Oct 16, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM New Mexico State Council gathered in Ruidoso, N.M., for a weekend of solidarity, strategy, and action, uniting IAM Union members from across the state to strengthen organizing efforts, political engagement, and communication among locals. Delegates focused on organizing, legislative engagement, and communication to strengthen the Union’s voice in workplaces and communities throughout New Mexico.
WATCH: New Mexico State Council Fighting for Workers as Government Shutdown Continues
IAM New Mexico State Council President John Dyrcz (Local 794) kicked off the meeting with energy and purpose, setting a tone of unity that carried throughout the weekend. He also welcomed delegates with remarks that stressed the importance of collaboration and commitment to the labor movement.
Following the opening session, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes delivered a “State of Our Union” update, highlighting the IAM’s continued growth, recent contract victories, and national campaigns advancing the rights of working people. GST Cervantes inspired NMSC delegates to continue building on IAM’s long legacy of advocacy and strength.
IAM Union Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez energized the delegates around the fight for federal employees and IAM federal contract workers, and highlighting the IAM’s critical role in defending fair pay, benefits, and workplace protections.
Throughout the weekend, delegates engaged in discussions on organizing, leadership development, and political advocacy, with a focus on strengthening the IAM’s presence in New Mexico and building deeper alliances with labor-friendly elected officials.
IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen encouraged members to reinforce the union’s air transport campaigns, underscoring how victories in one division benefit the entire organization.
Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the IAM Union International President, celebrated IAM Union Local 331’s first time participating in the NMSC meeting. Hartford also gave a detailed breakdown of the issues facing the rail industry.
Other speakers included
IAM Assistant Legislative and Political Director Loren Almeroth and IAM Assistant Communications Director DeLane Adams.
“Our state council meeting went great,” said NMSC President John Dyrcz. “Over the past two days, we laid down a strong foundation for the 2026 election cycle and updated our bylaws to make sure we have solid ground for picking labor-friendly candidates and next year’s elections. I want to see continued participation, and I hope some new individuals will volunteer to give their time and talents to state council leadership. My message for our delegates is to stay engaged, activate, agitate, and organize.”
The NMSC delegates left Ruidoso with a renewed determination to build union power across New Mexico through solidarity, communication, and action.
NMSC Officers are:
- President, John Dyrcz, Local 794
- 1st Vice President, Art Pardo, Local 2515
- 2nd Vice President, Virgil Thompson, Local 794
- Secretary Treasurer, Tina Davis, Local 794
- Trustee, Lynnelle Jimenez, Local 1635
- Trustee, Bud Duryea Local 2515
- Trustee, Ron More, Local 2515
Affiliated locals included:
- 794 – Albuquerque, Western Territory
- 1635 – Albuquerque, Southwest Airlines
- 2515 – Alamogordo, Western Territory
- 331 – Belen, Rail division
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Oct 16, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM District 19 President & Directing General Chairman Reece Murtagh and TCU/IAM Vice-President Nick Peluso came to Capitol Hill to push for the No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act (H.R. 5475), introduced by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio). They joined IAM and TCU Legislative staff in thanking the bill’s leaders and strategizing on how to get the legislation passed into law before tax time next year.
This bill expands the current overtime tax exemption to ensure that airline, rail, and millions of other FLSA-exempt workers are eligible for the same overtime tax relief already afforded to millions of working Americans.
Tell Congress: Railroad and Airline Workers Deserve an Overtime Tax Deduction Too!
The post IAM, TCU Continue Political Pressure for Expansion of Railroad, Airline Worker Overtime Tax Deduction appeared first on IAM Union.
Oct 14, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2025 — The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is voicing strong support for the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act, newly introduced by U.S. Reps. Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.) and Emily Randall (D-Wash.), with a companion bill sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
The legislation would protect federal employees and contractors from financial hardship during government shutdowns or breaches of the federal debt limit. It suspends certain civil liabilities — such as rent, mortgage payments, student loans, and tax obligations — for furloughed workers or those required to work without pay, while safeguarding them from eviction, foreclosure, credit penalties, and loss of insurance coverage.
“Every time there’s a government shutdown, the people who keep our country running — the men and women who maintain our aircraft, protect our borders, care for our veterans, and serve our communities — are forced to pay the price,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM Union strongly supports the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act because no federal employee or contractor should face eviction, foreclosure, or financial ruin for simply doing their jobs. We thank Representatives Boyle and Randall, and Senator Schatz, for standing up for the dignity and security of working people who deserve protection from political brinkmanship.”
The IAM Union represents more than 100,000 federal employees and federal service contract workers across the United States, including those who maintain military aircraft, operate national parks, and provide critical public services. The union has consistently advocated for policies that ensure fair treatment and financial stability for these workers during government funding lapses.
The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act mirrors long-standing protections provided to military service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. It ensures that financial obligations and civil proceedings are paused during a shutdown and for 30 days afterward, giving workers much-needed security and peace of mind.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) 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, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, the federal sector and other industries across the United States and Canada.
The post IAM Union Supports Federal Employees Civil Relief Act to Protect Federal Workers and Contractors During Government Shutdowns appeared first on IAM Union.
Oct 9, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2025 – The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), the nation’s largest aerospace, defense and Service Contract Act labor union, is calling on members of Congress to pass the bipartisan Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657). The legislation would ensure federal contract workers receive back pay for lost wages during the current government shutdown.
Following the federal government shutdown, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), introduced the legislation to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who face furloughs and missed paychecks when the federal government is shutdown.
“Through no fault of their own, many of these families faced the reality of missing payments on their mortgages, student loans, school tuition, car loans, health care premiums, daycare, interest fees, and so many other expenses,” IAM Union International President Brian Bryant wrote to lawmakers in the House and Senate. “Today, they are looking down the barrel of a similar fate. Contract workers and their families should not suffer the consequences of a shutdown they had no hand in creating. Dedicated federal contract workers maintain the aircraft, vehicles and systems that keep our military mission-ready and our nation secure. Many live paycheck to paycheck and are among the first to feel the devastating impact of a government shutdown.”
In addition to urging swift passage of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, the IAM Union is also condemning the unlawful threat from the Trump administration to withhold back pay from federal workers impacted by the shutdown.
The IAM stands in solidarity with all federal and contract workers and calls on lawmakers in both chambers to move swiftly to end the shutdown and pass the bipartisan Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, ensuring that working families are not left behind.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) 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, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, the federal sector, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
The post IAM Union Urges Members of Congress to Support Federal Contract Workers Amid Government Shutdown appeared first on IAM Union.
Oct 9, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2025 — The 600-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), is opposing the nominations of Crystal Carey for General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Scott Mayer and James Murphy for NLRB Members. The IAM Union is urging the U.S. Senate to take no action on these nominees until NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox, who was unjustly fired by President Donald Trump, is reinstated.
“As I’ve stated before, the IAM urges President Donald Trump to reverse the unprecedented and illegal firing of NLRB Member Wilcox, restore the Board’s independence, and protect workers’ rights,” IAM Union International President Brian Bryant wrote in a letter to members of the U.S. Senate. “The NLRB, with Board members from both political parties, is crucial to the rights of our nation’s private-sector workforce, and without this balance, enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act cannot occur in a fair or impartial way.”
Wilcox was reconfirmed by the Senate in September 2023 with bipartisan support for a term ending Aug. 27, 2028. The IAM Union maintains that the Board must include properly seated members from both political parties to ensure fair and impartial enforcement of the law.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) 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, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
The post IAM Union Opposes NLRB Nominees Until Unjustly Fired Member Wilcox is Reinstated appeared first on IAM Union.
Oct 6, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 1, 2025 – IAM Union Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez issued the following statement congratulating Adelita Grijalva, who was endorsed by the IAM Union’s Arizona State Council, on her victory in the general election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District while also calling for her to be seated immediately in Congress:
“On behalf of the IAM Union and our Arizona State Council’s leadership and delegates, I congratulate Adelita Grijalva on her historic and hard-fought victory in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.
“Adelita has dedicated her life to public service and advocacy, standing shoulder to shoulder with working families in Southern Arizona. As a proud native of our community, she has earned the trust of her neighbors through decades of leadership as a local elected official, an education champion, and a tireless defender of working people.
“It is unacceptable that the people of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District remain without representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The voters have duly elected Adelita Grijalva, and the IAM Union joins working families across Arizona in calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately seat her so she can get to work on behalf of her constituents.
“Her unwavering support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, along with her commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare, and holding corporations and billionaires accountable, are exactly the priorities Southern Arizona families voted for.
“Adelita is ready to lead with compassion, clarity, and purpose. IAM Union members are proud to stand with her as she begins the work of building a stronger future for all families.”
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.
goIAM.org | @IAM_Union
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