The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security with a renewed commitment to advocate for the program’s protection and expansion. Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, issued a statement highlighting the importance of Social Security for millions of working families since its establishment in 1935.
“On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, the IAM Union is reaffirming its commitment to protecting and strengthening the program that millions of working families rely on. Since its inception in 1935, Social Security has lifted millions of older Americans out of poverty and given workers the peace of mind that they can retire with dignity,” said Bryant.
Bryant noted concerns about ongoing proposals to reduce benefits under Social Security and Medicare. He referenced warnings from groups such as the Alliance for Retired Americans about potential threats to these programs.
He also addressed broader economic trends affecting retirement security. “Social Security has stood the test of time, proving to be a rock-solid lifeline for America’s working families, even through some of our nation’s most brutal economic times. However, the decline of traditional pension plans and decades of stagnant or falling real wages have made it more complicated than ever for working people to save for retirement. For millions, Social Security is now the largest and sometimes only source of retirement income for working people,” Bryant stated.
Bryant emphasized that IAM members have contributed significantly to both their industries and to Social Security itself. “Our hardworking IAM members have invested their blood, sweat, and tears into this system, and they deserve more than empty promises. They deserve the guarantee of a secure retirement. The IAM’s legacy of fighting for dignified retirement benefits spans generations, yet the gains we’ve made are still not enough. We will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security, ensuring it remains a dependable, robust support system for every worker who has given their all to build this nation.”
The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across various sectors in North America including aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive industries in both the United States and Canada (https://www.goiam.org/).
For more information about IAM Union initiatives or statements on social security policy visit goIAM.org or follow @IAM_Union on social media.
