The Kentucky State Council of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) organized a lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, giving union members an opportunity to meet directly with lawmakers during Kentucky’s legislative session.
Although the council’s official meeting is scheduled for late May, leadership decided to hold this event earlier in the year so that IAM members could engage with elected officials while key decisions were being made.
“We had a great lobbying day,” said Chris Harrington, President of the IAM Union Kentucky State Council, who led the event. “If we had 18 to 20 members this year, we need 36 to 40 next year.”
Craig Martin, General Vice President for IAM Southern Territory, commented on the increased participation. “The Kentucky State Council is doing great engaging members and making sure they are prepared and have the confidence to speak with elected officials about issues that are impacting workers,” he said. “We need to keep the energy up to continue building worker power across the state, and the entire South.”
Participation in this year’s lobby day grew compared to previous years. In 2025, only five members attended; this year, 18 rank-and-file members from six different IAM locals—Local 219, Local 681, Local 830, Local 1294, Local 1720, and Local 1969—made the trip.
“It’s not just me,” Harrington said. “It’s all of our leadership in Kentucky. The locals were supportive. The locals sent their people and paid lost time for them to be there. It was a great effort all around.”
The day began with a morning strategy session that included coordination with the Kentucky AFL-CIO to review legislative talking points. Members then met with legislators before regrouping in the afternoon for a debriefing session.
Ryan McCarthy, IAM Southern Territory Special Representative and former president of the Kentucky State Council, joined members throughout the day as they spoke with legislators.
IAM members addressed several policy areas affecting working families in Kentucky:
– They discussed efforts to repeal right-to-work laws through Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 585.
– Members advocated for HB 472—the Kentucky Buy America Act—which aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing requirements so taxpayer funds support American jobs.
– Unemployment insurance reform was another focus. Members called attention to recent changes that require laid-off workers to make multiple weekly job search contacts—a rule that has added burdens for both employees and employers when temporary layoffs or retooling periods occur.
Harrington noted that increased participation shows greater awareness among union members about political engagement: “I think the labor movement is coming to the forefront, and our membership is starting to see the important issues that we have to get out there and stand up for,” he said.
While legislative challenges remain ahead, organizers say that growing involvement demonstrates commitment among IAM members toward advocating policies aimed at protecting workers’ rights and strengthening unions.
