The Kentucky State Council of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) recently organized a lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, aiming to give working families a direct voice with lawmakers. The event was scheduled to align with Kentucky’s legislative session in January and February, allowing IAM members to meet elected officials while legislative decisions were underway.
Chris Harrington, President of the IAM Union Kentucky State Council, led the effort. “We had a great lobbying day,” Harrington said. “If we had 18 to 20 members this year, we need 36 to 40 next year.”
Craig Martin, General Vice President for the IAM Southern Territory, praised the council’s approach. “The Kentucky State Council is doing great engaging members and making sure they are prepared and have the confidence to speak with elected officials about issues that are impacting workers,” Martin said. “We need to keep the energy up to continue building worker power across the state, and the entire South.”
Participation in this year’s lobby day increased significantly compared to last year. In 2025, five members attended; this year saw 18 rank-and-file members from six different IAM locals—Local 219, Local 681, Local 830, Local 1294, Local 1720, and Local 1969—traveling to Frankfort.
“It’s not just me,” Harrington added. “It’s all of our leadership in Kentucky. The locals were supportive. The locals sent their people and paid lost time for them to be there. It was a great effort all around.”
The agenda included a morning strategy session coordinated with the Kentucky AFL-CIO for reviewing legislative talking points. Members then met directly with legislators before regrouping for an afternoon debrief.
Ryan McCarthy, Special Representative for IAM Southern Territory and former president of the Kentucky State Council, also participated by joining discussions with lawmakers.
Key issues addressed during meetings included efforts to repeal Kentucky’s right-to-work law through Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 585; advocacy for HB 472—the Kentucky Buy America Act—to promote domestic manufacturing; and concerns about recent changes to unemployment insurance requirements that have made it harder for laid-off workers to access benefits.
Harrington observed that more members are recognizing the value of political involvement: “I think the labor movement is coming to the forefront, and our membership is starting to see the important issues that we have to get out there and stand up for,” he said.
While challenges remain in passing legislation favorable to workers’ interests, organizers noted that increased participation signals growing momentum among union members in advocating for labor policies at both state and local levels.
