The spirit of service was on full display as IAM District 6 members held their IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community event on June 27 at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds in Algona, Iowa.

With the help of dedicated volunteers from IAM Local 1045, members spent the day giving back by improving the fairgrounds through a variety of beautification projects. Volunteers prepped and painted an outhouse, refreshed a gazebo with touch-up painting, pulled weeds, and completed light landscaping throughout the area.

Beyond the work accomplished, the event brought members together for a day of camaraderie, conversation, and community pride under beautiful Iowa skies.

“This IAM H.E.L.P.S. event was a tremendous success because our members stepped up with enthusiasm and a commitment to serving their community,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Whether it was painting, landscaping, or simply working side by side, these volunteers demonstrated what it means to live the values of our union. I’m proud of District 6 and Local 1045 for their lasting tradition of service.”

District 6 leadership also praised the volunteers for making the event a memorable one.

“This was a great opportunity for our members to give back to a community that supports working families,” said IAM District 6 Directing Business Representative Pam Gonzales. “Everyone pitched in, worked hard, and enjoyed spending time together. It was rewarding to leave the fairgrounds looking better than when we arrived, and we’re already looking forward to our next IAM H.E.L.P.S. project.”

IAM H.E.L.P.S. (Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing) in the Community encourages IAM members across North America to strengthen the communities where they live and work through volunteer service. District 6’s inaugural event marks another example of IAM members making a positive impact beyond the workplace.

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IAM Union members joined labor activists, LGBTQIA+ advocates and allies from across the labor movement at the 2026 Pride At Work Quadrennial Convention, where delegates gathered to discuss the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ workers and set priorities for the years ahead.

The three-day convention brought together union members and leaders committed to defending hard-won rights, combating discrimination, and strengthening solidarity across the labor movement. Pride At Work serves as the AFL-CIO’s LGBTQIA+ constituency group, advocating for equality and inclusion both on and off the job.

The convention opened with a powerful presentation from NFFE-IAM member Dr. S.J. Joslin, a former Yosemite National Park ranger and wildlife biologist who shared their experience of being terminated from federal service.

Joslin worked at Yosemite National Park for nearly five years and is a published researcher studying the cliff-dwelling bat populations that inhabit the park. Joslin said they were terminated in May 2025 after participating during off-duty hours on a climb of El Capitan, a legendary rock formation in Yosemite National Park, where a trans pride flag was displayed.

According to Joslin, park officials initially investigated them for criminal misconduct and later administrative misconduct before ultimately citing probationary employment status as the basis for termination.

“They investigated me first for criminal misconduct, then they investigated me for administrative misconduct, and they found that I was unfit as a wildlife biologist,” said Joslin. “We are just trying to exist as people. We are just trying to go to the grocery store, use the bathroom, or have someone acknowledge that gender identity is a spectrum, and it doesn’t hurt anyone to let us accept ourselves.”

Joslin’s story underscored one of the convention’s central themes: the ongoing fight to ensure all workers are treated with dignity and respect regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Delegates also heard from Pride at Work Executive Director Brittany Anderson, a former IAM Union member who joined the labor movement in 2011 and served in several leadership roles at IAM District 77 before being elected co-president of Pride at Work in 2022.

“We all matter. No one wins if the rights of someone else are trampled on because you want to discriminate against them,” said Anderson. “I pray they have better angels to guide them.”

The convention featured remarks from several labor and political leaders, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Flanagan spoke about the importance of solidarity in confronting injustice and building stronger communities. She addressed the challenges faced by Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community and emphasized the need for workers and communities to stand together when confronting discrimination and division.

Delegates also heard from longtime LGBTQIA+ activist Cleve Jones, a protégé of the late Harvey Milk and the founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project. Jones reflected on decades of activism and the importance of preserving the history of movements that fought for equality and dignity during some of the nation’s most difficult moments.

Throughout the convention, delegates participated in discussions focused on organizing, collective action, workplace protections and strategies to push back against attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the labor movement’s strength comes from its ability to unite workers across industries, identities, and communities.

Peter Greenberg, IAM International Affairs Director, serves on the Pride at Work National Executive Board and chaired the IAM Convention Committee. IAM Local 2003 members Jennifer Bourassa and Jocelyn Joyner are Co-Presidents of the Pride at Work Alabama Chapter. Jennifer co-led a training on fighting authoritarianism, and Jocelyn served on the Convention Elections Committee.

As the convention concluded, attendees reaffirmed Pride At Work’s mission of advancing workplace equality and ensuring every worker has the freedom to live and work without fear of discrimination.

Joslin’s case remains a point of concern for many advocates. A federal judge in California recently dismissed a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful termination. The ruling also allowed to stand a policy that, according to Joslin, permits free speech on federal land to be restricted to designated “free speech zones,” raising broader concerns among labor and civil rights advocates about free expression and workers’ rights.

The post IAM Union Members Stand for Equality and Inclusion at Pride At Work Convention appeared first on IAM Union.

Wildfires continue to exact a growing toll on communities across the United States. According to NOAA data, wildfire damage has averaged between $15 billion and $25 billion annually over the past two decades. In 2025 alone, wildfire losses reached an estimated $57 billion. So far in 2026, more than 3.3 million acres have burned, with many fires sparked by lightning strikes on public lands and in national forests.

The dangers facing wildland firefighters were brought into sharp focus on June 27, when three firefighters were killed and two others suffered critical injuries while battling the Knowles Fire in western Colorado. The fire later merged with another blaze and is now known as the Snyder Fire.

Just days before the tragedy, members of Congress joined members of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) outside the U.S. Capitol to warn that staffing reductions, budget cuts, and agency reorganization efforts are weakening the federal government’s ability to prevent and respond to increasingly severe wildfires.

“Key wildfire prevention, mitigation, and management programs are experiencing irresponsible and reckless staffing and budget cuts that have dramatically, in my view, worsened working conditions for our wildland firefighters,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.). “This is creating unsustainable workloads, inadequate pay and benefits, and a dwindling trust in agency leadership, leading to three out of four wildland firefighters at the federal level considering leaving the workforce.”

In March 2026, the Trump administration reduced the U.S. Forest Service budget by $438 million, a 24% cut. The administration also announced plans to reorganize the agency into a state-based model, reducing regional staffing and relocating the agency’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City.

“In reality, this is a dismantling of a beloved 120-year institution that maintains the American people’s public lands,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “It would close 57 research facilities in 31 states, dismantling decades of locally based science that cannot be replaced. Once that research is disrupted, the taxpayer investment made over decades is lost forever.”

The reorganization proposal would also create a new Wildland Fire Service, replacing the Forest Service’s long-established wildfire response structure. The Forest Service’s incident management system has become the national standard for emergency and disaster response and has been adopted by emergency services around the world.

NFFE-IAM leaders argue that the proposed changes come at a particularly dangerous time. Fire activity in 2026 is already running at roughly twice the pace of the 10-year average, increasing concerns about the nation’s preparedness for a worsening wildfire season.

Federal workforce reductions have further compounded those concerns. Since 2025, thousands of Forest Service employees have left the agency through layoffs, attrition, and workforce restructuring efforts.

“Through these actions, we have already seen the loss of approximately 5,800 employees,” said Genny Kotyk, president of the NFFE-IAM Forest Service Council. “An additional 6,500 employees could be forced to relocate, resign, or accept significantly different positions. Our union surveyed employees and found that 93% would not relocate if forced to make that choice.

“This could be devastating for our country and the people who depend on these public lands,” Kotyk continued. “At a time when fire season is burning at twice the rate of the 10-year average, these cuts ignore our responsibilities to provide sustainable timber resources, protect endangered species, preserve archaeological sites, uphold tribal agreements, and keep our communities safe.”

As wildfire risks continue to grow, NFFE-IAM members and their allies are calling on Congress to protect the staffing, research, and operational resources needed to safeguard public lands, support frontline firefighters, and strengthen the nation’s wildfire response capabilities.

The post As Wildfires Intensify, NFFE-IAM Warns Forest Service Cuts Threaten Public Safety appeared first on IAM Union.

As the nation’s third-largest provider of bus, commuter rail, and light rail service, NJ TRANSIT plays a critical role in connecting communities across New Jersey with New York City and Philadelphia. 

Watch Video Here

Recently, IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh, along with District 19 leadership, toured the NJ TRANSIT facility to meet with IAM Local 1041 members and see firsthand the essential work they perform every day. Operating 12 commuter rail lines, the agency provides nearly 200,000 commuter rail trips on an average weekday, helping hundreds of thousands of passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently.

Behind that service is a skilled union workforce. IAM Local 1041 (District 19) members perform essential duties that keep the railroad operating day in and day out, from supporting train operations to handling other operational responsibilities. Their professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to safety help ensure one of the nation’s busiest commuter rail systems continues to serve the public with reliability and excellence.

“Our members are the backbone of the railroad industry,” said Murtagh. “Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safety keep America’s rail network moving every day. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt by every passenger who depends on safe, reliable rail service. We are proud of the work our members do and the commitment they bring to the job each and every day.”

For many IAM Union members, working on the railroad is about more than moving trains, it’s about serving the public while supporting their families through good union jobs.

“Working on the railroad isn’t just a job, it’s a responsibility,” said Brian Lock, a 22-year IAM Local 1041 member who also serves as Local Vice Chairman. “Every day, our passengers and fellow employees count on us to do our jobs safely and professionally. Being an IAM member means knowing I have a union that fights for fair treatment, good wages and the resources we need to do our work the right way.”

“I take great pride in being a member of a union that advocates for working families,” said Donald J. Winters, a 52-year IAM Local 1041 member. “The IAM has worked to protect our wages, benefits, and working conditions, enabling me to support my family while contributing to the daily operations of the railroad. It’s an honor to be part of this.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13, 2026 — The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is urging the District of Columbia Council to amend the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0684), citing concerns about the legislation’s impact on workers, public transit, and the local economy.

In a letter to Councilmember Charles Allen, who chairs the council’s Transportation and Education Committee, ahead of a Monday, July 13 public hearing, the IAM Union said it opposes the bill as written because of “the lack of guardrails to properly address the expected negative impacts to those such as existing ride-share drivers and the local economy.”

The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across North America, including tens of thousands of rideshare drivers. The IAM Union, along with SEIU, won a first-in-the-nation effort to represent 70,000 rideshare drivers in Massachusetts, and championed the successful passage of rideshare union legislation in Illinois.

“The IAM welcomes innovation,” wrote IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon in a letter to DC Councilmember Charles Allen, who serves as Chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. “Specifically, we welcome innovation that helps workers, not an unchecked innovation that threatens to upend thousands of jobs and disrupt a local economy.”

The IAM Union joined SEIU 32BJ in raising concerns about the potential impact autonomous vehicles could have on workers throughout the transportation sector. According to the union’s testimony, recent reports by Gridwise, an app that helps ride-share drivers track mileage and earnings, show that driver hourly pay declines in cities where autonomous vehicles have been introduced.

“We join with SEIU 32BJ in opposing the proposed District legislation as written, seeing AVs as threatening to destroy the jobs of thousands of workers in the District, not only rideshare, but those like public transit workers,” wrote Solomon.

The union also highlighted the important role ride-share drivers play in the District’s economy.

“As you know, many ride-share drivers tap platforms like Uber and Lyft for work that allows them to make ends meet, providing benefits not only for their families but for the local economy as well,” wrote Solomon. “These wages stay in the community for paying rent, paying income taxes, shopping at local grocery stores and other day-to-day costs that benefit the District.”

The IAM Union warned that the unchecked deployment of autonomous vehicles could divert economic benefits away from local communities.

“This upending of jobs threatens to shift such local economic gains away from the District and into the hands of Silicon Valley investors,” wrote Solomon.

The IAM Union is urging the Council to adopt strong worker protections and economic safeguards before advancing the legislation.

“Again, the IAM opposes this bill as written, and urge strong guardrails that protect drivers of the city and the economic vitality,” Solomon concluded.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.

The post IAM Union Opposes D.C. Autonomous Vehicle Bill, Calls for Stronger Worker Protections appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union is celebrating the grand opening of the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor (Maine MILL), a landmark project dedicated to preserving the stories of the workers, families, immigrants and communities who built Maine’s industrial economy.

For IAM International President Brian Bryant, a native Mainer who grew up in the state shaped by its mills, shipyards and working-class communities, the opening is both personal and historic.

“Maine MILL tells the story of the people who built Maine,” said Bryant. “The mills of Lewiston and Auburn employed generations of working families and helped shape communities throughout the state. When many of those jobs disappeared, workers carried their skills, determination, and pride into other industries, including Maine’s shipyards, where many IAM Union members continue that tradition today. Preserving those stories matters because they are the foundation of who we are.”

Located in the historic former Camden Yarns Mill in Lewiston, Maine, the new 22,000-square-foot museum transforms a long-vacant industrial building into a vibrant center for education, storytelling, innovation and community engagement.

In 2025, Bryant led the IAM Union’s efforts to support the museum through the IAM International President’s Classic golf tournament. The event brought together IAM members, labor allies and supporters from across North America and raised more than $150,000 for Maine MILL, helping turn the vision of a permanent home into a reality.

“Supporting Maine MILL was an easy decision for our union,” said Bryant. “The labor movement has a responsibility to preserve the stories of the workers who built our communities and industries. Maine MILL ensures those stories will be shared for generations to come.”

The tournament reflected the deep connection between the IAM Union and Maine’s labor history. Many workers who once found employment in the mills of Lewiston and Auburn later worked in Maine’s shipbuilding industry, where generations of IAM members have continued the tradition of building, manufacturing and strengthening their communities through skilled work.

A lasting symbol of the IAM Union’s commitment to the museum can be found inside the new facility through the IAM Union Design Lab, an innovative space designed to connect visitors with the creativity, ingenuity and problem-solving spirit of Maine’s workers.

The IAM Union Design Lab is a dynamic, hands-on environment where creativity, innovation and learning come together. Equipped with tools for prototyping, crafting and digital exploration, the flexible space invites visitors of all ages to experiment, build and bring ideas to life while drawing inspiration from the museum’s permanent collection.

The space will also host regular make-and-take workshops inspired by artifacts and exhibits throughout the museum. Activities include designing personalized bandanas featuring patterns, shapes and artwork influenced by historic textiles, mill products and objects preserved in the museum’s collection.

“The IAM Union Design Lab is about more than learning history. It’s about experiencing the creativity and innovation that have always been part of working people’s lives,” said Maine MILL Executive Director Rachel Ferrante. “We want visitors to leave inspired by the stories they discover and empowered to create something of their own.”

Founded in 1996 as Museum L-A, Maine MILL began as an effort to preserve the stories of Lewiston-Auburn’s textile workers. Its collection started with machinery and artifacts saved by local residents when the last textile mill closed in 2001. Over the years, the museum expanded its mission to include the shoe, brick and manufacturing industries, as well as the broader stories of immigration, innovation and labor that shaped the region.

Today, Maine MILL houses more than 10,000 artifacts and hundreds of recorded oral histories documenting the lives and experiences of the workers who powered the region’s economy.

At the center of the museum’s permanent collection stands a massive Jacquard loom once used by Bates Manufacturing. The loom, which operated using punch cards to control intricate weaving patterns, serves as a powerful reminder of the innovation and craftsmanship that made Maine’s textile industry known around the world.

“The IAM Union has long been a powerful voice for Maine’s working people, and that legacy is a vital part of the labor history we preserve and celebrate,” said Ferrante. “Maine MILL celebrates the remarkable stories of the people who built this region through hard work and resilience. This museum is a gathering place, a resource and a tribute to working people.”

For Bryant, the opening of Maine MILL represents an investment in the future of Maine workers.

“Working people built Maine, and working people continue to build its future,” said Bryant. “The IAM Union is proud to have helped support this project. I hope our members and all visitors walk through these exhibits and come away with a deeper appreciation for the men and women whose labor built these communities and industries. Their story is Maine’s story.”

Photo by Bret Woodard

Photo courtesy of Maine MILL

Photo courtesy of Maine MILL

Photo courtesy of Maine MILL

Photo courtesy of Maine MILL

The post With Strong IAM Union Support, Maine MILL Opens Its Doors and Preserves Legacy of Maine’s Working People appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM District 9 members recently came together through the HELPS program to support an important community cause, building beds, donating bedding and essential sleep items to help children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending child bedlessness.

Fifteen volunteers representing IAM Locals 41, 313, 660, 668 and 777 joined forces for the effort, including Assistant Directing Business Representative Tracy Gardner. The District 9 office, the Health, Welfare and Pension Office, local lodges throughout the district, and individual members all contributed bedding and financial donations to support the project.

In total, IAM members donated approximately 60 items, including pillows, comforters, sheet sets, bed-in-a-bag sets, blankets, and quilts.

Founded in 2012, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was created after founders Luke and Heidi Mickelson discovered children in their community sleeping on floors without beds. Today, the volunteer driven organization operates hundreds of chapters across the United States and beyond, building and delivering beds to children ages 3-17 who do not have a safe place to sleep.

“Providing a child with a bed may seem like a simple act, but it can have a life-changing impact,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Our members understand the importance of looking out for our communities. When we learned there were children in need, our members stepped up without hesitation.”

The donations will help support SHP’s mission of ensuring that every child has a comfortable place to sleep, promoting better health, education, and overall well-being for children and families.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace relies on volunteers and community support to build and deliver beds to children in need. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and volunteers, SHP has provided hundreds of thousands of beds nationwide and continues working toward its goal that no child sleeps on the floor.

The project reflects the IAM’s long-standing commitment to giving back and strengthening the communities where members live and work. Through efforts like this, IAM members continue demonstrating that solidarity extends beyond the workplace and into the neighborhoods they call home.

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The IAM and NFFE-IAM joined a broad coalition of labor unions, veterans’ organizations, and lawmakers in opposition to H.R. 9237, the so-called Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.

Led by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), an Iraq War veteran, members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus stood alongside veterans’ advocates and labor leaders to voice concerns that the legislation would reduce benefits for currently serving military members and future veterans.

Among those participating in the event were House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-Calif.), NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin, AFGE National President Everett Kelley, Jess Finucan, from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.).

Labor and veterans’ advocates warned that the proposal would undermine commitments made to the nation’s servicemembers and veterans, including those returning from recent military operations. Speakers emphasized that veterans have earned the benefits promised to them through their service and sacrifice and called on lawmakers to reject any effort to reduce those benefits.

“America’s servicemembers and veterans have earned every benefit they were promised through their sacrifice and service to our nation,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “Congress should be strengthening the support systems our veterans rely on, not weakening them. NFFE-IAM is proud to stand with our labor partners, veterans’ organizations, and elected leaders in opposing any legislation that breaks faith with those who have worn the uniform.” 

The IAM has long advocated for policies that protect veterans, support military families, and ensure access to quality healthcare, retirement security, and workplace opportunities for those who have served.

The coalition pledged to continue educating lawmakers and the public about the potential impact of H.R. 9237 and urged Congress to protect veterans’ benefits rather than reduce them.

The coalition pledged to continue educating lawmakers and the public about the potential impact of H.R. 9237 and urged Congress to protect veterans’ benefits rather than reduce them. The coalition also submitted letters to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate outlining its opposition to the legislation. Read the letters here:

• House Letter 
• Senate Letter

The post IAM, NFFE-IAM Joins Fight Against Proposed Veterans Benefit Cuts appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant joined labor leaders in New Haven for the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s 16th Biennial Political Convention, delivering a powerful keynote address focused on solidarity, organizing, and building worker power in the face of growing attacks on working families.

The convention, themed “Strong Unions, Stronger Democracy,” also featured a keynote address by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and its agenda centered on organizing, political action, economic justice, and the protection of workers’ rights.

Bryant followed Shuler, thanking Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne and the state’s labor movement for their unwavering support during the 2025 IAM District 26 strike at Pratt & Whitney.

“We did not win that strike alone,” Bryant said. “We won because of the solidarity of the labor movement in this state. We won because Connecticut union members understood that the fight at Pratt & Whitney wasn’t just about Pratt & Whitney. It was about every worker in Connecticut.”

Bryant credited the union members of Connecticut for walking picket lines, delivering supplies, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with striking IAM Union Local 1746 and Local 700 members, calling their victory proof that solidarity remains labor’s greatest strength.

Throughout his speech, Bryant challenged corporate greed and attacks on collective bargaining while emphasizing the IAM Union’s commitment to organizing and fighting for working people.

“The labor movement is under attack. Workers are under attack. And unions are under attack,” said Bryant. “But the labor movement has seen this playbook before. And we are not going backward. Not now. Not ever.”

Bryant also highlighted the IAM Union’s Workers vs. Billionaires campaign, urging delegates to recognize that the struggle facing working families transcends political divisions.

“This is not Democrat versus Republican. This is not Left versus Right,” said Bryant. “This is workers versus the people profiting while workers struggle to survive. It is workers versus corporate greed. Workers versus union busting.”

He concluded by calling on delegates to continue organizing new workers and standing united against efforts to weaken unions.

“Together we stand. Together we fight. Together we organize. And together we will build an economy that works for workers—not just billionaires.”

Earlier in the convention, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler urged delegates to continue organizing workers and building political power, arguing that working people must shape an economy that prioritizes the workers who drive it over shareholders and profits.

“That economic pain won’t end until we take on an entire system that has left working people behind, and we put in place an economy that values real work,” said Shuler. “It starts with three words that everyone in this room knows well: Organize, organize, organize. That’s how we change what’s possible in this country.”

Shuler stressed that protecting workers’ rights requires mobilization beyond the workplace and into legislatures. “Organizing in the workplace won’t be successful if it isn’t paired with political organizing. Because the rules matter. Who writes them matters. Who enforces them matters,” said Shuler.

The convention brought together union delegates from across Connecticut to discuss organizing strategies, political action, legislative priorities, and strengthening worker power ahead of the 2026 elections.

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The U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation (ALF), a coalition representing approximately 4,000 workers across the territory, recently held a debate amongst the three democratic candidates for governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The IAM Union is a key member of the ALF executive committee and helped sponsor the event.   

“The federation is grateful that we had such a robust debate from the candidates. They were responsive to the questions that many working people and families have about issues in the territory,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation Executive Board President Carver Farrow. “The unionized workers of the Federation seek a partnership with the next government of the Virgin Islands with communication and accountability on both sides. Our debate was a good first step to achieving that goal”.

The debate was part of the federation’s commitment to increasing political engagement and ensuring that the voices of working people remain at the center of the issues shaping the future of the territory.

“The IAM Southern Territory is proud of our union members in the Virgin Island territory. They work the ports, collect the trash, deliver food products from Frito Lay, and work in the territory’s government” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “These candidates need to address the needs of our members and all USVI workers.”

SEE PHOTOS HERE.

The ALF released the results of a poll conducted after the debate held by straw poll, online membership voting, interviews and debate performance judged by the rank and file union members. 

Over 2,600 votes were cast as follows:

• Del. Stacey Plaskett: 45.7%
• Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach: 31.9%
• Former Legislature President Donna Frett Gregory: 20.1%

About the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation

Launched in March 2026, the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation is a coalition of labor organizations representing approximately 4,000 workers throughout the Territory. The federation was formed to unite working people around shared priorities, strengthen worker engagement, build alliances with community organizations, and ensure elected leaders are accountable to working families.

Participating unions include the IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), American Federation of Teachers Local 1825, Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association, Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Seafarers International Union, American Federation of School Administrators, and the American Association of University Professors at the University of the Virgin Islands. 

The federation is focused on advancing solutions to the challenges facing workers, including contract delays, workforce shortages, retirement security, workplace safety, economic inequality, and the rising cost of living throughout the Virgin Islands.

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