IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed David J. Lehive as a Headquarters Communications Representative, effective April 14, 2022.
Lehive, formerly the IAM District 141 Communications Director, is an award-winning communicator with a long history of telling worker stories and helping to develop and implement strategies that advance the goals and brand of the IAM.
“The IAM is fortunate to welcome Dave on board at Headquarters after many great years of service to our members at District 141,” said Martinez. “Our members across North America will quickly get to know Dave as a passionate and dedicated advocate for our union and all working people.”
Lehive was hired on with Piedmont Airlines in April 1985 and became a union organizer almost immediately. After years of airline mergers and persistence, Lehive and his coworkers won IAM representation at US Airways in 1994 and he initiated Philadelphia’s Essington Obie O’Brien IAM Local 1776.
In 2005, Lehive was appointed shop steward, where he helped with communications duties. In 2008, he was appointed local lodge communicator and in early 2009 was appointed District 141 communications coordinator for US Airways, and later for all air carriers in the district.
In 2019, Lehive was appointed communicator for the Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists Executive Board.