IAM District 19 and TCU/IAM members at the Long Island Rail Road have overwhelmingly ratified new agreements, capping off a historic labor victory for workers represented by the Long Island Rail Road Union Coalition at the nation’s busiest commuter rail network.

The ratification brings to a close more than three years of bargaining, mediation, two Presidential Emergency Boards, and ultimately a strike, as coalition members remained united in pursuit of fair wage increases without concessions. Throughout the dispute, both Presidential Emergency Boards affirmed the reasonableness of the coalition’s proposals, validating what workers had argued from the beginning.

WATCH: LIRR Workers Deserve a Fair Contract

“This victory belongs to the members who stood together and never wavered,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “For more than three years, our members remained focused on winning the respect, dignity and fair compensation they deserved. Their solidarity carried them through every challenge and ultimately delivered this historic result. The entire IAM Union is proud of what our Long Island Rail Road members accomplished.”

Throughout the dispute, coalition members remained united behind a common goal: securing the contract they had earned without sacrificing hard-fought workplace protections.

“These members never lost sight of what they were fighting for,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “They stood together through years of negotiations, mediation and uncertainty. Their determination and discipline made this victory possible and set an example for railroad workers across the country.”

PHOTOS: IAM, TCU/IAM Members Stand Strong

The IAM Rail Division played a key role throughout the negotiations, helping guide members through one of the most challenging rounds of bargaining in recent railroad history.

“This ratification is a testament to the strength and determination of our members,” said TCU/IAM National President Matt Hollis. “The members of the coalition stood together through every challenge and never lost sight of what they were fighting for. Their unity made this victory possible.”

The partnership between IAM and TCU/IAM leadership remained strong throughout the dispute and helped maintain solidarity across the coalition.

“This outcome reflects the power of solidarity across the entire coalition,” said TCU/IAM National Vice President Nick Peluso. “When workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder and remain united around a common purpose, they can overcome even the toughest obstacles. The Long Island Rail Road workforce proved that throughout this fight.”

For the members who lived through every stage of the campaign, the victory represents years of sacrifice, commitment and perseverance.

“Our members stood strong because they knew what was at stake,” said IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh. “This was never just about wages. It was about respect for the men and women who keep the Long Island Rail Road moving every day. The coalition remained united from start to finish, and that unity delivered historic results.”

IAM District 19 leadership credited the rank-and-file members whose solidarity ultimately secured the agreements.

“Every member played a role in this achievement,” said IAM District 19 General Chair Shaun O’Connor. “Whether they were attending meetings, supporting coworkers, walking a picket line, or standing firm during difficult moments, this victory belongs to them. Their solidarity never broke, and that made all the difference.”

The post IAM District 19 and TCU/IAM Members Overwhelmingly Ratify Historic Long Island Rail Road Agreements appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM Union members and leaders laced up their boots and shouldered their packs this Memorial Day to participate in the annual Do Good Multnomah Ruck March, honoring the sacrifices of America’s veterans while raising funds to support veterans facing homelessness and other challenges in the Portland, Ore., community.

The event brought together IAM members, veterans, labor leaders, and community supporters for a day of solidarity, service and remembrance. Participants marched through Portland carrying weighted rucksacks, symbolizing the burden many veterans continue to carry long after their military service ends. The annual fundraiser supports programs that provide housing assistance, meals, emergency support, and other vital services to veterans in need.

The march served as an opportunity to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while raising awareness about the ongoing challenges facing veterans throughout Oregon and across the nation.

“We’ve seen friends, family members, and brothers and sisters struggle, and we know that having someone to talk to can change everything,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “No one should have to carry those burdens alone. Raising awareness, building connections, and ensuring people know help is available is one of the most important things we can do as a union and as a community.”

This year’s Ruck March raised over $31,000 to support Do Good Multnomah’s mission of assisting veterans throughout the Portland area.

“This event reflects the very best of what the IAM stands for — service, solidarity, and a commitment to lifting up those who have served our country,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “We are proud to stand alongside our veterans and community partners to make a real difference in the lives of those who need support.”

The commitment to supporting veterans continued the following day as members of the IAM Veterans Services Steering Committee gathered for a meeting focused on strengthening veterans programs. Committee members shared updates, discussed new outreach opportunities, and exchanged ideas on how to better connect veterans with the resources, support networks, and benefits available through the IAM.

Following the meeting, they visited Thayer House, a newly renovated housing facility for veterans that was made possible in part through funds raised during last year’s Ruck March. The visit offered participants a firsthand look at the positive impact these fundraising efforts have had on veterans in the Portland community.

To further demonstrate their commitment to service, participants conducted a litter cleanup around Thayer House, helping beautify the neighborhood while reinforcing the spirit of service that unites the labor and veteran communities.

“For me, these events are personal,” said Franklin Wilson, Chair of the Veteran’s Steering Committee, who helped organize both events. “I believe in the IAM Veterans Program because I’ve used the services myself and experienced firsthand the support it provides. That’s why giving back is so important to me. If sharing my experience or helping organize an event can connect even one veteran with the resources they need, then it’s worth every effort.”

Rich Evans, Assistant Director of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, was pleased with this year’s turnout.

“Mental health struggles affect far too many veterans and working people, yet many suffer in silence because of the stigma surrounding asking for help,” said Evans. “Events like this ruck march and community cleanup are about more than service—they’re about reminding people that they are not alone and that support is available.”

As the events concluded for the weekend, participants reflected on the significance of Memorial Day and the importance of continuing to support veterans not only through words, but through action. From raising funds and advocating for veterans’ needs to helping improve the communities they call home, IAM members once again demonstrated that solidarity extends far beyond the workplace.

The post IAM Union Joins Memorial Day Ruck March to Support Veterans in Oregon appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM Union delegates from across the United States played a leading role at the 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention this week, advancing policies that strengthen working families, rebuild American industry, and grow worker power both on and off the job. 

Throughout the convention, IAM delegates, including those from the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), participated in debates, shared members’ stories, and helped move forward resolutions aimed at creating good union jobs, protecting workers’ rights and ensuring working people have a stronger voice in the economy and in government. 

WATCH: IAM Delegates Discuss What Solidarity Means to Them 

A key moment came when IAM International President Brian Bryant joined a featured convention panel moderated by former Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, where labor leaders discussed the challenges facing workers and the future of the labor movement.  

During the discussion, Bryant emphasized that elections matter, pointing to the difference between the federal government’s response to two major Boeing strikes involving IAM members. Bryant noted the Biden administration’s engagement during the IAM’s 53-day Boeing strike in 2024 and contrasted it with the Trump administration’s lack of support during the union’s 102-day Boeing strike in 2025.  

Bryant also highlighted the growing number of IAM members stepping up to run for public office. Bryant pointed to both as examples of working people bringing their voices directly into government and helping shape policies that affect workers and their families.  

Bryant introduced two resolutions that were unanimously adopted by delegates. 

The first, We Want a Decent Living for All, reaffirmed the labor movement’s commitment to ensuring every worker can build a secure and prosperous life. In presenting the resolution, Bryant called for higher wages, affordable healthcare, accessible child care, retirement security, strong public education, and an economy that works for working people—not just the wealthy.  

“Every worker deserves the chance to build a good life,” Bryant told delegates. “Because a decent living should not be a privilege. It should be the expectation for every person who works for a living.”  

WATCH: IAM Ready to Build Worker Power at 2026 AFL-CIO Convention 

Later, Bryant introduced a resolution supporting efforts to revitalize America’s shipbuilding, repair, and maritime industries. Drawing on his experience as a shipbuilder at Bath Iron Works, Bryant emphasized the need to combat unfair trade practices, increase domestic investment, strengthen the maritime workforce, and create demand for American-built vessels. He noted that the IAM Union is the largest shipbuilding union in North America and argued that a strong domestic shipbuilding industry is essential to both economic and national security.  

During the convention, IAM Local 695 (District 160) member Maximo Londonio and his wife, Crystal, shared their powerful story about Maximo’s wrongful ICE detention, highlighting the IAM Union’s commitment to standing up for every member and defending immigrant working families. 

The IAM Union’s exhibit booth was also a popular destination throughout the convention, giving delegates a hands-on look at the skills and programs that define the union. Attendees tested their abilities on a virtual CNC machine simulator provided by IAM District 751’s Machinists Institute and a virtual welding simulator from IAM Local S6 at Bath Iron Works, showcasing the cutting-edge training IAM members receive across North America. 

The booth also highlighted the life-changing work of the IAM’s charity of choice, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, where delegates learned more about the organization’s mission to provide service dogs to veterans, individuals with disabilities, and others in need.

SEE PHOTO GALLERY HERE

The post IAM Union Takes Center Stage at AFL-CIO Convention appeared first on IAM Union.

This article was featured in the Summer 2026 IAM Journal  and was written by IAM Communications Representative Elías Flamenco Rivera

Desmond King
IKEA – Savannah, Ga.
IAM Local 23 | IAM Southern Territory

Desmond King was terminated in October 2025 under IKEA’s Powered Mobile Handling Equipment (PMHE) point system after management claimed he had accumulated too many points.

For King, the experience was both stressful and uncertain.

“Any time that you’re let go of your job, it’s not an easy thing,” he said.

As a husband and father, losing his job meant more than just losing a paycheck – it meant worrying about how to support his family while waiting for the grievance process to unfold.

From the start, union representatives stood beside him. Shop steward Terry Miller was present on the day King was terminated and immediately began advocating on his behalf.

“The process was very intimidating, but Terry Miller was there fighting for me to keep my job that day,” said King.

Chief Steward Steven Knight and IAM District 243 Business Representative Kahira Black also remained closely involved, guiding King through the months-long process.

“There were times I almost lost hope, and Kahira Black would reel me back in and say, ‘We’re fighting for your best interests,’” King recalls.

District 243 advanced the case through the grievance procedure and prepared it for arbitration, arguing the PMHE policy had not been applied consistently and that the termination failed to meet the “just cause” standard in the contract.

Through persistent advocacy and negotiations, the union secured a no-fault settlement that reinstated King with full seniority and nearly $8,000 in back pay, restoring stability for his family.

“I wouldn’t have my job if it wasn’t for the union … that’s the bottom line,” King said. “Every step of my journey, the union was there for me.”

Now back on the job, King says he plans to continue encouraging coworkers to stand together.

“If this happened to me, it could happen to anybody,” he said. “Without the union, there would be a lot of rights we enjoy today that we wouldn’t have.”

Chandler Noe
Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling – St. Charles, Mo.
IAM District 9 | IAM Midwest Territory

Chandler Noe, who works on tractors and trailers at Coca-Cola’s facility in St. Charles, Mo., filed a grievance after the company denied him holiday pay that had already been approved. Near the end of the year, Noe requested time off to spend the holidays with his family and asked management several times whether he could use one of his remaining sick days after the holiday and still receive holiday pay.

“I asked multiple times… am I allowed to use my sick day after my holiday, and will I get paid for it?” Noe recalls. According to him, management confirmed that it was allowed and approved the request in advance.

When the holidays passed, however, Noe noticed that he had not been paid the holiday pay he was owed. When he questioned management, he said the response was brief and dismissive.

“All they would tell me was one word: ‘no,’” he said.

Instead of letting the issue go, Noe reached out to IAM District 9 Business Representative Roy Collins and filed a grievance.

Noe gathered screenshots and documentation showing that his request had been approved and that he had followed the proper process. During the grievance meeting, an HR representative reviewed the records and confirmed that Noe’s time off had been approved, and the company ultimately agreed to pay him the holiday pay.

For Noe, the experience reinforced the importance of union representation.

“If you continue to let management walk all over you, it’s going to keep happening,” he said. “They think employees will just roll over and take it.”

Noe believes the outcome would have been very different without the union contract and the grievance process supporting him.

“If the contract was not there, the company would have just said ‘no,’ and it would have never gone anywhere,” he said.

By using the grievance process, Noe not only secured the pay he had earned but also showed how the union gives workers the tools and support to stand up for themselves when the employer gets it wrong.

Jacqui Elton
Alaska Airlines – Anchorage, Alaska
IAM Local 601 | IAM Air Transport Territory

Jacqui Elton’s grievance grew out of a difficult period early in her time at Alaska Airlines, when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer just before Jacqui reached one year on the job.

Because she had not yet qualified for family medical leave protections, she suddenly found herself trying to balance her job while spending long stretches in the hospital with her child. Instead of receiving support, Elton remembers receiving a call from a supervisor after about two weeks away.

“He didn’t ask how I was doing or how my daughter was doing,” she said. “He just asked, ‘When are you coming back to work?’”

At a moment when she was already under immense stress, the call made her feel that the employer cared more about staffing than her family’s situation.

The situation escalated when management placed a “record of discussion” in her file, labeling her as aggressive. At the time, Elton had begun serving as a shop steward, and the document referenced her union role during the interaction.

With the help of then IAM Local 601 Chief Steward and now IAM District 142 General Chairman Jesse Wilson, they challenged the discipline through the grievance process.

The union argued that referencing her steward duties in a document that could lead to discipline crossed a line because union representation is protected.

“When we speak with management as a union steward, we are not beneath them – we are equals,” Elton explained. “Putting our steward duties into a disciplinary record goes against the protections we have to stand up for the contract.”

For Elton, the grievance was about more than a single write-up. It was about protecting her job while her family faced one of the hardest moments of their lives. She believes that without the union, the outcome could have been very different.

“Without a union, I would have been fired,” she said. “The IAM had protections in place that kept my job safe even though I didn’t qualify for FMLA at the time.”

That experience strengthened her belief in the union and motivated her to become more involved. Today, Elton serves as Human Rights Chair for IAM Local 601 and as a IAM District 142 Young Workers Coordinator, continuing to advocate for the same protections that once helped protect her and her family.

Nadith Schuster
City of Long Beach – Long Beach, Calif.
IAM Local 1930 | IAM Western Territory

Nadith Schuster’s grievance at the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach began after management issued what they called a “letter of expectation,” which she argues was effectively a reprimand that threatened her employment.

The write-up followed two incidents: a Teams meeting where Schuster, as a shop steward, raised concerns about assigning new duties to housing specialists without proper training, and mandatory workplace wellness sessions where staff were encouraged to discuss workplace morale and management practices.

Schuster said she made it clear she was speaking from a steward’s perspective and trying to protect workers from being “set up to fail.”

After the meeting, she reached out to management in good faith.

“It’s not my intention to be adversarial,” she said. “I would rather work with management than against management.”

Weeks later, however, she was called into a meeting and read the disciplinary letter without being given a chance to respond beforehand.

Schuster believes she was singled out not for her job performance, but because she spoke up as a union steward.

“They came for me to attack my character,” she said. “I have never in my life been written up. I have never had a bad evaluation. I have never been terminated from a job.”

She says the case relied on incomplete documentation and ignored letters of support from coworkers who witnessed the incidents. For Schuter, the situation highlights why union protection matters, as it gives workers a structure to challenge unfair treatment and hold management accountable.

Even with the frustrations of the process, Schuster says having a union contract, shop stewards, and a formal grievance procedure has allowed her to keep fighting instead of being forced to accept the discipline.

Schuster won her grievance, resulting in the removal of the Letter of Expectation from her file after it was determined to be disciplinary in nature rather than supportive, as such letters are intended to be. The case progressed through multiple steps of the grievance process, with the letter ultimately removed at Step III by Human Resources. However, because a second part of the write-up was not addressed at that stage, Schuster advanced the case to Step IV with the City Manager’s Office, seeking full resolution. In its ruling, the City Manager’s Office advised that she could file a complaint with the City’s EEO office to pursue claims of discriminatory and retaliatory conduct by management toward IAM Shop Stewards. Schuester is now preparing to continue her fight at the state level.

“Now my resolve is even stronger than it was before,” Schuster says. “Now, I’m going to come back harder.”

At the same time, she says the experience reinforced an important lesson for union members: “Know your contract. Know your labor rights. Document everything.”

Even while the case continues, Schuster’s fight has already become an example of how union members can push back when management oversteps.

Baltimore County Public Library Workers
Baltimore, Md.
IAM Local 4538 | IAM Eastern Territory

Fourteen part-time librarians, including IAM Local 4538 bargaining unit members, in Baltimore, Md., were abruptly told their jobs were being eliminated in what management described as a “phase out,” but the union quickly determined the decision violated the contract’s layoff provisions.

Workers were called into an unexpected meeting on Nov. 12, 2025, informed that their positions were ending immediately, and in some cases, escorted out after clearing their desks. For many, the announcement was sudden and devastating, especially coming just before the holidays.

“I was so angry because I had been there for 20 years,” said IAM Local 4538 member Amie Lee. “This just came out of the blue.”

Union leaders immediately filed grievances, arguing that management had failed to follow the contract and had not provided the required notice to the union. Under the agreement, employees facing layoffs were supposed to be placed in equal- or lower-paying positions rather than forced to reapply as if they were brand-new hires.

Anita Bass

The union’s fight went beyond restoring the jobs. IAM Local 4538 President Anita Bass took the issue directly to the Baltimore County Public Library Board of Trustees, demanding accountability for how the layoffs were handled and calling for the CEO’s removal – an effort reinforced by a grievance filed by Chief Steward Rachel Jackson.

The fight brought together far more than the original 14 workers. Library workers from across Maryland, labor allies from multiple unions, teachers, former staff, family members, patrons, and community supporters packed the board meeting, creating standing-room-only pressure that the library system could not ignore.

The union also took the fight public, reaching out to county council members, the press, and the broader community as outrage over the decision spread. Within two days, management reversed course and reinstated the workers. The pressure did not stop there. Two weeks later, after workers backed a vote of no confidence and the union kept pressing the board, the CEO was removed.

“It was union power and community outcry,” said Bass.

The victory also energized the Local from within, gaining roughly a dozen new members almost overnight, and added three new stewards, a major boost for a unit that has had to constantly rebuild steward strength across 20 library locations.

“The union has been fantastic the whole way,” said IAM Local 4538 member Lauri Shaw.

The union continued pursuing the grievance even after the reinstatements, eventually winning stronger contract language and improved communication with the board. What began as an abrupt and deeply harmful attempt to eliminate jobs ended as a broader victory by restoring workers, keeping top leadership accountable, building solidarity across the Maryland library system, and leaving the Local stronger than before.

BNSF Railway Workers
Mandan, N.D.
TCU/IAM Local 6440 | Rail Division

Will Leach

When BNSF contracted out wrecking crew work following a major derailment in July 2025 near Clifford, N.D., TCU/IAM members moved quickly to defend their work and enforce their agreement. Instead of assigning union-represented carmen to perform the work, the company brought in outside contractors, bypassing work that rightfully belonged to TCU/IAM members under the contract. TCU/IAM Local 6440 Chairman Will Leach led the effort, filing a coordinated group of four scope claims on behalf of approximately 130 members. The claims were settled at the first level for $128,000, delivering compensation and reinforcing the importance of holding the company accountable.

Scope grievances – one of the most common types of cases in the Rail Division – are used to enforce contract language that protects union work from being outsourced. Because TCU/IAM Rail Division members fall under the Railway Labor Act, cases can be taken to arbitration without the union bearing the cost, allowing the union to aggressively defend the agreement and members’ craft.

“We have a say in what’s right and what’s safe, and the union stands behind us,” said TCU/IAM Local 6440 member Dave Markel. “Without a union, you don’t have that protection.”

TCU/IAM Local 6440 member Dwight Backman also echoed this sentiment, highlighting that these fights are about more than compensation and about protecting the work itself.

“That’s our work – we have to protect it,” said Backman. “Filing grievances and enforcing the union contract is how we make sure it stays ours.”

From January 2025 through today, TCU/IAM has secured more than $1.46 million for members through grievances and arbitration, demonstrating how filing claims and standing together continue to deliver results on the job.

—

“Beyond the individual victories, these cases highlight something larger: The strength workers gain through IAM representation and a collective bargaining agreement that protects every member,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “By standing together and using the grievance process, these members held employers accountable and delivered justice on the job.”

The post IAM Journal: Grievances That Deliver Justice appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes has appointed longtime IAM Local 811 member and activist Sarah Monderoy Garcia as an IAM International Auditor, effective July 1, 2026.

In her new role, Monderoy Garcia will help ensure the financial stewardship and accountability of IAM Districts and Locals, drawing on years of union leadership, financial experience, and member advocacy.

“Sarah has dedicated her career to serving IAM members with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to our union’s values,” said IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes. “Her extensive experience as a Secretary-Treasurer, combined with her passion for helping working families, makes her exceptionally qualified for this position. I am confident she will be an outstanding International Auditor and a tremendous asset to our membership.”

Monderoy Garcia began her aviation career in November 2000 as a ramp service employee in Newark, N.J., with Continental Airlines, now United Airlines. She joined the IAM in 2011 as a member of IAM Local 811 in Houston and quickly became an active leader within the local.

In 2015, Monderoy Garcia was elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 811, a position she has held for more than a decade. During her tenure, she has worked closely with the Executive Board to develop annual budgets, maintain the Local’s financial integrity, and welcome new employees into the union through new-hire orientation programs.

“Sarah’s leadership has consistently strengthened Local 811 and the members she serves,” said IAM Assistant Secretary Paul Kendall. “She understands the importance of financial accountability, member engagement, and transparency. Her experience and dedication will serve the IAM well in this new capacity.”

Beyond her financial responsibilities, Monderoy Garcia has served as a Shop Steward, Chairperson of the Local 811 Women’s Committee, and a member of the Human Rights Committee. She has represented IAM members as a delegate to multiple IAM Conventions, the IAM Unity and Growth Conference, the Texas State Council of Machinists, and IAM Women, Young Workers, and Human Rights Conferences.

Monderoy Garcia has also been a strong advocate for working families through legislative action, participating in IAM Legislative Conferences in Washington, D.C., where she lobbied elected officials on issues affecting union members and their communities.

“Sarah has built a reputation as a trusted leader who always puts members first,” said Bryan Pinette, IAM Special Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer. “Her commitment to service, financial stewardship, and community involvement has made a lasting impact. This appointment is well earned, and I know she will excel as an International Auditor.”

Monderoy Garcia’s service extends well beyond the workplace. She has organized annual breast cancer awareness walks, coordinated member appreciation events, led food donation drives for Houston-area shelters, delivered toys to local children’s hospitals and community centers, and organized educational programs focused on human trafficking awareness.

“The IAM has been a defining part of my life and career,” said Monderoy Garcia. “This appointment is both an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously. I look forward to working with IAM Districts and Locals across North America to help maintain the financial integrity that allows our union to fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for generations of members to come. I am also committed to continuing my work to empower and uplift women throughout our union, helping develop the next generation of leaders who will strengthen the IAM and ensure every member has a voice and an opportunity to succeed.” 

With more than two decades in the airline industry and a proven record of leadership, financial responsibility, and community service, Monderoy Garcia brings a wealth of experience to the IAM International Auditors team as she continues her commitment to serving IAM members.

The post Sarah Monderoy Garcia Appointed IAM International Auditor appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) congratulates IAM member and Associate Organizer Mark Vigliotta on securing the Democratic nomination for the Maine State Senate District 33.

A dedicated labor leader and advocate for working families, Vigliotta has spent his career helping workers build power on the job and improving the lives of working people throughout Maine. 

“Mark has lived the values of the labor movement every day as an IAM member and organizer,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “He knows that when working people come together, they can create meaningful change in their workplaces, their communities, and their government. Mark’s nomination is another example of why it is so important to elect leaders who understand the challenges facing working families because they have stood alongside them in those fights. We congratulate Mark on this achievement and look forward to his continued leadership on behalf of Maine workers.”

Vigliotta began his union involvement as a member of IAM Local 836 and production machinery mechanic at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 2003. He has served as a shop steward, later getting elected to President of IAM Local 836 before being elected President of the Portsmouth Metal Trades Council, which represents about 3,000 blue-collar trades workers at the shipyard. 

He currently serves as an associate organizer for the IAM and is running a campaign focused on affordability challenges and strengthening wages and working conditions for working families across the district. 

“Mark understands that strong communities are built by strong unions and good-paying jobs,” said IAM Union Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “As an IAM member and organizer, Mark has dedicated himself to helping working people have a voice in their workplaces and their government. His nomination is a testament to the respect he has earned across his district and to the growing recognition that workers need champions in elected office. We are proud to support Mark and look forward to seeing him continue to fight for Maine’s working families.”

Vigliotta’s nomination reflects the trust and confidence that voters and community members have placed in a candidate with deep roots in the labor movement and a proven commitment to public service.

The IAM Union celebrates Mark Vigliotta’s nomination and looks forward to supporting his campaign as he works to bring the voices of working people to the Maine State Senate.

The post IAM Union Congratulates IAM Member and Associate Organizer Mark Vigliotta on Securing Maine State Senate Democratic Nomination appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Kentucky/Tennessee Joint State Council recently gathered in Louisville to energize the union’s powerful pro-labor political base.

The post IAM Activists, Pro-Union Elected Officials Meet & Greet in Louisville appeared first on IAM Union.

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) issued the following statement blasting Whirlpool Corporation’s latest round of layoffs at its Amana, Iowa, manufacturing facility, affecting 288 IAM Union Local 1526 (District 6) members, effective July 5, 2026: 

“Whirlpool continues to twist the knife in the back of the workers who built this company and in the community that has carried it for generations. These 288 layoffs are not a business decision. They are a betrayal, the latest in a long and disgraceful pattern of corporate abandonment that Whirlpool has refused to stop, explain, or reverse.

“Let’s count what Whirlpool has done to the Amana community: approximately 250 workers were laid off in July 2025. Nearly 400 more out the door on March 9, 2026. Now, 288 additional members are receiving pink slips before the Fourth of July. They won’t even be able to work the last two weeks, since the facility is shutting down two weeks before their last day. A facility that once employed more than 3,000 skilled union workers is being gutted not because the work has disappeared, but because Whirlpool has chosen to do it in Mexico instead. 

“IAM research shows Whirlpool has been aggressively expanding its manufacturing footprint in Mexico, recently completing a major refrigerator plant expansion in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, in 2024, investing $65 million into its Celaya, Guanajuato facility, and designating Mexico as the sole producer of its French Door refrigerator line, a product exported almost entirely back to American and Canadian consumers. 

“We sent a letter to Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer months ago demanding a meeting, demanding answers, and demanding a real commitment to the Iowa workforce. Bitzer has not responded. The silence from Whirlpool’s boardroom is deafening and inexcusable.

“We are done asking for help from the current elected officials. We need intervention, accountability, and action. Our members sent these elected officials to Washington and to Des Moines to fight for them. This is that fight. If they can’t take on this fight, then we will elect candidates who will. 

“To our 288 IAM members facing layoffs on July 5, your Union will not abandon you. We will continue to fight for every right, every benefit, and every resource you are owed. And we will continue to hold Whirlpool accountable at the bargaining table, in the halls of Congress, and in the court of public opinion until this company answers for what it has done to the working families of Amana, Iowa.” 

IAM Union Local 1526 members at the Amana facility produce refrigerators sold under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Amana brand names.

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.

The post IAM Union Blasts Whirlpool for Eliminating Nearly 300 Jobs, While Continuing to Expand in Mexico appeared first on IAM Union.

The strength of IAM Union solidarity took center stage at the AFL-CIO Convention as IAM Union member Maximo Londonio and his wife, Crystal, shared their family’s story and reflected on the support that helped them overcome one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Londonio, a Filipino immigrant and member of IAM Local 695 (District 160) in Olympia, Wash., appeared before thousands of attendees just months after being released from nearly two months of wrongful ICE detention. 

Watch Maximo and Crystal Londonio tell their story and hear from the IAM Union members who rallied together to help secure Maximo’s release.

Following his detention, the IAM Union rallied around Maximo and his family, mobilizing members across North America, engaging elected officials, and building support throughout the labor movement, immigrant rights groups, and the local community. The campaign ultimately helped secure his release and reunite him with his loved ones.

“When I was detained, I was separated from my family and faced an uncertain future. But we were not alone,” Maximo Londonio told convention delegates. “My wife fought for our family, and the entire IAM Union stood with us every step of the way.”

Londonio said the support he received demonstrated the true meaning of solidarity.

“Your support gave us hope when we needed it most and showed me the true power of solidarity,” said Londonio. “It reminded me that when we stand together, no one has to face these challenges alone.”

For Crystal Londonio, the experience revealed the true meaning of union solidarity and the impact the IAM can have on a member’s family.

“IAM helped do much more than I ever anticipated,” said Crystal Londonio. “It’s not just a union due, it’s true solidarity.”

View photos from Maximo and Crystal Londonio’s inspiring appearance at the AFL-CIO Convention here.

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant highlighted the IAM Union’s commitment to standing up for every member and defending immigrant workers.

“When you pick a fight with one IAM Union member, you pick a fight with all of us,” said Bryant.

IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes then spoke in support of AFL-CIO Resolution 4, reaffirming the labor movement’s commitment to protecting immigrant workers and advancing policies that strengthen working families.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be divided by the color of our skin or the way we look,” said Cervantes, who described her own experience being questioned by immigration agents. “The status of workers cannot be used to divide or hurt our members or their families.”

Bryant delivered a message directly to the Londonios that drew a standing ovation from convention delegates.

“Max, you belong in this country, you belong in this union, and you belong in this labor movement,” said Bryant.

The post ‘We Were Not Alone’: IAM Union Member Maximo Londonio Shares Powerful Story of Solidarity at AFL-CIO Convention appeared first on IAM Union.

Click Here! to view this edition of IAM UNION on the Hill.

The post 🚀 IAM UNION ON THE HILL: Rideshare drivers make history — NFFE-IAM member wins U.S. House primary — Railway Safety Act advances appeared first on IAM Union.