Category: Politics & Legislative News

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 […]

IAM, Union Coalition Urges the Senate to Reinstate the Federal Tax Deduction for Workers’ Union Dues

The IAM, along with other unions, wrote a letter to Majority Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi to endorse the bipartisan pro-union Tax Fairness for Workers Act (H.R. 2549 / S. 1157). The act provides an above-the-line individual tax deduction for workers’ union dues payments, delivers direct cash tax benefits to millions of middle-class Americans, helps […]

Legislation Introduced Giving Maryland Public Library Employees the Right to Join Unions

The IAM is supporting legislation sponsored by Maryland State Del. Steve Johnson (D-34A), which would provide a consistent process for employees of unorganized public library systems in Maryland to form a union and collectively bargain. Senator Nancy King (D-39) is cross-filing the legislation in the Senate. TAKE ACTION: Help Maryland Library Workers Exercise Their Right […]