William W. Winspinger Education Center

We are all be proud of the Winpisinger Center.  The IAMAW is the union in North American with a facility dedicated full time to the education of our members.  Since opening in 1981, more than 60,000 students have attended Winpisinger Center programs.  No other union can match that record.  The IAM’s commitment to membership training is an important reason why the IAM will meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Members of the Negotiating Committee for IAM Local 330 in Cheektowaga, NY, along with members from District 65, participated in the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees program. Local 330 represents employees at Ingersoll Rand. The Committee strategized to map a new direction for relations with the company, put better language into the contract and build solidarity in the bargaining unit.

“Every bargaining committee in the IAM should consider spending a week attending the Negotiation Preparation Program,” said District 65 Business Representative Peter B. Cooney. “Although you are cramming what seems like a month’s worth of information, tactics and bargaining simulation into one week, there is no doubt that every minute spent is extremely valuable. You will leave far better prepared for your negotiations.”

“This program gave us a lot of information to digest in one week, but our committee came away with a much better understanding of the actual workings of the contract negotiating process,” said Ingersoll Rand Chief Steward Jim Neureuther.

The William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, located in Placid Harbor, MD., embodies the IAM’s commitment to providing top-notch training to the current and future leaders of the IAM to help our members navigate the rapidly changing world of work in the 21st century.  By studying our past and strategizing our future, IAM members at the Winpisinger Center learn to be unionists – members who know that our union is part of a larger movement for dignity and economic and social justice in our workplaces and communities.  Members also learn to be leaders and go home better prepared and more motivated to work for our members.

Example of the different classes and trainings offered : Leadership programs (also available in Spanish and French), Veteran Programs, Women & Human Rights Services, Collective Bargaining, Communications, Website Development, Arbitration, First Contract, Organizing, Hazmat, Health & Safety, Healthcare, EAP, Incident Responder, Young Worker Strategy