Retired International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Robert Martinez Jr. will be inducted into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes his extensive service to workers in Texas and throughout the United States.
Martinez, a native Texan and U.S. Naval Air veteran, began his career with IAM in 1980 as an aircraft assembler at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas. He joined IAM Local 776A and advanced through various roles including educator, safety advocate, and leader at multiple levels within the union.
In 2003, Martinez was elected to the IAM Executive Council as Southern Territory General Vice President, representing members across a large region. By 2013, he became Resident General Vice President of IAM, where he oversaw the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center along with several departments at IAM Headquarters. He assumed the role of IAM’s 14th International President in January 2016.
During his tenure as president, Martinez became both the first person of color to lead IAM and the first Latino president of a major labor union in U.S. history. His leadership focused on education, safety initiatives, empowering working families, organizing efforts, collective bargaining improvements, and political advocacy.
“IAM International President Brian Bryant said: ‘Bob represents the very best of our union. He is a leader who came from the shop floor and dedicated his life to lifting up working people. He broke barriers, strengthened the IAM, and inspired countless members and leaders across our movement. This recognition is well deserved, and we thank him for his lasting impact on the IAM family and working people everywhere.’”
The induction ceremony will take place during the Texas Labor Hall of Fame Dinner on January 24 in Georgetown, Texas.
