IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed Andrew Peltier as a Special Representative in the Automotive Department, effective Sept. 1, 2026.
“Andrew’s journey from the shop floor to union leadership is a great example of the strength of the IAM,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “He has consistently stepped up to serve his fellow members, from his days as a Shop Steward to his work as an organizer, Business Representative and district leader. Andrew knows firsthand that organizing and solidarity are the keys to building a stronger union, and I’m proud to welcome him to this new role.”
Peltier brings extensive experience representing IAM members, organizing workers and leading union campaigns to his new role. Most recently, he served as Directing Business Representative for IAM District 77, where he helped guide the district’s day-to-day operations and represented members across Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
“Andrew has built his career around serving IAM members and strengthening our union,” said IAM Automotive Director Craig Hughes. “He understands what it means to be a union member, a steward, an organizer and a representative. His experience and commitment will be a tremendous asset to the Automotive Department as we continue organizing, fighting for strong contracts and building power for working families.”
A proud member of Twin Cities Automotive Local 737, Peltier joined the IAM in July 2013 while working as an automotive technician at Schmelz Countryside Volkswagen, Saab, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. He later transferred to the Parts Counterperson classification and became increasingly active in union representation.
Peltier was appointed Shop Steward in 2017 and elected to the St. Paul Auto Dealers Bargaining Committee in 2019. In February 2020, he joined the District 77 staff as an organizer before being appointed Business Representative two months later. He became Assistant Directing Business Representative in September 2023 and was appointed Directing Business Representative in June 2024.
Throughout his career, Peltier has represented members across automotive, manufacturing, wood, pulp and paper, service-contract and public-sector workplaces. His work has included contract enforcement, grievance handling, negotiations, workplace conflict resolution, organizing and member mobilization.
Peltier also served for many years as Organizing Director for the Minnesota State Council of Machinists and as an Executive Board member of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. He has served as a union trustee and Chairperson of the St. Paul Auto Dealers Joint Health and Welfare Fund, helping protect the benefits and long-term interests of members and their families.
Peltier has also been active in community outreach through the Street Machine Nationals in St. Paul, helping connect the IAM and the labor movement with automotive enthusiasts, skilled tradespeople, working families and younger generations while promoting the value of union careers and membership.
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