run in Dubuque, IA
Saturday June 9, 2006
Local Lodge 1238
2005, 5th "Harley" Run Saturday,
June 11. The ride began with 56 participants at Wilwerts Harley-Davidson in Dubuque and proceeded north to Waukon, IA Harley-Davidson.
(Photo's taken by DBR B Connett & S Heckmann)
Local Lodge 1238
All Harley Motorcycle Run
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Mississippi River Run
Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Dubuque, IA
Breakfast Fund Raiser Event
Dubuque IA., June 13th, 2004 -A Breakfast Fund Raiser event was held at the Dubuque Eagles Club, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. The menu included Eggs, Sausage, Ham, Hashbrowns, Biscuits & Gravy, Toast, Pancakes, Coffee, Juice, and Milk. After the breakfast, a raffle was held and several wonderful prizes were given out.
Below are some pictures of the cooks in the kitchen.
Local Lodge 1238
Website Awards
Our First Web Site 2004-07
IAM Midwest Territory Communications Awards AnnouncedThe 2004 IAM Midwest Territory Communications Awards were announced at December and January union meetings acrossthe territory.General Vice President James E. Brown proudly awarded plaques to the following lodges, editors, and web stewards recognizing their excellence in labor journalism.Best New Website
IAMAW District 6 Scott Heckman - Web Steward
Local 1238 makes gains in new 3 year contract
August 2, 2005 The fifty seven IAM members at Adams Company in Dubuque, IA recently ratified a new three year labor agreement. Our members at Adams Co. work in machining and maintenance. They produce custom gears and shafts.
According to IAM District 6 Business Representative Wayne Laufenberg, the new 3-year contract includes a substantial wage increase of over 12% and IAM Pension increases in all three years of the agreement. In an important language change, vacation can now be taken in one day increments. Accident and Sickness benefits also increase $10 each year of the new contract.
BR Laufenberg praised the IAM shop committee at Adams Co. proudly saying, "This was our new shop committee's first contract negotiations. It was their hard work and determination that allowed us to bring this proposal back to the membership."
IAM Midwest Territory General V. P. James E. Brown praised BR Wayne Laufenberg and the new IAM shop committee at Adams Co. saying, "We appreciated their dedication and hard work in an effort to secure the wages, benefits and working conditions our members deserve."