GVP Martin, Kansas IAM Union Members Bring Working People Power to State Capitol

The state legislature in Kansas only meets for 90 days each year - and as the saying goes, "if you're not at the table, you're on the menu." This year, members of the Kansas State Council of Machinists continued an annual tradition of being front and center at the table.

As the 2025 legislative session began, the IAM teamed up with other Kansas unions to ensure members' concerns are heard by elected politicians from both political parties.

"What matters to us? It's the basics," Martin told hundreds of labor activists at the state capitol. "It's what labor has always fought for-the things that lift up our families and our communities. Economic development, infrastructure, opportunities for job growth, and strong 'Made in America' policies. Tax relief and policies that make it easier for workers to provide for their families. Workers' rights and workers' comp. Workplace safety."

Last year, the IAM and the Kansas AFL-CIO saw their lobbying efforts result in the passage of the Enhanced Kansas Worker Compensation Act. Between 2011 and 2023, workers compensation laws and rules had seen Kansas fall to one of the worst systems in the nation. The previous system was very cheap for employers, but was economically harmful to any worker injured on the job. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lauded the union's lobbying efforts to get the necessary changes into the bill and passed by the legislature for her signature.

At a rally inside the capitol building , just off the floor of both branches of the Kansas legislature, Martin closed his remarks with a powerful call to action.

"Fighting for these things works," said Martin. "Fighting for the workers of Kansas, their families, and their communities works. Fighting back against those who think that workers don't matter and don't have power works!"