Aug 29, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM Legislative and Political Department helped the AFL-CIO kick off their inaugural Labor Day event featuring the State of the Unions address.
The theme for this Labor Day is “why it’s better in a union.” This event began the campaign to remind workers everywhere about the power of unions.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond delivered an inaugural State of the Unions address where they released new polling which underscores the American people’s support of unions—especially that of young workers—and their view of unions as critical to growing the middle class and providing opportunities for working people to thrive. Additionally, both officers stressed that with this unprecedented level of support, working people in unions are prepared to organize like never before, hold big corporations accountable and restore America’s promise for all.
“The idea of a union may sound complicated, but in reality, unions are just a group of people coming together. They are about each of us becoming the most powerful version of ourselves that we possibly can,” said Shuler. “And there is nothing better than finding that power alongside the people we work with and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. That’s all a union is. It’s that simple. People in this country have been searching for their power for a long time now, young people especially.”
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Aug 8, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
Five IAM members recently had the chance to meet President Biden during his visit to Maine. The president was in Auburn, Maine, to deliver economic remarks and sign an “Invent in Here, Make it Here” executive order on federal research and development supporting domestic manufacturing.
Maine State Council of Machinists President Mark Vigliotta was among the IAM members present.
“It was exciting, and I really appreciate the opportunity,” said Vigliotta, who said the president thanked the IAM for its continued support. “Thank you so much to Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan and Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon for giving me the opportunity to meet President Biden.”
Vigliotta was able to alert President Biden to issues faced by IAM Local 207 lobstermen, including misguided attempts to restrict lobstering with offshore wind development based on faulty science regarding right whales.
First Lady Jill Biden had previously spoken with IAM Local 207 members about lobstering issues during a visit in 2020.
“President Biden’s ‘Invent in Here, Make it Here’ executive order is a significant step forward in ensuring that the United States remains a leader in innovation and manufacturing,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “This will help to create the conditions necessary for American workers to continue to invent and innovate. It will also help ensure American workers make these cutting-edge products in America.”
Joining Vigliotta in the IAM’s contingent was Local 207 Organizer Virginia Olsen, Local S7 Vice President Anthony Leeman, Local S6 Communicator Devin Ragnar, and Local S6 Legislative Committee Member Scott McDonald.
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Jul 18, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM, the largest U.S. aerospace and defense union, is again sounding the alarm to increase the domestic production of major defense programs.
As consideration of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) continues, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. is calling for Senators to support a bipartisan amendment that would gradually raise Buy American requirements on major defense programs from 55% to 75% by 2029.
“For far too long we have neglected to properly consider the impact of defense procurement policy on our domestic industrial base and, consequently, on the U.S. economy,” wrote Martinez in a letter to U.S. Senators. “We must understand that the foundation of our industrial base lies with the skills and abilities of the American worker.”
Earlier this year, the increased Buy American language passed in the House FY 2024 NDAA after again being championed by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.). U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is leading the charge to pass the bipartisan amendment in the Senate.
“This sorely needed language would help create countless high-quality defense manufacturing jobs across the United States, dramatically strengthen our domestic industrial base and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to effectively complete their mission,” wrote Martinez.
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Jul 13, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, July 13, 2023– The IAM’s Eastern States Conference of Machinists has unanimously endorsed U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) for U.S. Senate.
Blunt Rochester has been a consistent champion for Machinists Union members, securing a 100% voting record in the IAM’s legislative scorecard.
The fourth-term congresswoman is a co-sponsor of the pro-labor Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and has supported critical legislation for the IAM and working people, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan.
“Rep. Blunt Rochester is a strong advocate for working families and the middle class,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “She has a proven track record of fighting for good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and defense programs that help keep our nation safe. “She is a proven leader who will fight for the issues that matter to our members. We are proud to endorse her for U.S. Senate and know she will be a champion for the people of Delaware.”
Rep. Blunt Rochester is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. She is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“Rep. Blunt Rochester is a proven champion for workers in the manufacturing industry,” said Eastern States Conference of Machinists President E. Michael Vartabedian. “She has a track record of fighting for fair wages, a voice in the workplace, and quality healthcare. We are confident that she will be a strong voice for the people of Delaware in the U.S. Senate.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
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Jun 27, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM members at the 2023 IAM Legislative Conference share their thoughts on legislative issues facing our members in a variety of industries.
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Jun 23, 2023 | Politics & Legislative News
The 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), utilizing a democratic process that included a general membership vote open to all U.S. members in good standing, has endorsed President Biden for a second term.
The IAM’s endorsement is the overwhelming majority will of the IAM’s U.S. membership and its state council presidents, who voted online through an independent third ballot balloting system. More about the IAM’s endorsement process is available at iamvoting.org.
The results of the IAM’s general membership vote are:
Joe Biden – 61%
Donald Trump – 17%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – 7%
Ron DeSantis – 7%
*Reflects every candidate who received more than 2% of the IAM’s general membership vote. Figures rounded to the nearest percentage point.
All of the participating IAM State Council Presidents, the IAM’s elected political leaders from each state, voted to endorse President Biden over the top vote-getting Republican candidate from the IAM’s general membership election.
A statement from IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.:
“The IAM is proud to continue our democratic tradition in our endorsement process and equally as proud to endorse a champion for working people, President Joe Biden, for a second term.
“President Biden has been a staunch advocate and champion for working people. He has delivered on his vision for our nation, which is centered on partnering with organized labor to deliver good jobs with strong benefits and secure retirements. President Biden believes in an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
“The IAM looks forward to building upon the great work of the Biden administration. Work that includes a historic investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, while making large corporations adhere to Buy American requirements. President Biden’s work also included passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and saving millions of jobs through the American Rescue Plan.
“Our membership realized that we couldn’t let candidates who seek to destroy our democracy and economy rewrite the rules in favor of CEOs and Wall Street. Our union went from getting WARN notices announcing plant closures from corporate CEOs under the previous administration to receiving job openings under this administration.
“The American economy roared back after the numerous plant closures under Biden’s predecessor. The Biden-Harris Administration created millions of jobs since taking office, including nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs. The IAM is happy to report that manufacturing is back, and it’s because this administration didn’t just give lip service to Buy America. His Buy America policy has positively impacted the lives of millions of working Americans.
“Our union will work on educating our entire membership about what’s at stake in this election and why Joe Biden is the only candidate with a plan to build and grow an economy that works in the best interest of working families.”
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