The Official Bulletin: 2016 Q4 / NO. 654

PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER
Stand Strong
A Statement from President Loeb
on the 2016 Presidential Election
The election for President of the United States is over. While we did not achieve
the result we desired, I am extremely proud of the work of our Political Department,
Local Union officers, International Officers and Representatives, and
members for the significant efforts made to protect the interests of IATSE members
and workers in general.
Now we must move on. While I am skeptical for obvious reasons, it is my
sincere hope that there can be some healing in our starkly divided nation. And
while hope may seem an optimistic wish, it is clear that the country is unsatisfied
with status quo in our political system. Unfortunately, that widespread
feeling has manifested itself in a result that will likely compound the problem.
The middle class and working people are in jeopardy of experiencing severe
consequences based on the positions and proposed policies espoused by President
Elect Trump. Moreover, his anti-union statements virtually guarantee a
rough road ahead for Unions and the members they represent.
The tendency to be discouraged and lie injured licking our wounds must be
resisted. Now is not the time to let defeat discourage us from facing head-on
the tremendous challenges ahead. We must pick ourselves up by our bootstraps
and stand strong. We must demonstrate solidarity in an unprecedented way by
locking arms as Brothers and Sisters for the betterment of all IATSE members.
We must continue to strengthen our bonds with other unions and the AFL-CIO
to consolidate our voice and power. And we must identify and align with people
and organizations that are likeminded in sharing our values.
We have survived as a union since 1893 and we will survive this too. Know
that your Union will remain active and vigilant in doing whatever can be done
to protect your interests and further the causes that give security and prosperity
to our members. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said “We must, indeed, all
hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately”. This statement
may never be more true than it is now.
IATSE International President
@matthewloeb
MATTHEW D. LOEB
WWW.IATSE.NET
FOURTH QUARTER 2016 5