Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends of the IAM,
This weekend we will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an extraordinary American whose legacy as a civil rights leader, activist and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize serves as an inspiration. We will celebrate his convictions and, in some cases, the great sacrifices of the many who have fought and continue to fight for equality and opportunity for all.
MLK Day is also recognized as a National Day of Service, which calls for all of us to band together to give back to our communities. The Machinists take great pride, individually and collectively, in spearheading the betterment of our neighbors.
Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” He dreamed of a nation in which every person would be equal, and he devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and economic opportunity for all.
Machinists follow Dr. King’s principles every day by standing up for their sisters and brothers in solidarity against injustices on the job and in society.
As we commemorate his life, we also must remember his challenge to each of us. We need to recognize the important role we all play in building a more just and equitable society, to actively expose and eliminate racism and hatred in all forms, and to work every day through our words and actions to maintain a steady march towards a more perfect union.
In solidarity,
Robert Martinez Jr.
International President
