14 June, 2012
R. Thomas Buffenbarger
Vice-President
R. Thomas Buffenbarger was elected as Vice-President of IndustriALL Global Union at its founding Congress on 19 June 2012
Tom Buffenbarger is the International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in North America.
The son of an IAM member, Tom Buffenbarger started out as a Shop Steward of his apprenticeship group at General Electric Jet Engines, in Ohio in 1970. In 1980 he was appointed as an IAM Special Representative for the Great Lakes Territory and three years later became Administrative Assistant to the General Vice President for that territory.
Buffenbarger came to IAM Headquarters in 1986 to work in the IAM Organizing Department and two years later, was appointed Executive Assistant to the International President. From 1991 to 1997 Buffenbarger served as IAM General Vice President at Headquarters, functioning as chief of staff of all Headquarters operations.
As IAM International President, Buffenbarger is a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and previously served on the International Metalworkers Federation's Executive Committee as Vice President.
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