IAM International President Brian Bryant kicked off the 41st IAM Grand Lodge Convention in New York City, convening approximately 1,200 elected delegates from IAM locals across the U.S. and Canada to meet this week on crucial business that will pave the IAM’s future.
“It is our highest honor and privilege to serve as leaders of this union with each and every one of you,” Bryant said in his keynote address. “We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than in this room, at this convention, in this fight with all of you!”
Bryant first called attention to the union’s massive organizing wins, which continue to build and make headlines as the IAM launches strategic organizing in new industries and its vital, staple sectors of air transport, aerospace, rail, and manufacturing.
“We are investing in organizing and working together across our union to grow,” said Bryant. “We have changed the entire culture of the IAM! We have become an organizing union, not just a union that organizes.”
He applauded the IAM Organizing Department and IAM organizers for making the IAM No. 1 in union election victories of all the AFL-CIO affiliates.
Bryant cited the recruitment of new members at Ohio State University Medical Center, Amentum, Qantas, Allegion, Tempus Artificial Intelligence, Lion Electric, MultiCare, IKEA, Austin Pets Alive, and many more.
Plus, a concentrated internal organizing plan with NFFE-IAM has led to over 2,000 federal employees joining the union since the IAM’s last convention, where delegates made it possible for the IAM to hire more full-time organizers on staff. He commended the new Basic Training For Organizers program, which develops the skills of already successful organizers and teaches new organizers the fundamentals.
The International President then extolled IAM members for their strength in fighting for hard-won contracts at Gradall, Case New Holland, University of New Mexico, and the first-ever unionized Apple retail store.
Bryant touched on winning paid sick leave for rail workers and reiterated the dire importance of passing railroad safety legislation in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment and the wake of more derailments that followed.
He also proudly described the scene and feeling of being with more than 25,000 IAM District 751 Boeing members at T-Mobile park for their strike sanction vote.
“Our members’ voices were heard loud and clear when they voted 99.9% to strike Boeing if our District 751 and District W24 members don’t get the contract they deserve,” Bryant exclaimed.
Bryant emphasized successes in the union’s programs, such as EAP, Veterans Services, and the Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS), and underscored the creation of the IAM Human Rights Department, which he established in his first appointment as International President.
It’s been only two years since the IAM’s last Grand Lodge Convention, where it was resolved to establish and deploy the IAM’s first Committee on the Future.
Now, after traveling to IAM locals and districts near and far, the Committee on the Future will discuss its findings and recommendations with the Convention delegation.
“The Committee presented these findings to all of us on the Executive Council and I am proud to report that we have unanimously accepted every recommendation,” said Bryant. “Myself and the Executive Council stand 100% behind the will of our membership.”
In closing, Bryant looked to the week ahead and the commitments the union will make towards building a union that works for everybody: “You are the elected voices of thousands upon thousands of members and their families. They are counting on you to make the decisions that will continue to move this union forward,” said Bryant.
“The time to remake the IAM for the future is right now,” said Bryant.
The post Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future: International President Bryant Opens 41st IAM Grand Lodge Convention appeared first on IAMAW.