IAM Local 16 members attended the IAM Human Rights Conference in Atlanta from September 24–26, 2025, joining over 300 delegates to deepen our commitment to equity and workplace justice. The conference opened with a stirring reenactment of the Washerwoman’s Strike of 1881 and featured leaders and panels that pushed a clear message: unions must lead the fight for human rights, not stand on the sidelines.
IAM Local 16 delegates from YVR and beyond brought back practical tools and renewed energy. Attending from IAM Local 16 were: Brother John V (Communicator for IAM District 140 and IAM Local 16; Conductor Sentinel), Brother Phil B ( IAM Local 16 Vice President), Brother Clement N (IAM Local 16 Trustee and Senior Steward for PASS YVR), Sister Bhupinder R (IAM Local 16 Educator), Brother Ray L (Securiguard airside, YVR), Brother Todd N (PASS Shop Steward, Kelowna), & Brother Gary S (PASS Senior Steward, Campbell River).
Delegates participated in breakout sessions on storytelling and economic justice, shared immigration-justice testimonies, and discussed concrete ways to apply those lessons at YVR and other IAM Local 16 workplaces.
IAM Local 16 returns from Atlanta, USA prepared to turn conference lessons into local wins: collecting member stories, organizing workplace solidarity actions, and using the IAM’s mobilization tools to challenge discrimination and improve working conditions. These steps will strengthen our union, protect our members, and ensure human rights remain central to every campaign the IAM Local undertakes.