![GVP Papal Visit. 1](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GVP-Papal-Visit.-1.jpg)
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.
![Vatican fi](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Vatican-fi.jpg)
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.
![Machinists Union Applauds Historic Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Brown-Nomination-gl-fi-1080x675.jpg)
Machinists Union Applauds Historic Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
Machinists Union Applauds Historic Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court GoIAM.org28 February 2022 WASHINGTON – IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. issued this statement following President Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson...
![Machinists Join Coalition to Combat Air Rage](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/assault-doesnt-fly-fi-1080x675.jpg)
Machinists Join Coalition to Combat Air Rage
IAM and Other Transportation Unions Raise Concerns About Assault on Airline Workers Transportation Newswire14 February 2022 The IAM joined other transportation unions in raising urgent concerns regarding assaults against passenger service agents working across...
![GVP Papal Visit 1](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GVP-Papal-Visit-1.jpg)
![Nelson papal visit](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Nelson-papal-visit.jpg)
![Johnsen papal visit](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Johnsen-papal-visit.jpg)
Related News
Ingestion Fatality at SAT Airport Ruled a Suicide
In a tragic incident late Friday night at San Antonio International Airport, a ground crew member, David Renner, 27, lost his life after he was pulled into the engine of a Delta Air Lines plane. Firefighters and police officers responded to the event around 10:25...
Retired Guide Dog Britta Takes Center Stage at Denver Charity Fundraiser
On the vibrant green fairways of Broadlands Golf Course near Denver, Colorado, a special guest named Britta stole the show at an annual golf charity event hosted by Machinists Union Local 1886 and Local 47. Britta is a retired guide dog who has spent her years serving...
Juneteenth: The Fight Continues for Racial and Economic Equality
Juneteenth holds a vital place in American history. As a holiday, it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Celebrated on June 19, this day is a tribute to the abolition of slavery, first observed in 1866 by Black Texans in Galveston, Texas. As the IAM...