Category: Politics & Legislative News

Machinists Union Meets with USTR to Discuss Trade Priorities

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. met with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai this week to discuss the Indo-Pacific Trade Framework (IPEF) and other trade priorities. The IAM also stressed the importance of having a robust, comprehensive strategy that coordinates policies in trade, combats harmful trade practices, and doesn’t undermine the Buy American, Buy […]

IAM Supports Legislation to Establish Global Safety Standards for U.S. Aircraft Repairs to Protect Maintenance Jobs

This week, U.S. Reps. Julie Brownley (D-CA) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) introduced the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 1716). The bipartisan legislation will institute a global safety standard for U.S. aircraft repairs and create measures to prevent the offshoring of domestic aircraft maintenance jobs.  “The traveling public deserves to know that commercial aircraft […]

IAM Calls for Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Extension

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. sent a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh urging the department to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and allow it to start receiving applications. “Thousands of hard-working people are counting on this benefit, which provides crucial assistance such as training and employment services,” said IAM International […]

IAM, Civil Society Groups Share Worker-Centered Priorities for Proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

On March 1, the IAM and more than 400 organizations and labor groups sent a letter to the Biden Administration calling for strong labor rights commitments and other critical priorities for the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The letter outlines measures needed for the IPEF, including swift and enforceable labor standards, climate provisions focusing on […]

IAM Rail Division Leadership Joins Major Rail Unions, U.S. Senators to Demand Paid Sick Time for Rail Workers

IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford and TCU/IAM Assistant National Legislative Director David Arouca, along with representatives from the major rail unions, joined U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) for a press conference on Capitol Hill demanding paid sick time from rail companies for all […]

Amidst Great Challenges, President Biden Continues Historic Progress for Working Families

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2023 – Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement regarding President Biden’s State of the Union address: “As one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in the United States, the Machinists Union cares first and foremost about […]

Machinists Union Members and Library Employees Testify on Legislation Giving Maryland Public Library Employees the Right to Join Unions

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and its allies testified this week on House Bill 65/Senate Bill 0352 in front of the House Appropriations Committee chaired by Maryland State Del. Ben Barnes. This legislation, introduced by Maryland State Del. Steve Johnson and cross-filed in the Senate by State Sen. Nancy King, continues […]

IAM District 54 Vice President Sits at Senator’s Roundtable to Advocate for Veterans

District 54 Vice President and Veterans Committee Chairman Fred Confer recently attended a veterans roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) facility in Ashland, OH. The roundtable discussed the newly-established PACT Act, the benefits it will provide for veterans, and how to make those benefits accessible […]