The Kentucky State Council of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) organized a lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, aiming to connect union members with lawmakers during Kentucky’s legislative session.
Although the council’s main meeting is set for late May, leadership scheduled this event earlier in the year to ensure that IAM members could speak directly with elected officials while key decisions were being made. Chris Harrington, President of the IAM Union Kentucky State Council, said, “We had a great lobbying day. If we had 18 to 20 members this year, we need 36 to 40 next year.”
Craig Martin, General Vice President for the IAM Southern Territory, praised the council’s efforts: “The Kentucky State Council is doing great engaging members and making sure they are prepared and have the confidence to speak with elected officials about issues that are impacting workers. We need to keep the energy up to continue building worker power across the state, and the entire South.”
Participation saw notable growth compared to previous years. In 2025, five members attended; this year, 18 rank-and-file members from six different locals—Local 219, Local 681, Local 830, Local 1294, Local 1720, and Local 1969—took part in the event.
Harrington emphasized collective effort behind organizing: “It’s not just me. It’s all of our leadership in Kentucky. The locals were supportive. The locals sent their people and paid lost time for them to be there. It was a great effort all around.”
The day started with a strategy session involving coordination with Kentucky AFL-CIO representatives to review legislative talking points. Members then met legislators before regrouping for an afternoon debriefing session.
Ryan McCarthy, Special Representative for IAM Southern Territory and former president of the Kentucky State Council, joined throughout the day as members spoke with lawmakers.
Key topics included advocating for legislation to repeal right-to-work laws (Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 585), supporting domestic manufacturing through HB 472—the Kentucky Buy America Act—and seeking reforms on recent changes affecting unemployment insurance eligibility requirements in Kentucky.
Harrington observed increased awareness among union membership regarding political advocacy: “I think the labor movement is coming to the forefront, and our membership is starting to see the important issues that we have to get out there and stand up for.”
Despite ongoing legislative challenges, organizers say participation at lobby day signals growing momentum among IAM members who want policies that protect workers’ rights and strengthen unions.
