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 union, which represents about 600,000 active and retired members in industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, and automotive across the United States and Canada, reaffirmed its commitment to defending Social Security.
“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,” said Bryant.
Bryant noted ongoing concerns about threats to Social Security and referenced warnings from organizations such as the Alliance for Retired Americans regarding proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare by some political groups.
He added: “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 emphasized that IAM members have contributed significantly to the system over their careers. “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 continues its advocacy efforts as one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions.
