The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security by reaffirming its commitment to protecting and strengthening the program for working families. Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, issued a statement highlighting the importance of Social Security since its establishment in 1935.
“On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, the IAM Union is reaffirming its commitment to protecting and strengthening the program that millions of working families rely on. Since its inception in 1935, Social Security has lifted millions of older Americans out of poverty and given workers the peace of mind that they can retire with dignity,” said Bryant.
He noted that traditional pension plans have declined and wages have stagnated or fallen over recent decades, making it more difficult for many workers to save for retirement. As a result, Social Security has become the largest or sole source of retirement income for many Americans.
Bryant continued: “Social Security has stood the test of time, proving to be a rock-solid lifeline for America’s working families, even through some of our nation’s most brutal economic times. However, the decline of traditional pension plans and decades of stagnant or falling real wages have made it more complicated than ever for working people to save for retirement. For millions, Social Security is now the largest and sometimes only source of retirement income for working people.”
He emphasized IAM members’ dedication to their work and their investment in Social Security: “Our hardworking IAM members have invested their blood, sweat, and tears into this system, and they deserve more than empty promises. They deserve the guarantee of a secure retirement. The IAM’s legacy of fighting for dignified retirement benefits spans generations, yet the gains we’ve made are still not enough. We will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security, ensuring it remains a dependable, robust support system for every worker who has given their all to build this nation.”
The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members in sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive industries and other fields across both the United States and Canada.
More information about IAM Union can be found at goIAM.org.
