To: 727-N Local Lodge Body Members
From: Roy Smith, Delegate of Legislation Committee
Re: California Conference of Machinists 2025 Summer Conference and California Labor Federation’s Convention Report
Tuesday May 13, 2025—Sheraton, Sacramento
Opening Primary session began with some very motivational speakers, such as Chris Hannan, President of State Building& Construction Trades Council, and Lorena Gonzalez, President of California Federation of Labor Unions and a host of others.
The themes that were spoken on included The Great Labor Anthem “WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? and I’M STICKING WITH THE UNION”.
The following points were discussed:
• Times may have changed, but the sentiment has never been more relevant. Today, we watch the wealthiest corporations in the world try to invalidate and undermine the right to organize and destroy all forms of workplace security that we have won over the last century.
• When Labor brings legislation, our members have the same question for the Legislature: Which side are you on? Will you choose to increase corporate power and profit, or will you stand with working people in the fight to protect our jobs and improve our lives? Will you stand with Big Tech elites or Joe Truck Driver? We salute the legislators who stood with workers every single time.
• Working people haven’t faced these types of threats-from every direction-in almost a century. Union busting bosses firing. workers trying to organize. Lawsuits to invalidate federal labor law. Mass firing of federal employees and elimination of collective bargaining rights. Attacks on immigrant workers, and the constant threat of being controlled by robot bosses or even replaced by AI. Today more than ever we need the answer to ‘which side are you on? To be resounding- I am with the Union.
The Luncheon featured a keynote speaker, Everett Kelley, President of AFGE
The Afternoon included Breakout Sections #1 and #2, on How Young Workers are changing the Movement, Shaping the Future: Workers Taking on Big Tech, Unions Going on Offense, Lobbying 101, Organizing Under State Law in the Trump Era, and more.
Dinner keynote speaker, Adam Conover, spoke on the awards program for the Top Scoring Republicans and 100% Labor Voters.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025–State Capitol, Sacramento
• Lobby Day
• Labor Council Delegation Visits
Thursday, May 15, 2025-Sheraton, Sacramento
• California Conference of Machinists
• General Session
The General Session included an opening with GVP Bobby Martinez.
He gave an appreciation acknowledgement to the former President, Rudy Amoral, who is stepping down due to medica reasons, after serving over 20 years. Also, congratulated the former VP, Martin Martinez, to his new position as President, and Romil Sharma, who moves into the VP position.
Mr. Martinez spoke of some of changes that are been implemented by The Republicans Party such as stripping down health insurance plans, and taking away Medicare from hard working Americans, while at the same time giving tax cuts to rich Americans.
Finally, he spoke about creating a path forward by bringing those up from the bottom to help them to unionize and reduce the wage income inequality here in America.
We also had other great speakers such as Bryan Pinette, Special Asst. to the GST, Hasan Solomon MNPL Director, Juan Eldridge Organizing Dept., and Lobbyist Shane Gusman.
In Solidarity
Roy Smith