Retired International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Robert “Bob” Martinez Jr. has been inducted into the Texas AFL-CIO’s Labor Hall of Fame, recognizing his more than 43 years of service in the labor movement. Martinez, a Texas native and U.S. Navy veteran, began his career in 1980 as an aircraft assembler at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth and joined IAM Local 776A.
Reflecting on his early days, Martinez said during his induction speech at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, “When I first walked through the doors at General Dynamics as a member of IAM Local 776A, fresh out of the United States Navy, I wasn’t thinking about titles or awards. I was thinking about earning a living, taking care of my family, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the men and women next to me on the job.”
Martinez rose through union ranks to become IAM’s 14th International President in 2016. He was both the first Latino to lead IAM and the first Latino president of a major U.S. labor union.
At the ceremony, IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett introduced Martinez. Bennett stated, “Bob’s story is a labor story. It’s a Texas story. And it’s an American story. Like so many of our members, he didn’t set out to lead a union—he set out to earn a living, protect his coworkers, and make things better than he found them.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant commented on Martinez’s impact: “Bob Martinez is a leader whose commitment to working people helped shape the modern IAM and strengthened the labor movement around the world. This recognition reflects the impact he made not just in Texas, but the countless lives he changed along the way.”
During his time as International President, Martinez led efforts that expanded organizing into new sectors and developed programs for member assistance while also focusing on financial stability for IAM. He promoted leadership opportunities for women and underrepresented groups within the union.
Martinez advocated for workers during crises such as COVID-19 and worked to preserve union jobs across industries. His influence extended beyond IAM; he served on several national councils including as chair of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council and as part of the U.S. President’s Export Council.
Speaking about his identity throughout his career, Martinez said: “For decades—whether I was in Washington, D.C., or wherever this work took me—everyone knew one thing about me: I represented Texas. I was a Navy veteran. I was a union machinist. And I carried the grit, the values, and the pride of Texas working people with me everywhere I went.”
Martinez retired in 2024 after more than four decades dedicated to supporting workers’ rights.
