A LEGACY CONTINUES — And the Future Looks Bright

Retired International President Tom Buffenbarger, left, congratulates incoming President Bob Martinez, Jr., after Martinez took his oath of office.	Left, Retired International President Tom Buffenbarger swears in Resident General Vice President Rickey Wallace.

The new year began with a historic ceremony as retiring International President Buffenbarger swore in new International President Robert Martinez, Jr., and General Vice President Rickey Wallace.

Robert Martinez, Jr., a 35 year member who has held leadership positions throughout the union, was sworn in as the 14th International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Martinez thanked the Executive Council for its support and thanked his predecessors saying, “I am mindful that I stand on the shoulders of giants.”  He pledged to safeguard the interests of the IAM members and vowed to make the tough decisions necessary to propel the IAM into a future that promises to see a continuation of attacks on working people.

Following the installation of International President Martinez, President Buffenbarger swore Ricky Wallace in as our new Headquarters General Vice President.  He is a proven leader having come up through the ranks in his 35 year career as a Machinist.  “We have a lot of important work to do and as Resident General Vice President, Brother Wallace will play a key role in our efforts to keep the Machinists Union one of the strongest and most progressive unions in the labor movement,” said International President Martinez.

With our new leadership in place, we are poised on a solid foundation to continue the work that International President Martinez calls “ noble and good”.

Share and Follow: