During the IAM 41st Grand Lodge Convention, IAM National Political and Legislative Director, Hasan Solomon, delivered a powerful message on the critical need for political involvement among IAM members. Solomon’s impassioned address emphasized the direct impact of political decisions on workers’ rights and the imperative for active engagement in the political arena.

Solomon made it clear that IAM members, political involvement is not an option but a necessity. “You cannot afford not to be involved in politics,” he stated, highlighting how legislation can have profound effects on union contracts and, consequently, on the lives of workers. His message resonated with the delegates, highlighting the vulnerability of hard-won worker rights to the whims of political change.

The IAM’s position as a nonpartisan entity was also reinforced. “We are not a Democratic organization, we are not a Republican organization; we are a trade union, we are nonpartisan,” Solomon said. The IAM’s stance is based on support for any politician or party that recognizes and upholds the rights and interests of the union, its members, and working families. 

Drawing an analogy to a football game, Solomon rallied the delegates to move from passive observation to active participation. “This election is just like a football game. We gotta get off the benches and in the trenches. We need to start playing the game to win,” Solomon urged. This metaphor served to emphasize the necessity of direct engagement and the power of collective action in the political process.

As the IAM continues to advocate for the rights and well-being of its members, the call for political involvement has never been clearer or more urgent. Solomon’s speech at the IAM 41st Grand Lodge Convention serves as a rallying cry for members to actively participate in shaping the political landscape and the upcoming elections, thus ensuring a secure and prosperous future for themselves and fellow workers.