September 24, 2024
As National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) members traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota last week to conduct important union business and decide the future direction of the union at the 52nd NFFE National Convention, one important message stood out: NFFE-IAM members must engage more in the political process in order for their rights to be protected.
With 2024 being the most consequential election year for working people, union members have the ability to sway who is voted into the White House and the halls of Congress. NFFE-IAM members can not only vote for pro-worker and pro-union candidates, they also can influence their friends, families, and communities to do the same.
However, for pro-worker and pro-union candidates to run and win elected office, they must have the financial resources to do so. These candidates are running against anti-labor candidates backed by corporations and the ultrawealthy, who are looking to decimate unions and the federal workforce. To fight back, NFFE-IAM members can contribute to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL).
MNPL is a Political Action Committee (PAC) that relies on voluntary donations from IAM and NFFE-IAM members to support candidates that support working people. Each Congressional session, anti-union laws and policies harmful to federal employees are introduced. Without resistance from elected officials that are in office because of MNPL support, federal employees would lose collective bargaining power, official time, and other critical workplace rights that allow the civil service to properly function.
IAM International President Brian Bryant, IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, and NFFE National President Randy Erwin stressed the critical importance of union members contributing to MNPL at last week’s convention.
“As a NFFE-IAM member, there is no easier way to ensure your rights are protected than to donate to MNPL,” said Erwin. “Every day in Washington, the IAM and NFFE legislative teams are meeting with members of Congress to garner support for our members’ issues. The only reason they can have these meetings is because of MNPL. It is the lifeblood of our work on Capitol Hill, and every NFFE-IAM must participate if they want a seat at the table.”