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The IAM Union kicked off Labor Day Week with a rally at IAM International Headquarters on Wednesday, bringing together IAM members, staff, labor allies and community leaders to celebrate working people and recommit to building a stronger labor movement.
Watch the full program on the IAM Union Facebook page.
IAM International President Brian Bryant told the crowd that Labor Day belongs to working people and serves as a reminder of generations of workers who organized, marched and stood together to demand a decent life.
“Working people need this union movement right now. They need us,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “When workers stand together, when workers organize, everything changes. Workers have the power.”
Bryant highlighted the IAM’s history, noting that Machinist Matthew Maguire is credited as one of the founders of Labor Day after helping organize America’s first Labor Day celebration in 1882. He also pointed to recent IAM contract victories at Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Bath Iron Works, as well as the addition of approximately 16,000 new members from the Printing, Packaging and Production Workers Union.
“Generation after generation of IAM Union members answered that call,” said Bryant. “And now it’s our turn. This is our moment.”
Watch a Prince George’s County (Md.) Community TV news segment here.
Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu and Adrian Boafo, the IAM-endorsed Democratic nominee for Congress in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, addressed the crowd, thanking the IAM for its commitment to working people and the communities where IAM members live and work. They were joined by Bryant, as well as IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes and for Training and Apprenticeships General Vice President Jon Holden, along with IAM members, staff and community guests, for the Labor Day Week kickoff.
U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) sent a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition honoring the IAM for hosting its Labor Day Week Kickoff. Prince George’s County (Md.) Executive Aisha Braveboy was also in attendance and thanked IAM members for everything they do to keep the county and region moving.
Bryant emphasized the important role IAM members play across North America, from railroads and airlines to healthcare, shipbuilding, defense, and federal service, as well as the union’s commitment to supporting members through programs including veterans services, the Employee Assistance Program, and the IAM Disaster Relief Fund.
“Different jobs. Different industries. Different communities. Two countries, but one union,” said Bryant. “One IAM Union.”
The IAM Department of Rapid Response and Mobilization organized the kickoff rally.
“Events like this remind us that we are not alone in our fights,” said IAM Rapid Response and Mobilization Director DeLane Adams. “When we show up together in the same space, we’re not just celebrating Labor Day; we are putting solidarity in action. The Labor Day Kickoff Rally gave us a great opportunity to connect with our surrounding community while also highlighting the outstanding work being done by staff at headquarters and its impact on members across North America.”
The IAM encourages working people to use Labor Day as a moment to celebrate the progress won through solidarity while recognizing the work that remains.
“Let’s make this Labor Day about what comes next,” Bryant said. “Let’s organize. Let’s grow. Let’s engage our members. And let’s fight like hell for working people.”
