Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Southern Territory recently gathered in Biloxi, Mississippi for the Southern States Conference. The event focused on building legislative and political influence to strengthen union representation and worker rights across southern states.
Craig Martin, IAM Southern Territory General Vice President, addressed delegates about the importance of engaging in political activism alongside legislative partners. “Our strength, our power, our solidarity is real,” said Martin. “We have to use that to engage in political processes to protect what we have and strengthen it for all workers. It’s how we tell those politicians what is important to us.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant discussed holding elected officials accountable for their commitments to labor issues. “No matter who is in the White House, we will always back those who support bringing our jobs home, create opportunities to grow unions, and protect our retirement and healthcare,” said Bryant. “But we have to call them out when they don’t.” He also highlighted the need for cultivating future union members and labor activists: “We’re moving fast in this country; there’s a group of workers who want to form unions, and we are going to be there for them… It’s an opportunity when we fight an employer and we’re successful, because non-union workers look at it and say ‘we want the same thing for us’.”
General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes spoke about the union’s financial readiness and strong strike fund. “We are better prepared financially and structurally, so that we can go out there and fight back, just like we’re doing down in St Louis, and what we did at Boeing in Washington and Oregon,” Cervantes said. She emphasized ongoing support from union representatives during strikes.
Hasan Solomon, IAM Legislative and Political Director, reinforced the impact of policy decisions on all workers: “If you are a worker in this country, you cannot afford not to be involved in politics. Everything that you do is political.”
Conference sessions included updates on organizing efforts, disaster relief programs, retiree initiatives as well as discussions led by various IAM leaders including Mary McHugh (William W. Winpisinger Center Director), Richie Johnsen (Air Transport Territory General Vice President), David Sullivan (Eastern Territory General Vice President), Julian Bruner, Charles Bennett, Derek Cearley (Southern Territory International Representatives), Craig Hughes (Automotive Department Director), Andrew Sandberg (Metal Trades), Jason Schroeder (Veterans Program) and Carla Siegel (General Counsel).
Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr addressed delegates regarding unity among southern states: “What happens in one southern state is bound to happen in all southern states… Let’s be the spark that lights the fire of change.”
Julie Frietchen from IAM Women’s and Young Workers Department moderated panels about legislative lobbying strategies while highlighting programs aimed at promoting equality within unions.
Carla Siegel presented concerns over federal-level actions affecting worker protections through changes at agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board.
Taylor Rehmet—an IAM-endorsed candidate running for Texas State Senate District 9—spoke about his motivations for entering public office as a union member.
The conference concluded with attendees expressing support via video messages for striking members at Libbey Glass in Toledo; District 837 members in St. Louis; as well as federal workers facing challenges under current administration policies.
Addressing political divisions within membership ranks regarding recent presidential elections Bryant stated: “I don’t care how somebody voted… But I know nobody in this union voted for President Trump thinking that he was going to take away bargaining rights for over a million people… If you voted for him you’ve got to make sure he knows that you don’t agree with what’s happening… Unfortunately President Trump and his billionaire buddies do not like organized labor because they know we’re the only voice for working people.”
