IAM District 4 recently hosted its 9th Annual Guide Dogs of America Tender Loving Canines (GDA | TLC ) Charity Golf Outing at Spring Meadows Golf Course, bringing together union members, sponsors, and community supporters to raise funds and awareness for the organization.

Watch the video here.

The event featured participation from IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan, District and Local leaders, and IAM Union members, underscoring the union’s longstanding commitment to GDA | TLC.

View photos here.

A highlight of the outing was a presentation by Sgt. David Nulty of the Sherborn (Mass.) Police Department and his facility dog, West. Nulty shared how West helps officers cope with stress, assists individuals experiencing trauma, and strengthens community relationships through outreach programs.

Organizers also highlighted GDA|TLC puppy-raising program, which relies on volunteers to help train future service dogs. Attendees were encouraged to support the program through volunteer service or financial contributions.

The tournament included golf, raffles, prizes, and a traditional Maine lobster dinner. Organizers said the event not only raises critical funds for GDA | TLC, but also showcases the life-changing impact service and facility dogs have on individuals and communities.

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A major labor reform championed by the IAM Union moved one step closer to becoming law this week as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), legislation designed to stop employers from delaying negotiations and denying newly organized workers the first contract they fought to win.

The IAM Union was a leading advocate for the bill, urging lawmakers to support a discharge petition led by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) that successfully forced a House vote on the legislation.

In an April letter to members of Congress, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant called on lawmakers to sign the discharge petition and advance the legislation, noting that workers often face years of delays after voting to form a union. Bryant warned that employers exploit the lack of bargaining deadlines to frustrate workers and undermine support for newly formed unions.  

“The ability to collectively bargain a contract with their employer is central to why workers in growing numbers are exercising their right to form and join unions,” said Bryant. “Securing a first contract is perhaps the most important part of collective bargaining — and it is also often the hardest. Employers know they can drag their feet and demoralize workers. The Faster Labor Contracts Act changes that dynamic by making union-busting employers actually come to the table.”

The legislation would amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish clear timelines for bargaining. Employers would be required to begin negotiations within 10 days of workers voting to form a union. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties can move to mediation, followed by binding arbitration if necessary.

Workers currently wait an average of more than 458 days to secure a first contract, according to a Bloomberg analysis, often because employers intentionally stall negotiations after losing a union election.

“Workers don’t organize a union just to spend years waiting for their employer to negotiate a contract,” said Bryant. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act will help ensure that when workers vote for a union, they have a real opportunity to secure the wages, benefits, and protections they fought for. The Senate should move quickly to pass this legislation.”

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

The post IAM Union-Backed Faster Labor Contracts Act Passes House, Advancing Fight for Workers’ First Contracts appeared first on IAM Union.

KU Health System has not yet agreed that all timely postmarked ballots in closely contested union elections be counted. 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pharmacy Technicians at The University of Kansas (KU) Health System held a rally to demand that every timely cast ballot be counted in their union election and to call attention to the fact that KU Health System has not agreed to count all ballots received after the vote tally despite being postmarked before the election deadline. 

Watch the rally here.

They waved signs and cheered as many cars beeped their horns in support, even getting an extra toot from a passing ambulance. KU nurses and other unionized staff from the Health System also showed up to support the pharmacy technicians who walked the streets demanding the votes be counted.

“I mailed my ballot on April 18, and the count wasn’t until May 14,” said KU Health System Pharmacy Technician Megan Bacon. “I was there the day of the count, and when I learned my ballot had not been received, I asked how that was possible after mailing it nearly a month earlier. No one could provide me with an answer.”

KU Pharmacy Technicians have spent more than a year and a half organizing with IAM Healthcare/The Pharmacy Guild to secure a voice on the job and advocate for safe staffing levels, patient care standards, and balanced workloads.

“In Kansas, basic fairness should still matter,” said Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Ethan Corson. “You followed the process to a tee. You did every single thing right, you dotted every single I, crossed every T, all you are asking for is that ballots that were cast before the deadline to be counted”

As public-sector employees, the technicians participated in a mail-ballot union election overseen by the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB). When the ballots were counted, the union appeared to have lost by just two votes in each of the two bargaining units. 

The PERB later informed both parties that it had received an additional 37 ballots that were postmarked before the election deadline but were not included in the vote count. The union filed challenges and submitted 31 sworn affidavits from pharmacy technicians who stated they completed and mailed their ballots before the deadline.

“No one is demanding any rules be waived, overturned, or changed,” said Missouri State Rep. Ethan Woods. “What we are demanding is that all the ballots in this union election be counted so that the choice of the workers here can be known and honored.”

Despite the discovery of the timely ballots, the KU Health System has not agreed to count all timely postmarked ballots, leaving dozens of workers uncertain whether their voices will be heard.

The IAM Healthcare Union has filed multiple Prohibited Practice Charges alleging unlawful conduct by health system management during the campaign, including allegations that a Pharmacy Technician was terminated for exercising legally protected rights to discuss unionization in the workplace. The union has also criticized the KU Health System for using taxpayer dollars to hire Littler Mendelson, a national anti-union law firm, during the campaign.

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant has sent a letter to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly urging immediate action to ensure that all properly postmarked ballots are counted in the elections.

The KU Health System is a public academic health system with hospitals and clinics throughout Kansas and western Missouri. Pharmacy Technicians employed by the health system perform a range of professional pharmacy functions, which include providing life-saving acute care services to hospitalized patients, as well as complex work in retail, home infusion, and mail order settings. Elections covered Pharmacy Technicians at the health system’s 39th Street Main Campus and a specialty pharmacy in the Southlake Business Park in Lenexa.

The IAM Healthcare Union continues to pursue all available legal and administrative remedies and is encouraging healthcare professionals, patients, community members and supporters of fair elections to sign a petition calling for every properly postmarked ballot to be counted.

The IAM Healthcare Union is part of the 600,000-member IAM Union, one of the largest and most diverse labor organizations in North America. IAM Healthcare is the initiator of The Pharmacy Guild/IAM, the premier voice for pharmacy professionals across the United States. Learn more at PharmacyGuild.org.

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Approximately 5,000 members of IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) District 776 in Fort Worth, Texas, voted on Sunday to ratify a new contract with the largest defense contractor in the U.S., Lockheed Martin.

IAM Union members at the Fort Worth facility build the F-35, the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter. The IAM has long championed continued support for the F-35 program.

In Fort Worth alone, IAM members delivered 142 aircraft, the most deliveries at the facility to date – shattering the company’s previous delivery record.

The new contract includes:

– Historic General Wage Increases (GWI increases 6.0%, 4.5%, 4.5%, 4.0%, 4.0%)
– Improve/Maintain Quality of Life: No Mandatory Overtime and Increased Vacation
– Improvements to Retirement
– $6,000 Ratification Bonus and more.

IAM Union District 776’s negotiating committee unanimously recommended the proposal, which the members voted to accept. Contract negotiations have been ongoing since mid-March of this year. The agreement also covers IAM Union members at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and Patuxent River, Md.

“The dedicated membership at Lockheed is the bedrock of the company’s success,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Keeping with their mission-critical mantra, the members fought hard for a worthy contract, and they prevailed – the entire IAM is proud of their commitment.”

Negotiations are crucial for IAM District 776 members and their families, as well as for the Dallas-Fort Worth community. The state of Texas and the entire aerospace industry all benefit from the F-35 program supply chain, which directly supports over 254,000 jobs through 1,800+ suppliers spanning 48 states and Puerto Rico.

READ: 2027 Defense Authorization Appropriation Bill – Support for the F-35 Program

“Our members made it clear what the purpose and goal for these negotiations were,” said District 776 Directing Business Representative Doyle Huddleston. “No takeaways and make improvements on the top issues. We did what our members asked us to do, and they made the decision with their votes.”

The IAM District 776 negotiating team participated in an extensive preparation course held at their district offices in January. This instrumental coursework covers drafting contract language, strategic planning, contract costing, communications, and negotiation simulation.

“From the preparation preceding these negotiations to sitting down in each committee to center the right energies, the negotiation team presented and defended the desires of their members,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. Today, the membership agreed that the negotiations addressed their concerns. I could not be prouder of everyone at District 776.”

READ: IAM Union Applauds Record Number of Bipartisan Members of Congress for Strong Funding Request For F-35 Program

“Being the nation’s largest defense employer, Lockheed needed to offer an agreement that the membership felt they needed to keep Lockheed at the top,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Our membership made their wishes clear from the start. The negotiating committee took those wishes to heart and worked to bring a solid proposal to the membership for consideration. Today, the membership voted to accept.”

The new agreement goes into effect at midnight on June 15 and will remain in effect until June 15, 2031.

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

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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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.

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“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.