IAM members from the Southern Territory convened in Biloxi, Mississippi for the Southern States Conference to discuss strategies for defending and growing union and worker power across the region.
Craig Martin, General Vice President of IAM Southern Territory, highlighted the importance of political engagement. “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.”
Brian Bryant, IAM International President, addressed delegates about holding elected officials accountable and supporting policies that benefit workers. “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 stressed preparing future generations of union members: “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,” said Bryant. “These negotiations and gains for our members create organizing opportunities. 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’.”
Dora Cervantes, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer, reported on the union’s financial status with emphasis on a 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,” said Cervantes. “We’ve got our reps and everybody out in the field standing ground with our striking workers as they walk the picket line.”
Hasan Solomon, IAM Legislative and Political Director, encouraged political involvement among 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,” he stated.
International Representatives Julian Bruner, Charles Bennett, and Derek Cearley provided updates on new hire initiatives as well as organizing efforts and disaster relief programs.
An open forum moderated by Mary McHugh included Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen; Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan; and Craig Martin discussing their motivations for becoming politically active.
Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr spoke about regional solidarity: “What happens in one southern state is bound to happen in all southern states” said Carr. “It takes all of us standing together in unity. Let’s be the spark that lights the fire of change.”
Julie Frietchen from IAM Women’s and Young Workers Department discussed equality initiatives such as adopting the ‘Be More Than a Bystander’ program. She also led a panel with state council presidents on lobbying legislators.
Carla Siegel, IAM General Counsel, addressed challenges facing federal workers due to changes at agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as well as attempts to cancel federal union contracts: “The problem in Washington right now is that the people who ran campaigns on backing working people are now attacking working people while in office,” she said.
Other updates were provided by Automotive Department Director Craig Hughes regarding automotive sector priorities; Andrew Sandberg on Metal Trades; Jason Schroeder on Veterans Program; along with Taylor Rehmet—an IAM-endorsed candidate for Texas State Senate District 9—who shared his experiences entering politics.
Attendees expressed support for striking members at Libbey Glass in Toledo (Local 1297), District 837 members in St. Louis, as well as federal employees affected by recent administration actions.
Bryant concluded by addressing internal diversity of political views within IAM but emphasized unity around labor rights: “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 in the federal government… This is what’s important: 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 the working people.”
