The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Kentucky State Council recently organized a lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, aiming to bring the concerns of working families directly to state lawmakers. The event was planned to coincide with Kentucky’s legislative session in January and February, ahead of the council’s official meeting scheduled for late May.
Council President Chris Harrington, who led the organization of the event, described the outcome as successful. “We had a great lobbying day,” said Harrington. “If we had 18 to 20 members this year, we need 36 to 40 next year.”
IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin highlighted the importance of member engagement during such events. “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.”
This year’s lobby day saw an increase in participation compared to previous years. In 2025, five members attended; this year, 18 rank-and-file members from six IAM locals—Local 219, Local 681, Local 830, Local 1294, Local 1720, and Local 1969—traveled to Frankfort.
Harrington credited local union leadership for supporting participation: “It’s not just me,” he said. “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 day started with a strategy session that included coordination with the Kentucky AFL-CIO on legislative talking points. Members then met with legislators before regrouping in the afternoon for a debrief.
Ryan McCarthy, IAM Southern Territory Special Representative and former Kentucky State Council president, joined participants throughout the day.
During meetings with lawmakers, IAM members addressed several issues affecting workers in Kentucky:
– They advocated for repealing right-to-work laws by discussing Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 585.
– Members supported HB 472—the Kentucky Buy America Act—to strengthen requirements favoring domestic manufacturing.
– Unemployment insurance reform was also discussed. Participants called attention to recent changes that require laid-off workers to make multiple weekly job search contacts in order to receive benefits—a process seen as burdensome both for workers awaiting recall after temporary layoffs or retooling periods and for employers fielding unnecessary inquiries.
Harrington observed that increased participation shows greater awareness among union members regarding 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.
Although legislative challenges persist, organizers say that higher turnout at lobby days signals growing momentum among IAM members committed to advocating policies aimed at protecting workers’ rights and strengthening unions.
