Category Archives: Legislative

Machinists Local 47 Endorses Shannon Bird for Congress

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2026

info@shannonbird.com

Machinists Local 47 Endorses Shannon Bird for Congress

Bird is One of the Most Labor Endorsed Congressional Candidates in America

Westminster, Colorado – Today, the International Association of Machinists Local 47, based in Commerce City in the Eighth Congressional District, endorsed Shannon Bird for Congress. 

Local 47’s endorsement adds to Bird’s impressive and rapidly growing labor coalition. She is the only labor-endorsed candidate in the race and one of the most labor-endorsed congressional candidates in America, with additional support from the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers Local Union 3, Amalgamated Transit Union, ATU Local 1001, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 28, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 642, SMART Locals 9 and 202, and Pipefitters Local 208.

“In the Colorado legislature, Shannon fought for good-paying jobs and championed the needs of working families, and we know she’ll do the same in Congress,” said Garry Harper, President of IAM Local 47. “Shannon will work tirelessly to pass the PRO Act, and we’re proud to stand with her.”

“I’m honored to have the endorsement of Machinists Local 47,” said Bird. “The work Machinists do touches nearly every facet of our lives, and in Congress, I’ll continue to champion the trades and deliver good-paying jobs to Colorado.” 

About Shannon Bird

Shannon was raised by a single mom and her grandmother, who dealt blackjack in Reno, Nevada, and used her tips to help Shannon get through college. They taught her how to work hard, give back and fight for what’s right.

With a passion for improving education for every student, Shannon started in public service by volunteering in her kids’ classrooms and co-founded an organization that empowers students, parents, teachers, and communities to create more equitable local schools. She led a bond measure campaign for the Adams 12 district in 2014 to fix and improve local schools, leading to her serving on the Westminster City Council and then in the Colorado State House, where she served for three years on the Joint Budget Committee.

Prior to serving in public office, Shannon worked in the private sector, practicing law in the fields of public and commercial finance, helping to get large community projects like roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals off the ground.

Shannon is committed to showing up for the people of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, and working together to deliver real results for hardworking Coloradans and families – because that’s what she’s always done. Her campaign has earned the endorsement of over 165 leaders in the district and across Colorado, as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers Local Union 3, ATU & ATU Local 1001, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 28, NALC Branch 642, SMART Locals 9 and 202, Pipefitters Local 208, Machinists Local 47, Elect Democratic Women, EMILYs List, Welcome PAC, and The Bench.

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
29 de enero de 2026
info@shannonbird.com

Machinists Local 47 respalda a Shannon Bird para el Congreso
Bird es una de las candidatas al Congreso con más respaldos sindicales en los Estados Unidos

Westminster, Colorado – Hoy, la Asociación de Machinists Internacional Local 47, que está localizada en Commerce City dentro del Octavo Distrito Congresional, anunció su respaldo a Shannon Bird para el Congreso.

El respaldo de Local 47 se suma a la impresionante y rápidamente creciente coalición sindical de Bird. Es la única candidata con respaldo laboral en la contienda y una de las candidatas al Congreso con más respaldos sindicales en Estados Unidos, contando además con el apoyo de la International Association of Fire Fighters, la Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers Local Union 3, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1001, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 28, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 642, SMART Locals 9 y 202, y Pipefitters Local 208.

“En la legislatura de Colorado, Shannon luchó por empleos bien remunerados y defendió las necesidades de las familias trabajadoras. Sabemos que hará lo mismo en el Congreso”, dijo Garry Harper, presidente de IAM Local 47. “Shannon trabajará incansablemente para aprobar la Ley PRO, y estamos orgullosos de respaldarla”.

“Me honra contar con el respaldo de Machinists Local 47”, dijo Bird. “El trabajo que realizan los maquinistas impacta casi todos los aspectos de nuestra vida, y en el Congreso seguiré defendiendo a los oficios y generando empleos bien remunerados para Colorado”.

Sobre Shannon Bird

Shannon creció con su madre soltera y su abuela, quien trabajaba como crupier de blackjack en Reno, Nevada, y usaba sus propinas para ayudar a pagar los estudios universitarios de Shannon. Ellas le enseñaron el valor del trabajo duro, del servicio a los demás y de luchar por lo correcto.

Impulsada por su pasión por mejorar la educación para todos los estudiantes, Shannon comenzó su servicio público como voluntaria en las clases de sus hijos y cofundó una organización que empodera a estudiantes, padres, maestros y comunidades para crear escuelas locales más equitativas. En 2014 dirigió una campaña de bonos escolares en el distrito Adams 12 para reparar y mejorar escuelas locales, lo que la llevó a servir en el Concejo Municipal de Westminster y posteriormente en la Cámara Estatal de Colorado, donde integró durante tres años el Comité Conjunto de Presupuesto.

Antes de ocupar cargos públicos, Shannon trabajó en el sector privado como abogada en las áreas de finanzas públicas y comerciales, ayudando a impulsar grandes proyectos comunitarios como carreteras, puentes, escuelas y hospitales.

Shannon está comprometida a estar presente para la gente del Distrito 8 del Congreso de Colorado y a trabajar en conjunto para entregar resultados reales para las familias trabajadoras del estado—porque eso es lo que siempre ha hecho. Su campaña ha recibido el respaldo de más de 165 líderes del distrito y de todo Colorado, así como del International Association of Fire Fighters, Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers Local Union 3, ATU, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 28, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 642, SMART Local 9, SMART Local 202, Pipefitters Local 208, Asociación de Machinists Internacional Local 47, Elect Democratic Women, EMILYs List, Welcome PAC, y The Bench.

Para más información, visite ShannonBird.com y sígala en X, Bluesky, Facebook, y Instagram.

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IAM Union: U.S. Tariffs on Canada Hurt Workers in Both Countries, Weaken Alliance in Trade Fight Against China, Others

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February 1, 2025

IAM Union: U.S. Tariffs on Canada Hurt Workers in Both Countries, Weaken Alliance in Trade Fight Against China, Others

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2025 — Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union, and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods imported into the United States:

“The IAM is a strong advocate of trade policy that helps protect and grow jobs in the United States and Canada. This includes both nations working as allies, not enemies, with regards to policy to combat illegal trade practices by countries such as China.

“The IAM represents hundreds of thousands of members in the aerospace, defense and other manufacturing sectors in both countries. Many IAM members work at companies that rely heavily on integrated supply chains between the U.S. and Canada.”

“The 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imported to the U.S., will result in job losses, increased prices, and a variety of other negative impacts. This trade war action is unjust and should be reconsidered. 

“As we’ve stated in the past, the IAM supports tariffs when used properly. Tariffs are just one tool in the toolbox to combat wrongdoing by nations, such as China, that cheat global trade rules for an unfair advantage of the U.S. and Canada.

“The U.S. and Canada have a longstanding history of being close allies and working collaboratively to help level the global playing field. The Trump administration imposing tariffs on Canadian imports could reverse this partnership and ultimately lead to job losses for both nations.” 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

“The IAM is a strong advocate of trade policy that helps protect and grow jobs in the United States and Canada. This includes both nations working as allies, not enemies, with regards to policy to combat illegal trade practices by countries such as China.

“The IAM represents hundreds of thousands of members in the aerospace, defense and other manufacturing sectors in both countries. Many IAM members work at companies that rely heavily on integrated supply chains between the U.S. and Canada.”

“The 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imported to the U.S., will result in job losses, increased prices, and a variety of other negative impacts. This trade war action is unjust and should be reconsidered. 

“As we’ve stated in the past, the IAM supports tariffs when used properly. Tariffs are just one tool in the toolbox to combat wrongdoing by nations, such as China, that cheat global trade rules for an unfair advantage of the U.S. and Canada.

“The U.S. and Canada have a longstanding history of being close allies and working collaboratively to help level the global playing field. The Trump administration imposing tariffs on Canadian imports could reverse this partnership and ultimately lead to job losses for both nations.” 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

Local 47 has a new Communicator

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Maurice Jewell will assume the duties of Communicator effective March 1, 2022 he has successfully attended the basic web class at Winpisinger Training Center in Maryland and has been practicing the duties of Communicator over the last few months. I am pleased to make this announcement and to have been the acting Communicator during this transitioning period.

The Communicator position is a demanding one that comes with a great deal of responsibility to our members, such as, keeping the doors of communication open between members, our officers and the Grand Lodge, as well as, making available important information and useful resources through our website.

Maurice has demonstrated great qualities and enthusiasm necessary to fulfill this position and I believe he will continue to be a valuable asset to Local 47 and will server our members well.

Congratulations Maurice