Machinists Union Members Make Powerful Return to Capitol Hill at IAM Legislative Conference

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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Updated: July 5, 2022 — 7:07 am