IAM members from the Southern Territory convened in Biloxi, Mississippi for the Southern States Conference to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening union and worker power across the region. The event focused on legislative and political action as key tools for advancing the interests of workers.
Craig Martin, IAM Southern Territory General Vice President, addressed delegates about the necessity 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.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant highlighted the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their commitments. “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 spoke about building future generations of 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,” 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’.”
General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes reported on IAM’s financial stability and emphasized support for striking members through a robust 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, reinforced that policy decisions impact all workers regardless of their interest in politics: “If you are a worker in this country, you cannot afford not to be involved in politics. Everything that you do is political,” said Solomon.
Updates were provided by Julian Bruner, Charles Bennett, and Derek Cearley on initiatives including new hires, organizing efforts, disaster relief programs, and retiree support.
The conference featured discussions led by Mary McHugh with territory vice presidents Richie Johnsen (Air Transport), David Sullivan (Eastern), and Craig Martin (Southern) about motivations behind their political activism within labor coalitions.
Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr spoke on 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 ‘Be More Than a Bystander’, while moderating a panel with state council presidents on lobbying strategies.
Carla Siegel presented concerns regarding federal actions undermining worker protections by targeting agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). “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,” said Siegel.
Additional reports included updates from Craig Hughes on automotive sector priorities; Andrew Sandberg covered Metal Trades; Jason Schroeder addressed veterans’ programs.
Taylor Rehmet—a candidate endorsed by IAM running for Texas State Senate District 9—spoke about his decision to enter politics as a union member.
The meeting concluded with expressions of solidarity toward striking members at Libbey Glass (Toledo), District 837 (St. Louis), as well as federal employees facing challenges under current administration policies.
Addressing recent developments affecting union rights under former President Trump’s administration, Bryant stated: “I don’t care how somebody voted. I know we’ve got people who voted for President Trump, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s our democracy in our country, and that’s our democracy in our Union,” said Bryant. “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 because that’s just flat out wrong… 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 because when it comes to union rights there are no if-ands-or-buts… Unfortunately President Trump and his billionaire buddies do not like organized labor because they know we’re the only voice for working people.”
