The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is encouraging its members and partners to participate in the 2026 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil & Human Rights Conference, which will take place in Baltimore from January 15 to 18, 2026.
This year’s conference carries the theme “Honoring Our History – Fighting for Our Future.” According to organizers, this theme reflects the importance of connecting the labor movement’s history with ongoing efforts for civil rights. The conference aims to emphasize the close relationship between labor and civil-rights movements and how historical lessons can guide future strategies.
Organizers describe the event as “an important platform for dialogue and action at the intersection of labor rights and civil/human rights.” The program will include discussions led by experts on current challenges facing workers, such as collective-bargaining rights, threats to democracy, voting rights, and economic justice.
Attendees will have access to workshops and breakout sessions designed to provide practical tools for organizing within their communities and workplaces. The conference is open to all union members, from rank-and-file participants to leaders, with a focus on skill development and coalition-building.
AFL-CIO has also announced that Alex Rias has been appointed as its new Director of Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights. He will be responsible for leading this annual conference.
The event is scheduled at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor located at 401 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Early hotel booking is recommended due to limited room availability; rooms are offered at a negotiated rate of $219 per night. Programming begins on Thursday afternoon, January 15, with limited accommodations available for those arriving on January 14.
For more information or registration details about the conference or hotel booking options, interested parties are encouraged to visit official channels provided by AFL-CIO.
