About LL1857

R. Thomas Buffenbarger
International President
The son of an IAM member, Tom Buffenbarger assumed his first IAM leadership post in 1970, at age 20, when he was elected steward of his apprenticeship group at the General Electric jet engine group, IAM LL912, Evendale, Ohio.

Seven years later, Tom Buffenbarger was elected as a Business Representative for IAM District 34, Cincinnati. 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. He served in that position under International Presidents William Winpisinger and George Kourpias.

From 1991to 1997 Buffenbarger served as IAM General Vice President at Headquarters, functioning as chief of staff of all Headquarters operations. He was elected to the office of International President in 1997. Born Dec., 1950. Tom and his wife, Linda, have two children

Dave Ritchie
General Vice President―Canada
Dave Ritchie joined IAM Local Lodge 1755, Toronto, in 1973 after being hired as an electric meter repairman at Sangamo Electric. Chief Steward; Shop Committee Chairperson; Vice President and Negotiating Committee Chair; Vice President of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists and was a founding member of the Canadian Machinists Council. Business Representative District 78, Toronto,1978; Directing Business Representative of District 78, 1986; IAM Vice President, 1995.Born April 2, 1951, Ritchie is a member of IAM Local Lodge 235, Toronto.

Lodge 1857 is an automotive lodge of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers proudly representing the workers of British Columbia, Canada. We are part of District Lodge 250, located in Vancouver but we have members throughout the province.

THE NEXT MEETING OF LODGE 1857 WILL BE HELD ON

Oct. 07 2010 AT 8:00 pm at the Elk's Hall,

corner of Wilson and Donald in the City of Port Coquitlam.

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