Kentucky State Council Hosts Successful Lobby Day at State Capitol

Feb 25, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News

The Kentucky State Council recently held a productive lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., where members of IAM District 1888, including Locals 1294 and 1720, gathered to advocate for policies that benefit working families across the state. During the event, IAM members met with Kentucky state representatives and senators to discuss and advance key legislative issues.

Top priorities included advocating for bills addressing heat stroke prevention and promoting the use of American-made materials in publicly funded projects. IAM members also had the opportunity to meet with Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to discuss ongoing advocacy efforts and critical issues facing workers today.

“By participating in these advocacy efforts, members gain a clearer understanding of the legislative process and the grassroots efforts that shape workers’ rights,” said IAM District 1888 Business Representative Ryan McCarthy. “It’s important to engage at every level, from national policies to local city councils, to foster real, lasting change.”

A notable achievement from the event was securing a co-sponsor for two crucial bills. One focuses on establishing stronger work standards for teenagers, while the other aims to strengthen child labor laws, ensuring safer and more equitable working conditions for Kentucky’s youth.

“The IAM is proud of our members who understand the importance of participating in the political process,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “The laws and policies created today will directly impact the future of our jobs, families, and communities.”

The lobby day was organized in collaboration with the Kentucky AFL-CIO to amplify the voices of working people and strengthen worker advocacy across the state.

See photos here.

The post Kentucky State Council Hosts Successful Lobby Day at State Capitol appeared first on IAMAW.

Protecting Our Membership, America’s Veterans: IAM Union, Allies Win Injunction to Stop OPM, Education Department Disclosure of Private Federal Worker Data

Feb 25, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News

The IAM Union, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), and allies representing more than 2 million workers have been granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Education from disclosing sensitive personal information to employees affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who do not have authorization to receive the information.

Six individuals, including military veterans, personally harmed by DOGE’s theft of their private information joined the suit filed by the IAM, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), the AFT, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). Protect Democracy and Munger, Tolles & Olson are counsel to the plaintiffs. The suit alleges that DOGE staff have not been properly vetted and have been granted access to some of the government’s most sensitive data systems, in violation of the Privacy Act.

“The IAM Union will always fight to protect our members and our veterans who work so hard to protect our country,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “From caring for our veterans to protecting our national parks, these dedicated civil servants are the backbone of keeping our nation’s promises to the American people. We’re glad the court has agreed to halt this illegal incursion into their personal information.”

“NFFE is pleased to see the court has sided with workers, who have a right to privacy regardless of who is in the White House,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “This is just one of the many unwarranted attacks that federal employees have faced over the past month. We will continue to challenge any violations of law to ensure our members can do their jobs in service to the American public.”

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the claim from the IAM and its plaintiffs — including military veterans and unions representing millions of veterans, teachers, scientists, engineers, federal employees — would likely be successful. The plaintiffs argue that OPM and the Education Department violated the Privacy Act by granting DOGE affiliates unauthorized access to systems containing sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers, bank account information, health records, and other private data.

“Today, the Court agreed with our claim that DOGE affiliates do not need to access Americans’ highly sensitive and private data to do their jobs,” said Kristy Parker, Counsel at Protect Democracy, who represents the plaintiffs. “This ruling is an important step in protecting American’s right to privacy from people who may not have appropriate authority to access it and who may not be using it properly or with adequate safeguards.”

In the 33-page ruling, the judge wrote that “none of these workplace reform measures,” allegedly contemplated by the executive orders covering DOGE “appears to require” OPM and Department of Education employees “to access records with the sensitive personal information of current and formal federal employees” and that the government “never explains why” OPM and Department of Education personnel need this access to implement workplace reform measures.

The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until March 10, 2025, and prevents:

• The Department of Education from disclosing personally identifiable information to any DOGE affiliates.
• OPM from disclosing personally identifiable information to any OPM employee working principally on the DOGE agenda (with the exception of OPM Chief Information Officer Greg Hogan).

The court denied the plaintiffs’ request for relief against the Treasury Department, noting that a previous injunction in another case already provides the plaintiffs protection against Treasury.

The post Protecting Our Membership, America’s Veterans: IAM Union, Allies Win Injunction to Stop OPM, Education Department Disclosure of Private Federal Worker Data appeared first on IAMAW.