WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 15, 2026 —  Following Boeing’s reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, IAM Union Local 839 (IAM District 70) members voted Sept. 12, 2026 to pursue coverage under the IAM Union/Boeing Master Agreement as opposed to renegotiating the existing Spirit AeroSystems independent contract with Boeing, in January.

The vote was held to determine how IAM-represented workers in Wichita wish to proceed with their collective bargaining agreement as the two companies become one, again.

Spirit AeroSystems was part of Boeing until it was spun off in 2005. Before the spin-off, the Wichita location was covered under the IAM/Boeing Master Agreement alongside IAM-represented Boeing workers in the Pacific Northwest. After the spin-off, IAM members negotiated an independent contract between IAM District 70 and Spirit Aerosystems. Boeing reacquired Spirit in December 2025.

Today, more than 30,000 IAM-represented Boeing workers in Washington state, California, and Oregon are covered under the IAM/Boeing Master Agreement through IAM District 751 and District W24.

IAM District 70, District 751, District W24 and IAM Union leadership believe Wichita members have a right to pursue coverage under that Master Agreement. At the same time, IAM leadership believes the decision about the best path forward belongs to the membership.

“We have one goal in this process: to make sure our members have the information and the power to determine their own future,” said IAM District 70 Directing Business Representative Lisa Whitley. “This vote gave IAM Local 839 members the opportunity to make that decision. They chose to pursue their entitlement to the IAM’s Master Agreement with Boeing, and the full strength and resources of the IAM Union stand behind them.”

IAM representatives have conducted 10 town hall meetings to answer members’ questions and explain the differences between the current IAM District 70/Spirit agreement and the IAM District 751 and District W24/Boeing Master Agreement. 

The current Spirit agreement expires in June 2027, and negotiations were scheduled to begin in January 2027. Now, the IAM will seek for IAM District 70 (Local 839) members to be included in the existing Master Agreement the union has with Boeing. Boeing has indicated that it does not consider District 70 to be part of the Master Agreement between IAM Union Districts 751 and W24 and Boeing, despite the IAM’s position that specific language in the collective bargaining agreement supports Wichita workers’ claim to inclusion. 

With the results of this vote, if the company refuses, the union will proceed through the grievance process and possibly to binding arbitration.

An arbitration could take from six months to two years. If a decision is not reached before the current Spirit agreement expires, the IAM Union will engage with Boeing to protect the membership until it is resolved.

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Approximately 70 civilian aircraft mechanics employed by Strategic Technology Institute, Inc. (STI) at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C., have joined the IAM Union through voluntary recognition.

A strong majority of the workers supported joining the IAM, leading STI to sign a voluntary recognition agreement recognizing the IAM as their exclusive collective bargaining representative.

The aircraft mechanics joined together to improve their working conditions and secure the protections, benefits, and voice that come with a strong union contract.

“This victory belongs to the STI aircraft mechanics who stood together and made it clear that they wanted a voice on the job,” said IAM Western Territory Assistant Organizing Coordinator Joe Solis. “We are proud to welcome them into the IAM family.”

STI provides mission-critical engineering, logistics, maintenance, cybersecurity and technical support services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

“Voluntary recognition gives workers a direct path to securing union representation when a clear majority has chosen to stand together,” said IAM Organizing Director Mike Evans. “Our team is ready to support them as they move toward negotiating a strong first agreement.”

The organizing victory continues the IAM’s long-standing commitment to representing highly skilled workers who support the nation’s military readiness and national security at installations across the United States.

“Organizing is about listening to workers, understanding the issues they face and helping them build the collective power to make lasting improvements,” said IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge. “The STI aircraft mechanics stayed focused and united, and now they will have a seat at the table to negotiate over their wages, benefits, and working conditions.”

Solis, who led the organizing effort, will also serve as the IAM’s lead representative during negotiations for the mechanics’ first collective bargaining agreement with STI. The Organizing Department’s continued involvement will provide consistency as the workers move from organizing their workplace to establishing their priorities and securing their first union contract.

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Dear IAM Family,

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation and world experienced a tragedy that forever changed all of us.

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attacks against our nation. Among them were members of our IAM family: Marianne MacFarlane, Keith Maynard, and Jesus Sanchez of the IAM Union and James W. Barbella, Edward Calderon, Rocco Medaglia, Eugene Raggio, and Edward T. Strauss of TCU/IAM.

Video Remembrance from the 2000s: Everyday Heroes – Our Stories of 9/11

They were workers, union members, family members, friends, and members of their communities. Their lives mattered, and their contributions to our union will never be forgotten.

Today, we honor the thousands of innocent people who were taken from their loved ones, the first responders who ran toward danger, the airline, transportation and other workers who faced unimaginable circumstances, the countless heroes who sacrificed to help others, and every worker who helped us rebuild and recover.

In the aftermath of September 11, our union family came together with compassion, courage, and solidarity. When working people stand together, we can carry one another through even the darkest moments.

On this solemn anniversary, let us remember, reflect, and recommit ourselves to taking care of one another.

We shall never forget.

In solidarity,

Brian Bryant
International President
IAM Union

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2026 – The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) has filed an application with the National Mediation Board (NMB) seeking a union representation election for more than 120 JSX inflight crew members.

The filing marks an important step in the workers’ campaign to gain a stronger voice on the job and a seat at the table. JSX inflight crew members are seeking union representation to address concerns, including below-industry-standard wages and benefits, inadequate staffing and scheduling, and a lack of clearly defined job duties, among other workplace issues.

“JSX Inflight crew members know what needs to change in their workplace, and they are coming together to make it happen,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “They work hard, take care of passengers and play a critical role in keeping the airline running. The IAM is ready to stand with them and help them win the improvements they deserve.”

Earlier this year, JSX ramp workers also filed for a union representation election as part of their efforts to improve working conditions and secure a voice on the job.

“This organizing push also demonstrates the growing momentum among JSX workers who are coming together to shape a better future,” continued Johnsen. 

The NMB oversees union representation elections in the airline and railroad industries under the Railway Labor Act.

The IAM Union is the largest airline union in North America, representing tens of thousands of workers at every major U.S. airline.

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IAM Union International President Brian Bryant has appointed Rachel Gumpert as the IAM’s Assistant Communications Director, effective Sept. 8, 2026.

Gumpert has a lifelong passion for labor justice, and has spent the past 16 years working in some of the most high-profile fights in the labor movement. This includes serving as National Press Secretary for UNITE HERE during the historic national Marriott strike in 2018, lobbying on behalf of AFSCME International to win collective bargaining rights for 40,000 Nevada state employees, and directing communications for the largest nurses’ union in the Pacific Northwest during the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Most recently, she worked in private practice performing crisis communications for the largest statewide education union in Oregon, managing all union strike, crisis, and strike-track communications across nearly 200 school districts as well as directing the union’s statewide response to ICE raids that targeted schools. 

“Her hard-charging work ethic and unwavering integrity are Rachel’s calling card,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “As the IAM Union continues to grow and advance justice for our members, having her leadership and public relations talents and experience in our arsenal will be a powerful addition.” 

Gumpert has been a strong admirer of IAM Union since she first began working in coalition with them and the IAM Communications Department in 2017, during her time at UNITE HERE. Her IAM connections run deep – she also spent the past four years helping to direct communications for the successful, historic IAM campaign to unionize rideshare drivers in Massachusetts, and helped lead communications for IAM’s groundbreaking Pharmacy Guild campaign until several years ago. 

“Rachel is a battle-tested campaigner with a lifelong passion for worker rights whose experience taking on some of the biggest employers and toughest fights primed her well to succeed at the IAM,” said IAM Union Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia. “With her extensive strike, crisis, and national negotiations experience, Rachel will continue to increase our ability to successfully beat back any challenges our members face and grow our power.”

“The IAM is one of the most inspiring unions in North America, and I’m thrilled to be part of the historical legacy and righteous mission of this union,” said Gumpert. “The IAM has repeatedly demonstrated that when we aim higher and think outside the box, we can transform lives for working people. I’m profoundly honored to join this talented Communications Department, and to be able to help win fights and raise standards for IAM members – and future members – across the U.S. and Canada.”

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The IAM Union is proud to endorse Democratic nominee David Jolly for governor and former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham for lieutenant governor of Florida. IAM Florida State Council President Mike Phillips personally presented the union’s endorsement to Graham during the IAM’s Florida State Council meeting in Orlando.

“The IAM is proud to stand with David Jolly and Gwen Graham because they understand the challenges facing working families across Florida,” said IAM Union Florida State Council President Mike Phillips. “Our union represents thousands of Floridians who power NASA operations, keep our airlines flying, build and maintain cutting-edge aerospace technology, work in the sugar industry and help drive many other critical sectors of Florida’s economy. These hardworking men and women deserve leaders who will protect good union jobs, defend the freedom to organize and bargain collectively, invest in Florida’s workforce and make it easier for families to build a secure future. David and Gwen know that Florida succeeds when working people have a meaningful voice in the decisions affecting their jobs, families and communities. IAM members across our state are ready to organize, mobilize and help elect the Jolly-Graham ticket this November.”

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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WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2026 — Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and IAM Union Canadian Territory General Vice President David Chartrand issued the following statement in response to the collapse of U.S. and Canadian trade talks, coupled with steep tariff increases:

“As a result of President Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on numerous Canadian goods—and further threats by administration officials to ‘ban’ Canadian goods—Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada will match the incoming U.S. tariffs ‘dollar for dollar.’ These new targeted counter tariffs are concentrated in sectors such as steel and aluminum, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and steel and aluminum—all industries that directly affect IAM members and their jobs.

“This administration’s decision to continue escalating attacks against Canada, and the resulting trade war that will ensue, is deeply harmful to working families on both sides of the border—with no winners. The threat to thousands of workers’ jobs will not help address the affordability crisis, nor will it ensure domestic manufacturing increases for the benefit of workers on either side of the border.  

“This administration must, now more than ever, listen to labor and working people to develop a trade policy that centers U.S. and Canadian workers and brings the parties back from destructive brinksmanship.”

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, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

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The IAM Union came out in full force with worker pride and power, showing solidarity through events, marches, and celebrations for Labor Day 2026.

IAM International President Brian Bryant sent a special Labor Day message to members, reminding everyone that the day belongs to working people.

The IAM started celebrations early in the week with an IAM Labor Day Kickoff Rally, honoring the strength and solidarity of working people throughout the union and the greater labor movement.

IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote an op-ed for the Portland Press Herald: What Maine’s workers deserve this Labor Day and IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin had an op-ed featured in the American Press: Labor Day a celebration of workers who keep Lake Charles moving.

Displays of union pride and solidarity from IAM Locals and members continued throughout the weekend and were shared on social media.

Social Media Highlights

IAM Union Labor Day Hype Video

Labor Day Has Machinist Roots

What Does Labor Day Mean to the IAM?

IP Bryant, GVP Sullivan, Liz Shuler Celebrate Labor Day with Troy Jackson in Maine

IAM Union Canada Labor Day Parade

IAM Union Human Rights Committees and Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council

IAM Union at the Philadelphia Labor Day Parade

IAM Eastern Territory in Erie, PA

IAM District 98, Local 1211, and IAM Eastern Territory Erie, PA Labor Day Parade

IAM Union at the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade

IAM Local 1976 Labor Day at Kennywood

App Drivers Union Massachusetts Labor Day

IAM Union Automotive Labor Day

LGBG Workers United (IAM Union) Labor Day

App Drivers Union IL Labor Day Message

IAM Local 2198’s Happy Labor Day Message

IAM Local 282 Workers vs Billionaires Labor Day

IAM Southern Territory Labor Day Message

IAM Local 1930, City of Long Beach

IAM Local 2202 Labor Day Message

IAM Labor Day Kickoff Rally LIVE

Happy Labor Day from the IAM Union

What makes you proud to be IAM Union?

TCU/IAM Labor Day Message

Thank you to all of the union members who came out to show the pride and strength of organized labor!

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IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed Andrew Peltier as a Special Representative in the Automotive Department, effective Sept. 1, 2026.

“Andrew’s journey from the shop floor to union leadership is a great example of the strength of the IAM,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “He has consistently stepped up to serve his fellow members, from his days as a Shop Steward to his work as an organizer, Business Representative and district leader. Andrew knows firsthand that organizing and solidarity are the keys to building a stronger union, and I’m proud to welcome him to this new role.”

Peltier brings extensive experience representing IAM members, organizing workers and leading union campaigns to his new role. Most recently, he served as Directing Business Representative for IAM District 77, where he helped guide the district’s day-to-day operations and represented members across Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

“Andrew has built his career around serving IAM members and strengthening our union,” said IAM Automotive Director Craig Hughes. “He understands what it means to be a union member, a steward, an organizer and a representative. His experience and commitment will be a tremendous asset to the Automotive Department as we continue organizing, fighting for strong contracts and building power for working families.”

A proud member of Twin Cities Automotive Local 737, Peltier joined the IAM in July 2013 while working as an automotive technician at Schmelz Countryside Volkswagen, Saab, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. He later transferred to the Parts Counterperson classification and became increasingly active in union representation.

Peltier was appointed Shop Steward in 2017 and elected to the St. Paul Auto Dealers Bargaining Committee in 2019. In February 2020, he joined the District 77 staff as an organizer before being appointed Business Representative two months later. He became Assistant Directing Business Representative in September 2023 and was appointed Directing Business Representative in June 2024.

Throughout his career, Peltier has represented members across automotive, manufacturing, wood, pulp and paper, service-contract and public-sector workplaces. His work has included contract enforcement, grievance handling, negotiations, workplace conflict resolution, organizing and member mobilization.

Peltier also served for many years as Organizing Director for the Minnesota State Council of Machinists and as an Executive Board member of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. He has served as a union trustee and Chairperson of the St. Paul Auto Dealers Joint Health and Welfare Fund, helping protect the benefits and long-term interests of members and their families.

Peltier has also been active in community outreach through the Street Machine Nationals in St. Paul, helping connect the IAM and the labor movement with automotive enthusiasts, skilled tradespeople, working families and younger generations while promoting the value of union careers and membership.

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App Drivers Union Illinois drivers came together to support and thank Gov. Pritzker for signing the Rideshare Drivers’ Union Rights Bill into law—a landmark victory that gives Illinois’ app-based drivers the ability to form their own union and have a voice on the job.

App Drivers Union Reel Thanking the Governor

Drivers joined the Chicago Federation of Labor and fellow unions at Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Standing Up for Workers” rally as the governor kicked off his “Fighting for You” campaign bus tour.

With the new law, drivers can organize through the App Drivers Union IL to fight for safer working conditions, a living wage, and fair representation. Drivers know that when they have a collective voice, they have a stronger path to improving the jobs they depend on to support themselves and their families.

IAM Union Celebrates with ADU at Governor’s Labor Rally

“Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for supporting rideshare drivers and signing our Bill,” said Driver Ebony Echevarria. “I need a union for rideshare drivers because I know that this is the only way that we can protect ourselves. Solidarity is our strength. We’re no longer fighting with apps and AI. We’ve already been able to influence the law this summer by passing the Rideshare Drivers Union Rights Bill, which gives us the right to unionize. For me, for my daughter, I need a union now.”

The IAM Union, together with SEIU Local 1, is committed to helping app-based drivers turn this historic legal victory into a strong, democratic union that delivers for the rideshare drivers of Illinois.

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