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The IAM’s Florida State Council recently held its fall conference, bringing together union leaders and delegates to focus on political education, voter mobilization, and strengthening the voice of working families across the state.
Led by President Mike Phillips, the conference emphasized the importance of supporting pro-labor candidates and increasing member participation in the political process. Leaders highlighted the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) as a key tool for evaluating candidates, educating members, and ensuring labor issues remain a priority in elections.
“I can not fully express how much I want to thank all the Delegates who participated in the conference,” stated Phillips. “I also thank the IAM Political and Legislative Director, Hasan Solomon, for his detailed report for the state of Florida.
The council also urged more IAM members to consider running for public office, particularly for school boards, city councils, and local commissions. One example highlighted at the conference was IAM Brother Cornelius Fowler of Local Lodge 2152, a sugar industry worker running for Florida State House District 77. Fowler’s campaign is based on giving working-class residents a stronger voice in government.On Saturday morning, Hasan Solomon was the keynote speaker at the conference and delivered a powerful speech. “Social issues divide us, Sisters and Brothers, but economic issues unite us!” stated Solomon. “We need more pro-labor Sisters and Brothers like Cornelius Fowler to run for office.”
Delegates also discussed the importance of working closely with the AFL-CIO and Central Labor Councils (CLCs) to coordinate voter-registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Local lodges were encouraged to remain active in their CLCs and to build stronger partnerships across their communities.
Another major focus was on how to discuss politics respectfully in the workplace. Delegates were encouraged to listen to co-workers, avoid divisive arguments, and bring conversations back to issues that directly affect working people, including job security, wages, and workplace protections.
The conference concluded with a call for delegates, members, and their families to turn political education into action. Through stronger community involvement, candidate engagement, CLC participation, and voter mobilization, Florida IAM members are working to ensure the interests of working families remain at the center of the political conversation.
