Retired International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Robert “Bob” Martinez Jr., has been inducted into the Texas AFL-CIO’s Labor Hall of Fame. The recognition honors his more than 43 years of service to workers in Texas, across North America, and globally.
Martinez began his career in 1980 as an aircraft assembler at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth and joined IAM Local 776A. Reflecting on his early days during his induction speech at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention, Martinez said, “When I first walked through the doors at General Dynamics as a member of IAM Local 776A, fresh out of the United States Navy, I wasn’t thinking about titles or awards. I was thinking about earning a living, taking care of my family, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the men and women next to me on the job.”
He rose through union ranks over four decades, becoming IAM’s 14th International President in 2016. Martinez made history as both the first Latino to lead IAM and the first Latino president of a major U.S. labor union.
At the ceremony, Jody Bennett—IAM Resident General Vice President—introduced Martinez and spoke about his influence: “Bob’s story is a labor story. It’s a Texas story. And it’s an American story,” said Bennett. “Like so many of our members, he didn’t set out to lead a union—he set out to earn a living, protect his coworkers, and make things better than he found them.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant also commented on Martinez’s impact: “Bob Martinez is a leader whose commitment to working people helped shape the modern IAM and strengthened the labor movement around the world,” said Bryant. “This recognition reflects the impact he made not just in Texas, but the countless lives he changed along the way.”
During his time as International President from 2016 until his retirement in 2024, Martinez led initiatives that expanded organizing efforts into new industries and developed programs supporting union members. He also worked toward financial stability for IAM and increased opportunities for women and underrepresented groups within leadership roles.
Martinez advocated for workers during crises such as COVID-19 by helping protect jobs for union members. He served beyond IAM by participating on national bodies like the AFL-CIO Executive Council and chaired several councils focused on industrial unions and manufacturing policy.
Speaking about his background throughout his career, Martinez stated: “For decades—whether I was in Washington, D.C., or wherever this work took me—everyone knew one thing about me: I represented Texas,” said Martinez. “I was a Navy veteran. I was a union machinist. And I carried the grit, the values, and the pride of Texas working people with me everywhere I went.”
Martinez retired in 2024 after leading significant changes within IAM aimed at promoting solidarity among workers.
