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This year’s IAM Legislative conference will take place from June 17-19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001.
The IAM Legislative Conference is a crucial platform for IAM members to voice their concerns in Washington, DC, and advocate for policies that directly impact working families.
As part of the conference schedule, attendees will lobby members of Congress and remind them who they were elected to represent. IAM members will meet with their congressional representatives and provide their perspectives to advocate on behalf of IAM members and their families on the issues that matter most.
Given the Juneteenth Holiday, it’s important to note that all congressional offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19. To maximize the effectiveness of lobby visits, delegates planning to attend the 2024 IAM Legislative Conference are strongly advised to pre-schedule meetings with their congressional representatives and Senators for Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
The 2024 IAM Legislative Conference Schedule:
Monday, June 17
9:00am – 12:30pm Registration
1:30pm – 2:30pm General Session
Tuesday, June 18
8:00am – 8:45am Registration
9:00am – 12:00pm General Session
5:30pm – 7:30pm Congressional Reception
Wednesday, June 19
9:00am – 12:00pm General Session
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IAM International President Brian Bryant, on behalf of the 600,000 active and retired IAM members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace manufacturing union in North America, wrote a letter to President Biden strongly urging support for the Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Technology Hub’s application for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Phase 2 Implementation Grant.
“This grant is not just about the hub, but about the livelihoods and future of our members who are at the forefront of aerospace innovation and manufacturing,” said Bryant. “The continued hard work and partnership of labor, industry, government, and educational institutions will ensure the United States remains the undeniable leader in advanced aerospace development and manufacturing for generations to come.”
“By investing in the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub, we’re not just securing America’s place as a leader in aerospace,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. We’re fueling innovation that will propel us to new heights in air travel and space exploration. It’s an investment in the future of aerospace innovation and the continued strength of our nation.”
The IAM commends the administration, Congress, and leaders like U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), for championing the historic Chips and Science Act. This legislation designates 31 EDA Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs, fostering expertise across the nation and bolstering U.S. economic and national security through investments in innovative technology and advanced manufacturing leadership domestically.
The award of an EDA Phase 2 Implementation Grant to the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub will ensure we remain not just the global leader in aerospace manufacturing but will ensure we become the global leader in innovation and manufacture of the next generation of materials and processes used to build the future of air travel and space exploration.
For these reasons, the IAM urges support and prioritization of the Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Technology Hub’s application for an Economic Development Administration Phase 2 Implementation Grant.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, automotive, railroad, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
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The Kentucky/Tennessee Joint State Council of Machinists recently met in Lexington, Ky., to strategize and equip members with the knowledge and tools to fight anti-union legislation, grow the joint council, and advocate for policies that benefit IAM members in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Paul Kendall, IAM Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer (GST), provided an update on the 2024 Grand Lodge Convention while emphasizing the GST’s office role in safeguarding our organization’s resources to ensure members have the necessary support to grow the IAM and advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security.
IAM National Legislative and Political Assistant Director Loren Almeroth highlighted the Biden Administration’s substantial investments in infrastructure and manufacturing. He underscored the importance of enforcing Buy American requirements for large corporations and praised the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan, which collectively aims to save millions of jobs and foster an economy benefiting IAM members and their families.
“Rebuilding efforts are underway in Kentucky. This meeting serves as a vital platform to inform members in Tennessee and Kentucky about detrimental legislation,” said Kentucky State Council of Machinists President and IAM District 1888 Business Representative and Organizer Ryan McCarthy. “I look forward to building off this event before our next joint meeting in the spring.
“We aim for delegates to recognize the diversity within IAM and our unified purpose,” said Tennessee State Council of Machinists Vice President and IAM District 1888 Assistant Directing Business Representative Bill Benson. “The training sessions were fruitful, and we hope delegates will relay the insights gained to their locals and districts. Under the leadership of Tennessee State Council of Machinists President and IAM District 1888 President and Directing Business Representative Ernie Epps, our objective is to organize lobby days for the upcoming legislative session in Tennessee.”
Kentucky AFL-CIO President Dustin Reinstedler and Political Director Liles Taylor attended the joint meeting. They emphasized the importance of proactive engagement in legislative processes to protect and advance the interests of IAM members.
IAM Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Julian “Juice” Bruner brought greetings on behalf of IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin and Chief of Staff Reggie Dixon. Bruner showcased the new efforts to serve members in the territory.
“One of our missions in the Southern Territory will be to increase the servicing of our members,” said Bruner. “We want to reconnect with members through additional training and assistance with organizing, steward training, and negotiations.”
Other speakers included:
The Kentucky/Tennessee Joint State Council of Machinists plans to build on the energy from this meeting and continue its efforts to strengthen the Machinists Union in both states.
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As U.S. representatives on Congress’s House Appropriations Committee work to finalize Department of Defense Appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote a letter to the committee’s Chairman and Ranking Members urging prioritization and support of consistent funding for two Virginia-Class submarines per year in the FY 2025 budget and beyond.
“Consistent funding for two VA-class submarines per year is necessary to promote the long-term health of the domestic shipbuilding industrial base and the workforce on which it relies,” wrote Bryant. “This industry cannot thrive as a feast-or-famine endeavor. A clear market signal of consistent two-per-year funding is absolutely vital to maintain and grow the necessary highly skilled workforce and promote the industry partnerships needed to ensure success in efficient submarine production.”
Thanks to the advocacy of the IAM, the largest defense union in the United States, and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act included language for full funding for two Virginia-class submarines per year in the FY 2025 budget.
The IAM continues to be at the forefront of this issue, actively advocating for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines per year in the final draft of the National Defense Authorization Act and guaranteeing that Congress appropriates the necessary funds through the Defense Appropriations Bill.
“Furthermore, proper funding of this program will continue to have positive spillover effects which act to bolster and grow our industrial base throughout domestic shipbuilding and manufacturing industries as we as a nation look to rebuild the U.S. manufacturing sector across industries,” wrote Bryant.
Earlier this year, the IAM sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging for steady financial backing for the program, highlighting its significance in strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry and supporting a vast array of high-quality union jobs.
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