The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security with a statement from its International President, Brian Bryant. The IAM Union, which represents about 600,000 active and retired members across several industries in the United States and Canada, reiterated its support for the Social Security program.
“On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, the IAM Union is reaffirming its commitment to protecting and strengthening the program that millions of working families rely on. Since its inception in 1935, Social Security has lifted millions of older Americans out of poverty and given workers the peace of mind that they can retire with dignity,” Bryant said.
Bryant noted ongoing concerns about potential threats to Social Security. He referenced warnings from organizations such as the Alliance for Retired Americans regarding proposed cuts to both Social Security and Medicare.
He emphasized that economic changes have made retirement security more difficult for many workers. “Social Security has stood the test of time, proving to be a rock-solid lifeline for America’s working families, even through some of our nation’s most brutal economic times. However, the decline of traditional pension plans and decades of stagnant or falling real wages have made it more complicated than ever for working people to save for retirement. For millions, Social Security is now the largest and sometimes only source of retirement income for working people,” Bryant stated.
Bryant also highlighted the contributions IAM members have made over generations. “Our hardworking IAM members have invested their blood, sweat, and tears into this system, and they deserve more than empty promises. They deserve the guarantee of a secure retirement. The IAM’s legacy of fighting for dignified retirement benefits spans generations, yet the gains we’ve made are still not enough. We will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security, ensuring it remains a dependable, robust support system for every worker who has given their all to build this nation.”
The IAM Union is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions with members in sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others. More information about their activities can be found at https://www.goiam.org/.
