IAM International President Brian Bryant has announced the appointment of International Representative James “Jimbo” Watson as Chief of Staff to Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. The appointment was effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“Jimbo Watson brings decades of experience and a lifelong passion for our union and membership to his new role as Western Territory Chief of Staff,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Members of the Western Territory will continue to be well served under the leadership of General Vice President Martinez, Chief of Staff Watson, and the entire Western Territory staff.”
Watson initiated into IAM Local 933 in 1986 when he was hired by then-Hughes Aircraft as a Product Test Specialist. His distinguished service to the IAM includes the duties of Shop Steward, Alternate Chief Steward, Sentinel, Trustee, Negotiating Committee member and Recording Secretary for the Negotiating Committee of Local 933.
As the Chief Spokesman for the Local, he successfully negotiated the 2009 and 2012 Raytheon Missile Systems collective bargaining agreements. Watson has also negotiated countless other collective bargaining agreements for the IAM in his duties as Directing Business Representative of Local 933 and Assistant Directing Business Representative of District 947, where he served until his appointment to International Representative in 2016. As International Representative, Watson served as the Automotive, Disaster Relief, and Veteran’s Services Liaison for the Western Territory as well as Convention Coordinator for the 40th Grand Lodge Convention.
In addition, Watson served as the Commissioner for the Pima (Ariz.) County Merit System and Law Enforcement Council, City of Tucson Planning and Zoning Commission, member of the Workforce Investment Board, and Executive Board of the Community Food Bank. Watson was the former Chair of the Pima County Action Agency. From 1998 to 2007, he held the position of Community Service Director for the Arizona AFL-CIO, leading its efforts on behalf of the United Way of Greater Tucson and assisting the members of Local 933 during their 72-day strike in 2006 against Raytheon Missile Systems.
“Jim Watson has a loyal devotion for our members and the labor movement at large,” said Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “He has shown steadfast leadership in the face of adversity in his tenure with the Western Territory. He will be a true asset in continuing our proud tradition of excellence as we forge new pathways on the foundation laid by GVP Allen’s historic career.”
Watson is a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has obtained an associate’s degree in computer robotics.
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