The IAM Union came out in full force with worker pride and power, showing solidarity through events, marches, and celebrations for Labor Day 2026.

IAM International President Brian Bryant sent a special Labor Day message to members, reminding everyone that the day belongs to working people.

The IAM started celebrations early in the week with an IAM Labor Day Kickoff Rally, honoring the strength and solidarity of working people throughout the union and the greater labor movement.

IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote an op-ed for the Portland Press Herald: What Maine’s workers deserve this Labor Day and IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin had an op-ed featured in the American Press: Labor Day a celebration of workers who keep Lake Charles moving.

Displays of union pride and solidarity from IAM Locals and members continued throughout the weekend and were shared on social media.

Social Media Highlights

IAM Union Labor Day Hype Video

Labor Day Has Machinist Roots

What Does Labor Day Mean to the IAM?

IP Bryant, GVP Sullivan, Liz Shuler Celebrate Labor Day with Troy Jackson in Maine

IAM Union Canada Labor Day Parade

IAM Union Human Rights Committees and Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council

IAM Union at the Philadelphia Labor Day Parade

IAM Eastern Territory in Erie, PA

IAM District 98, Local 1211, and IAM Eastern Territory Erie, PA Labor Day Parade

IAM Union at the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade

IAM Local 1976 Labor Day at Kennywood

App Drivers Union Massachusetts Labor Day

IAM Union Automotive Labor Day

LGBG Workers United (IAM Union) Labor Day

App Drivers Union IL Labor Day Message

IAM Local 2198’s Happy Labor Day Message

IAM Local 282 Workers vs Billionaires Labor Day

IAM Southern Territory Labor Day Message

IAM Local 1930, City of Long Beach

IAM Local 2202 Labor Day Message

IAM Labor Day Kickoff Rally LIVE

Happy Labor Day from the IAM Union

What makes you proud to be IAM Union?

TCU/IAM Labor Day Message

Thank you to all of the union members who came out to show the pride and strength of organized labor!

The post Labor Pride Across IAM Union, Celebrating Our Day Stronger than Ever appeared first on IAM Union.

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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App Drivers Union Illinois drivers came together to support and thank Gov. Pritzker for signing the Rideshare Drivers’ Union Rights Bill into law—a landmark victory that gives Illinois’ app-based drivers the ability to form their own union and have a voice on the job.

App Drivers Union Reel Thanking the Governor

Drivers joined the Chicago Federation of Labor and fellow unions at Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Standing Up for Workers” rally as the governor kicked off his “Fighting for You” campaign bus tour.

With the new law, drivers can organize through the App Drivers Union IL to fight for safer working conditions, a living wage, and fair representation. Drivers know that when they have a collective voice, they have a stronger path to improving the jobs they depend on to support themselves and their families.

IAM Union Celebrates with ADU at Governor’s Labor Rally

“Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for supporting rideshare drivers and signing our Bill,” said Driver Ebony Echevarria. “I need a union for rideshare drivers because I know that this is the only way that we can protect ourselves. Solidarity is our strength. We’re no longer fighting with apps and AI. We’ve already been able to influence the law this summer by passing the Rideshare Drivers Union Rights Bill, which gives us the right to unionize. For me, for my daughter, I need a union now.”

The IAM Union, together with SEIU Local 1, is committed to helping app-based drivers turn this historic legal victory into a strong, democratic union that delivers for the rideshare drivers of Illinois.

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2026 — The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), North America’s largest aerospace union, released the following statement:

“The IAM Union represents thousands of highly skilled Bombardier workers in the United States and Canada who have built good, family-sustaining careers producing some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. Thousands more IAM Union members and other workers across the United States and Canada depend on Bombardier’s extensive aerospace supply chain. The IAM Union is firmly opposed to preventing the sale of Bombardier aircraft in the United States.

“We continue to support common-sense trade policies that protect these good jobs, strengthen the deeply integrated North American aerospace industry, and allow our members to build world-class aircraft and export them around the globe. Anything that undermines the stability and continued growth of these jobs is counterproductive to protecting workers and strengthening the aerospace industry in both the United States and Canada.

“The IAM Union will always stand with our Bombardier members and the thousands of workers throughout the supply chain whose livelihoods depend on this work.”

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding

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IAM International President Brian Bryant joined The Valley Labor Report Podcast over Labor Day weekend to discuss the IAM’s growing momentum, the power of worker solidarity and the importance of organizing the millions of workers who still lack a union voice.

Bryant highlighted major IAM victories, including efforts to organize hundreds of thousands of rideshare drivers, strong contracts that are raising standards for working families and continued organizing success across industries. He also spoke about the IAM’s commitment to helping every worker secure the dignity, respect and voice on the job that comes with a union contract.

Bryant also set the record straight on Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien’s misguided allegations that the IAM has raided the Teamsters. He reaffirmed that the IAM will always defend our members while working to grow and strengthen the entire labor movement.

Watch the full conversation here.

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The IAM’s Florida State Council recently held its fall conference, bringing together union leaders and delegates to focus on political education, voter mobilization, and strengthening the voice of working families across the state.

Led by President Mike Phillips, the conference emphasized the importance of supporting pro-labor candidates and increasing member participation in the political process. Leaders highlighted the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) as a key tool for evaluating candidates, educating members, and ensuring labor issues remain a priority in elections.

Watch Video here.

“I can not fully express how much I want to thank all the Delegates who participated in the conference,” stated Phillips. “I also thank the IAM Political and Legislative Director, Hasan Solomon, for his detailed report for the state of Florida.

The council also urged more IAM members to consider running for public office, particularly for school boards, city councils, and local commissions. One example highlighted at the conference was IAM Brother Cornelius Fowler of Local Lodge 2152, a sugar industry worker running for Florida State House District 77. Fowler’s campaign is based on giving working-class residents a stronger voice in government.On Saturday morning, Hasan Solomon was the keynote speaker at the conference and delivered a powerful speech. “Social issues divide us, Sisters and  Brothers, but economic issues unite us!” stated Solomon. “We need more pro-labor Sisters and Brothers like Cornelius Fowler to run for office.”

Delegates also discussed the importance of working closely with the AFL-CIO and Central Labor Councils (CLCs) to coordinate voter-registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Local lodges were encouraged to remain active in their CLCs and to build stronger partnerships across their communities.

Another major focus was on how to discuss politics respectfully in the workplace. Delegates were encouraged to listen to co-workers, avoid divisive arguments, and bring conversations back to issues that directly affect working people, including job security, wages, and workplace protections.

The conference concluded with a call for delegates, members, and their families to turn political education into action. Through stronger community involvement, candidate engagement, CLC participation, and voter mobilization, Florida IAM members are working to ensure the interests of working families remain at the center of the political conversation.

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Dear IAM Union Family and Friends,

Labor Day is our day. It is a day that belongs to working people—the people who keep our communities running, build our economies and move our world forward.

As we celebrate Labor Day weekend, I want to recognize and honor the incredible contributions of IAM members across the United States and Canada.

We began the week with an IAM Labor Day kickoff celebration honoring our members and celebrating the strength and solidarity of working people throughout our union.

For the IAM, Labor Day carries special meaning because a Machinist helped lead the effort to establish the first U.S. Labor Day celebration in 1882.

We know many IAM members will be working this weekend, keeping our communities running and our world moving. Know that we see you, we appreciate you and we are grateful for everything you do.

For more than 138 years, our union has fought for the freedom to organize, bargain collectively and build better lives for working families. That strength has always—and will always—come from you, our membership. Your courage and solidarity represent the very best of our union and the labor movement.

This Labor Day weekend—and every day—share your pride in your union and get involved.

Watch and share our IAM Union Labor Day video.

We have each other, and when we stand together, we have the power to create better lives for ourselves, our families and future generations.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are the IAM Union.

In solidarity,

Brian Bryant
International President

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The Winpisinger Center is soliciting entries for the 2027 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant. The grant provides financial support for locals that want to send current and emerging leaders to Leadership training but lack the resources to do so.

Official Circular 908, which established the grant, provides funding to one Local from each IAM Territory annually. As of 2025, this means the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian and Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity, including the Rail Division. The grant will reimburse all incurred costs associated with the local sending a member to a Leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.

The grant is renewable for each local selected, and the member chosen by the local may attend all four Leadership programs, one annually, provided they have satisfactorily completed the previous program and the local submits an accountability statement affirming that the member has participated in, and contributed to, the local’s activities.

The Wagoner Grant was created by delegates to the 2024 IAM International Convention to honor the work and memory of Chris Wagoner, who served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center before his passing in 2022. Brother Wagoner, a 30-year member of the IAM, believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.

Click here to read the full Official Circular and for application forms. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30, 2026.

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Click Here! to view this edition of IAM UNION on the Hill. 

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A $20 ticket could put you and a guest on a Royal Caribbean cruise while helping support the 42nd IAM International Convention in New Orleans!

The IAM Southern Territory is launching its latest fundraising raffle in support of the 42nd International IAM Convention, and this time, the prize is a getaway on the high seas.

For just $20 per ticket or six for $100, you could win a 4-5 day Platinum Royal Caribbean cruise for two, valued at $3,000.

The winner will have the opportunity to choose from several exciting destinations, including Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hong Kong or Singapore. The prize also includes two drink packages, making this a vacation worth entering for.

• $20 per ticket, six tickets for $100
• 4–5-day Platinum Royal Caribbean cruise for two
• Two drink packages included
• Choice of eligible destinations: Bermuda, Short Caribbean, Hong Kong or Singapore
• $3,000 prize value
• All proceeds benefit the 42nd International IAM Convention
• The raffle ticket drawing will take place sometime in 2027

IAM members, retirees and supporters interested in participating should contact Alexis Martinez or Crystal Garcia in the Southern Territory Office at 817-505-0100.

Don’t wait get your ticket and help support the 42nd International IAM Convention!

This latest raffle follows the Southern Territory’s successful Kimber Rapide Dawn 1911 raffle, which raised more than $32,000 for the 2028 International Convention. Congratulations to IAM Local 10 Brother Douglas Pribble, whose ticket was selected as the winner.

The 42nd International IAM Convention will be held in New Orleans in September 2028, bringing together IAM delegates, leaders and staff from across North America.

Buy a ticket. Support the convention. And you could be the next IAM raffle winner!

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