IAM members and political activists from across the United States convened in Washington, DC this week for the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference, hearing from allies of the Machinists Union and lobbying members of Congress.
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., as well as IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, welcomed Legislative Conference delegates after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WATCH: Machinists Union Back on Capitol Hill for 2022 IAM Legislative Conference
“We are here this week in Washington, DC so that we can continue to help people live better lives. And we can’t leave what we learn this week here on Capitol Hill,” said Martinez. “You must take this home to explain to our members why we care about legislative issues and how their union is fighting for them.”
Martinez recapped the IAM’s support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Buy American, defense funding, stiffer penalties for assault on airline customer service agents, and more.
PHOTOS: IAM Legislative Conference Day 1
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the Conference and congratulated Apple employees in Towson, MD for winning their union election to join the IAM. She also called for union members to keep pressure on the Senate to pass the PRO Act.
“Our nation has taken key steps forward, but so much more needs to be done,” said Pelosi. “Nearly half of non-union workers would organize if they could, we have to make sure they have that opportunity.
PHOTOS: IAM Legislative Conference Days 2 and 3
Other speakers and Machinists Union allies at the 2022 IAM Legislative Conference included:
- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD)
- U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA)
- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH)
- U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ)
- U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (ME)
- U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA)
- U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ)
- U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA)
- U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN)
- IAM Aerospace General Vice President Mark Blondin
- IAM General Counsel Carla Siegel
- TCU/IAM Vice President and National Legislative Director William DeCarlo
- NFFE-IAM Federal District 1 National President Randy Erwin
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Back from the @MachinistsUnion #IAMLegComf after a short Metro ride home to VA. Man what an honor, treat, as well as a humbling experience to be able to reconnect with my fellow #unionstrong Fighting Machinists and take the Worker’s Word up to Capitol Hill. Feeling fired up! pic.twitter.com/nTWZExHKfh
— Camille Saint-Shanës (@N734NJ) June 23, 2022
Very happy @MachinistsUnion stopped by my Washington, DC, office today! pic.twitter.com/CivKrVywET
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) June 22, 2022
Machinists have been on the Hill all week. District 751 #IAMLegConf delegates met with @SenatorCantwell and discussed the Pro-Act, Intalco, and funding the NLRB #MachinistStrong #SaveIntalco pic.twitter.com/E1TZJwUiWf
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 22, 2022
Today the UVC joined @MachinistsUnion members and @NFFE_Union VA nurses in a meeting with @SenatorHassan to talk about the workers that support our vets at the VA.
From the @GWOTMF to fighting for veterans healthcare, she is is a true champion for our community! #1u pic.twitter.com/YbcLYCrl0Y
— Union Veterans Council????
Pass the #PROAct (@unionveterans) June 22, 2022
. @NFFE_Union National President Randy Erwin: “Every wildland firefighter across the country will receive a much needed pay raise thanks to @POTUS” #IAMLegConf pic.twitter.com/wmd3XrQ6Nq
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 22, 2022
Great start to my morning at #IAMLegConf with the women & men of @MachinistsUnion, including @IAM751 & @iam_district160. When unions are strong, Washington’s working women & men see higher wages & better benefits. #MachinistStrong @IAMBobMartinez pic.twitter.com/zFlW8ZjfIo
— Rep. Rick Larsen (@RepRickLarsen) June 22, 2022
Great to join machinists from Maine and across the country this morning. #MachinistStrong @MachinistsUnion https://t.co/7HOABdaO8X
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) June 22, 2022
“You couldn’t do you’re jobs over Zoom. You went to work, and we will never forget what you did.” – Rep. @DonaldNorcross to #IAMLegConf delegates… Yes we did!
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 22, 2022
Pleased to join @MachinistsUnion at #IAMLegConf. The strength of our economy comes from the collective strength of our workers, & Dems are committed to continuing our work w/ unions like IAMAW to defend workers’ rights & ensure folks have the tools they need to #MakeItInAmerica. https://t.co/pFLoGEWb0f
— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) June 21, 2022
“We can’t forget about workers being at the center of our economic policy. When you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work.” – @SenSherrodBrown at #IAMLegConf pic.twitter.com/1TgPyz9xJI
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
“I’ve seen more and more men and women behind the trade union movement than I’ve seen in my life … the #Machinists are leading some of the most innovative approaches in apprenticeships.“ – @SenSherrodBrown at #IAMLegConf pic.twitter.com/43zoeG905W
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
“As of this time last year, airline employment is up 2% of what it was pre-pandemic … IAM members are my people. I live around lots of IAM members. These are the people I count on for advice.” – @SenatorCantwell at #IAMLegConf #MachinstStrong pic.twitter.com/ckv6NGVra1
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
. @BettyMcCollum04 at #IAMLegConf: “It’s going to take #Machinists building it. We can’t do it without you. That’s why my focus is on you. Aerospace & ship building are critical to our national security. We need your input on the front lines.” pic.twitter.com/ZQH4c82WRz
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
. @RepRubenGallego: “We have the best planes, best ships, best defense – You can’t have that without the best workforce. It’s the the skilled labor for the last hundred years that made those defense companies the best. You, the #Machinists, are the base of that.” #IAMLegConf pic.twitter.com/itxyz5D6oW
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
“In every way, #Machinists have been a resource for the good of the country, even when it doesn’t directly impact your union.” – @SpeakerPelosi speaks to IAM legislative activists at #IAMLegConf pic.twitter.com/TwJK5pqXxC
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 21, 2022
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