IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed Jon Irvine as IAM Healthcare Coordinator, effective Oct. 1, 2024. This appointment will build on the IAM’s commitment to empowering technical and professional workers in the healthcare industry.
Irvine’s first exposure to the importance of a strong union voice for healthcare workers came from his mother, who spent her career as a Registered Nurse and proud AFSCME member. Jon would follow in his mother’s footsteps during the 2008 Great Recession and attended the Institute of Technology’s Licensed Practical Nursing program. Irvine eventually returned to work in the forestry field leading to his tenure with the IAM.
Irvine began his IAM service in 2010 with Local W130 at the Port of Olympia in Washington state, where he served in many roles from Chief Shop Steward to Local President. He would go on to hone his skills as a professional trade unionist as a full-time team member with the Oregon AFL-CIO, providing collective bargaining, organizing and legislative support to affiliated unions.
Eventually, Irvine returned to the IAM as a Business Representative with District W24, where he led the district’s organizing and legislative efforts. Irvine proved to be crucial part of District W24’s organizing success winning several campaigns for working people in the healthcare, automotive and manufacturing industry.
Irvine has spent the last two years of his career as an Education Representative at the IAM’s Winpisinger Education and Technology Center developing and teaching high level labor education to empower IAM members. As an Education Rep, Irvine played a pivotal role in supporting the educational needs of the IAM’s Healthcare, Railroad, Organizing and Woodworker Departments.
“I’m grateful and humbled by the International President’s faith in my ability to help this team grow the IAM’s footprint in this industry and look forward to working with the IAM Healthcare team to reach this end,” said Irvine. “Healthcare workers play a vital role in our society. Diagnosing, treating and comforting people who are sick or injured is a noble endeavor. These workers deserve a collective voice, and I believe IAM Healthcare is the union to make sure these essential workers issues are heard loud and clear.”
“Jon’s education and experience in healthcare work, organizing, collective bargaining and legislative action makes for a welcome addition to the IAM Healthcare team,” said International President Bryant. “Jon is joining IAM Healthcare at a critical moment for our union’s growing advocacy for both healthcare professionals and patients.”
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