Nearly 30 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) attended the New Mexico State Council (NMSC) conference in Santa Fe at the end of January. The two-day meeting, led by Council President John Dyrcz and Secretary Treasurer Tina Davis, featured speeches from state politicians, IAM leaders, and union members. Delegates also participated in officer elections, met with political candidates, and had opportunities to lobby on state issues.
“This is a great opportunity to engage IAM members on a grassroots level and set a political agenda for the new year,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “This is a big year because the election cycle will include the midterms in November.”
Gubernatorial candidates from both parties, including Democrats Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman, spoke to attendees about their plans for supporting unions if elected.
“I am impressed with slate of candidates in attendance who are running for New Mexico governor,” said IAM Resident Vice President Jody Bennett. “The fact that those candidates took time out of their busy schedule to visit us shows the political power of the New Mexico State Council and the IAM voting bloc.”
Delegates spent part of the conference lobbying at the Roundhouse for legislation intended to support medical professionals, especially those working in rural areas. NMSC President John Dyrcz explained: “We lobbied in support of a bill that would reform New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice laws to attract and retain medical professionals throughout our state, especially in rural communities. We had one-on-one meetings with legislators and visited offices to inform them of Machinist Council support for this critical legislation. The day after we lobbied, that bill passed its first committee hearing on a bipartisan vote of 7-3.”
The council plans to hold its next conference on June 26 in Albuquerque, where it will announce endorsements for statewide candidates.
“We are a politically diverse State Council, and despite these ideological differences, we can engage, debate, and learn without losing sight that we all want what’s best for New Mexicans and our IAM families,” said Dyrcz. “Our mutual respect for one another makes us stronger.”
