The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) released the following statement:

“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. Apple’s claim that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation is simply false and raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union. We are exploring all legal options and will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable. We stand with our IAM Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE) members and the community that depends on this store for essential access and support.”

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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INDEPENDENCE, Mo., April 9, 2026 – Approximately 1,350 striking workers represented by IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Local 778 are escalating pressure on Olin Winchester to reach a fair agreement and restore full operations at the Independence, Mo., Lake City Army Ammunition Plant—one of the most critical facilities in the U.S. defense industrial base.

The IAM Local 778 negotiating committee met with company representatives earlier this week and raised key concerns from the membership, including the need for pay that keeps up with persistent inflation, high turnover, and excessive mandatory overtime. The company indicated it would provide future dates to continue discussions.

Workers at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant are highly skilled professionals who manufacture small arms ammunition critical to the U.S. military. The facility is the backbone of America’s small-caliber ammunition supply and the only site capable of rapidly scaling production to meet national defense demands. The Independence facility manufactures 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50-caliber rifle ammunition for the U.S. military.

IAM Local 778 members have been on strike since Saturday, April 4 after overwhelmingly rejecting a substandard contract offer from company management.

IAM Union sources indicate that very little production is currently taking place at the facility due to the absence of this highly trained IAM Union workforce. As global conflicts escalate, the ongoing disruption has the potential to impact the timely production of critical ammunition relied upon by U.S. forces and allied partners.

IAM Local 778 will host a solidarity rally on Saturday, April 11.

Despite receiving more than $53 million in state and local subsidies since 2001—and an additional $81 million in loans, guarantees and other public support—Olin Corp. has yet to present a contract that reflects the skill, dedication and essential role these workers play in national security and the regional economy. Olin Corp. has received over $1.2 million from the state of Missouri in the form of tax credits and subsidies.

“The company needs to recognize the highly skilled work being done at this facility and deliver a contract that keeps up with inflation, reduces excessive mandatory overtime and addresses the high turnover that is hurting this operation,” said IAM Union Local 778 Directing Business Representative Scott Brown. “Our members are ready to get back to work, but it takes a fair agreement that reflects their value and the critical role they play.”

“This facility plays a vital role in our nation’s defense, and it takes a highly trained, dedicated workforce to keep it running at full capacity,” said IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Olin Winchester needs to come to the table with a serious proposal that respects these workers and ensures the long-term stability of this operation.”

“As global conflicts continue to escalate, the importance of this work cannot be overstated,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Our members are standing up for a fair contract that reflects their skill, their sacrifice and the essential role they play in supporting our nation and its allies.”

The IAM Union has consistently advocated for congressional funding that supports military ammunition production—benefitting Olin Winchester, IAM Union members, national security and the Independence community. In 2022, the IAM Union beat back proposed federal funding cuts that would have devastated the Olin Winchester plant and workforce.

IAM Local 778 members at Olin Winchester generate significant economic impact in the Kansas City region, supporting nearly 50 local businesses and contributing more than $108 million annually in economic output.

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

goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

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Dear IAM Union Family,

On behalf of the entire IAM Executive Council, I’d like to encourage every District and Local to identify and approve interested members to attend and actively participate in the 2026 Pride at Work Convention (June 2-4, 2026 in Minneapolis). Pride at Work is an AFL-CIO constituency group dedicated to advancing equality, dignity, and respect for LGBTQIA+ workers across our workplaces, unions and communities.

Pride at Work’s mission reflects what we stand for as a union: building a labor movement that cherishes diversity, promotes inclusion and ensures safety and dignity for all. Guided by the principle that “an injury to one is an injury to all,” we must continue to oppose discrimination in all its forms and strengthen solidarity across our diverse membership.

This work aligns directly with many IAM initiatives, including the continued growth of Human Rights Committees in every District and Local—ensuring we are fighting for all workers and that every member is welcomed, respected and fully included in our union.

The convention will be held June 2-4, 2026, at the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis, with credentialing beginning June 1. Please make hotel reservations by Friday, May 1, as rooms are not guaranteed after that date.

Click here for more information and to register. The discounted early registration period ends on Sunday, April 19.

When we show up, engage, and stand together, we build a stronger, more inclusive IAM Union and a more powerful labor movement for all working people.

Please contact IAM Human Rights Director Nicole Fears at nfears@iamaw.org with any questions.

In solidarity,

Brian Bryant
International President
IAM Union

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IAM Union members at Crown Cork and Seal reached a new master agreement that will improve lives for approximately 400 IAM families across multiple locations. The new agreement covers members in Olympia, Wash.; Mankato, Minn.; and La Crosse, Wis.

The new three-year agreement delivers meaningful gains and protections for members, including the elimination of the third-tier wage structure in Mankato. As part of this change, 39 members will be rolled into updated classifications and pay scales, an important step toward greater equity.

“This agreement reflects the strength and solidarity of our members standing together across all three locations,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Eliminating the third tier in Mankato and delivering strong wage increases shows what can be achieved when members stay united at the bargaining table.”

The agreement also secures strong general wage increases in the first two years. Approximately 200 higher-tier members will receive 3% increases in each of the first two years, while 154 lower-tier members will receive dollar-based increases equating to an average of 13% over the life of the agreement.

In year three, the agreement includes a cost-of-living adjustment roll-in to base wages in May 2029, further strengthening long-term earnings.

“This agreement protects critical benefits while delivering real economic improvements for our members and their families,” said IAM Union Collective Bargaining Director Craig Norman. “Maintaining strong pension contributions and preserving industry-leading COLA language ensures long-term security alongside immediate gains.”

Additionally, the agreement maintains the current IAM National Pension Fund and Rehabilitation Plan contributions at $3.75 per hour for a 40-hour workweek under a company-paid preferred schedule. It also preserves the existing COLA language, including a scheduled roll-in of $1.47 per hour in May 2026, among the strongest provisions across IAM agreements.

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WASHINGTON, April 7, 2026 — The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) condemned the Trump administration’s announcement to relocate the U.S. Forest Service headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah, and eliminate all regional offices, calling the move a reckless disruption to the dedicated workforce that manages the nation’s forests, fights wildfires, and serves the public. Among those affected are research scientists conducting critical forestry studies that inform land management decisions nationwide, and recreation technicians who keep public lands safe and accessible for the millions of Americans who visit them each year.

“The Trump administration cannot dress up a mass workforce disruption as common-sense management,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “Our members are in our nation’s forests every single day, helping manage watersheds, wildfires, and the lands that millions of Americans count on. Uprooting their careers and blowing up the structure they work within is not a reform. It is chaos, and the American public and our public lands will pay the price.”

The announcement comes just weeks after 174 workers at the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada and eastern California voted to join NFFE-IAM. The organizing victory sent a strong message that Forest Service workers are seeking more protection as the administration escalates its attacks on federal workers. The rapidly growing desire for employment security through union representation comes as President Trump has unlawfully tried to eliminate federal workers’ jobs and his administration has torn up collective bargaining agreements for federal workers.

NFFE-IAM represents tens of thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees covered by a Master Agreement that provides critical workplace protections. The agency must fulfill its legal obligation to bargain over the impact and implementation of the restructuring before a single worker is forced to relocate, reassigned, or separated.

The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) is a national union representing approximately 110,000 blue and white collar government workers across the United States.

The post NFFE-IAM Condemns USDA’s Forest Service Restructuring Plan that Puts Workers and Public Lands at Risk appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department is now accepting registrations for the upcoming Retirees Assistance Program, scheduled for June 14 -19, 2026, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Md.

This comprehensive program is designed to equip IAM retirees with valuable tools, resources, and knowledge to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities in retirement. Participants will engage in a wide range of educational sessions covering critical topics such as elder abuse awareness, mental health, self-care, senior addiction, healthcare navigation, and volunteer opportunities.

Additional course offerings include guidance on locating and utilizing community resources, dementia awareness, financial planning and asset protection, senior housing considerations, preparing for doctor visits, sensitivity training, and advance directives.

Included in the official call letter is the IAM policy outlining details on tuition, transportation and curriculum.

Registrations must be submitted by Monday, April 20, 2026. For questions or additional information, please contact the Retirees and Membership Assistance Department at 301-967-4500.

The post Deadline Approaching: Retirees Assistance Program Set for June 2026 appeared first on IAM Union.

Delegates from the IAM Wisconsin State Council recently gathered in Madison for a three-day meeting, bringing together members from across the state. Discussions underscored regulatory and political challenges impacting collective bargaining, while reaffirming the need for solidarity and proactive engagement to strengthen workers’ rights.

Gov. Tony Evers opened the conference with remarks and, joined by local labor leaders, signed Assembly Bill 651—now 2025 Wisconsin Act 145—updating the state’s workers’ compensation system.

On the final day, IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli emphasized the importance of strategic organizing, member education, and supporting candidates who represent workers’ interests.

“Division is the most effective weapon against working people,” said Cicinelli. “When we stand together across each of the crafts, across industries, across differences, we are powerful. Unstoppable. History proves it.”

Delegates then met directly with lawmakers while lobbying at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

See photos here.

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IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed DeLane Adams, who formerly served as IAM Assistant Communications Director, to the newly established position of Director of Rapid Response and Mobilization, effective April 1, 2026.

Adams was initiated into the IAM as a communications representative in April 2017. He has built a strong record of strategic communications, member mobilization and campaign planning across the union’s departments and territories. Before joining the IAM, Adams worked with the national AFL-CIO, the Georgia AFL-CIO, and Citizen Action/Illinois, developing deep roots in labor community organizing and civic engagement.

“DeLane has demonstrated exactly the kind of strategic thinking and mobilization experience this role demands,” said Bryant. “Our members deserve a union that moves as fast as the fight, and this position gives us the unified command to do that. DeLane is the right person to build it.”

In the new role, Adams will serve as the central command for the IAM’s most critical moments, coordinating rapid response when legislation breaks, a contract fight goes public, or an immediate member action is required. The position consolidates rapid-response efforts that have historically been distributed across Communications, Legislative, and other departments, creating a single point of coordination designed to sharpen the IAM’s speed and strategic effectiveness.

“IAM members show up every day on some of the toughest issues and industries in the world,” said Adams. “The goal is to give us the capacity to respond to fast-changing conditions on the ground with the speed and coordination our members deserve. We operate in a tough 24/7 environment where our opponents have built a sophisticated infrastructure to outpace us. We have to ensure that when the fight comes, we’re already engaged.”

The Rapid Response and Mobilization Department will develop escalating campaign strategies, including rallies, actions, media outreach/events, and legislative mobilization work across IAM departments and territories to build and deploy the member activation infrastructure to quickly and effectively mobilize IAM members.

Join the IAM Rapid Response and Mobilization Network.

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IAM Union members from across Missouri came together in Jefferson City for the IAM Missouri State Council—standing united to fight for working family issues and protect the rights of working people.

See photos here.

A major focus: pushing back against big-money efforts to undermine Missouri’s referendum process—an attack that would hand corporate interests the power to fast-track so-called “right-to-work” laws that weaken unions and drive down wages.

Members also took their fight directly to the Capitol—lobbying their elected officials on the issues that matter most to working families, including stopping paycheck deception bills, strengthening workforce development, raising the minimum wage, and fighting back against efforts to roll back child labor laws.

Throughout the conference, members heard updates and strategy from the IAM International President’s Office, the Midwest Territory, the Political and Legislative Department, and the Communications Department—ensuring we’re aligned, informed, and ready to take action.

This gathering also strengthened solidarity across the labor movement, bringing together union siblings from fellow Missouri AFL-CIO unions. Delegates also heard from bipartisan, pro-worker legislators, including:

• Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck

• State Rep. Keri Ingle

• State Sen. Karla May

• State Rep. Betsy Fogle

• State Rep. Stephen Webber

• State Rep. David Casteel

• State Rep. Jeff Amato

Special thanks to Missouri State Council President DeWitt Darity, Secretary-Treasurer Dwight Terry, and the entire Executive Board for their leadership in bringing this important conference together.

The post IAM Union Strong in Missouri: Fighting for Workers, Fighting for Democracy  appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan, Chief of Staff Lorie Wilson, and International Representative Cori Horowitz, alongside District 98 Business Representative Mike Wentzel, recently toured IAM Local 2948’s DP World 1 and DP World 2 facilities in York, Pa.

IAM Union members at DP World, a subcontractor for Harley-Davidson, perform critical sub-assembly work for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These components are then shipped to Harley-Davidson plants, where they are installed on the assembly line. 

IAM Local 2948 represents two bargaining units at the facility, with 192 members in Bargaining Unit 1, including 23% women, and 189 members in Bargaining Unit 2, with women making up 36% of the workforce.

The IAM has proudly represented workers at this location since 2010.

What stood out during the visit was the strong presence of women in leadership throughout the Local. 

IAM Local 2948 is led by President Kathy Fissel, Vice President Kathy Bathory, Secretary-Treasurer Faith Lippy, and Bargaining Unit 2 Chief Steward Bonnie Stauffer – all of whom are dedicated to representing and advancing their fellow members.

“The leadership at Local 2948 reflects the strength and future of the IAM,” said Sullivan. “When members step up and lead – especially in ways that open doors for others – it strengthens our entire union.”

“Seeing Sisters in leadership roles matters,” said Wilson. “It shows what’s possible and encourages more women to take that step, get involved, and lead in their own Locals.”

“The Sisters in the leadership at Local 2948 all do a fantastic job,” said Michael Wentzel. “They are all very dedicated to their positions and helping our members. All of these amazing Sisters have my utmost respect, but even more importantly, they have the respect of the members they are representing.”

“You don’t always see this level of women’s leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry,” said Horowitz. “Local 2948 is showing what’s possible when barriers are broken, and opportunities are there.”

The visit reinforced the critical role that IAM Local 2948 members play in supporting the Harley-Davidson supply chain, while also showcasing how strong leadership – especially from women – continues to shape the future of the IAM.

“For IAM Sisters across the union, IAM Local 2948 serves as a powerful example of what’s possible when members step forward to lead,” continued Sullivan.

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