Capital Air Lodge 1759

Origin of the International Association of Machinists (IAM)

In 1888, a group of nineteen machinists at the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad assembled in a locomotive pit to decide what to do about a wage cut. They voted to form a union. It was the beginning of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Origin of Capital Air Lodge 1759

Capital Airlines Douglas DC-3 at Washington National Airport

Originally named PennCenAir 1759 and chartered in Washington, D.C., Capital Air Lodge 1759 began as an airline local on March 7, 1946. Pennsylvania Central Airlines (PCA) was an original tenant operating out of Washington National Airport (DCA) and in 1941 based its headquarters there. By 1947, PCA's route structure no longer reflected its name and the airline adopted new colors and renamed itself Capital Airlines. In March, 1951, PennCenAir 1759 renamed itself Capital Air Lodge 1759. Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines in July, 1961, but our name remained unchanged as a tribute to the proud airline workers from Capital. Our charter location moved to Alexandria, Virginia on July 7, 1977. Capital Air Lodge 1759 offices are presently located at 1037 Sterling Road, suites 203 and 204 in Herndon, Virginia. 

Purpose

Capital Air Lodge 1759, also known as IAM Local Lodge 1759, is a non-profit organization affiliated with IAM Airline Districts 141, 142, and 143 under the jurisdiction of the IAM's Transportation Department.

This organization is affiliated with the Virginia State AFL-CIO, Maryland & D.C. AFL-CIO, Virginia and Maryland State Machinists Councils, the Northern Virginia Central Labor Council and the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO.

Capital Air Lodge 1759 represents airline ground workers at United Airlines, Delta Airlines, US Airways, Piedmont Airlines, British Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines at Norfolk (ORF), Richmond (RIC), Washington National (DCA) and Dulles International (IAD) Airports.

Officers

President - Mike Bukta
Vice President - Rich Pascarella
Recording Secretary - Barb Martin
Secretary-Treasurer - John Grandestaff
Conductor/Sentinel - Lynne Strunk
Trustee - Lulu Torres
Trustee - Herb Jeffries
Trustee - Dave Davis
Communicator - Al Abromitis
Educator - Rich Pascarella
Building Committee: Brian Leifker

Airline Grievance Committees

District 141 United Airlines
Chair, Ramp & Stores, Public Contact, IAD/DCA - Rich Pascarella
Committee Secretary - Dave Davis
Committee, Ramp & Stores, IAD - Mike "Smoke" Bukta
Committee, Public Contact, IAD - Barb Martin
Committee, Ramp & Stores, DCA - Eddie Davis
Committee, Public Contact, DCA - Jennifer Trammell

District 141 US Airways
Chair, Fleet Service, DCA - Matt Copfer

District 142 US Airways
Chair, Maintenance, DCA - John Bidoglio

District 142 British Airways
Chair, IAD - Ronald Faggart

District 142 Southwest Airlines

District 142 Alaska Airlines

District 143 Delta Airlines
Chair, ESSC, DCA - Rick Iacino
Chair, COFPS, DCA - Debbie Garner
Chair, ESSC, IAD - Bill Shomo
Chair, COFPS, IAD - Pai Nam Cheung

 

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Chartered 1946 - Washington, D.C.

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