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WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2024 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) wrote a letter to members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to swiftly advance Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su’s nomination to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
In her current capacity as acting secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Julie Su has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise, and an unyielding commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of our nation’s diverse workforce.
“Julie has a long record of commitment to protecting working Americans and ensuring that workplace laws and regulations are enforced accordingly,” reads the letter from IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Her work as the deputy DOL secretary, working collectively with former DOL Secretary Marty Walsh to ensure this very important federal agency promoted workforce development programs, helped promote good-paying jobs that lead to the Middle Class, and held bad-faith employers accountable.”
The IAM stands firmly alongside allies who share our dedication to safeguarding workers’ rights, and Julie Su epitomizes this alliance. Throughout her career, Su has been dedicated to protecting American workers and ensuring that labor laws are enforced equitably and justly.
During her tenure as deputy DOL secretary, Julie Su worked tirelessly alongside former Secretary Marty Walsh to spearhead initiatives that fostered workforce development, facilitated the creation of well-paying jobs crucial for bolstering the middle class, and held accountable those employers who engaged in bad-faith practices.
The IAM stands ready to advance the interests of America’s workers and will continue our outreach to help advance her nomination for a full Senate floor vote, where we are confident she will receive the overwhelming support needed for confirmation.
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IAM International President Brian Bryant, Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin and Chief of Staff Vinny Addeo joined IAM Florida State Council President Mike Phillips and members from across Florida at the state’s council.
Other featured speakers included former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, Florida AFL-CIO President Dan Renolds, Florida State Rep. Tom Keen (D-District 33) and Florida State Rep. Victor Torres (D-District 25).
The Council discussed pending anti-worker legislation moving through the Republican super majority in the state, including:
Funding the Florida’s Unemployment Insurance Program with internet sales tax funds instead of employer contributions
Modifying state child labor laws to allow 16 and 17 year olds to work until midnight on school nights
Require every voter in Florida to re-enroll to vote by mail each election cycle.
A rally was held to support the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Florida Voters Right Act (S.B. 1522/ H.B. 1035). The bill aims to counter actions to restrict voting in the state, and improve upon the provisions of the 1965 Voters Rights Act that were recently gutted by the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court.
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U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) joined the growing call for Delta Air Lines to create a pathway to ensure workers are free to join the union without fear or interference.
“As a longtime fighter for unions, I stand alongside the Delta flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians fighting to organize and join a union,” wrote Scott in a statement. “The pathway to ensure workers remain free to join the union of their choice must exist without fear of reprisal or interference. Delta has a long history of employing unionized workgroups across its operations and fostering an inclusive workplace culture, and I look forward to working with all sides to protect workers’ freedom to make their own decisions.”
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) also wrote a letter to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian calling on Delta Air Lines to uphold its reputation for excellence and fairness by respecting the rights of its employees to decide on unionization without interference.
“It means a lot to Delta workers in Georgia to have the dean of the Georgia Congressional Delegation weigh in on their behalf,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Georgia has always been vital in the fight for human rights, civil rights, and union rights for workers. The IAM will continue to provide Delta workers the support they need to voice their freedom to have respect and dignity at Delta Air Lines.”
Upwards of 55,000 Delta employees are currently engaged in a campaign to join unions. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is currently organizing Delta ramp, cargo, and tower workers. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) is signing up flight attendants, and the Teamsters are supporting technicians and related crafts.
This latest letter comes after five more Republican members of Congress penned a letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian. The Congressional Labor Caucus letter garnered 146 members of Congress to sign on, including Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.).
Delta Air Lines management has threatened employees with termination for union activities. It hosts an anti-union website and distributes literature threatening workers seeking to organize.
Delta Air Lines is the only U.S.-based mainline carrier where a union does not represent flight attendants, fleet service, and mechanics – only 20 percent of Delta workers are unionized.
Unionized Delta pilots recently endorsed the joint IAM, AFA-CWA, and Teamsters campaign to organize Delta workers.
“Delta workers are being subjected to an immense amount of pressure, simply by exercising their federal right to join a union,” “It’s time to put an end to the intimidation and give Delta workers the voice on the job that they deserve.”
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Members from IAM Local 4 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and from IAM Local 2424 at Aberdeen Proving Ground recently testified before the House Appropriations Committee of the Maryland General Assembly. A bill to increase the number of scholarships available to dependents of active duty military service members killed in the line of duty and service connected disabled veterans is moving through the Maryland House this session.
Watch the IAM’s testimony to the Maryland General Assembly here.
State Del. Brian Crosby (D-District 29B), who represents Naval Air Station Patuxent River and is a military veteran himself, sponsored the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program (H.B. 529). The bill would remove the cap of 15 scholarships that can be awarded to veterans by the Maryland Higher Education Commision.
“It’s an easy return on investment,” said IAM Local 4 Shop Steward Joseph “Matt” Langford. According to his research, “10% of all EMTs are veterans, 19% of all firefighters are veterans, and 25% of all police officers [are veterans].”
Former Local 2424 President Bill Harkum, now an IAM Communications Representative, shared that many workers on Maryland’s military installations and various Department of Defense contractors are also reservist and National Guard members who already support Maryland state needs. He stressed that helping disabled veterans is the right thing to do.
“Those of us that have served in the military, we have an open ended commitment to this state and to this nation, and we hope you consider that worthy of giving us the benefits of this bill,” said Harkum.
IAM Veterans Services Program Coordinator Rich Evans testified remotely.
“Growing education opportunities aligns with our union’s platform to promote efforts to assist U.S. Armed Forces Veterans,” said Evans. “Our union’s roots run deep in Maryland and we support legislation that can help workers and families prosper, and support the state’s continued growth and success.”
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