Why the Machinists Honor Juneteenth
GoIAM.org
19 June 2022
Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the IAM,
We have had a whole year to prepare our nation for Juneteenth as a federal holiday. A holiday that remembers June 19, 1866, the day Afro-Texans gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the ending of slavery.
This was acknowledged and celebrated across America throughout African-American communities. It signaled a new start to a brighter future. Many of these celebrations gave rise to fighting for workers’ rights.
Our union is committed to ensuring that we never forget the successes and failures of our past. It helps us as our nation continues to fight against racism and against the erosion of civil rights. This holiday allows us to reflect on how we can better serve our community, fellow citizens, and union.
We can celebrate Juneteenth by recognizing how far we have come together and how much work we have to do in our society. Our union is always at its best when celebrating our diversity, and on this Juneteenth, we will fight to ensure every one of us is respected and treated with dignity.
In solidarity,
Robert Martinez Jr.
IAM International President
Related News
October EAP Helping Hands Newsletter: Isolation
EAP Peer Coordinators, As the covid virus continues to affect all of us, we are starting to see the effects of isolation. Mental Health and substance abuse issues are beginning to surface in numbers we have not seen before. There are resources to help - and we can...
Watch This: Rep. DeFazio Calls Out Lawmakers Killing Airline Payroll Support
Watch as Rep. Peter DeFazio gets visibly angry when efforts to help reverse mass airline furloughs are killed.After Republican leadership in the House of Representatives blocked a motion to pass legislation to provide emergency relief for airline workers, a clearly...
Video Report: Obie and Rich, the Spirit of 1776
This week’s 141 Video Report features C.A. “Obie” O’Brien, President of the Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists, and VP Rich HowellBrother O’Brien is a legendary figure in the Machinists Union, whose activism during his 56-year career has inspired countless...