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IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. is pleased to announce the appointment of IAM District 4 member Richard Evans as the Machinists Union’s Veterans Services Coordinator.
“Our veterans put their lives on the line for our freedoms and the IAM honors that by doing all we can to help these brave men and women when they transition into their civilian working lives,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “That’s why taking care of the veterans that call the IAM home will always be a priority. With Rich at the helm, we can make sure our union brothers and sisters who served our nation will receive all the benefits they rightfully deserve to continue their service work in the next phase of their careers.”
As a U.S. Navy veteran with nearly two decades in naval aviation as a sailor and a contractor, Evans is dedicated to a lifetime of service. He knew he wanted to help veterans, especially in his union family. After his own experience with Veteran Affairs (VA), he realized he could make a difference by assisting veterans filing for VA benefits which can often be a confusing and cumbersome process. On his own, he obtained legal accreditation which allows him to prepare, present and prosecute VA claims, and he began voluntarily helping his union brothers and sisters in 2019.
Today, Evans will use his skills and expertise to reach all Machinists Union veterans, helping them to understand and apply for benefits they earned from serving this country. That includes benefits for compensation, education, Veterans Readiness and Employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care and burial benefits.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to create something that has never been done in organized labor. With the support and resources of the IAM, I am ready to reach out and help the underserved veteran community nationwide,” said Evans.
The IAM is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the labor movement and has always made taking care of our service men and women a pillar of its work. The appointment of Evans and the creation of this benefits service continues that mission and guarantees our veterans are taken care of at home. For more information, go to iam4.me/VeteranServices.
