IAM Union’s “Workers vs Billionaires” Tour Targets Midterm Battlegrounds

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has begun a nationwide “workers vs billionaires” political tour aimed at mobilizing its members in eight battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The union’s messaging stresses that current economic policies favor wealthy individuals and that Congress must prioritize working-class concerns.

The Guardian

IAM represents roughly 700,000 active and retired members across North America, including employees of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, United Airlines and Harley-Davidson. The tour focuses on voters in Maine, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois. Union officials note that the campaign seeks to reverse recent support for Republican candidates, citing members who voted for former President Donald Trump in 2024 but feel “the promises … weren’t kept.”

The Guardian

Union leaders point to rising living costs as a primary driver of political engagement. Inflation is reported to have risen from 3.0 % in January 2025 to 3.4 % in August 2026, while gasoline prices are said to be about $1 per gallon higher following the administration’s conflict with Iran. Health-care expenses have climbed after the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies. In Texas, members describe “skyrocketing” cost-of-living pressures, and in Arizona airline workers anticipate contract negotiations in early 2027, urging elected officials to address housing affordability.

The Guardian

International president Brian Bryant framed the tour as the union’s most engaged effort ever, arguing that the status quo “is not acceptable” and urging the administration to heed working-people’s needs. Texas local president Jason Gayler linked soaring living costs to growing support for pro-worker candidates. Arizona representative Shay Blodgett described a summer of member-to-member outreach that identified the economy, fuel, health-care and food costs as top concerns. Former local president Rich Howell warned that billionaire contributions—exceeding $1.6 trillion so far in the 2026 midterms—do not guarantee electoral victories and blamed recent tariffs for job losses in the industry.

The Guardian

• “We made a strategic commitment that we’re going to be the most engaged that we have ever been in the history of our union in working,” — Brian Bryant, international president of IAM

The Guardian

• “The price of just the cost of living in north Texas now has absolutely skyrocketed, and it’s starting to really affect a lot of our members, which is motivating them to back candidates that focus primarily on the working class,” — Jason Gayler, president of IAM local 776A in Fort Worth, Texas

The Guardian

• “We’ve been conducting member-to-member engagement this summer, reaching out, asking members what matters to them,” — Shay Blodgett

The Guardian

• “The majority of our airline workers in the state will be entering contract negotiations in early 2027, and we need elected officials that will fix the economy and allow airline workers to fulfill the American dream of home ownership and raising families in Arizona,” — Shay Blodgett

The Guardian

• “Trump put the tariffs on, cutting more jobs, hurting more people in our industry,” — Rich Howell

The Guardian