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Retired IAM Union International President Robert Martinez Jr. will be inducted into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame, honoring a lifetime of service to working people in Texas and across the nation.
The Texas Labor Hall of Fame induction recognizes Martinez’s decades of leadership and commitment to advancing workers’ rights.
A proud Texan and U.S. Naval Air veteran, Martinez began his IAM journey in 1980 as an aircraft assembler at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, where he joined IAM Local 776A. He rose through the union as an educator, safety advocate, and leader, holding positions at the local, district, and international levels.
Martinez was elected to the IAM Executive Council in 2003 as Southern Territory General Vice President, representing members across a vast region. Beginning in 2013, he served as the IAM’s Resident General Vice President, overseeing the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center and key departments at IAM Headquarters. In January 2016, Martinez was installed as the IAM’s 14th International President.
His presidency marked a historic moment for the labor movement. Martinez became the first person of color to lead the IAM and the first Latino president of a major labor union in U.S. history. Throughout his leadership, he remained committed to education, safety, and empowering working families while strengthening the IAM’s voice in organizing, collective bargaining, and political advocacy.
“Bob represents the very best of our union,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “He is a leader who came from the shop floor and dedicated his life to lifting up working people. He broke barriers, strengthened the IAM, and inspired countless members and leaders across our movement. This recognition is well deserved, and we thank him for his lasting impact on the IAM family and working people everywhere.”
IAM members, labor allies, and friends are invited to join the celebration in Georgetown, Texas, on Jan. 24 for the Texas Labor Hall of Fame Dinner honoring Martinez and other Texas labor legends.
Event details are available here.
