IAM Union members participated in the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, which centered on the theme “Workers vs. Billionaires — Which Side Are You On?” The event brought together union members from across Texas to discuss labor issues and political engagement.
A significant focus at the convention was support for Taylor Rehmet, an IAM District 776 member and activist running for Texas Senate District 9. IAM delegates made calls to union voters in 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 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 issues affecting working families and resisting billionaire influence in politics. Delegates decided not to take action in the contested U.S. Senate primary but did endorse several other candidates in federal, state, and local races who are either union members or support pro-worker policies.
