IAM Transportation Conference Day 2: Focusing on Solidarity, Safety, and Action

Day 2 of the IAM Transportation Conference in Las Vegas solidified the union's commitment to its members, focusing intensely on job security, safety, and proactive strategies to navigate evolving challenges.

The day opened with poignant reminders of the human element in the labor movement. Speaker 1 shared an inspiring personal journey, highlighting the critical support received during difficult times. This was followed by Speaker 2's stark account of the impact of Job Corps budget cuts, emphasizing the immediate terminations and the vital intervention of TCU to support affected students. These discussions underscored the foundational values articulated by Speaker 4: unity, freedom, fairness, and security.

Worker safety took center stage with Danny Schwartz, who, drawing from his 35-year career, detailed his role in developing the OSHA reporting system. He passionately advocated for OSHA and NIOSH, criticizing government cuts and highlighting the IAM's efforts to secure digital OSHA logs for compliance. The economic security of members was also addressed, with John Bragg discussing the historical importance and the IAM's ongoing role in preserving defined benefit pension plans despite their general decline.

A key highlight was Jonathan Batalia, IAM Communications Director, outlining the union's modern communication strategy. He emphasized leveraging social media, video stories, and media relations to empower members, control the narrative, and foster solidarity. The "I am union" rebranding was introduced as a move towards greater inclusivity and attraction of future members.

The conference also delved into the IAM's robust legal efforts in transportation under the current administration. Discussions covered multiple lawsuits aimed at protecting member data and collective bargaining agreements. Significant legal victories were celebrated, including a landmark Swiss court decision allowing subcontracted airline workers to unionize under the NLRA. The success of organizing drives in rail and air transport divisions, resulting in union election wins and favorable craft classifications, further demonstrated the power of solidarity and continued legal action.

The day concluded with powerful calls for continued unity and advocacy from Speaker 6, emphasizing the collective strength needed to protect workers' rights and safety. The discussions throughout Day 2 clearly illustrated the IAM's multi-faceted approach to building a strong future for its transportation members, blending traditional advocacy with innovative communication and aggressive legal strategies.