TCU Members at the MNPL Awards Ceremony
April 1, 2026, Savannah, GA – This weekend, the National Planning Committee of the Machinist’s Non-Partisan League (MNPL) met to discuss the challenges facing the political action committee (PAC), upcoming political races that will be critical to members, and to award top locals who have been vital to growing the PAC.
MNPL is the political arm of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Created in 1947, MNPL allows the IAM and TCU to support and elect Members of Congress that support us.
“I’d like to thank the TCU awardees who have been responsible for significantly growing the PAC this last year,” said TCU National President Matt Hollis. “These local officers have been instrumental in supporting MNPL, which in turn, directly supports our members. MNPL allows us to fight for our jobs and helps ensure our members can get the benefits they have earned, but we can only do that thanks to the loud voice MNPL gives us on Capitol Hill.”
The following locals were recognized for their success this past year:
During the conference, the IAM Rail Division, which includes TCU and IAM District 19, conducted a breakout session to brainstorm ways to grow MNPL and educate members on its importance. Delegates agreed it was critical to educate members on the threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how MNPL is going to play a role in promoting pro-worker legislation.
Brent Cowan, TCU General Chairman LL 5101 (left) and Dave Arouca, TCU National Legislative Director (right).
Don Grissom, TCU National Vice President and Carmen Division General President stated, “the threat of AI is very real for our members. We’ve been fortunate to get contracts at some railroads ensuring carmen are the ones responsible for the use of new technology like AI inspection portals.” President Grissom continued, “However, we’ll need to keep up the fight beyond our CBA’s and push on Capitol Hill for policies that are important for our members which is why need to support MNPL.”
During the Rail Division’s territorial report, TCU National Legislative Director Dave Arouca stated, “AI threatens jobs across every craft we represent, and we believe that message can break through where political arguments cannot. The frame is simple: it’s us vs. them, workers vs. the top, not Democrats vs. Republicans.”
NLD Arouca also highlighted the Rail Division’s idea to establish the “Adopt a Local” program; a concept to have lodges and officers who have had success signing up members for MNPL to reach out to sister locals in their region or shared employer and offer advice and mentorship on how to increase their success. NLD Arouca called it, “a buddy system, but for democracy.”