Introduction — 6

And only the IAM has the talent needed to see its way through troubled times. From the Grand Lodge to the smallest local lodge, the IAM benefits from having uncommon leaders, leaders committed to securing the union’s finances, leaders confident of their ability to forge the future, leaders who enjoy remarkable support from their members, and leaders who are respected as Fighting Machinists.

For the fights ahead will pale in comparison to those seen in the rearview mirror. The industries in which Machinists’ work still are reeling and the communities where Machinists live still are recovering from the recent traumas. And, one fact never to be forgotten is this: There are still over 90,000 Machinists who lost their jobs to these man-made tornadoes.

The fights facing every railroad worker, every federal worker, every airline worker, every aircraft production worker, every woodworker, every health and public safety worker, every automobile technician, and every unemployed worker-Machinist Union member or not-demand a solidarity of spirit never seen before.

The IAM is North America’s Might. The IAM intends to use that might to do what is right. And above all else, the IAM will fight for what is rightfully ours.

We owe no less to the millions of trade unionists who fought and won for us what we today enjoy. We owe no less to our families, to our children, to their children. And we owe it to ourselves.

Being a Fighting Machinist means fighting for what is right, fighting for what is rightfully ours.

Creating a solidarity of spirit will enable us to win each and every one of those fights.

And win we will.