Founded on May 5, 1888, in Atlanta, Georgia, by a group of railroad workers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has grown into one of the most diverse unions in America. Over the past 136 years, we have been at the forefront of every major worker’s rights issue, including the fight for the eight-hour workday, overtime pay, weekends, and equal pay regardless of race or gender.

Today, we proudly represent nearly 700,000 active and retired members across 2,034 job sites in North America. Our members work at leading companies such as Boeing, United Airlines, Amentum, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon (RTX), Aerojet, General Dynamics, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Harley-Davidson, among others. We are the largest defense union, the largest aerospace union, and the largest Service Contract Act (SCA) union in the USA.

 

Our Commitment to Workers

IAM members demand respect and dignity in the workplace. Through collective bargaining, we have secured increased job security, higher wages, and improved benefits. While our roots are in the railroad industry, we now represent thousands of workers in healthcare, the wood, pulp, and paper industry, aerospace, manufacturing, service contract employees, and government employees.

 

Our Mission

We believe it is a natural right for working people to fully enjoy the wealth created by their labor. In today’s world, unity is essential for workers to achieve the full rewards of their efforts. We advocate for the cooperative and economic exercise of workers’ rights for the benefit of all.

As the IAM, we pledge to work tirelessly for our members, preserving and growing our union based on solidarity and justice. Our goal is to strive for a higher standard of living for all working people.

 

Why the IAMAW?

For 137 years, the Machinists Union has been at the forefront of fighting for workers’ rights and benefits. Many essential benefits such as pensions, medical insurance, paid vacation, holidays, personal holidays, sick pay, overtime/double-time pay and shift differentials are often better in a union shop. In many cases, some of these benefits don’t even exist without a union contract.

There is strength in unity, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers provide its members with a powerful, collective voice to communicate with management. We are a full-service labor union, and we pride ourselves on our rich history and diverse membership. Whatever your past experiences with other unions have been, leave them at the door. We are committed to representing our members with dedication and integrity.

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How is the IAM Different than Other Unions?

Every labor union has its own constitution, which is recognized as law by the federal government. Unlike other labor unions, the IAM has a Membership Bill of Rights in their constitution. The membership bill of rights states that the organization cannot force its membership to strike, the union cannot stop its membership from striking, the organization cannot negotiate without the membership's approval, and the organization cannot negotiate without the members negotiating team being offered the opportunity to be present for those negotiations. Our union has mandated that no backdoor deals or shady dealings can be placed on the members without serious consequences. 

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Benefits of Union Membership

• Higher Wages: IAM members earn, on average, 26% more than non-union workers, and 41% more when benefits are included.

• Pension Participation: 89% of union members participate in a pension plan.

• Health Insurance: Union members are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance benefits.

• Training Opportunities: Greater access to apprenticeships and training programs.

• Negotiation Rights: Union members have the right to negotiate rather than accept “take it or leave it” offers.

A union contract establishes rules that protect you from retaliation or unjust treatment. If you believe these rules have been violated, you have the legal right to appeal through a grievance procedure. This ensures that everyone is treated with respect, not just management’s favorites.

 

A Voice in the Workplace

A union gives you the opportunity to negotiate with management over important issues such as raises, medical benefits, vacation time, and other work rules. Don’t buy into the myth that you’ll lose your individual voice. How is that working for you without a union?

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Strength & Security

There is strength in numbers. By joining together in a union, you ensure that managers can no longer make arbitrary rules. A union job guarantees a contract that clearly establishes wages, hours, and terms and conditions of work. This means they cannot cut your healthcare, fire you without cause, or break your contract in any way.

Union membership also ensures that workers have a voice in workplace procedures. When workers share their input and ideas, it leads to better production, higher quality, and a more dignified workplace where everyone feels respected.

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