Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez speaks at the AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference
IBEW Local 1245 Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez played a prominent leadership role at the 2026 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, where he introduced AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler before her keynote address to national labor and civil rights leaders and led the Local 1245 delegation.
Held January 15–18, the conference brought together union leaders from across the country under the theme “Honoring Our History — Fighting for Our Future.” The annual gathering, held each year around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, focuses on strengthening the partnership between the labor movement and the ongoing fight for civil rights, economic justice, and democracy.
Local 1245’s delegation included Kimberly Kendrick, Adriana Galindo-Rivera, Gordon Young, Latoya Carter, Executive Board member Cloudell Douglas, and Cruz Martinez.
In his speech introducing Shuler, Cruz Martinez shared his personal journey into the labor movement, highlighting the impact unions can have on workers and families. “I’ve seen firsthand what it looks like when workers don’t have a voice,” Cruz Martinez said. “So when I had the chance to help organize — especially to help Spanish-speaking workers find their voice — I jumped at it. I knew what a union could mean for them and their families.”
The conference took place amid ongoing national challenges affecting workers, jobs, and communities, making the discussions especially timely.
From left to Right: Latoya Carter, Rene Cruz Martinez, Kimberly Kendrick, Gordon Young, Adriana Galindo Rivera and Cloudell Douglas
Delegates heard from a range of national and regional leaders, including AFL-CIO Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Director Alex Rias, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, former Maryland State Senator Michael Mitchell, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Emerita Dr. Lorretta Johnson, and Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 member Cory McCray.
Throughout the conference, Local 1245 members participated in workshops and plenary sessions addressing immigration enforcement preparedness, artificial intelligence and the future of work, organizing strategies, and nonviolent advocacy.
Kimberly Kendrick attended sessions on nonviolence and workplace readiness, which she said offered practical tools for real-world situations. “The nonviolence training provided me with the tools in order to make sure I am readily prepared for situations like this,” Kendrick said, noting guidance to remain calm, document events, and de-escalate tense encounters.
Executive Board member Cloudell Douglas described the conference as deeply inspiring, particularly in light of current national events affecting workers and immigrant families. “We must all continue to fight for what Martin Luther King started. We must fight to protect our labor rights for all,” Douglas said.
Adriana Galindo-Rivera highlighted workshops focused on immigrant worker rights and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding both legal protections and technological change. “My biggest takeaway was the importance of using clear, specific language when bargaining contracts with companies, especially regarding their use of technology,” she said.
IBEW 1245 delegation with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler
Latoya Carter also emphasized the value of the conference, noting that the sessions were highly relevant to current events. “The group of brothers and sisters who attended with us were wonderful, and I learned so much from the workshops. They were extremely relevant to what’s happening in the world today, and I left feeling truly inspired and uplifted,” Carter said.
Lead Organizing Steward Gordon Young said the conference reinforced the connection between civil rights and labor rights, particularly through discussions about apprenticeship programs and opportunities for workers. “The experience reinforced the deep connection between civil rights and labor rights, highlighting the importance of organizing, inclusion, and solidarity,” Young said.
The conference concluded with community service activities and a closing gala honoring labor and civil rights leadership.
For Local 1245 delegates, the experience served as both inspiration and a call to action, reinforcing the importance of continuing Dr. King’s legacy through union activism and community engagement.