Karen Asuncion for General Vice President IAM Machinists Union

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• published: 12 Nov 2013
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Visit our site www.IAMreform.org for bios of IAM Reform candidates The U.S. Department of Labor will supervise the election for President and executive officers of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), one of the top ten U.S. labor unions and part of the AFL-CIO, after an investigation into its 2013 elections revealed widespread violations of federal law. Based on the findings of its investigation, the Dept of Labor was preparing to file suit in Federal Court to overturn the 2013 election. IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement to avoid lawsuit. Under the Agreement, the IAM is running a new, supervised nomination and election process in 2014 for the offices of International President, General Secretary Treasurer and eight (8) General Vice Presidents. IAM Reform candidates are seeking nomination to office, to return pride and integrity to the IAM. Karen Asuncion is a candidate for IAM General Vice President 2014. Karen (​IAM Card #BL010412 -- Lodge 1759) has been dedicated and committed to serving the membership of the IAM for three decades. Her experience spans leadership positions within Local and District Lodges, making her uniquely qualified as a candidate for IAM General Vice President. She has been a proud, active member of the IAM for 30 years. Karen is experienced in all facets of trade unions and membership representation having been actively involved in benefits administration, contract interpretation and enforcement, as well as arbitration and contract negotiations. From 1999 - 2010, Karen held a senior-level position at District 141 as an Assistant General Chair (AGC - comparable to a Business Rep under the National Labor Relations Act). She served as the Benefits Coordinator for the District for 14 years from 1996 through October 2010, with responsibility for the handling and resolution of any and all issues experienced between our members, including UAL retirees, and United or our benefits administrator. At the Grand Lodge Conventions of 2004 and 2008, Karen served as a member of the Grand Lodge Host Committee, welcoming Convention Delegates and their guests in both Cincinnati and Orlando. As President of Local Lodge 1487 from 1995 - 1999, Karen oversaw the operation and administration of member services and representation for approximately 6,000 IAM members employed in a variety of crafts, classifications and airlines. Karen was a leader in our successful organizing campaign at United Airlines, which brought nearly 25,000 Public Contact employees including gate and ticket agents and reservations agents under the IAM umbrella. Karen is currently employed in the Ramp Service classification at United Airlines working in the field at Washington, DC -National Airport. She is in tune with the issues our members are dealing with on a daily basis including stagnant wages, declining benefits, increasing benefit costs, along with exorbitant dues increases. ​Karen joined the IAM in October 1983 upon her initiation into Local Lodge 1487 - Chicago, IL. She was hired into United Airlines Food Service Division, transferred to Cabin Service, then Ramp Service classification. She worked full time in the field at Chicago's O'Hare Airport until 1995.