IAM Union members participated in the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, focusing on the theme “Workers vs. Billionaires — Which Side Are You On?” The event highlighted union solidarity and political engagement ahead of upcoming elections.
A significant part of the convention was support for Taylor Rehmet, an IAM District 776 member running for Texas Senate District 9. During the conference, IAM delegates made calls to union voters across the district to help mobilize support for Rehmet before Election Day on January 31.
“This moment is about a clear choice: workers or billionaires,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett, who is also a native Texan and District 776 member. “For too long, billionaires have written the rules while working families pay the price. The labor movement is drawing a line, and in Texas that means supporting leaders like Taylor Rehmet who come from our ranks and fight for working people.”
The convention included a debate between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, which focused on issues affecting working families and concerns about billionaire influence in politics. Delegates decided not to endorse any candidate in the contested U.S. Senate primary but did make endorsements in other races involving union members and pro-worker candidates.
