Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I am writing to you to appeal to your ability to make an informed decision when it comes to the future welfare of this great organization, your families, and your careers.
Our membership ranks have grown to an all-time high of 408,000 members, the highest in our proud 128-year history with an exciting potential to increase this number.
We have seen record man-hours and organizing opportunities in the last three years, more than any other time in the IUOE’s history. In areas that encompass every aspect
of our core jurisdiction. From infrastructure repair and replacement to new innovations in the power generation sector that includes grid improvement, maintenance, and expansion.
From battery plants and car manufacturers to wind and solar expansion that employ not only thousands of Operating Engineers in the construction phase, but in-house stationary
engineers that maintain union-built facilities as well.
These extraordinary results come from the steadfast dedication you have to your craft, your local union, and its administration. This work positioned us to deliver the best returns
for you as members and your families. A decent wage, a strong health and welfare program and a robust pension that will enable us all to retire with dignity when our careers
have come to an end.
There is no way around the fact that we have enjoyed great strides from a pro-union administration. Pro-organized labor legislation has been laid at our feet that delivers work to the IUOE
and its contractors. It represents a generation of work and projects moving forward. This administration has leveled the playing field through Project Labor Agreements and brought
manufacturing back to our shores. This administration helped our ailing pension plans, righted the ship and rescued our brothers’ and sisters’ hard-earned pension credits from pre-downturn levels.
These undisputable accomplishments come from electing lawmakers, who through our actions at the ballot box, have given you and I a voice. A voice to demand that the interests of working men
and women, who built this great nation and have defended it at every turn on every continent, have the chance to provide for their families in the same way that was provided for us.
We cannot deny the prosperous position that the IUOE finds itself in. And we would not be here if not for the courageous action of a female Vice President who cast the tie-breaking votes that
delivered the most pro-union, pro-operating engineer legislation in our lifetimes.
Like many of you, I am a proud third-generation Operating Engineer. And I am even more proud to say, the parent of a fourth-generation Operating Engineer. But it does not matter if you are a first,
second, third or fourth generation Operating Engineer, we have the crucial opportunity to cement not only a decade of prosperity, but a generation of future work.
I know, as a parent, we only want what is in the best interest of our children and the security of a career can do just that. We as stewards of this great organization can leave to future generations what
was left to us. The chance to succeed, the chance to enjoy the American dream and the chance to make it a reality with the opportunity to raise our children and grandchildren to prosper.
When I enter the voting booth this November, I will not be voting for Democrat or Republican, I will be voting for the IUOE. I will be voting for your children and grandchildren. I am voting
for generations of Operators to come. Our duty is to leave this great organization better off than we found it. When that voting booth curtain closes, I will carry the knowledge of which party has
given you, my brothers and sisters the type of work opportunities and future projects that will keep us prosperous for years to come. No fake news, and no misrepresentations, just for
my family and yours.
Brothers and Sisters, I know you will put aside the tiresome rhetoric we have all endured and vote for your interests for a stronger union for the future.
God bless you and your families, God bless our servicemen and women, God bless our law enforcement officers, God bless the IUOE and God bless the United States of America.
Fraternally yours,
James T. Callahan, General President
We respect that your vote is a personal decision made in the privacy of the voting booth. We have taken the time to review the candidates’ records on the most important issues
to Operating Engineers – good wages, health care, workers’ rights, retirement, Buy American, and other core policies. After reviewing the candidates’ positions, the choice is clear:
If you’re voting union, it’s Kamala Harris for President. Please consider this recommendation when you exercise your right to vote.