IAM Union members attended 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 issues affecting working families and to support candidates aligned with labor interests.
A key focus at the convention was supporting Taylor Rehmet, an IAM District 776 member and activist running for Texas Senate District 9. IAM delegates participated in outreach efforts by calling union voters in the district to encourage turnout for Rehmet ahead of Election Day on January 31.
“This moment is about a clear choice: workers or billionaires,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett, who is also a native Texan and District 776 member. “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 included the first debate between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett. The discussion focused on issues important to working families and addressed concerns about billionaire influence in politics. Delegates chose not to take action in the contested U.S. Senate primary but made endorsements in several other races involving union members and pro-worker candidates.
