Honoring the Fallen, Protecting the Living

Honoring the Fallen, Protecting the Living

May 3, 2024 | Featured, Featured News, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, MNPL, Perusals, Recent News, Row 2, Safety

Honoring the Fallen, Protecting the Living

Honoring the Fallen, Protecting the Living

IAM141.org
3 May 2024

On April 28, the Machinists Union gathered to honor workers lost to preventable accidents on Workers Memorial Day, pledging to continue the fight for safer working conditions.

Workers Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost to workplace hazards and the need for better safety standards. Among those remembered was Albert Williams, a highly respected ramp agent at United Airlines, who tragically suffered a severe health crisis while at work and passed away in August 2022. A dedicated union representative, he was deeply involved in community service events through Houston’s Local Lodge 811, where he also served as an auditor. Born in Louisiana, Williams was a devoted father and avid LSU football fan.

Although he never got to see his sons reach their college football dreams, he would have been proud. AJ, his younger son, won a football scholarship, and is now a freshman at Mary-Harden Baylor. His elder son, Zion Williams, is close to graduating from the University of Houston.  His daughter, Jaden, is a medical assistant in the Dallas area. Williams had been married to his wife Jaha for 20 years before his untimely passing.

Albert was among the workers honored at this year’s ceremony. 

Albert Williams Community

From Right, Gary Welch, Victor Hernandez, and Albert Williams at a Community BBQ

Bricks at the Worker’s Memorial

Screenshot

Machinists Union Worker’s Memorial

Albert Williams Going Home

Albert Williams

“Despite all of our progress, we are still reminded every year of the dangerous nature of our work,” emphasized IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We are reminded that it is our union’s most sacred duty to ensure our members’ safety.”

The ceremony was held at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center at Workers’ Memorial Park. It brought together union members and leaders to honor workers who lost their lives due to preventable workplace injuries and illnesses. The event emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for strong safety standards in workplaces across the country. A wreath was laid at the memorial to pay tribute to those who had passed, and attendees observed a moment of silence in their honor.

Brian Bryant and Michael Oathout, IAM Safety and Health Director, delivered remarks urging members to hold employers accountable and fight for safe working conditions. Oathout stated, “We must continue to bond together to keep our families, coworkers, and neighbors safe. We must hold employers accountable to keep workers safe. We must fight to protect our fundamental right to a safe job.” The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the human cost of unsafe workplaces and the need for continued vigilance in protecting workers’ rights to a safe job.

Recent statistics on workplace fatalities emphasize the urgency of this cause. In 2022, workplace fatalities rose by 5.7%, resulting in 5,486 deaths, with transportation incidents being the leading cause, accounting for 37.7% of all deaths. Violence-related deaths also saw an increase of 11.6%, underscoring the range of risks that workers face. Workers in transportation and material moving occupations experienced the highest number of fatalities, followed by construction workers. Additionally, significant disparities were found in fatality rates among different demographics, particularly Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino workers.

These statistics highlight the critical importance of workplace safety initiatives and reinforce the need for stronger regulations to prevent these preventable tragedies.

To watch the ceremony, click here. To view the full photo gallery, click here.

Fallen Members: 18
Frederick M. Anderson, Jr. – TCU/IAM Local 6334
James Balk – IAM Local 2777
Albert Banks Sr. – IAM Local 1445
Matthew Carter – IAM Local 4 
Derek James Etzcorn – IAM Local 1635
Bryan Fleigle – IAM Local 175
Daniel Fumar – IAM Local 1781
Sandra Grosberger – IAM Local 175
John Hammerbacker Jr. – IAM Local 175
Sherri Harrison – IAM Local 175
Devvin Patrick Hasson – TCU/IAM Local 6004
Otha “Jay” Jones Jr. – IAM Local 2003
Kevin Lamond – IAM Local 175
Robert “Jeff” Moore – IAM Local 18
Robert H. Skinner – IAM Local 18
Christina Smith – IAM Local 1635
Danny Suafoa – IAM Local 2202/District 142
Terry Trowbridge – IAM Local 175 

Special Remembrances: 11
Retired Business Rep for IAM Local 1769/District 75 – Charles Cooper Jr.
Retired IAM Local 2003 Member – Carl “CT”  Dean
Retired GST Special Assistant – Steven Dunn
Retired Railroad Coordinator/General Chair – Mark “Flip” Filipovic
Grand Lodge Auditor – Michael Gonzales
Retired Western Territory Chief of Staff – Robert Gregory
Retired Director of Legislative and MNPL – William Holayter
Retired IAM Local 1125 Life Member – Wayne Ihrig
Retired Headquarters Resident General Vice President – George Poulin 
Retired Grand Lodge Representative – Jack Sams
Retired IAM Local  777 Member – Terry R. Sutton

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Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the District 141 of the Machinists Union

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Honoring the Fallen, Protecting the Living

3 May 2024

On April 28, the Machinists Union gathered to honor workers lost to preventable accidents on Workers Memorial Day, pledging to continue the fight for safer working conditions.

Workers Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost to workplace hazards and the need for better safety standards. Among those remembered was Albert Williams, a highly respected ramp agent at United Airlines, who tragically suffered a severe health crisis while at work and passed away in August 2022. A dedicated union representative, he was deeply involved in community service events through Houston’s Local Lodge 811, where he also served as an auditor. Born in Louisiana, Williams was a devoted father and avid LSU football fan.

Although he never got to see his sons reach their college football dreams, he would have been proud. AJ, his younger son, won a football scholarship, and is now a freshman at Mary-Harden Baylor. His elder son, Zion Williams, is close to graduating from the University of Houston.  His daughter, Jaden, is a medical assistant in the Dallas area. Williams had been married to his wife Jaha for 20 years before his untimely passing.

Albert was among the workers honored at this year’s ceremony.

Albert Williams Community

From Right, Gary Welch, Victor Hernandez, and Albert Williams at a Community BBQ

Bricks at the Worker’s Memorial

Screenshot

Machinists Union Worker’s Memorial

Albert Williams Going Home

Albert Williams

“Despite all of our progress, we are still reminded every year of the dangerous nature of our work,” emphasized IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We are reminded that it is our union’s most sacred duty to ensure our members’ safety.”

The ceremony was held at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center at Workers’ Memorial Park. It brought together union members and leaders to honor workers who lost their lives due to preventable workplace injuries and illnesses. The event emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for strong safety standards in workplaces across the country. A wreath was laid at the memorial to pay tribute to those who had passed, and attendees observed a moment of silence in their honor.

Brian Bryant and Michael Oathout, IAM Safety and Health Director, delivered remarks urging members to hold employers accountable and fight for safe working conditions. Oathout stated, “We must continue to bond together to keep our families, coworkers, and neighbors safe. We must hold employers accountable to keep workers safe. We must fight to protect our fundamental right to a safe job.” The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the human cost of unsafe workplaces and the need for continued vigilance in protecting workers’ rights to a safe job.

Recent statistics on workplace fatalities emphasize the urgency of this cause. In 2022, workplace fatalities rose by 5.7%, resulting in 5,486 deaths, with transportation incidents being the leading cause, accounting for 37.7% of all deaths. Violence-related deaths also saw an increase of 11.6%, underscoring the range of risks that workers face. Workers in transportation and material moving occupations experienced the highest number of fatalities, followed by construction workers. Additionally, significant disparities were found in fatality rates among different demographics, particularly Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino workers.

These statistics highlight the critical importance of workplace safety initiatives and reinforce the need for stronger regulations to prevent these preventable tragedies.

To watch the ceremony, click here. To view the full photo gallery, click here.

Fallen Members: 18
Frederick M. Anderson, Jr. – TCU/IAM Local 6334
James Balk – IAM Local 2777
Albert Banks Sr. – IAM Local 1445
Matthew Carter – IAM Local 4 
Derek James Etzcorn – IAM Local 1635
Bryan Fleigle – IAM Local 175
Daniel Fumar – IAM Local 1781
Sandra Grosberger – IAM Local 175
John Hammerbacker Jr. – IAM Local 175
Sherri Harrison – IAM Local 175
Devvin Patrick Hasson – TCU/IAM Local 6004
Otha “Jay” Jones Jr. – IAM Local 2003
Kevin Lamond – IAM Local 175
Robert “Jeff” Moore – IAM Local 18
Robert H. Skinner – IAM Local 18
Christina Smith – IAM Local 1635
Danny Suafoa – IAM Local 2202/District 142
Terry Trowbridge – IAM Local 175 

Special Remembrances: 11
Retired Business Rep for IAM Local 1769/District 75 – Charles Cooper Jr.
Retired IAM Local 2003 Member – Carl “CT”  Dean
Retired GST Special Assistant – Steven Dunn
Retired Railroad Coordinator/General Chair – Mark “Flip” Filipovic
Grand Lodge Auditor – Michael Gonzales
Retired Western Territory Chief of Staff – Robert Gregory
Retired Director of Legislative and MNPL – William Holayter
Retired IAM Local 1125 Life Member – Wayne Ihrig
Retired Headquarters Resident General Vice President – George Poulin 
Retired Grand Lodge Representative – Jack Sams
Retired IAM Local  777 Member – Terry R. Sutton

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Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

Jul 3, 2023 | Community Service, Education, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Other News, Recent News, Row 2

Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

IAM141.org
July 2, 2023

Calling all members of Machinists Union District 141! If you’ve ever considered continuing your education or know someone who is, now is the time to take advantage of the unique opportunity before you – the 2023 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition. This is no ordinary competition; there’s an abundance of unclaimed scholarship money waiting for worthy candidates. Thousands of dollars are up for grabs and could go home with you or a family member!

Currently, more scholarships are available than entries, which means your odds of securing one are higher than ever. The deadline to submit entries is fast approaching: midnight, July 15, 2023. So, we strongly urge you to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keyboard, and get your entries in!

The scholarship is open to children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members who’ve been in good standing for a year or more (as of June 1, 2022) in District Lodge 141. These members should be graduating high school seniors or enrolled full-time in a college or trade school. Our members enrolled in college or trade school, taking at least six units per semester, are also eligible to enter the competition. Only one award per family is allowed. And, if you’ve already won a scholarship, you’ll have to sit this it out. 

The 2023 essay competition asks you to delve into the subject, “Public approval of labor unions among the U.S. public is at its highest level since 1965, according to a new Gallup poll. Are U.S. labor unions making a comeback? Yes or no? Why?” Your essay must be between 700 to 1,000 words and submitted as a Microsoft Word document to dan@bleicomm.com. Please include a recent photograph of yourself, place the title and your name at the top of the document, and include a bibliography of sources for your essay material. To ensure that the work submitted is entirely yours – authenticity matters!

The awards are too big to miss. One overall winner will be awarded $2,000, and six placement winners will each receive $1,000. The winners will be announced around August 1, 2023, after careful and impartial judgment by an outside Scholarship Committee chaired by Daniel Brin.

The winning contestants will be honored at a local lodge ceremony and published by Machinists Union District 141. 

This is a tremendous opportunity to let your voice be heard, gain recognition, and secure funding for your education. So why wait? 

Take up your metaphorical pen and begin crafting your thoughts. We look forward to reading your entries! Don’t let this opportunity and the unclaimed scholarship money go to waste. Hurry, the competition ends soon!

Official Rules
Check Out Our Podcast! Will $$$ Go Unclaimed?

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Stay up to date with all the latest news and information from the Machinists Union

Sign up for Email Alerts

Hurry, There’s Still Time! Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money is Available!

July 2, 2023

Calling all members of Machinists Union District 141! If you’ve ever considered continuing your education or know someone who is, now is the time to take advantage of the unique opportunity before you – the 2023 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition. This is no ordinary competition; there’s an abundance of unclaimed scholarship money waiting for worthy candidates. Thousands of dollars are up for grabs and could go home with you or a family member!

Currently, more scholarships are available than entries, which means your odds of securing one are higher than ever. The deadline to submit entries is fast approaching: midnight, July 15, 2023. So, we strongly urge you to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keyboard, and get your entries in!

The scholarship is open to children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members who’ve been in good standing for a year or more (as of June 1, 2022) in District Lodge 141. These members should be graduating high school seniors or enrolled full-time in a college or trade school. Our members enrolled in college or trade school, taking at least six units per semester, are also eligible to enter the competition. Only one award per family is allowed. And, if you’ve already won a scholarship, you’ll have to sit this it out. 

The 2023 essay competition asks you to delve into the subject, “Public approval of labor unions among the U.S. public is at its highest level since 1965, according to a new Gallup poll. Are U.S. labor unions making a comeback? Yes or no? Why?” Your essay must be between 700 to 1,000 words and submitted as a Microsoft Word document to dan@bleicomm.com. Please include a recent photograph of yourself, place the title and your name at the top of the document, and include a bibliography of sources for your essay material. To ensure that the work submitted is entirely yours – authenticity matters!

The awards are too big to miss. One overall winner will be awarded $2,000, and six placement winners will each receive $1,000. The winners will be announced around August 1, 2023, after careful and impartial judgment by an outside Scholarship Committee chaired by Daniel Brin.

The winning contestants will be honored at a local lodge ceremony and published by Machinists Union District 141. 

This is a tremendous opportunity to let your voice be heard, gain recognition, and secure funding for your education. So why wait? 

Take up your metaphorical pen and begin crafting your thoughts. We look forward to reading your entries! Don’t let this opportunity and the unclaimed scholarship money go to waste. Hurry, the competition ends soon!

Official Rules
Check Out Our Podcast! Will $$$ Go Unclaimed?

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Machinists Honor Hispanic Heritage Month

Machinists Honor Hispanic Heritage Month

Sep 16, 2022 | Community Service, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, Page Five, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2

Machinists Honor Hispanic Heritage Month


16 September 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 – October 15 to pay tribute to the contributions, rich legacy, culture, and influence of the Hispanic and Latino community in the United States.

The celebration dates back to 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson created Hispanic Heritage Week beginning September 15 to honor the contributions of this growing community and to mark the anniversary of the independence of a few Latin American countries. The observation was then expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.

The IAM honors the history-making power of past and present Latino leaders who have been critical to the advancement of the labor movement – within our union and beyond.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the IAM recommits to keep fighting for a more equal and just workforce and takes pride as having one of the most diverse Executive Councils with Latino representation in the labor movement. 

International President Robert Martinez Jr. made history as the first Hispanic ever elected to the IAM Executive Council and the first Latino in labor to head a major North American international union. General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes also paved the way as the first Hispanic to serve as General Secretary-Treasurer in the history of the IAM.

In order to mentor and build the next generation of Latino leaders in the union, the IAM created the Spanish Leadership Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. The program provides IAM members with the skills and tools they need to effectively represent and fight for workers’ rights.

IAM also partners with many Latino advocacy organizations to address and educate about issues affecting Latino working families. This includes groups like the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), an AFL-CIO constituency group committed to improving the rights and conditions of Latino workers.

If you are an IAM member and want to get involved, you can reach out to Julie Frietchen, IAM Director, Women’s, Human Rights & Young Workers at (301) 967-4747 or jfrietchen@iamaw.org.

La IAM Conmemora el Mes de la Herencia Hispana 

El Mes de la Herencia Hispana es celebrado cada año desde el 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre para rendir homenaje a las contribuciones, el rico legado, la cultura y la influencia de la comunidad hispana y latina en los Estados Unidos.

La celebración se remonta a 1968 cuando el presidente Lyndon B. Johnson creó la Semana de la Herencia Hispana a partir del 15 de septiembre para honrar la contribuciones de esta creciente comunidad y para conmemorar el aniversario de la independencia de algunos países latinoamericanos. La celebración fue luego ampliada por el presidente Ronald Reagan en 1988 para cubrir un período de 30 días.

La IAM honra el poder histórico de los líderes latinos del pasado y el presente quienes han sido fundamentales para el avance del movimiento laboral, dentro y fuera de nuestra unión.

Mientras celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, la IAM vuelve a comprometerse a seguir luchando por una fuerza laboral más equitativa y justa y se enorgullece de tener uno de los Consejos Ejecutivos más diversos con representación latina en el movimiento laboral.

El presidente internacional, Robert Martinez Jr., hizo historia como el primer hispano elegido para el Consejo Ejecutivo de la IAM y el primer latino en el movimiento laboral en encabezar una de las uniones internacionales más grandes de América del Norte. La Secretaria-Tesorera General Dora Cervantes también rompió barreras al convertirse en la primera hispana en desempeñarse como Secretaria General-Tesorera en la historia de la IAM.

Con el fin de guiar y formar la próxima generación de líderes latinos en la unión, la IAM creó el Programa de Liderazgo en Español en el Centro de Educación y Tecnología William W. Winpisinger. El programa brinda a los miembros de la IAM las habilidades y herramientas necesarias para representar y luchar de manera efectiva por los derechos de los trabajadores. 

La IAM también colabora con muchas organizaciones que ayudan a la comunidad latina para abordar y educar sobre los problemas que afectan a las familias trabajadoras. Una de estas organizaciones es el Consejo Laboral para el Avance del Trabajador Latino Americano (LCLAA, por sus siglas en inglés), un grupo afiliado a la AFL-CIO que está comprometido con mejorar los derechos y las condiciones de los trabajadores latinos.

Si eres un miembro de la IAM y quieres involucrarte en este tema, puede comunicarse con Julie Frietchen, directora del Departamento de Mujeres, Derechos Humanos y Trabajadores Jóvenes de la IAM al (301) 967-4747 o jfrietchen@iamaw.org.

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United – Emirates Codeshare: Labor is Watching

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Sep 16, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Four, Page Three, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

United – Emirates Codeshare: Labor is Watching

Legislation
16 September 2022

Justice at JetBlue requires Just Cause at JetBlue.

“That’s evidence that they are not focused on profitability. They are just focused on flying the airplane somewhere and having the government subsidize it.” -United CEO Scott Kirby.

“Those airlines aren’t airlines. They’re international branding vehicles for their countries.” -Former United CEO Oscar Munoz.

After years of highlighting the unfair business practices of state-owned enterprises (SOE) such as Emirates, Airlines, and other Middle East carriers, United’s announcement of a new codeshare agreement demands scrutiny.

To protect the jobs of U.S. airline workers, there must be continued financial transparency and improved labor standards that ensure fairness is maintained in all Open Skies and codeshare agreements.

Since the beginning of its existence, Emirates Airlines has been sustained by massive government subsidies, unrelated to the global pandemic, used to expand far beyond what market forces could ever support. Their growth, including the Dubai-Athens-Newark service and Milan service, was only possible because of the enormous Emirati funding the airline received. These subsidies put U.S. airlines at a tremendous economic disadvantage and threaten U.S. airline workers’ jobs. American workers can compete with any foreign airline when on a level playing field. We cannot compete against entire countries.

Although the United States and United Arab Emirates signed an agreement in 2018 regarding these issues, the fact remains that there are currently no independent labor unions in the United Arab Emirates. This has led to a systemic, unacceptable assault on airline workers’ rights, with alarming accounts of unfair labor practices and intimidation by employers.

United Airlines employees and union leadership will be watching closely to ensure our scope provisions are rigorously followed and demand the highest labor standards are adhered to across all partnerships. We will act swiftly if needed to protect our long-term career security.

In Unity,

Ken Diaz MEC President AFA-UAL

Richard Johnsen General V/P IAM-UAL

Mike Hamilton Master Chair ALPA-UAL

Craig Symons President PAFCA-UAL

Joe Ferreira Dir. Airline Div. IBT-UAL

 

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Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Aug 22, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Prepares for Negotiations at Apple

Organizing
22 August 2022

IAM CORE Members, First U.S. Apple Store to Unionize, Prepare for Negotiations

Watch on YouTube: This week, eight IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD traveled to the William Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) in Hollywood, MD.

This week, eight IAM CORE negotiating committee members from the newly organized Apple store in Towson, MD traveled to the William Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) in Hollywood, MD.

The members went through an information-packed week as they prepare for formal negotiations with Apple management, hearing from several department representatives from Strategic Resources, Communications, and Legal. IAM CORE members see that they have the full backing and support of the entire Machinists Union.

IAM CORE Negotiating Committee member Eric Brown said he was very impressed with the IAM’s training facility.

“The resources we have been given—it empowers us and gives us ideas with help and support,” said Brown.

Apple workers voted to join the IAM in June and the committee is seeing firsthand the power the union has to offer its workers. Brown said that the “Machinists are the way to go!”

IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan also traveled to the Winpisinger Center to meet up with the IAM CORE Negotiating Committee.

“Our IAM CORE team has the courage to stand up to Apple management,” said Sullivan. “Apple workers across the U.S. are seeing the power of having the IAM by their side, as is Apple management.”

“Towson workers are willing and able to help Apple workers across the nation,” said Brown. “With the Machinists’ backing, we will make history.”

 

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Machinists Union Joins Delegation to Pope Francis on Behalf of Working People

Machinists Union Joins Delegation to Pope Francis on Behalf of Working People

Aug 17, 2022 | Airlines, Community Service, Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Transportation Territory, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Joins Delegation to Pope Francis on Behalf of Working People

GOIAM.org
17 August 2022

IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen recently joined other transportation unions at a meeting in Vatican City hosted by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Vatican’s Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS). The meeting brought transport unions and other trade unions from across the world to discuss joining forces in the fight for global justice.

From Left to Right: Richard Johnsen, General Vice President, Air Transport, IAMAW, Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), & Sean O’Brien, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)

Pope Francis this month invited labor unions and other organizations representing working people to the Vatican for a Global Workers’ Summit. Machinists Union General Vice President Richard Johnsen spoke on behalf of transportation workers in North America alongside Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) President, and Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien.

The Summit covered a range of critical issues facing working people worldwide, including human rights in the workplace and the importance of unions and collective action in the struggle to protect the dignity of work. The event was effectuated by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and was held at the Vatican. It was attended by labor unions from around the world.

Johnsen, who spoke on behalf of transportation, aerospace, automotive, aviation, and rail workers, addressed how technology continues to change the world. He stressed the importance of unions having a seat at the table as new tech, automation, and artificial intelligence impact job security and the workplace environment.

“I have spent the last year traveling the country to listen to our air transport members and address their concerns as our industry continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Johnsen said in his remarks to the Pope. “Pope Francis’s words have inspired millions of workers, especially in the airline industry, who have faced recent challenges with understaffing and unruly passengers. I look forward to jointly working with our global partners to ensure we can address ongoing global crises using social justice.”

Since 2019, working people have faced repeated challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation, a war in Europe, and alarming food shortages. The Summit helped foster greater solidarity among unions, and an opportunity to confront the issues facing workers through greater collaboration and discourse.

Pope Francis delivered a message that all workers should have the free right to join a union as a basic human right.

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