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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.

The State of Our Union on the IAM’s 136th Birthday

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Dear IAM Family,

Happy 136th birthday to the IAM! It’s a testament to all of you, and all those who came before us, that our great union has risen from a railroad pit in Atlanta in 1888 to the powerful force for working people that we are today.

Since having the honor of becoming the IAM’s 15th International President on Jan. 1, myself and your Executive Council have hit the ground running to build on our successes.

We are listening to you – our membership. We are organizing and growing our union. We are embracing our diversity. Most of all, we are moving the IAM into an even brighter future.

Led by membership input gathered last year by the IAM Committee on the Future, myself and your Executive Council are already implementing changes to strengthen our union. We are working toward new ways of communicating with our members and branding our union, expanding mentorship and training opportunities, improving our union’s structure, and much more. 

And, our renewed focus on organizing is paying off. The IAM was amongst the fastest growing unions in 2023, and this year, we’ve already won campaigns to represent airline workers, healthcare professionals, artificial intelligence workers, manufacturing workers and more.

We are taking on employers big and small and winning record gains for our members. And, we are realizing our true potential by investing in the leadership of women and other under-represented groups through our new IAM Human Rights Department, and more.

As I continue to travel North America to meet our membership and hear your ideas, I am more hopeful than ever about the future of the IAM. Every day, we are moving closer to fulfilling our purpose of delivering security, dignity and opportunity for all.

Most of all, thank you to all of you for being a part of this journey. Together, we will continue to inspire, empower and create this more perfect union.

In solidarity,

Brian Bryant
International President

Resources for our Brothers and Sisters who were affected by the recent layoffs from Stolle Machinery

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Colorado Department of Labor
CDLE connects job seekers with great jobs, provides an up-to-date and accurate picture of
the economy to help decision making, assists workers who have been injured on the job,
ensures fair labor practices, helps those who have lost their jobs by providing temporary wage
replacement through unemployment benefits, and protects the workplace – and Colorado
communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.
https://cdle.colorado.gov/

Connect for Health Colorado
The Health Insurance Marketplace for Coloradans: Connect for Health
Colorado works to expand access, affordability and choice for individuals
purchasing health insurance throughout our state.
https://co.colorado.gov/access-connect-health-colorado-states-health-
insurance-marketplace

Cesar Alvarado 720-251-6855
Brandy Cronberg 303-921-9682
Garry Harper 720-490-2795

Join Us in Saying Thank You to Retiring International President Robert Martinez Jr.

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As many of you know, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. is retiring on Jan. 1, 2024.

After more than 43 years of membership and eight years leading our great union, Bob’s legacy guiding the IAM will forever be remembered across the labor movement.

Bob’s leadership allowed the IAM to emerge from the pandemic with financial stability and historic membership growth through robust and innovative organizing, while putting the IAM in its strongest financial position in generations. Most of all, Bob has dedicated his life to this union and its membership.

We wanted to give everyone the chance to say “thank you, Bob.”

Click here to send Bob a happy retirement message and thank him for his leadership of the IAM.

Bob has also been a true trailblazer for our union. He’s the first Latino international president of a major American labor union in the history of the American labor movement, the first Latino elected to the IAM Executive Council, and the first international president of color in the history of the IAM.

Through Bob’s leadership, the IAM has grown into new industries, including healthcare professionals, gig workers, tech workers, veterinary technicians, museum workers, architectural workers and more. Using new organizing tactics and strategies, the IAM was the leading AFL-CIO affiliate in National Labor Relations Board union election victories from 2018 through 2022.

At Bob’s direction, the IAM also created groundbreaking membership programs that assist members and their families, as well as expanded opportunities for underrepresented groups to advance in the IAM. Martinez commissioned a new department to provide IAM members and their families who are military veterans with VA claims assistance free of charge, as well as an addiction services program and a women’s leadership initiative.

Bob has long been a leading voice for domestic manufacturing, especially for defense production. He has led the charge to increase “Buy American” standards. He made history by initiating a rank-and-file membership vote for the IAM’s endorsement for U.S. president in 2020, and again this year.

And as chair of the 39th and 40th IAM Grand Lodge Conventions, Bob presided over delegate action to pass a Membership Bill of Rights, greatly expand resources for organizing, increase strike benefits, implement electronic meetings, and launch a Committee on the Future to listen to our members and chart the IAM’s next chapter.

We’re so proud of Bob, and excited for the IAM’s next chapter under the leadership of our next International President, Brian Bryant.

Please join us in wishing International President Martinez a great and well-earned retirement.