Company benefits from federal contracts and pays CEO 241 times the median worker while denying annual raises and delaying a first contract to workers

AURORA, Ohio, July 30, 2026 – The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is calling on Ohio’s congressional delegation to intervene as GE HealthCare continues to delay a first contract for approximately 130 IAM-represented workers at its Aurora, Ohio manufacturing facility after more than 18 months of contentious negotiations and repeated alleged violations of federal labor law.

The IAM has sent letters to U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio), along with U.S. Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), urging them to press GE HealthCare to bargain in good faith with IAM Local 1363 members. The outreach comes as Congress considers the Faster Labor Contracts Act, legislation designed to impose stricter penalties on employers that refuse to negotiate first contracts in good faith.

Workers at this facility, an important player in the global medical technology industry, create coils for MRI machines that transmit critical imaging signals.

“These workers have fought for over 18 months to secure a first contract, despite the company continuously engaging in egregious unlawful conduct in violation of the National Labor Relations Act,” writes IAM Union International President Brian Bryant in letters to Moreno, Husted and Joyce. “Despite consistent efforts by the workers and their bargaining committee, GE HealthCare refuses to meet to bargain on a regular schedule. It refused to provide any economic proposals until just two weeks ago—and those proposals were regressive, lowering wages below the employees’ current rates of pay, slashing PTO and increasing healthcare costs for the workers and their families.”

The IAM Union has filed two unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that GE HealthCare has engaged in unlawful surface bargaining and failed to bargain in good faith. The charges include allegations that the company canceled bargaining sessions, made regressive proposals, and unlawfully refused to maintain the status quo by withholding previously scheduled wage increases after workers chose union representation.

Despite reporting more than $2 billion in annual net income and benefiting from substantial federal research, development and procurement partnerships, GE HealthCare did not present its first comprehensive economic proposal until July 2026. 

“Every day, my coworkers and I take pride in building products that help doctors diagnose and treat patients around the world. We care about the quality of our work because we know it makes a real difference in people’s lives,” said Montana Hayes, a Production Associate at GE HealthCare and member of the IAM Local 1363 Negotiations Committee. “We’re not asking for anything extraordinary. We just want GE HealthCare to respect our rights, bargain fairly, and recognize the value of the workers who make this company successful. After more than 18 months, it’s time for the company to stop delaying and negotiate the fair first contract we’ve earned.”

The company’s proposal cuts wages below employees’ current pay rates, slashes paid time off, and increases healthcare costs for workers and their families.

“GE HealthCare has chosen to drag out negotiations instead of respecting its employees’ decision to form a union and negotiate a fair first contract,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Our members have shown up prepared to bargain every step of the way. They deserve a company that negotiates in good faith—not delay tactics, regressive proposals and unlawful conduct. We will continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Local 1363 until GE HealthCare does the right thing and these workers secure the contract they’ve earned.”

The approximately 130 IAM Local 1363 members at GE HealthCare’s Aurora facility voted to join the IAM Union in January 2025 and have been negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement ever since. 

GE Healthcare, which employs over 60,000 people worldwide, has more than 20,000 union-represented workers across the U.S. The IAM Union also represents GE HealthCare workers in Waukesha, Wis., and Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

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PORTLAND, July 30, 2026 — IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) District W24 and Local 1005 released the following statement on Daimler’s decision to discontinue its manufacturing operations in the Portland, Oregon, area:

“We are saddened by the loss of IAM Union jobs at the facility, which have provided security, competitive wages, solid retirement benefits, health care, and careers for hundreds of members over the decades. 

“The IAM’s contract with Daimler covers key issues related to a closure, including severance, retiree health care, and benefit extensions, which the union said it will enforce. The IAM and Daimler are also set to begin bargaining next week over the effects of the company’s decision to close.

“IAM District W24 and Local 1005 still have our members’ best interests in mind and will continue to fight for them, even in these difficult circumstances. 

“The IAM said it will communicate with members through its website and text messages and will hold an in-person meeting to answer questions on Aug. 15.

“Our employer’s decision to leave the Portland area does not remove the heart and soul that our members have put into their work at Daimler. And the IAM will support and fight for our members regardless of any decision their employer makes.”

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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND, Va., July 29, 2026 — Members of LGBG Workers United, represented by the IAM Union, launched their second one-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike today in protest of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s continued refusal to bargain in good faith over wages in first-contract negotiations.

The IAM Union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on April 30, 2026, citing regressive bargaining in wage proposals from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden during negotiations.

The workers’ strike received a major show of solidarity from Grammy-nominated musician Jesse Welles, who was scheduled to perform at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Wednesday evening. After learning of the strike, Welles announced he would not cross the workers’ picket line and had a message for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: “Pay a living wage or get lost.”

In an Instagram post to his 2.2 million followers, Welles wrote:

“In solidarity with the workers on strike at the botanical garden we are rescheduling our show this evening in Richmond.

“To the fans: we would not want to put you in a position to cross the picket line, we are sorry.
To the Garden: pay a living wage or get lost.
To the workers: never back down.

“We’ve rescheduled the show for Friday, September 25th at The National. Your tickets from tonight will remain valid for the rescheduled date. For those who cannot make this date, refunds will be available at your original point of purchase.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to Jesse Welles for standing with working people,” said IAM Union Organizer Bridget Fitzgerald. “His decision sends a powerful message that workers fighting for fair wages deserve the community’s support. We hope garden leadership hears his message.”

The workers are also calling on the public to boycott Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden until a fair agreement is reached. They are asking supporters to refrain from purchasing admission tickets or buying or renewing annual memberships until the garden bargains a contract that provides employees with living wages and the respect they have earned.

This all comes more than a year after workers began negotiating their first union contract following a decisive vote to join the IAM Union in November 2024. Wages remain the primary obstacle to reaching an agreement, with the average bargaining unit employee earning just $17.52 per hour—well below the estimated $25-per-hour living wage for the Richmond area.

More than 50 community members publicly backed workers during the organizing drive, and a recent petition supporting the employees has collected nearly 1,000 signatures from Garden members, volunteers, and local residents, many of whom have pledged to support the workers if the dispute escalated.

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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., July 25, 2026 – Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller addressed delegates of the IAM Union’s (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Maryland and D.C. State Council on Saturday, where she accepted the union’s endorsement on behalf of the Moore-Miller reelection campaign.

“The Moore-Miller administration is proud to stand with the men and women of the IAM Union who build, maintain, repair and keep our economy moving every day,” said Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “Gov. Moore and I believe that when unions are strong, Maryland is strong. We are honored to receive the endorsement of the IAM Union’s Maryland and D.C. State Council, and we look forward to continuing our work together to create more opportunity, protect workers’ rights and ensure every Maryland family has a fair shot at success.”

The endorsement recognizes Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller’s record of supporting collective bargaining, protecting workers’ rights and partnering with organized labor to create more opportunity for working families across Maryland.

“It was an honor to welcome Lt. Gov. Miller to our State Council and present our endorsement of the Moore-Miller ticket,” said IAM Union Maryland and D.C. State Council President Rick Compher. “Our members know this administration has been a true partner for working people. We’re proud to stand with Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller because they’ve consistently stood with us.”

“Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller have demonstrated that they don’t just talk about supporting workers—they show up when it matters,” said IAM Union Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “When Apple closed its first unionized retail store and denied transfer opportunities to our IAM Local 4538 members in Towson, Gov. Moore publicly stood with those workers and made it clear they deserved the same rights as every other Apple employee. That kind of leadership, combined with this administration’s commitment to collective bargaining and good union jobs, is why the IAM Union is proud to endorse the Moore-Miller ticket.”

The IAM Union represents tens of thousands of workers throughout Maryland in the aerospace, defense, transportation, manufacturing and federal sectors. The Maryland and D.C. State Council of Machinists will mobilize IAM Union members, retirees and their families in support of the Moore-Miller ticket ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

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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SAN JUAN, P.R., July 22, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is raising serious concerns about ongoing staffing shortages affecting Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, warning that prolonged vacancies are placing increasing demands on firefighters responsible for protecting one of the Caribbean’s busiest airports.

According to IAM-represented firefighters, vacant positions often remain unfilled because the hiring process is lengthy and requires nearly a year of specialized training and certification before new recruits are qualified to respond to emergencies. Until that certification is complete, new hires cannot perform operational firefighting duties—which means that current certified firefighters are frequently required to extend their shifts to as many as 18 hours to ensure continuous emergency coverage for airport operations. The union warns that these extended shifts increase the risk of physical fatigue and burnout, which can affect firefighters’ ability to perform at the highest level while protecting the airport, its workers, airlines, and the traveling public. 

The IAM Union believes airport management has not treated chronic understaffing with the urgency it deserves. Filling vacancies and maintaining appropriate staffing levels should be a top operational priority, and the union is calling on management to take immediate action before conditions worsen.

“Every time we report for duty, we know people are counting on us,” said IAM Airport Rescue Firefighter Yamil Rodríguez. “We do not hesitate to answer the call, no matter the hour. But working repeated extended shifts because there aren’t enough certified firefighters wears on you over time. We love what we do, and we simply want the staffing needed to do our jobs safely and effectively.”

“Airport Rescue Firefighters are the last line of defense when an emergency occurs on the airfield,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “These professionals protect thousands of passengers, airline crews, airport workers, and visitors every day. Chronic understaffing should never become the norm. Management must recognize that maintaining adequate staffing is not simply an operational issue – it is a public safety responsibility. The firefighters have done their part. Now it’s time for management to make filling these vacancies a priority.”

Airport Rescue Firefighters play a critical role in maintaining the safety and security of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. These highly trained professionals respond to aircraft emergencies, structural fires, hazardous materials incidents, rescue operations, and medical emergencies. They also ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety regulations and maintain operational readiness for all commercial flight activity

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes that Airport Rescue and Firefighting staffing should be based on a task resource analysis that reflects the operational needs of each airport and establishes minimum staffing levels necessary to safely and effectively perform emergency response operations. Maintaining sufficient personnel is essential to carrying out critical firefighting and rescue tasks during an aircraft emergency 

In addition, Puerto Rico’s Occupational Safety and Health Act (PR OSHA) requires employers to provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The IAM Union believes chronic understaffing and the resulting reliance on extended shifts warrant immediate attention to protect both firefighter safety and the airport’s emergency preparedness.

“When these firefighters chose to join the IAM Union, they did so because they wanted a voice in improving safety and working conditions,” said IAM Southern Territory Special Representative John Vigueras. “Addressing chronic understaffing is essential – not only for the health and well-being of these dedicated firefighters, but also for maintaining the highest level of emergency preparedness for everyone who travels through Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.”

The IAM Union is calling on airport management to expedite hiring efforts, improve workforce planning, and ensure staffing levels meet the operational demands of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport while protecting the health and safety of the firefighters entrusted with safeguarding the traveling public.

In 2023, Airport Rescue Firefighters at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport made history by joining the IAM Union in Puerto Rico to strengthen their voice in advocating for safer working conditions and workplace improvements. 

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WASHINGTON, July 6, 2026– Today, the IAM Union’s (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Maryland and D.C. State Council of Machinists announced its endorsement of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller for reelection, citing their record on growing the state’s labor movement, workplace protections, and collective bargaining rights for the thousands of IAM members who live and work across the state and the District.

“Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller have shown they understand that a strong Maryland economy starts with workers who can bargain for fair wages and safe jobs,” said Maryland and D.C. State Council of Machinists President Rick Compher. “When Apple punished our members at IAM Local 4538 in Towson, Gov. Moore didn’t stay silent. He spoke out about how our members deserved the same transfer rights as every other Apple employee. From IAM members at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) to those keeping air travel moving at Baltimore’s Thurgood Marshall International Airport to those working in the federal and defense sector across the region, IAM families have a stake in who leads this state. Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller have proven they support working families.”

Moore and Miller’s strong record of protecting workers’ right to organize and ensuring they have a seat at the table was crucial to the decision to endorse. The Moore-Miller administration has given the IAM a seat at the table and a voice in the policies that shape our jobs and livelihoods, from collective bargaining rights to workplace safety standards. Moore has helped make this state better for workers. 

The IAM Union represents thousands of workers across Maryland and the District of Columbia in the aerospace, shipbuilding, transportation, and federal sectors. The state council will engage IAM members, their families, and allies across the labor movement to mobilize support for Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

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WASHINGTON, D.C., June 4, 2026 — Apple (AAPL) continues to feel national political heat even as the tech giant’s stock has risen nearly 15% in 2026. 

Fifty-four members of the Congressional Labor Caucus, led by Co-Chairs and Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), are calling on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to conduct a thorough investigation into Apple’s planned June 20 closure of its unionized Towson, Md., retail store, citing concerns that the company may be treating union workers differently than employees at other closing locations.

The lawmakers specifically pointed to Apple’s differing treatment of employees at three stores slated for closure.

“The Towson, Maryland location was the first Apple store in the country to unionize and secure a negotiated collective bargaining agreement with the company,” the letter to NLRB General Counsel Crystal Carey states. “We are alarmed that the company is making efforts to relocate employees at stores that have non-bargaining unit workers, while denying those same benefits to unionized locations.”

Carey formerly worked for Morgan Lewis, one of the largest management-side law firms that currently represents corporations known for violating workers’ rights, including Amazon, SpaceX, Apple and Tesla. 

The Towson Apple Store became the first Apple retail location in the United States to successfully unionize in 2022 and later secured a negotiated collective bargaining agreement with the company in August 2024. Apple recently announced plans to close the Towson location alongside stores in Trumbull, Conn., and Escondido, Calif.

In their closing request to the NLRB, lawmakers wrote: “Accordingly, we respectfully call on the NLRB to thoroughly investigate alleged practices, reach a timely resolution to this issue, ensure that workers’ rights and benefits are protected, and, if violations are identified, provide robust enforcement of labor law to make workers whole.”

Workers at the Towson store, represented by IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Local 4538, have not been offered the same relocation opportunities being provided to employees at the non-union stores. Instead, they have been told to reapply for positions elsewhere within the company. The IAM Union has alleged that Apple’s actions violate the workers’ collective bargaining agreement and has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the NLRB.

Apple Towson workers and IAM Union representatives were present on Capitol Hill today for a hearing examining the policies and priorities of the NLRB, where lawmakers discussed the agency’s role in protecting workers’ rights and enforcing federal labor law.

The Congressional Labor Caucus letter is the latest in a growing series of actions supporting Apple Towson workers. It follows a recent Congressional Progressive Caucus letter signed by 40 members of Congress, a separate letter from the Maryland congressional delegation, public support from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and a community rally in Towson that brought together elected officials, labor leaders, and local residents.

“The IAM Union thanks Reps. Pocan, Dingell, Norcross, Horsford, and the members of the Congressional Labor Caucus for standing with workers and demanding accountability,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The facts here are deeply troubling. Apple is closing the first unionized Apple retail store in America while denying those workers opportunities being offered to employees at non-union locations. If one of the richest corporations in the world believes it can treat workers differently because they exercised their legal right to form a union, every working person in America should be paying attention. We appreciate the Congressional Labor Caucus for calling on the NLRB to fully investigate these allegations and ensure these workers receive the protections guaranteed under federal law.”

“The workers at Towson made history by organizing the first unionized Apple retail store in the country and negotiating a contract that guarantees equal treatment,” said IAM Union Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Now they are being told they must reapply for jobs while workers at non-union stores are being offered relocation opportunities. That is a serious concern and one that deserves immediate scrutiny. We are grateful to the Congressional Labor Caucus for recognizing what is at stake and urging the NLRB to move quickly to protect workers’ rights and hold Apple accountable if violations occurred.”

The IAM Union will continue supporting Apple Towson workers as they fight for equal treatment, respect, and the enforcement of the rights guaranteed under federal labor law and their collective bargaining agreement.

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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WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 30, 2026 — Nearly 300 members of IAM Local 2782 (District 9) at Leonardo DRS have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, bringing an end to a difficult lockout while securing significant improvements in wages, benefits and paid time off.

The agreement provides for wage increases of 10% in the first year, 4% in the second year, 4% in the third year, 5% in the fourth year, and 5% in the fifth year, delivering a total compounded wage increase of more than 30% over the life of the contract. Members also secured protections that limit annual increases in insurance premiums to 5% per year, with no changes to healthcare copays.

The ratification follows weeks of solidarity and determination by IAM Union members, who remained united throughout the lockout while fighting for a contract that recognized the value of their skills, dedication, and contributions to national defense.

IAM Local 2782 members manufacture critical defense systems used by the U.S. military, 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 military operations around the world.

Throughout the dispute, members remained focused on achieving a fair agreement that addressed key concerns surrounding wages, healthcare costs, and quality of life. The newly ratified contract represents significant progress in each of those areas and provides greater economic security for workers and their families.

“The solidarity shown by these members throughout this process was inspiring,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “They stood together through challenging circumstances, and their perseverance helped secure a collective bargaining agreement that recognizes the important work they perform every day. This victory demonstrates what is possible when workers remain united.”

“The members of Local 2782 never lost sight of the power of standing together,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “They showed what solidarity means through their resilience, determination, and commitment to one another. This new contract represents more than meaningful economic gains — it lays the foundation for stronger working conditions, greater opportunities, and successful negotiations in the future.”

“These workers stood together and made their voices heard,” said IAM District 9 Business Representative BJ Wear. “Through their unity and determination, they secured meaningful gains that will improve the lives of members and their families. This ratification reflects the power of workers standing together and refusing to settle for less than they deserve.”

The ratification marks the successful conclusion of a contract battle that began when Leonardo DRS locked out IAM members on May 1 after members rejected the company’s initial proposal. Throughout the lockout, Local 2782 members remained united in their demand for a contract that addressed wages, healthcare costs, and quality-of-life issues while recognizing the critical role they play in supporting U.S. military readiness.

Their solidarity was evident on the picket lines and in successive contract votes, as members stood together in pursuit of an agreement that reflected the value of their work and their contributions to the company’s success and the missions it supports.

With the new agreement approved, members will return to work under a contract that delivers substantial economic improvements while establishing a strong foundation for future bargaining and continued progress.

###

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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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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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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