The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is encouraging members and allies to participate in the 2026 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil & Human Rights Conference, scheduled for January 15-18, 2026, in Baltimore.
This year’s conference theme is “Honoring Our History – Fighting for Our Future.” Organizers say the event will focus on connecting the labor movement’s history with current and future efforts for civil and human rights. According to organizers, the conference “speaks to how the labor movement and civil-rights movement are inextricably linked, and how we must listen to history to chart our future.”
The event aims to provide a platform for discussions on issues such as collective-bargaining rights, democracy, voting rights, and economic justice. Organizers note that participants will have opportunities to attend workshops and breakout sessions designed to give practical tools for organizing within their communities and workplaces.
“This conference is an important platform for dialogue and action at the intersection of labor rights and civil/human rights. It celebrates Dr. King’s enduring legacy while setting a course for collective strength in 2026,” according to organizers.
Both rank-and-file union members and leaders are invited to attend. The program will begin on Thursday afternoon, January 15. Early hotel booking is advised due to limited availability; accommodations are offered at a negotiated rate of $219 per night at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
Alex Rias was recently appointed by AFL-CIO as Director of Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights. He will oversee this annual conference.
