Aug 13, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
The 2026 New Jersey State Council brought together labor leaders, elected officials, and IAM members to discuss legislative progress, political engagement, and opportunities to strengthen the union. Led by President Cristino Vilorio, the conference highlighted the importance of member involvement in protecting workers’ rights and advancing labor priorities.
A major highlight was the recent House passage of the Faster Labor Contract Act, with attendees recognizing the support of U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross for helping move the legislation forward. Speakers also stressed the importance of the 2026 elections, urging union members to become active in voter outreach and political advocacy to support pro-labor candidates.
IAM Union General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes delivered the keynote address, while Chief of Staff Vinny Addeo provided an update on the national political landscape. New Jersey Labor Commissioner Kevin Jarvis discussed efforts to expand apprenticeship programs statewide, underscoring the importance of developing the next generation of skilled workers.
The conference also showcased the resources available through the Winpisinger Center (W3), including professional development courses and educational programs, and featured updates on international labor solidarity and union communications.
Throughout the conference, one message remained clear: by staying engaged in the legislative process, supporting political action, and investing in member education, New Jersey IAM Union members are building a stronger future for working families.
The post New Jersey State Council Focuses on Legislative Wins, Political Action appeared first on IAM Union.
Aug 10, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM Union members from across Maryland and Washington, D.C., gathered for the IAM Maryland/D.C. State Council meeting to discuss the upcoming 2026 elections, hear from union and political leaders, and endorse candidates committed to fighting for working families.
State Council President Rick Compher welcomed delegates, noting that the IAM’s political endorsement process begins at the local level and reminding members that all IAM members are encouraged to participate. The meeting was the most attended Maryland and D.C. State Council gathering in recent memory.
Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) accepted the IAM’s endorsement on behalf of the reelection campaign of Gov. Wes Moore and herself, praising the union’s long history of standing up for working people. IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon urged delegates to stay focused on the issues affecting working families, while U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) highlighted the impact of federal job cuts, tariffs, and attacks on workers’ rights. IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan reminded delegates that the union’s political work is about electing leaders who will put working people ahead of politics and fight for policies that improve their lives.
The Maryland and D.C. State Council endorsed the following candidates and elected officials: Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Gov. Wes Moore; U.S. Reps. Sarah Elfreth (D), Johnny Olszewski (D), Jamie Raskin (D), Kweisi Mfume (D), and Glenn Ivey (D); Fifth Congressional District candidate Adrian Boafo (D); Washington, D.C., delegate candidate Robert White (D); Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D); Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D); and several Maryland state delegates and senators who supported IAM members during the Apple Towson organizing campaign.
Delegates also heard updates from IAM Eastern Territory Chief of Staff Lorie Wilson, IAM Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia, IAM Air Transport Territory Coordinator James Carlson, IAM Retirees and Membership Services Assistant Director Rich Evans, and IAM Associate General Counsel Jeff Wheeler on the union’s ongoing organizing, communications, legislative and legal efforts to strengthen the IAM and build power for working people.
The post Maryland/DC State Council Shows IAM Union Power appeared first on IAM Union.
Jul 27, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2026 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced new Section 301 trade actions aimed at addressing forced labor in global supply chains:
“Forced labor has no place in the global economy. Companies and countries that profit from exploitation should not be rewarded with access to the U.S. market at the expense of workers who play by the rules.
“The IAM Union supports strong trade enforcement that defends human rights, protects good-paying jobs and prevents unfair trade practices from undermining American and Canadian manufacturing. When foreign governments allow forced labor to persist in their supply chains, they create an artificial cost advantage that hurts workers everywhere.
“Trade enforcement is most effective when it is focused on changing the behavior of the worst offenders while strengthening partnerships with nations that share our commitment to higher labor standards and fair competition.
“That is why we are deeply troubled to see Canada, which shares the United States’ commitment to ban goods manufactured with forced labor, included in these actions. The IAM Union proudly represents workers in both the United States and Canada, and our members build products together every day through one of the most integrated manufacturing relationships in the world. As this policy moves forward, we encourage the administration to work with Canada to preserve the strong economic and labor partnership that has benefited workers on both sides of the border for generations.”
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.
The post IAM Union: Fight Forced Labor, Strengthen the U.S.-Canada Partnership appeared first on IAM Union.
Jul 25, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., July 25, 2026 – Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller addressed delegates of the IAM Union’s (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Maryland and D.C. State Council on Saturday, where she accepted the union’s endorsement on behalf of the Moore-Miller reelection campaign.
“The Moore-Miller administration is proud to stand with the men and women of the IAM Union who build, maintain, repair and keep our economy moving every day,” said Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “Gov. Moore and I believe that when unions are strong, Maryland is strong. We are honored to receive the endorsement of the IAM Union’s Maryland and D.C. State Council, and we look forward to continuing our work together to create more opportunity, protect workers’ rights and ensure every Maryland family has a fair shot at success.”
The endorsement recognizes Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller’s record of supporting collective bargaining, protecting workers’ rights and partnering with organized labor to create more opportunity for working families across Maryland.
“It was an honor to welcome Lt. Gov. Miller to our State Council and present our endorsement of the Moore-Miller ticket,” said IAM Union Maryland and D.C. State Council President Rick Compher. “Our members know this administration has been a true partner for working people. We’re proud to stand with Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller because they’ve consistently stood with us.”
“Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller have demonstrated that they don’t just talk about supporting workers—they show up when it matters,” said IAM Union Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “When Apple closed its first unionized retail store and denied transfer opportunities to our IAM Local 4538 members in Towson, Gov. Moore publicly stood with those workers and made it clear they deserved the same rights as every other Apple employee. That kind of leadership, combined with this administration’s commitment to collective bargaining and good union jobs, is why the IAM Union is proud to endorse the Moore-Miller ticket.”
The IAM Union represents tens of thousands of workers throughout Maryland in the aerospace, defense, transportation, manufacturing and federal sectors. The Maryland and D.C. State Council of Machinists will mobilize IAM Union members, retirees and their families in support of the Moore-Miller ticket ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.
The post Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller Accepts IAM Union Endorsement on Behalf of Moore-Miller Ticket at Maryland and D.C. State Council Meeting appeared first on IAM Union.
Jul 9, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM and NFFE-IAM joined a broad coalition of labor unions, veterans’ organizations, and lawmakers in opposition to H.R. 9237, the so-called Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.
Led by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), an Iraq War veteran, members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus stood alongside veterans’ advocates and labor leaders to voice concerns that the legislation would reduce benefits for currently serving military members and future veterans.
Among those participating in the event were House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin, AFGE National President Everett Kelley, Jess Finucan, from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.).
Labor and veterans’ advocates warned that the proposal would undermine commitments made to the nation’s servicemembers and veterans, including those returning from recent military operations. Speakers emphasized that veterans have earned the benefits promised to them through their service and sacrifice and called on lawmakers to reject any effort to reduce those benefits.
“America’s servicemembers and veterans have earned every benefit they were promised through their sacrifice and service to our nation,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “Congress should be strengthening the support systems our veterans rely on, not weakening them. NFFE-IAM is proud to stand with our labor partners, veterans’ organizations, and elected leaders in opposing any legislation that breaks faith with those who have worn the uniform.”
The IAM has long advocated for policies that protect veterans, support military families, and ensure access to quality healthcare, retirement security, and workplace opportunities for those who have served.
The coalition pledged to continue educating lawmakers and the public about the potential impact of H.R. 9237 and urged Congress to protect veterans’ benefits rather than reduce them.
The coalition pledged to continue educating lawmakers and the public about the potential impact of H.R. 9237 and urged Congress to protect veterans’ benefits rather than reduce them. The coalition also submitted letters to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate outlining its opposition to the legislation. Read the letters here:
The post IAM, NFFE-IAM Joins Fight Against Proposed Veterans Benefit Cuts appeared first on IAM Union.
Jul 8, 2026 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant joined labor leaders in New Haven for the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s 16th Biennial Political Convention, delivering a powerful keynote address focused on solidarity, organizing, and building worker power in the face of growing attacks on working families.
The convention, themed “Strong Unions, Stronger Democracy,” also featured a keynote address by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and its agenda centered on organizing, political action, economic justice, and the protection of workers’ rights.
Bryant followed Shuler, thanking Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne and the state’s labor movement for their unwavering support during the 2025 IAM District 26 strike at Pratt & Whitney.
“We did not win that strike alone,” Bryant said. “We won because of the solidarity of the labor movement in this state. We won because Connecticut union members understood that the fight at Pratt & Whitney wasn’t just about Pratt & Whitney. It was about every worker in Connecticut.”
Bryant credited the union members of Connecticut for walking picket lines, delivering supplies, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with striking IAM Union Local 1746 and Local 700 members, calling their victory proof that solidarity remains labor’s greatest strength.
Throughout his speech, Bryant challenged corporate greed and attacks on collective bargaining while emphasizing the IAM Union’s commitment to organizing and fighting for working people.
“The labor movement is under attack. Workers are under attack. And unions are under attack,” said Bryant. “But the labor movement has seen this playbook before. And we are not going backward. Not now. Not ever.”
Bryant also highlighted the IAM Union’s Workers vs. Billionaires campaign, urging delegates to recognize that the struggle facing working families transcends political divisions.
“This is not Democrat versus Republican. This is not Left versus Right,” said Bryant. “This is workers versus the people profiting while workers struggle to survive. It is workers versus corporate greed. Workers versus union busting.”
He concluded by calling on delegates to continue organizing new workers and standing united against efforts to weaken unions.
“Together we stand. Together we fight. Together we organize. And together we will build an economy that works for workers—not just billionaires.”
Earlier in the convention, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler urged delegates to continue organizing workers and building political power, arguing that working people must shape an economy that prioritizes the workers who drive it over shareholders and profits.
“That economic pain won’t end until we take on an entire system that has left working people behind, and we put in place an economy that values real work,” said Shuler. “It starts with three words that everyone in this room knows well: Organize, organize, organize. That’s how we change what’s possible in this country.”
Shuler stressed that protecting workers’ rights requires mobilization beyond the workplace and into legislatures. “Organizing in the workplace won’t be successful if it isn’t paired with political organizing. Because the rules matter. Who writes them matters. Who enforces them matters,” said Shuler.
The convention brought together union delegates from across Connecticut to discuss organizing strategies, political action, legislative priorities, and strengthening worker power ahead of the 2026 elections.
The post IP Bryant Calls for Worker Solidarity at Connecticut AFL-CIO Convention appeared first on IAM Union.
Recent Comments