IAM military veterans recently experienced a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the White House for the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council’s (UVC) Veterans Workforce Development meeting.
IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans, Assistant Veterans Services Coordinator Bryan Stymacks, Grand Lodge Auditor Chiqui (C.Q.) Guevara, and District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes Jr. represented the IAM at the meeting. Each brought their unique perspectives to the table and took center stage before union leaders, advocates, and White House officials.
Guevara addressed the union’s concerns on national security and job creation, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting negotiated pensions for federal contract workers. She also underscored the vital need to keep two submarines in the U.S. defense budget.
In a room filled with union leadership discussing veteran and labor issues, Forbes testified about his direct involvement and appreciation for legislative changes that benefited District 98 members at Voith and other locations.
IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans and Assistant Veterans Services Coordinator Bryan Stymacks spoke with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough about representation issues veterans face when claiming benefits. They also highlighted two pieces of legislation currently before Congress speaking favorably of the GUARD VA Benefits Act and in opposition of the PLUS For Veterans Act, stressing its misleading nature. Evans and Stymacks also emphasized the necessity of easier base access for union officials to better serve members, especially service contract workers.
“UVC Executive Director Will Attig did an outstanding job organizing this visit, showcasing the IAM and its veterans program to other union leaders and elected officials,” said Evans. “Leading the delegation of IAM veteran representatives was an honor. Their professionalism reflected great credit upon themselves and the organization, aligning with the highest standards of the IAM.”
The audience included union leaders from the AFL-CIO and representatives from various White House offices, including the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach, the Office of Public Engagement, the Domestic Policy Council, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the National Economic Council, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense.
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