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WASHINGTON, April 29, 2026 — Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), will host a kickoff rally for the launch of the IAM’s national Workers vs. Billionaires rally campaign on Tuesday, May 5. The kickoff rally will be held at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Md.
The campaign will include a coordinated series of mobilization events scheduled across all IAM territories, the IAM Aerospace Department, and the IAM Rail Division over the next few months, leading into the midterm elections.
We are living in the richest country in the history of the world. CEOs make 285 times more than the average worker, and the average CEO took home a $1.24 million raise last year while working families struggled to make ends meet.
Our union has been on the frontlines, opposing anti-worker legislation and safeguarding federal workers, to pushing for strong domestic policies, fair trade, and retirement security. We continue to fight for stronger labor protections, fair wages, and the right to organize.
“Workers are under assault, and the people leading that assault are the same billionaires and corporate executives who’ve been rigging the rules in their favor for decades,” said IAM Union International President Bryant. “IAM Union members aren’t waiting for someone else to fight this fight. We’re taking our message to every territory, every industry. Making this announcement on our union’s 138th birthday is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the cause of justice and push back against a corporate agenda that values profits over people.”
WHO: IAM International President Brian Bryant, Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO President Donna Edwards, Secretary Treasurer of Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO Federation Samuel Epps, IAM Apple Towson Store Worker, and IAM members from across North America.
WHAT: Kickoff rally launching the IAM’s Workers vs. Billionaires campaign, a coordinated series of mobilization events scheduled across all IAM territories, the Aerospace Department, and the IAM Rail Division over the coming months. The event will also mark the IAM’s founding anniversary and bring together members enrolled in training classes at the Winpisinger Center, including IAM Leadership 1 and the Human Rights Program.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center
24494 Placid Harbor Way, Hollywood, Md. 20636
WHY: Workers are under assault from the same corporate executives and billionaires who have spent decades rigging the rules in their favor. The IAM is launching Workers vs. Billionaires to fight back in every territory, every industry, and every community where IAM members live and work.
RSVP: Reporters interested in attending in person or scheduling interviews before the rally should contact DeLane Adams at dadams@iamaw.org or 202-430-2271. The event will be livestreamed via the IAM Union Facebook page.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
