Ally to the IAM and the labor movement, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) greeted IAM members in his state of New York on the last day of the IAM 2024 Grand Lodge Convention.
“I’m gonna give a shout out to some of my New Yorkers,” said Schumer. “We have a great bunch of Machinists, both downstate and upstate New York. Norm Shreve is giving his heart and soul to labor unions and working people, not just for the Machinists, but for all New Yorkers on the central labor councils.”
Schumer has stood with the IAM in support of IAM Local 1562 members on strike against Howmet Aerospace, IAM members fighting for Cascades, Inc. to bargain in good faith, IAM members at Setterstix, Inc. facing their New York plant’s closure, FAA reauthorization that directly affects IAM Air Transport Territory members, and protecting multiemployer pension plans like the ones many IAM members have.
“So many of my family were members of different unions and so many people who lived on my street were part of union labor,” said Schumer.
Because of support from legislators like Schumer, the IAM’s voice is amplified on Capitol Hill. As Senate Majority Leader, he helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan CHIPS and Science Bill, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill — all pieces of legislation that helped American workers.
“The night of my first victory party I was 23 years old, youngest elected to the assembly since Teddy Roseville. I said to the people at the union, all the union members, who put me in. I said you were there when I needed you, I will always be there when you need me.”“I amd in awe of union labor and its power day,” said Schumer. “Every law I write a majority leader. Now, first from New York is, yeah, was mentioned and, um, every law, Iraq says, well, here’s Federal money, I want Indian labor,” said Schumer.
Schumer is one of the few politicians who unabashedly supports unions and whom IAM members can rely on to push against corporate actions that hurt workers.
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