WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 23, 2026 — Members of IAM Local 2782 at Leonardo DRS have voted today to reject the company’s latest contract offer, reaffirming their dedication to win a fair agreement that reflects the critical nature of the work they perform every day for the U.S. military.

The nearly 300 IAM members locked out at the West Plains facility manufacture some of the most essential defense systems in the American arsenal, including the M-SHORAD counter-drone and air defense system, battlefield surveillance technology, heavy assault bridging equipment, and fuel and water distribution systems that support U.S. combat forces in the field.

“Our members at Leonardo DRS have dedicated their careers to ensuring the men and women of our armed forces have what they need to complete their mission and come home safe,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Leonardo DRS is profiting from record defense demand while locking out the very workers who make that possible. That is unacceptable, and we will stand with Local 2782 until this company comes back to the table and negotiates a fair contract.”

“Our members didn’t come to this decision lightly,” said IAM District 9 Business Representative BJ Wear. “Our members have given years to this company and to the service members who depend on what we build. Leonardo DRS is benefiting from surging demand and a nearly $1.5 trillion defense budget that specifically prioritizes the exact systems our members produce. There is no excuse for the company to offer a compensation package that doesn’t reflect that reality.”

Leonardo DRS, which partners with L3Harris, Moog, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics on integrated defense systems, including the Stryker-based M-SHORAD platform, has seen backlog and revenue grow rapidly, particularly in the Middle East region.

“The members of Local 2782 are skilled, dedicated workers who manufacture systems that protect American lives on the battlefield,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Leonardo DRS has every resource it needs to put a deal on the table that our members will support. The Midwest Territory stands fully behind these members, and we expect this company to make a stronger offer.”

IAM International President Bryant sent letters to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, urging both officials to stand with members of IAM Local 2782 at Leonardo DRS 

Read the letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe

Read the letter to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley

IAM Local 2782 calls on Leonardo DRS to end the lockout, return to negotiations, and reach a fair contract now.

IAM Local 2782 members at Leonardo DRS’s West Plains facility manufacture a portfolio of critical U.S. Army systems, including fire support systems the Army has relied on since 1982; battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance platforms; heavy transport and mobility systems; fuel and water distribution equipment; and force protection technologies for armored vehicles. 

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Delegates to a Special Convention of the Printing Packaging & Production Workers Union of North America (PPPWU) have unanimously voted to move forward with affiliating and then merging with the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers).

Voting on the affiliation and merger will be open to the entirety of PPPWU’s membership before the affiliation is official.

WATCH: PPPWU Special Convention Initiates Historic Affiliation, Merger with IAM Union

“We made history at this Special Convention as we laid the foundation for the future of the PPPWU,” said PPPWU International President Israel Castro. “I believe that together, the IAM and PPPWU will be a true force for our members. I view this as the strongest, most valuable partnership possible, and look forward to engaging our membership as we finalize this process.”

PPPWU members will be entitled to all of the many resources of the IAM Union, including negotiations, training, legal, communications, political and legislative, and other support on the first day of the affiliation.

WATCH: W3 Center Leaves Lasting Impression on PPPWU Members

IAM International President Brian Bryant, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett, along with other IAM leaders, joined PPPWU International President Israel Castro at the convention and spoke about the shared values and growing partnership between the two unions. 

The PPPWU and IAM Union represent workers in several common industries with collective bargaining agreements at many shared employers, which is a point of strength for the two unions coming together. 

Bryant praised PPPWU leadership and members for their commitment to fighting for working people and emphasized the importance of unions joining together to increase leverage against major employers across the printing, packaging and manufacturing industries.

“This is workers coming together. This is unions building power together,” said Bryant. “When we stand together, we have an even greater voice.”

Cervantes highlighted the IAM Union’s financial strength, organizing resources and commitment to supporting members through bargaining campaigns, organizing drives and strikes.

“Our slogan for this partnership says it best: ‘A Stronger Future — Built Together,’” said Cervantes. “That is exactly what this moment is about.”

See photos from PPPWU’s 2026 Special Convention here.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler spoke at the convention and cheered the unity and solidarity bringing PPPWU and the IAM together.

“This moment calls for solidarity across the labor movement, and no one understands that better than our IAM Union family,” said Shuler. “And they know, above all: the only way to meet this moment is by building a movement that connects working people across all backgrounds.”

Castro applauded the IAM Union’s reputation for solidarity, organizing power and member support and stressed the mutual value of the affiliation. 

“If there was ever a time when we needed to be united, strong, militant and mobilized it is now,” said Castro. “The PPPWU and IAM together can be exactly that—strong, militant and mobilized to achieve our members’ goals.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is applauding the successful discharge petition led by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) advancing the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act toward a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives — critical legislation aimed at helping workers secure first union contracts without years of delay and obstruction.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act would require employers to begin bargaining with newly organized workers within 10 days after workers vote to form their union, helping prevent unnecessary delays and bad-faith stalling tactics that too often stand in the way of workers securing a first contract. The legislation would also establish a clear process to move negotiations forward and help ensure employers bargain in good faith.

The IAM Union has been a leader in labor urging members of Congress to support the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

“Workers who vote to form a union deserve a fair first contract — not endless delays, union-busting tactics and corporate games designed to wear them down,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The successful discharge petition is a major victory for working people across this country and a sign that momentum is growing to finally fix a broken system that allows employers to drag out negotiations for years.”

“Too many employers know they can run out the clock after workers organize, hoping workers will become frustrated and give up before securing the wages, benefits and protections they fought for,” continued Bryant. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act would help level the playing field and ensure employers bargain in good faith. The IAM Union thanks Congressman Norcross and every member of Congress who signed this discharge petition and stood with working people.”

Under current law, there is no timeline requiring employers to begin bargaining or reach a first contract with newly organized workers. According to Bloomberg Law, it takes an average of 458 days for unions and employers to secure an initial agreement.

The IAM Union is urging the House of Representatives to swiftly pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, non-profit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.

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WASHINGTON, D.C., May 21, 2026 — The IAM Union today applauded the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for passing an amendment to include the Railway Safety Act (RSA) in the BUILD America 250 Act, marking a major step forward in the fight to strengthen freight rail safety protections for railroad workers and communities nationwide.

For years, the IAM Union, Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and rail labor unions have warned lawmakers and regulators about deteriorating safety conditions caused by aggressive cost-cutting, understaffing, longer trains, and unsafe operating practices imposed by Class I freight railroad carriers. Those concerns were sadly confirmed on Feb. 3, 2023 when a Norfolk Southern train derailed in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio, and tank cars loaded with toxic chemicals were set aflame, polluting the area for many miles. 

The legislation advances long-overdue reforms aimed at protecting railroad workers, first responders, and the tens of millions of Americans living near freight rail corridors, just like the residents of East Palestine. 

The Railway Safety Act amendment includes provisions that:

• Require railroads to properly use wayside defect detectors and stop trains when dangerous defects are identified

• Prohibits arbitrary railroad-imposed time limits on rail safety inspections

• Closes loopholes in regulations to promote and protect the use of qualified mechanical inspectors in performing critical safety inspections

• Expands enhanced safety requirements for hazardous materials shipments

• Requires two-person crews on most Class I freight trains, including those carrying hazardous materials

• Improves emergency response information and resources for communities and first responders

• Strengthens federal freight rail safety oversight and accountability measures

The unions also thanked U.S. Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) for leading the bipartisan amendment effort in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The IAM Union and TCU/IAM recognized the Trump Administration for making rail safety legislation a priority and Vice President JD Vance for introducing and championing the Railway Safety Act while serving in the United States Senate following the East Palestine derailment disaster.

“Today’s committee vote is a major victory for railroad workers and communities that have spent years demanding action while Class I rail carriers prioritized profits over safety,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Our members know firsthand the dangers created by rushed inspections, reduced staffing and unsafe operating practices. This legislation represents meaningful progress toward finally putting safety first across the freight rail industry.”

“This legislation reflects years of advocacy from frontline railroad workers who have continued sounding the alarm about dangerous conditions across the industry,” said TCU/IAM National President Matt Hollis. “Railroaders deserve the staffing levels, inspection protections and safety standards necessary to safely operate the nation’s freight rail network.”

“For too long, freight rail carriers have pushed unsafe operating models that place enormous pressure on workers while putting communities at risk,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “This legislation addresses many of the systemic safety failures rail labor has warned about for years.”

“Railroad workers have fought tirelessly for these protections because they understand what is at stake every day on the job,” said IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh. “This committee vote sends a strong message that Congress is finally listening to the workers who keep this industry moving.”

The IAM Union and TCU/IAM urged Congress to continue advancing the Railway Safety Act through the legislative process and called on lawmakers in both parties to support final passage.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America. 

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Members of the Printing, Packaging, and Production Workers Union (PPPWU) recently visited the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3) for the very first time — and the experience of participating in the Leadership I program left a lasting impression.

From the world-class facilities to the hands-on education and welcoming atmosphere, PPPWU members were beyond impressed by everything the W3 Center has to offer.

Investing in education, leadership and solidarity is what strengthens our movement, and it was inspiring to see these members fully embrace the experience. We look forward to seeing them continue building power and bringing new knowledge back to their workplaces and fellow members.

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TOWSON, Md., May 21, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), elected officials, labor allies, and community leaders will hold a #DoRightApple public solidarity rally on Wednesday, May 27, to demand accountability from Apple and support for the nearly 90 IAM Local 4538 members facing job loss.  

The IAM Union is outraged by Apple’s decision to close its Towson, Md., store—the first unionized Apple retail location in the United States—and abandon both its workers and a community that relies on it for critical services and its unique access to public transit. 

The IAM Union has filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), citing discriminatory treatment against unionized workers at the Towson store. Unlike workers at two other closing stores, Apple is prohibiting its unionized Towson employees from transferring to other stores.  

The Maryland congressional delegation, led by U.S. Rep Johnny Olszewski and joined by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, as well as U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Kweisi Mfume, Sarah Elfreth and April McClain Delaney, wrote a letter to Apple demanding accountability following Apple’s decision to close its unionized retail store at Towson Town Center in Towson, Md., effective June 20, 2026. 

Read the Maryland congressional delegation letter to Apple here.

WHAT: #DoRightApple public solidarity rally demanding accountability from Apple and support for IAM Local 4538 members. 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET

WHERE: Patriot Plaza, 400 E. Washington Ave., Towson, Md.

WHO:

• IAM Local 4538 members (Apple Store workers at the Towson Center)
• IAM International President Brian Bryant
• IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan
• IAM District 4 Representative Bonna McCarthy
• Invited members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation and local elected officials
• Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO representative
• Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO President Courtney Jenkins
• Baltimore County NAACP President Roland Patterson

RSVP: Reporters interested in attending in person or scheduling interviews before the rally should contact DeLane Adams at dadams@iamaw.org or 202-430-2271. The event will be livestreamed on the IAM Union Facebook page.  

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

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WASHINGTON, May 20, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) recently joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and 28 co-sponsors on Capitol Hill during the introduction of the Fair Trade for Working Families Resolution, a bold new framework for international trade policy that would put the interests of working people above the profits of multinational corporations.

“For over 40 years, flawed U.S. trade policy has enriched corporate interests at the expense of workers, consumers, small businesses, family farmers, and our environment,” said Rep. DeLauro. “This decades-long failure has manifested in the loss of millions of American jobs through offshoring, and the loss of our domestic manufacturing base to countries like China, where environmental and labor regulations are notoriously weak.”

TAKE ACTION: Tell your members of Congress to support the Fair Trade for Working Families Resolution.

The Fair Trade for Working Families Resolution would:

• Eliminate the erratic tariff policies that create uncertainty for workers and businesses alike
• Cut corporate incentives to offshore jobs by requiring strong labor standards and enforceable rules of origin
• Restore full funding for Trade Adjustment Assistance, so workers who lose jobs to offshoring can retrain and get back on their feet

The IAM has long sounded the alarm on trade agreements that fail to deliver on their promises to North American workers. Those concerns have been borne out time and again, most recently with USMCA, the agreement hailed as a fix to the failures of NAFTA.

IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote a letterurging members of Congress to sign on as cosponsors.

“For far too long, American trade policy has centered corporate interests at the expense of working families and their communities,” wrote Bryant in the letter. “Since 1994, over 70,000 U.S. factories have closed, resulting in the loss of manufacturing jobs—including good-paying union-represented jobs. This decimates the communities that rely on these jobs, while allowing greedy corporations to offshore these jobs to low-wage labor markets, ultimately putting profits over people and pitting workers against each other in a race to the bottom. Our own Union has recently seen this first-hand with the offshoring of Whirlpool jobs from Amana, Iowa, to Mexico, leaving hundreds of workers without a job during an economic environment of great uncertainty and rising unaffordability.

Read the complete letter here.

The Fair Trade for Working Families Resolution recognizes that trade policy must be judged not by the growth of corporate profits, but by its impact on the workers, families, and communities that bear the consequences when deals go wrong.

The IAM represents hundreds of thousands of workers in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and other industries that are directly shaped by trade policy.

Our Union continues to call for trade agreements with enforceable labor standards, investment in domestic manufacturing, and accountability for trading partners that fail to uphold their commitments.

WATCH: Fair Trade for Working Families Resolution Press Conference

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WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 19, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is blasting Leonardo DRS for bargaining in bad faith and is calling on the company to immediately end its lockout of more than 285 IAM Local 2782 (District 9) members in West Plains, Mo., and return to the table with a genuine commitment to reaching a fair contract.

IAM Local 2782 members, who build the military weapons and equipment that have protected American troops and allied forces for decades, were locked out on May 1, 2026, after rejecting a company proposal that failed to deliver fair wage increases and forced unsustainable increases in healthcare costs. They had also voted to authorize a strike if no fair agreement was reached.

“Leonardo DRS builds its reputation and its profits on the backs of IAM skilled workers in West Plains,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “These are the men and women who manufacture the fire support systems, battlefield surveillance equipment, fuel and water distribution systems, and force protection technologies that our troops depend on in the field. While Leonardo DRS tells the Pentagon it’s committed to supporting America’s warfighters, it’s locking out the very workers who make that commitment real. That is not just hypocrisy, it is bad faith at the bargaining table, and it will not stand.”

Now-retired Leonardo DRS CEO, William J. Lynn III, took home $8.2 million in total compensation in 2025. Leonardo DRS pays its CEO 172 times more than the workers who manufacture the weapons systems and force protection technology that troops carry into combat.

“The workers of IAM Local 2782 have given everything to this company and to the mission those products serve,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “They wake up every day knowing that the systems they build keep soldiers alive. And what does Leonardo DRS give them in return? A lockout. No company that claims to support our military can justify locking out the workforce that builds its military products. End the lockout. Get back to the table. Do right by these workers.”

IAM Local 2782 members are not asking for the extraordinary. They are asking for wages that keep pace with the cost of living and health care they can actually afford. Leonardo DRS has the resources to provide both. The company’s choice to lock out these workers instead is a deliberate act of bad faith, and the IAM will not rest until every one of these workers is back at work under a contract they deserve.

Bryant and Cicinelli are calling on Leonardo DRS leadership to immediately end the lockout, resume good-faith negotiations, and reach a fair agreement without delay.

IAM Local 2782 members at Leonardo DRS’s West Plains facility manufacture a portfolio of critical U.S. Army systems, including fire support systems the Army has relied on since 1982; battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance platforms; heavy transport and mobility systems; fuel and water distribution equipment; and force protection technologies for armored vehicles.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

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The IAM Local 389 negotiating team recently completed contract negotiation preparation training at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, preparing for upcoming bargaining with General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.

The agreement covers more than 800 workers who build critical auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy, as well as oil tankers and dry-cargo carriers for commercial markets. Their work plays a vital role in supporting U.S. national defense and maintaining essential maritime capabilities.

The negotiations prep class provided the negotiating team with strategic training and tools to help them navigate the bargaining process and fight for a strong contract that reflects the value of IAM Union members’ work.

“IAM Union members at NASSCO build some of the most important vessels supporting our nation’s defense and maritime infrastructure, and they deserve a contract that reflects the skill, dedication, and pride they bring to the job every day,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “When our members are respected and supported on the job, it strengthens not only their families and communities, but the critical industries that rely on their expertise.”

“The company will come to the table with its priorities, and we’ll come with ours — the voices of the workers who make the shipyard run,” said IAM District 947 President/Directing Business Representative Sal Vasquez. “The negotiating committee is not just preparing for meetings – they are preparing to fight for a contract that delivers real gains.”

“Our members are highly skilled shipbuilders who take tremendous pride in the work they do every day,” said IAM District 947 Business Representative William Corona. “This preparation gives the negotiating committee the tools and confidence to negotiate effectively and push for the wages, benefits, and contract improvements our members deserve.”

As negotiations approach, the IAM Local 389 members at NASSCO are focused on securing better wages, stronger benefits, and contract improvements that recognize the contributions of the workforce that helps power America’s shipbuilding industry.

Beyond the bargaining table, IAM members at NASSCO have been actively focused on strengthening worker engagement and increasing union density inside the shipyard. While California is not a so-called “right-to-work” state, General Dynamics NASSCO operates as an open shop, making member engagement and organizing a constant priority.

IAM members regularly hold meetings, activities, and outreach efforts to connect with workers, build solidarity, and ensure members understand the power of collective action. Recognizing the shop’s diversity — including the large number of Spanish-speaking workers — IAM members recently launched a Spanish-language podcast to better connect with members and expand union participation.

Listen to the podcast here.

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The IAM Union is mourning the tragic loss of IAM Local S6 Brother Andrew Cross, a Bath Iron Works Outside Machinist and volunteer firefighter who passed away while responding to the devastating fire at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine.

Cross, 27, died on May 15, 2026 after a burning silo exploded during firefighting operations at the lumber mill. Twelve others were injured in the blast and fire, including firefighters, EMS personnel and Robbins Lumber workers. Cross worked at Bath Iron Works as an Outside Machinist and would have celebrated his seventh anniversary with the company on May 20.

“Brother Cross represented the very best of our union,” said IAM Local S6 President Tim Suitter. “He was hardworking, courageous and always willing to serve others. Whether at the shipyard or in his community, Andrew led by example and made a lasting impact on everyone around him.”

“Our IAM Union family grieves alongside Andrew’s loved ones, coworkers and fellow firefighters,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Brother Cross lived a life of service and sacrifice. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, our members at Local S6 and all those impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy.”

In lieu of flowers, the Cross family has asked that donations be made to the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department in Andrew Cross’ memory.

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