MTA Ignored Two Presidential Emergency Boards and Refused to Budge Less Than a Percentage Point in Wages; Union Coalition Ready to Return to Bargaining Table at Any Time to Reach Fair Agreement for Workers Who Haven’t Gotten Raise in Four Years

NEW YORK, May 17, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) are placing blame squarely on MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber for creating an impending commuting nightmare on Monday for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers after refusing to reach a fair agreement with 3,500 Long Island Rail Road workers, many of whom haven’t had a raise in four years amidst skyrocketing cost of living. 

More than 300,000 passengers rely on the LIRR every weekday. The strike began after years of negotiations and repeated refusals by MTA leadership to follow the recommendations of two Presidential Emergency Boards that supported adequate wage increases for workers.

According to the coalition of unions, the gap between the parties was less than one percent before talks collapsed Friday night. 

“I love my job and I’m proud of the work we do every day to keep Long Island moving safely,” said Mike Frank, an IAM Union member and Backshop Machinist at Long Island Rail Road. “But the cost of living in the New York area keeps going up while many of us have gone years without a raise. We want to be back on the job serving the public with a fair contract that respects the work we do.”

“We care deeply about the riding public and the people who depend on Long Island Rail Road every single day,” said Christian Jahkhah, a TCU/IAM member and Stockman at Long Island Rail Road. “Nobody wanted this strike, but we can’t keep falling further behind while housing, groceries and everyday expenses continue to rise across Long Island and New York City. We’re effectively fighting for retroactive pay after four years of stagnant wages while paying more for everything.”

“Long Island Rail Road workers want to be doing what they’ve always done — serving the riding public and keeping LIRR moving safely and efficiently,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “But after years without raises and with the cost of living continuing to climb across Long Island and the New York City area, workers deserve a fair contract that recognizes their contributions and sacrifices. This strike was completely avoidable, and the coalition remains ready to negotiate at any time if MTA leadership is finally prepared to bargain seriously.”

The Long Island Rail Road is the busiest commuter railroad in the United States and has now been shut down for the first time in more than three decades. The IAM Union said responsibility for the disruption rests squarely with MTA leadership and emphasized that the coalition of unions remains ready to return to negotiations at any time to reach a fair agreement and restore service for the riding public.

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. 

goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

The post IAM Union, TCU/IAM: MTA CEO Janno Liebers’ Rejections of Federal Panel to Blame for Impending LIRR Commuter Nightmare appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) are standing in full solidarity with IAM and TCU/IAM members on strike at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), alongside fellow union workers in a coalition representing 3,500 railroad employees.

The strike began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16 after years of stalled negotiations, four years without raises for many workers, and repeated failures by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and LIRR management to reach a fair agreement.

“Our members kept Long Island moving through every challenge thrown at this railroad, and they deserve dignity, respect and a fair contract,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The MTA and LIRR had every opportunity to settle this dispute and avoid a strike. Instead, they chose delays, concessions and disrespect. The IAM Union stands shoulder to shoulder with our members and every worker on the picket line. We have their backs for as long as it takes.”

The coalition of unions has said workers are seeking a contract that keeps pace with the rising cost of living on Long Island after years without raises, despite recommendations from federal panels supporting wage increases.

“TCU/IAM members did not want to be forced into this position, but management left workers with no other choice,” said TCU/IAM National President Matt Hollis. “Our members show up every day to keep this railroad running safely and efficiently for hundreds of thousands of commuters. They deserve a contract that respects their work and recognizes the sacrifices they have made. We will remain united until a fair agreement is reached.”

The Long Island Rail Road is the busiest commuter railroad in the United States, serving roughly 300,000 daily riders. This marks the first strike at the carrier in more than three decades.

“Our IAM Rail Division members and our brothers and sisters across this coalition have bargained in good faith throughout this entire process,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “The responsibility for this strike falls squarely on MTA and LIRR management. We are proud to stand with our members on the picket line.”

The IAM Union is encouraging the public and labor allies across the country to support striking LIRR workers as they continue their fight for a fair contract.

The post IAM Union, TCU/IAM Stand with Striking Long Island Rail Road Members Fighting for Fair Contract appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union thanks U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin for her continued leadership and strong support for revitalizing America’s domestic shipbuilding industry and protecting union jobs across the maritime sector.

Baldwin recently joined U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in calling on President Trump to stand firm against China’s unfair trade practices and prioritize American shipbuilding during an upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a bipartisan letter to the President, the senators warned that China’s decades-long campaign of subsidizing, unfair trade tactics, and anti-competitive practices has severely damaged the U.S. shipbuilding industry, threatening American jobs and national security.

“The United States is at an inflection point and cannot cede additional ground to the People’s Republic of China,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to prioritize America’s maritime industry and its workers during this summit.”

The IAM Union, which represents thousands of members in the ship building and repair industry and the defense industry across the United States, praised Baldwin for continuing to champion policies that strengthen domestic manufacturing, rebuild America’s shipyards, and create good-paying union jobs.

“Senator Baldwin understands that a strong domestic shipbuilding industry is critical not only for our national security, but for protecting middle-class union jobs and rebuilding America’s industrial base,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Her leadership in standing up to China’s unfair trade practices and fighting for investments in American shipyards is exactly the kind of action working families need.”

The senators highlighted how China now controls more than 60% of global commercial shipbuilding orders, while U.S. production has fallen behind numerous other nations after years of unfair competition and government-backed subsidies from Beijing.

The letter also praised recent efforts to impose fees on Chinese-built ships docking at U.S. ports and called for continued support of the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act, legislation designed to revitalize the nation’s commercial and military shipbuilding capacity.

Baldwin has been a leading advocate for restoring America’s maritime strength, including efforts to strengthen Great Lakes shipbuilding and crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices affecting maritime industries.

The IAM Union continues to support policies that invest in American workers, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and ensure the United States maintains a world-class shipbuilding industry powered by highly-skilled union labor.

The post IAM Union Applauds Senator Baldwin for Strong Support of American Shipbuilding appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), as a member of the newly-formed USA Shipbuilding Coalition, is helping to lead the charge in pressing Congress to save the nation’s shipbuilding industry through measures like the SHIPS for America Act.

The joint industry-union coalition brings labor and management together in a unified effort to revitalize the nation’s shipbuilding industry and restore America’s maritime power.

“IAM Union members know firsthand what’s at stake,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant, a ship pipefitter from Bath Iron Works by trade. “For too long, America’s shipbuilding industry has faced neglect while China cheated its way ahead, breaking international trade law to dominate the industry. This Coalition represents a turning point — a real opportunity to bring these jobs back, rebuild our industrial base, and secure our economic and national security future.”

In April, the IAM Union reaffirmed its support for the SHIPS for America Act and urged immediate congressional action at a press conference on Capitol Hill.

 In a joint statement submitted for the record alongside the AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers (USW), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), the IAM Union is calling on Congress to bring the SHIPS for America Act (S.1541/H.R.3151) to the floor without delay.

Through the USA Shipbuilding Coalition, the push to pass this vital legislation has also been reinvigorated. The coalition released a national ad campaign to bring awareness to the issue.

The IAM has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger trade enforcement and helped lead the charge of a Section 301 petition to the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

 The USTR’s comprehensive report on its investigation into commercial shipbuilding revealed that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engaged in a broad range of tactics to dominate and control the maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors.

For decades, the decline of U.S. shipbuilding has weakened the nation’s ability to produce and maintain the vessels necessary for both commercial and defense needs. The Coalition’s mission is to reverse damage to the industry and rebuild it to be even stronger.

The IAM Union has stood with its shipbuilding and repair members in Boston and California, advocating for sustained federal support for ship repair and shipbuilding jobs critical to both local economies and national defense.

“A strong shipbuilding industry is essential not only for economic growth, but for national security,” said Bryant. “We must have the capability to build, repair, and maintain our own vessels. That starts with investing in skilled union workers and the infrastructure and policies to support them.”

The post IAM Union Joins Launch of USA Shipbuilding Coalition to Rebuild America’s Shipbuilding Strength appeared first on IAM Union.

The third District 141 Safety Summit was recently held at the William W Winpisinger Education Center, where representatives from American Airlines and Spirit gathered to discuss critical operational protocols. Participants engaged in comprehensive training regarding GSAP procedures, accident investigations, and labor laws that will better serve the Airline union members. 

Watch the video here.

The impressive scale of the educational campus in Hollywood, Maryland, and its role in fostering industry-leading expertise in many Labor studies, including safety,  IAM District 141 American and Spirit Airlines Safety Director Dennis Spencer announced that the event has been renamed the Jackie Jones Safety Educational Program to honor a dedicated safety coordinator who recently passed away. This rebranding serves as a tribute to her legacy and commitment to the well-being of her colleagues. By renaming the summit, the District aims to ensure that Jones’s passion for safety continues to inspire future training initiatives.

The post Legacy of Safety: The Jackie Jones Educational Program appeared first on IAM Union.

Darnell Miller, an IAM Local 2053 welder from the Midwest, is taking new skills and renewed confidence back home after attending the IAM William W. Winpisinger Center’s Leadership I program.

The comprehensive training covered key areas including political advocacy, contract negotiations and building stronger local union leadership — giving members the tools to become more effective advocates on the job and in their communities.

Watch the video report here. 

Miller highlighted the value of learning directly from fellow IAM members and experienced instructors in a collaborative environment focused on strengthening union solidarity and worker power.

Armed with new knowledge and leadership skills, Miller says he’s ready to return to his local and better support his fellow members. He also encouraged other IAM members to take advantage of the Winpisinger Center’s educational programs and invest in building a stronger union for the future.

The post IAM Leadership Program Builds Skills, Confidence and Union Power appeared first on IAM Union.

The IAM Union’s North Carolina State Council recently brought together more than 40 IAM Union members for specialized training and political strategy.

Watch the video report here.

Participants like IAM Local 1725 member Christian Good emphasized the event’s dual focus—strengthening workplace representation through shop steward education and addressing legislative threats to labor rights. 

Speakers highlighted the need to build broad community coalitions to influence the upcoming election cycle and secure government seats for pro-labor candidates. Ultimately, the gathering served as a call to action for members to educate their peers about how political engagement directly impacts the union’s future. 

By prioritizing voter mobilization, the organization aims to protect worker interests and maintain a voice in the national congressional landscape by electing pro-labor candidates this fall.

The post Unity and Advocacy at the IAM Union’s North Carolina State Council appeared first on IAM Union.

The post IAM Leaders Tour Norfolk Southern Roadway Shop, Highlight Skilled Trades and Leadership Development appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed Jeff Wheeler as Associate General Counsel in the IAM Legal Department, effective April 20, 2026.

Wheeler brings decades of experience fighting for workers and advancing labor rights from nearly every corner of the labor movement — including as a union attorney, organizer, local union president, educator and international labor rights leader.

“Jeff brings an incredible depth of experience and a lifelong commitment to working people,” said Bryant. “From organizing and collective bargaining to international labor rights and government service, he understands the challenges workers face and the importance of building worker power. We are proud to welcome Jeff to the IAM.”

Most recently, Wheeler served as director of the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Global Trace Protocol project, which worked to reduce child and forced labor in global supply chains from 2021 to 2024. He also taught courses on trade and worker rights at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Wheeler previously served as Senior Labor Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and as an International Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2009 to 2022, where he implemented labor rights technical assistance programs. During that time, he also served as president of AFGE Local 12 at the Department of Labor and chaired the union’s bargaining committee from 2020 to 2022.

His broad labor movement experience also includes serving as an advisor and consultant on labor rights projects, Chief Technical Advisor for an International Labour Organization project in Africa, Senior Counsel to the Board at the National Labor Relations Board, attorney and organizer with the AFL-CIO in Atlanta, and an attorney in private practice in Chicago.

Wheeler is an active member of the District of Columbia Bar, an inactive member of the Georgia Bar, and serves on the board of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA).

The post Jeff Wheeler Appointed IAM Associate General Counsel appeared first on IAM Union.

WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 11, 2026 – The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is calling on Leonardo DRS to immediately end its lockout of more than 285 IAM Local 2782 (District 9) members in West Plains, Mo., and return to the bargaining table with a commitment to reach a fair agreement that respects workers.

IAM Local 2782 (District 9)-represented workers were locked out by the company after voting to reject a proposed contract that failed to provide fair wage increases and unsustainable (or unworkable) increases in healthcare costs. Workers were sent home with pay prior to the contract’s expiration, and the company officially began the lockout at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, following the contract’s expiration.

Members had also voted to authorize a strike if a fair contract reflecting their needs was not reached.

“These workers showed up in good faith, ready to negotiate a contract that reflects their value and contributions,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Instead of working toward a fair contract, the company chose to lock them out. That is unacceptable. The IAM Union is calling on Leonardo DRS to end this lockout immediately and return to negotiations with a commitment to reaching a fair agreement that respects these workers and the critical work they perform.”

“IAM Local 2782 members are united and determined to secure a contract that reflects their worth,” said IAM District 9 Directing Business Representative Jason Tetidrick. “Locking out these workers only delays progress and puts unnecessary strain on working families in this community. The path forward is clear: end the lockout, respect these workers, and negotiate a fair agreement.”

“Our members made it clear that the proposal on the table did not meet their needs,” said IAM District 9 Business Representative BJ Wear. “Rather than addressing those concerns, the company escalated the situation by locking them out. This is about fairness, fair wages, affordable benefits, and reasonable working conditions. We are ready to get back to the table and reach an agreement, but it takes a real commitment from the company to do so.”

The IAM Union stands firmly with Local 2782 members and urges Leonardo DRS to end the lockout and engage in meaningful negotiations that deliver a fair contract for workers.

The post IAM Union Calls on Leonardo DRS to End Lockout of West Plains Workers and Return to Fair Negotiations appeared first on IAM Union.