Quick links+
More than 800 IAM Local S6 members and their families came together on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Pittston Fairgrounds for the 2025 Solidarity Re-Union Picnic, which blended fun, food, and family with the power of union solidarity.
The picnic, a longtime tradition for Local S6, was last held in 2019 before being paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since, a younger generation of workers has joined the ranks, and requests to bring back the picnic came in. Recognizing this shift, Local S6 leadership saw an opportunity to revive the event to reintroduce and strengthen a culture of solidarity among new and longtime members.
“Local S6 continues to set the standard for how we build union power at the local level, through connection, community, and collective action,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan, a proud member of Local S6. “Events like this show the next generation what solidarity looks like. It’s not just a word, it’s a way of life.”
View the photo gallery from the event here.
Local S6 hosted an action-packed event featuring food trucks, bounce houses, interactive inflatables, archery, outdoor laser tag, cornhole and face painting. A classic car, truck, and motorcycle cruise-in offered cash prizes, while a bustling Makers Market featured local artisans and union-made goods.
“This event was never just about fun, it was about connection,” said Local S6 Communicator Devin Ragnar. “We have over 4,200 members spread across multiple facilities, and many of us never cross paths. Coming together like this reminds us that we share more than a job, we share a purpose. The bonds we build here carry over to the jobsite, to our meetings, and to every fight we take on together. That’s what solidarity means.”
The picnic drew broad support from across the IAM. In addition to GVP Sullivan, IAM Air Transport Territory GVP Richie Johnsen and Southern Territory GVP Craig Martin attended the event, showing strong cross-territorial support for Local S6 and its members.
“I’m proud to stand with the members of Local S6 as they rebuild and renew their bonds of solidarity,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “This event proves that when members come together outside the workplace, they build a lasting union culture.”
“This is what unionism looks like, members, families, and leaders coming together to strengthen relationships and build unity,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Local S6 is showing all of us how to invest in solidarity across generations.”
Admission to the event included a free meal from one of several local food trucks and automatic entry into a massive giveaway. The IAM Local S6 Veterans Committee played a key role in the event’s success by contacting local businesses and supporters, raising more than $11,000 in prizes and gift cards used in the drawing. Their efforts energized the day’s festivities and highlighted the strength of community partnerships built through union solidarity.
By reviving the Solidarity Re-Union Picnic, Local S6 sent a powerful message: solidarity isn’t something you inherit, it’s something you build, one event at a time.
