The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), one of the largest labour unions in North America, has kicked off a political tour under the banner “workers v billionaires,” urging members and voters to support candidates it calls pro‑worker in the upcoming midterm elections.
Campaign and message
IAM officials say the campaign will put affordability and working‑class economic concerns at the centre of outreach to members, framing the midterms as a contest between ordinary workers and the wealthy interests they say shape policy. The tour is described by the union as a way to mobilise members behind candidates who support higher wages, job security and other labour priorities.
Membership and industrial reach
The IAM represents nearly 700,000 active and retired members across the United States and Canada, encompassing workers at major aerospace, defence and transportation companies. The union’s membership base includes employees of firms such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, United Airlines and Harley‑Davidson, among others.
Target states and tactics
The union says it will target members and voters in a number of competitive states, including Maine, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois. The campaign tour is expected to combine in‑person events, member meetings and voter outreach designed to connect national labour priorities to local electoral contests.
Political context and potential impact
Labour organisations have regularly engaged in election‑year activity, and the IAM’s programme reflects broader efforts by unions to influence races where their members live and work. With a substantial membership in strategic industries and states, the union’s mobilisation could be an important factor in tight contests, particularly where labour issues and affordability resonate with undecided voters.
The union’s push underscores the continued role of organised labour as a political actor in midterm cycles, as unions seek to translate workplace concerns into electoral support for candidates who back labour priorities.