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The proud IAM members of the Southern Territory gathered for the Southern States Conference in Biloxi, Miss. to strategize together for the defense and growth of the union and worker power in the South.
IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin reminded delegates of why political activism and coming together with legislative allies is imperative to the survival and success of the union.
“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 spoke to the conference about holding elected officials accountable to the promises they make.
“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.”
Bryant emphasized the importance of thinking into the future and building the next generation of IAM Union members, as well as the next generation of labor activists in our country.
“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’.”
IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes shared words of pride and encouragement for the Southern States and IAM executive leadership. She reported on the Union’s finances, highlighting the health of a strong strike fund to support members who make the courageous move to strike for a better life.
“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.”
IAM Legislative and Political Director Hasan Solomon amplified the message that it doesn’t matter if you want to be involved in politics, policy and legislation will affect you.
“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.
IAM Southern Territory International Representatives Julian Bruner, Charles Bennett, and Derek Cearley provided updates on new hire initiatives, organizing, and the disaster relief and retiree programs.
IAM William W. Winpisinger Center Director Mary McHugh interviewed IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan, and IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin in an open forum to discuss what inspired them to become politically active and their experiences working with coalitions in the labor movement.
Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr spoke to delegates about the importance of solidarity and coming together.
“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.”
IAM Women’s and Young Workers Department Director Julie Frietchen spoke to the conference about what IAM Union is doing today to keep creating equality, featuring the IAM’s adoption of the ‘Be More Than a Bystander’ program.
Frietchen moderated a panel discussion with the IAM State Council presidents of the South about how to lobby, connect with legislators, work with affiliates, and coordinate with other unions to push the interests of IAM members.
IAM General Counsel Carla Siegel gave a presentation about how workers are under attack at the federal level by the strategic dismantling of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the blatant and illegal attempts to cancel federal workers’ 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.
Craig Hughes, IAM Automotive Department Director, updated the conference about current priorities and initiatives for the automotive sector, and IAM International Representatives Andrew Sandberg and Jason Schroeder each delivered reports: Sandberg on the Metal Trades and Schroeder on the Veterans Program.
IAM Union-endorsed candidate in the Texas State Senate special election for District 9, Taylor Rehmet, a member of IAM Local 776B and President of the IAM Union Texas State Council, addressed the conference about his entrance into local and state politics and why union members should consider running for office.
IAM members in attendance left the meeting energized to tackle the legislative priorities in their state and stood together to deliver a video message of solidarity to striking Local 1297 members at Libbey Glass in Toledo, striking District 837 members in St. Louis, and all federal workers who are under attack by the current administration.
“I don’t care how somebody voted. I know we’ve got people who voted for President Trump, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s our democracy in our country, and that’s our democracy in our Union,” said Bryant. “But I know nobody in this union voted for President Trump thinking that he was going to take away bargaining rights for over a million people in the federal government, because that’s just flat out wrong. I know they didn’t vote for President Trump hoping that he would defund OSHA and incapacitate the NLRB and other critical departments that our members need.”
“This is what’s important: If you voted for him, you’ve got to make sure he knows that you don’t agree with what’s happening, because when it comes to union rights, there are no if-ands-or-buts. There’s nowhere to be but on the side of workers,” said Bryant. “Unfortunately, President Trump and his billionaire buddies do not like organized labor because they know we’re the only voice for the working people.”
