IAM Union members participated in the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, where the theme was “Workers vs. Billionaires — Which Side Are You On?” The event brought together union representatives from across Texas to discuss labor issues and political action.
A key focus of the convention was support for Taylor Rehmet, an IAM District 776 member and activist running for Texas Senate District 9. Delegates at the conference called union voters throughout the district to encourage turnout for Rehmet ahead of Election Day on January 31.
Jody Bennett, IAM Resident General Vice President and a member of District 776, addressed the attendees: “This moment is about a clear choice: workers or billionaires. 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 also included a debate between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett. The discussion focused on challenges facing working families and how to counter billionaire influence in politics. While delegates decided not to endorse a candidate in the contested U.S. Senate primary, they did make endorsements in other races at federal, state, and local levels that feature union members or pro-worker candidates.
