The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Southern Territory held its Southern States Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, where union members discussed strategies to strengthen the organization and support workers’ rights in the region.
Craig Martin, IAM Southern Territory General Vice President, emphasized the need for political involvement. “Our strength, our power, our solidarity is real,” said Martin. “We have to use that to engage in political processes to protect what we have and strengthen it for all workers. It’s how we tell those politicians what is important to us.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed delegates on holding elected officials accountable. “No matter who is in the White House, we will always back those who support bringing our jobs home, create opportunities to grow unions, and protect our retirement and healthcare,” said Bryant. “But we have to call them out when they don’t.” He also spoke about supporting new generations of union members and labor activists: “We’re moving fast in this country; there’s a group of workers who want to form unions, and we are going to be there for them,” said Bryant. “These negotiations and gains for our members create organizing opportunities. It’s an opportunity when we fight an employer and we’re successful, because non-union workers look at it and say ‘we want the same thing for us’.”
Dora Cervantes, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer, reported on the union’s financial stability and highlighted the importance of a strong strike fund: “We are better prepared financially and structurally, so that we can go out there and fight back, just like we’re doing down in St Louis, and what we did at Boeing in Washington and Oregon,” said Cervantes. “We’ve got our reps and everybody out in the field standing ground with our striking workers as they walk the picket line.”
Hasan Solomon, IAM Legislative and Political Director, underscored that political engagement affects all workers: “If you are a worker in this country, you cannot afford not to be involved in politics. Everything that you do is political,” said Solomon.
Updates were provided by Julian Bruner, Charles Bennett, and Derek Cearley on initiatives related to new hires, organizing efforts, disaster relief programs, and retiree support.
An open forum led by Mary McHugh included insights from Richie Johnsen (Air Transport Territory General Vice President), David Sullivan (Eastern Territory General Vice President), and Craig Martin about their motivations for political activism within labor coalitions.
Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr addressed solidarity among southern states: “What happens in one southern state is bound to happen in all southern states” said Carr. “It takes all of us standing together in unity. Let’s be the spark that lights the fire of change.”
Julie Frietchen from IAM Women’s and Young Workers Department described ongoing efforts toward equality through programs such as ‘Be More Than a Bystander’. She also moderated a panel with state council presidents on lobbying legislators.
Carla Siegel, IAM General Counsel, discussed challenges faced by federal workers due to changes at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as well as attempts to cancel federal union contracts: “The problem in Washington right now is that the people who ran campaigns on backing working people are now attacking working people while in office,” said Siegel.
Sector updates came from Craig Hughes (Automotive Department Director), Andrew Sandberg (Metal Trades), and Jason Schroeder (Veterans Program).
Taylor Rehmet—an IAM-endorsed candidate running for Texas State Senate District 9—spoke about his decision to enter politics as a union member.
At the conference close, attendees sent messages of support to striking Local 1297 members at Libbey Glass in Toledo; District 837 members striking in St. Louis; and federal employees affected by current administration policies.
Bryant concluded with remarks on democracy within both country and union: “I don’t care how somebody voted. I know we’ve got people who voted for President Trump…that’s our democracy…But I know nobody…voted for President Trump thinking that he was going to take away bargaining rights for over a million people…because that’s just flat out wrong…I know they didn’t vote…hoping he would defund OSHA…and incapacitate the NLRB…” He added: “This is what’s important: If you voted for him…make sure he knows that you don’t agree with what’s happening…when it comes to union rights…there are no if-ands-or-buts…Unfortunately,…President Trump…and his billionaire buddies do not like organized labor because they know we’re the only voice for…the working people.”
