IAM Woodworkers
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Our great union currently represents 20,000 workers in the wood, pulp, and paper industry. If you've set foot in your home, used the bathroom, read a paper, or used the lights to watch your favorite television show, you can thank one of our amazing woodworkers. From toilet paper to telephone poles, the IAM stands proud to be part of the heritage and history that our IAM woodworker locals bring to our union.
Who are the IAM Woodworkers?
"The IAM Woodworkers Department represents members in the United States and Canada. These workers are in every phase of the forest products sector from harvesting trees to making the products used to build your house and package your food. Our members work for Weyerhaeuser, International Paper, Georgia Pacific, Atlas Roofing, Ikea, Graphic Packaging, Potlatch Deltic, Westrock, Sappii, Woodland Pulp, Cascades, Rayonier, Roseburg Forest Products, Timber Products, and almost every major newsprint company. In addition to these private sector employees, we have contracts covering every federal agency, most significantly the Forest Service, but also with the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Treasury. In total, our department helps to coordinate the servicing of 174 collective bargaining agreements covering over 20,000 members."-Billy Barnwell, Grand Lodge Representative to the IAM Woodworkers Department
Our History
In 1994, the IWA and the industry was devastated by the outlawing of logging federal lands. Thousands of jobs were lost and a decision was made to seek a merger. The IWA entertained propositions by numerous unions and in the end, it was decided that the IAM was the one that fit the values held dear by the IWA membership.
IAM Woodworker Representation
The IAM is arguably the most prestigious labor organization in the U.S. and backed by over 6,00,000 rank and file members. Despite representing 20.000 members, we are also the largest defense union in the United States of America. Known as the Machinists Union, Fighting Machinists and The Aerospace Workers, we have members at almost every military base in the country. This brings power to fight regulation that could harm our Woodworkers, and power to fight back against plant closures. We welcome any and all Sawmills, factories and loggers to contact us about joining our great union.