Jun 18, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
The 2024 IAM Legislative Conference started on Monday, June 17, in Washington, D.C. This significant conference is bringing together more than 300 delegates from districts and locals across the United States to discuss critical legislative and political issues affecting our members and the labor movement as a whole.
The conference opened with impactful speeches from IAM International President Brian Bryant and IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon. They welcomed IAM delegates and outlined a proactive agenda for the week, emphasizing legislative priorities and strategies to enhance workers’ rights and protections.
“Our power comes from you – the membership. It comes from our unity, our diversity, and our power in numbers,” said Bryant. “It comes from aerospace workers, defense workers, airline workers, railroad workers, manufacturing workers, federal workers, healthcare workers, and so much more… standing together as one to demand respect.”
WATCH: IAM International President Brian Bryant Opening 2024 IAM Legislative Conference
The IAM Legislative Conference is a crucial event for the union. It provides a platform for members to interact with policymakers, deliberate on policy, and advocate for an agenda that upholds workers’ rights and advances working people’s priorities.
“Through our advocacy, we safeguard and champion the rights of our members, making it known to Congress that our union embodies not merely the work we do but the spirit of American workers,” said Solomon.
PHOTOS: 2024 IAM Legislative Conference
The first two days of the 2024 IAM Legislative Conference included important speakers such as:
- Brian Bryant, IAM International President
- Hasan Solomon, IAM National Political and Legislative Director
- U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)
- U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
- U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
- U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)
- Amit Bose, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator
- Owen Herrnstadt, Export-Import Board of Directors Member
- U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Ca.)
- Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO Director of Advocacy
- Lori Wallach, Rethink Trade Director
Twitter Thread: https://x.com/MachinistsUnion/status/1802731219211165967
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Jun 12, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
YORK, Pa., June 12, 2024 – Pete Buttigieg spoke today in York, Pa., at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists, the political body in Pennsylvania for the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the nation’s largest aerospace, airline, transportation and defense labor union.
The conference brings together hundreds of IAM activists from across Pennsylvania who are mobilizing for the 2024 election. In 2023, the IAM overwhelmingly endorsed President Biden for a second term through a rank-and-file membership vote.
The IAM represents tens of thousands of airline, manufacturing, aerospace, defense and other workers in Pennsylvania.
“As someone who has been engaged in Pennsylvania and national politics my entire life, I’ve never seen a more pro-worker White House than the Biden Administration,” said Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists President C.A. “Obie” O’Brien. “We’re so grateful to Mr. Buttigieg for joining on us on his own time as IAM members in the Commonwealth do everything we can to win a second term for President Biden and Vice President Harris.”
IAM members are benefitting from the Biden Administration’s historic investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, while making large corporations adhere to Buy American requirements. President Biden’s signature legislation victories, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, are laying the groundwork for the creation of thousands of good union jobs. Dozens of IAM-represented plants closed during the Trump administration.
“The IAM is gearing up to launch the largest political mobilization effort in the 136-year history of our union,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant, who also serves on President Biden’s Export Council. “In battleground states like Pennsylvania, we are using every resource necessary to return President Biden to the White House and continue to remake this country for working families and the unions that fight for them.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transportation, automotive, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
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Jun 11, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
This year’s IAM Legislative conference will take place from June 17-19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001.
The IAM Legislative Conference is a crucial platform for IAM members to voice their concerns in Washington, DC, and advocate for policies that directly impact working families.
As part of the conference schedule, attendees will lobby members of Congress and remind them who they were elected to represent. IAM members will meet with their congressional representatives and provide their perspectives to advocate on behalf of IAM members and their families on the issues that matter most.
Given the Juneteenth Holiday, it’s important to note that all congressional offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19. To maximize the effectiveness of lobby visits, delegates planning to attend the 2024 IAM Legislative Conference are strongly advised to pre-schedule meetings with their congressional representatives and Senators for Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
The 2024 IAM Legislative Conference Schedule:
Monday, June 17
9:00am – 12:30pm Registration
1:30pm – 2:30pm General Session
Tuesday, June 18
8:00am – 8:45am Registration
9:00am – 12:00pm General Session
5:30pm – 7:30pm Congressional Reception
Wednesday, June 19
9:00am – 12:00pm General Session
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Jun 11, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM International President Brian Bryant, on behalf of the 600,000 active and retired IAM members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest aerospace manufacturing union in North America, wrote a letter to President Biden strongly urging support for the Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Technology Hub’s application for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Phase 2 Implementation Grant.
“This grant is not just about the hub, but about the livelihoods and future of our members who are at the forefront of aerospace innovation and manufacturing,” said Bryant. “The continued hard work and partnership of labor, industry, government, and educational institutions will ensure the United States remains the undeniable leader in advanced aerospace development and manufacturing for generations to come.”
“By investing in the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub, we’re not just securing America’s place as a leader in aerospace,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. We’re fueling innovation that will propel us to new heights in air travel and space exploration. It’s an investment in the future of aerospace innovation and the continued strength of our nation.”
The IAM commends the administration, Congress, and leaders like U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), for championing the historic Chips and Science Act. This legislation designates 31 EDA Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs, fostering expertise across the nation and bolstering U.S. economic and national security through investments in innovative technology and advanced manufacturing leadership domestically.
The award of an EDA Phase 2 Implementation Grant to the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub will ensure we remain not just the global leader in aerospace manufacturing but will ensure we become the global leader in innovation and manufacture of the next generation of materials and processes used to build the future of air travel and space exploration.
For these reasons, the IAM urges support and prioritization of the Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Technology Hub’s application for an Economic Development Administration Phase 2 Implementation Grant.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, automotive, railroad, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
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Jun 10, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
The Kentucky/Tennessee Joint State Council of Machinists recently met in Lexington, Ky., to strategize and equip members with the knowledge and tools to fight anti-union legislation, grow the joint council, and advocate for policies that benefit IAM members in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Paul Kendall, IAM Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer (GST), provided an update on the 2024 Grand Lodge Convention while emphasizing the GST’s office role in safeguarding our organization’s resources to ensure members have the necessary support to grow the IAM and advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security.
IAM National Legislative and Political Assistant Director Loren Almeroth highlighted the Biden Administration’s substantial investments in infrastructure and manufacturing. He underscored the importance of enforcing Buy American requirements for large corporations and praised the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan, which collectively aims to save millions of jobs and foster an economy benefiting IAM members and their families.
“Rebuilding efforts are underway in Kentucky. This meeting serves as a vital platform to inform members in Tennessee and Kentucky about detrimental legislation,” said Kentucky State Council of Machinists President and IAM District 1888 Business Representative and Organizer Ryan McCarthy. “I look forward to building off this event before our next joint meeting in the spring.
“We aim for delegates to recognize the diversity within IAM and our unified purpose,” said Tennessee State Council of Machinists Vice President and IAM District 1888 Assistant Directing Business Representative Bill Benson. “The training sessions were fruitful, and we hope delegates will relay the insights gained to their locals and districts. Under the leadership of Tennessee State Council of Machinists President and IAM District 1888 President and Directing Business Representative Ernie Epps, our objective is to organize lobby days for the upcoming legislative session in Tennessee.”
Kentucky AFL-CIO President Dustin Reinstedler and Political Director Liles Taylor attended the joint meeting. They emphasized the importance of proactive engagement in legislative processes to protect and advance the interests of IAM members.
IAM Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Julian “Juice” Bruner brought greetings on behalf of IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin and Chief of Staff Reggie Dixon. Bruner showcased the new efforts to serve members in the territory.
“One of our missions in the Southern Territory will be to increase the servicing of our members,” said Bruner. “We want to reconnect with members through additional training and assistance with organizing, steward training, and negotiations.”
Other speakers included:
- DeLane Adams, IAM Assistant Communications Director
- Galen Bullock, Vice President, Employee Benefit Systems
- Richard Evans, IAM Veteran Services Coordinator
- Joe Gruber, Assistant Director at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center
- Fred Ross, IAM National Pension Fund
- Ko Vang, IAM Grand Lodge Auditor
- Tim Wright, IAM Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative
The Kentucky/Tennessee Joint State Council of Machinists plans to build on the energy from this meeting and continue its efforts to strengthen the Machinists Union in both states.
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Jun 6, 2024 | Politics & Legislative News
As U.S. representatives on Congress’s House Appropriations Committee work to finalize Department of Defense Appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote a letter to the committee’s Chairman and Ranking Members urging prioritization and support of consistent funding for two Virginia-Class submarines per year in the FY 2025 budget and beyond.
“Consistent funding for two VA-class submarines per year is necessary to promote the long-term health of the domestic shipbuilding industrial base and the workforce on which it relies,” wrote Bryant. “This industry cannot thrive as a feast-or-famine endeavor. A clear market signal of consistent two-per-year funding is absolutely vital to maintain and grow the necessary highly skilled workforce and promote the industry partnerships needed to ensure success in efficient submarine production.”
Thanks to the advocacy of the IAM, the largest defense union in the United States, and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act included language for full funding for two Virginia-class submarines per year in the FY 2025 budget.
The IAM continues to be at the forefront of this issue, actively advocating for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines per year in the final draft of the National Defense Authorization Act and guaranteeing that Congress appropriates the necessary funds through the Defense Appropriations Bill.
“Furthermore, proper funding of this program will continue to have positive spillover effects which act to bolster and grow our industrial base throughout domestic shipbuilding and manufacturing industries as we as a nation look to rebuild the U.S. manufacturing sector across industries,” wrote Bryant.
Earlier this year, the IAM sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging for steady financial backing for the program, highlighting its significance in strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry and supporting a vast array of high-quality union jobs.
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