Retired International President Robert “Bob” Martinez Jr. of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has been inducted into the Texas AFL-CIO’s Labor Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes his more than 43 years of leadership and service to workers in Texas, across North America, and internationally.
Martinez began his career in 1980 as an aircraft assembler at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, joining IAM Local 776A after serving in the U.S. Navy. Reflecting on his early days during his induction speech at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, Martinez said, “When I first walked through the doors at General Dynamics as a member of IAM Local 776A, fresh out of the United States Navy, I wasn’t thinking about titles or awards. I was thinking about earning a living, taking care of my family, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the men and women next to me on the job.”
Over time, Martinez advanced through union ranks to become IAM’s 14th International President in 2016. He made history as both the first Latino leader of IAM and the first Latino president of a major U.S. labor union.
At the ceremony, Jody Bennett—IAM Resident General Vice President—introduced Martinez and highlighted his contributions: “Bob’s story is a labor story. It’s a Texas story. And it’s an American story,” Bennett said. “Like so many of our members, he didn’t set out to lead a union—he set out to earn a living, protect his coworkers, and make things better than he found them.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant also commented on Martinez’s impact: “Bob Martinez is a leader whose commitment to working people helped shape the modern IAM and strengthened the labor movement around the world,” Bryant said. “This recognition reflects the impact he made not just in Texas, but the countless lives he changed along the way.”
During his tenure as International President from 2016 until his retirement in 2024, Martinez guided IAM through organizational growth by expanding into new industries and introducing programs for member assistance. He promoted financial stability within IAM and worked to increase opportunities for women and underrepresented groups within union leadership.
Martinez advocated for workers during crises such as COVID-19 by helping protect union jobs nationwide. He also served beyond IAM as part of several national organizations: he was on the AFL-CIO Executive Council; chaired its Industrial Union Council; served on the U.S. President’s Export Council; supported domestic manufacturing initiatives; pushed for stronger Buy American standards; and represented aerospace workers globally through IndustriALL.
Throughout his career, Martinez maintained strong ties to Texas roots: “For decades—whether I was in Washington, D.C., or wherever this work took me—everyone knew one thing about me: I represented Texas,” he said during his speech. “I was a Navy veteran. I was a union machinist. And I carried the grit, the values, and the pride of Texas working people with me everywhere I went.”
Martinez retired from active leadership in 2024 with what colleagues describe as a legacy grounded in solidarity and advocacy for worker dignity.
