IAM Union members and leaders gathered in Atlanta this week for the 25th National Membership Convention of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). The event brought together delegates from across the country to participate in workshops, panel discussions, and plenary sessions. These activities focused on supporting Latino union members and mobilizing workers for collective action.
The convention’s theme, “United We Stand: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers and Protecting Our Legacy,” addressed key issues facing Latino communities and the broader labor movement. Topics included immigration, economic equity, leadership development, and workplace justice.
Dora Cervantes, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer, took part in a panel titled “Breaking Barriers and Leading with Purpose: Honoring the Leadership of Latinas in Today’s Labor Movement.” She was joined by SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Rocío Sáenz and Manassas City Council Member Sonia Vásquez Luna. During the discussion, Cervantes said, “Hardships are what make you strong – there’s no such thing as going back,” encouraging young Latinas to remain resilient in their pursuit of leadership roles within labor organizations.
Other convention sessions covered organizing strategies, immigration reform efforts, opportunities in building trades careers, and social justice advocacy. One session featured IAM Human Rights Director Nicole Fears discussing a partnership between IAM and Aviation High School in Queens, New York. This collaboration offers students hands-on aviation training and scholarships that help prepare them for skilled union jobs after graduation.
National labor leaders also addressed attendees at the convention. Speakers included AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, AFGE President Everett Kelley, and AFT President Randi Weingarten. They stressed the importance of unity within the labor movement as new policies affect various groups.
LCLAA National President Evelyn DeJesus said during her remarks: “We have to protect our people and this is not just about Latinos. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant reinforced his organization’s commitment to equity within unions: “The labor movement must reflect the strength of all its members – regardless of background, status, or where they come from,” Bryant said. “Equity and fairness aren’t just values; they’re commitments that shape everything we fight for. At the IAM, we believe in building a union where every worker has a seat at the table, a voice in the room, and the power to shape their future.”
LCLAA remains an important part of AFL-CIO’s efforts by uniting Latino labor leaders around issues of justice and inclusion.
More information about LCLAA can be found at lclaa.org.
