Nearly 100 participants, including delegates, guests, speakers, and IAM leaders from industries across the Lone Star State, gathered in Austin for the 2026 IAM Texas State Council Meeting to discuss the issues facing working families, strengthen the union’s legislative and organizing efforts, and hear from labor and political leaders committed to advancing workers’ rights.

Texas State Council President Taylor Rehmet opened the meeting by reaffirming the Council’s commitment to building worker power through organizing, political engagement, and solidarity. Rehmet also thanked delegates and the International IAM for their support during his successful campaign for the Texas State Senate. Rehmet has made history as the first rank-and-file union member elected to the Texas State Senate.

“Our strength has always come from our members standing together,” said Rehmet. “The work we do here goes beyond our own workplaces. Every conversation we have, every worker we organize, and every election we engage in helps build a stronger future for working families across Texas. I’m proud of what we have accomplished together, and I know our best work is still ahead.”

See photos.

IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed delegates on the importance of remaining politically engaged amid rising attacks on unions and working people. Bryant highlighted the IAM’s continued success in advancing pro-worker legislation, organizing new members and fighting back against corporate interests seeking to weaken workers’ rights.

“Working people cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” said Bryant. “When we organize, vote, and stand together, we have the power to shape the future. The IAM will continue fighting for laws that protect workers, strengthen collective bargaining, and ensure every member has the opportunity to build a better life.”

IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett reinforced those remarks, encouraging delegates to remain united as the labor movement faces growing challenges from powerful corporate interests.

“Corporate greed continues to threaten the livelihoods of working families, but our union has always been strongest when we stand together,” said Bennett. “The labor movement was built by ordinary people refusing to accept less than they deserve, and that spirit continues to drive the IAM today.”

Delegates also heard from several prominent leaders in the Texas labor movement, including Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar, who stressed the importance of protecting democracy, defending all workers’ rights, and ensuring Texas remains a place where every worker has the opportunity to succeed.

“The Texas State Council continues to play a vital role in strengthening our union throughout the Southern Territory,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Whether it’s supporting our members at the bargaining table, or electing leaders who stand with working families, the dedication of our Texas delegates helps ensure the IAM remains a powerful voice for workers across the state.”

Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico addressed delegates via video, thanking IAM members for their continued advocacy on behalf of working families and recognizing the union’s leadership in advancing policies that strengthen workers’ rights throughout Texas and across the country.

The meeting also featured presentations from IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge and IAM Assistant Political and Legislative Director Loren Almeroth, who provided updates on recent organizing campaigns, legislative victories, and the union’s ongoing efforts to grow membership and expand worker protections.

Additional remarks were delivered by:

• IAM Special Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Pinette
• IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Director James “Stretch” Little
• IAM District 776 General Counsel Rod Tanner
• Texas State Representative (D-District 49) and candidate for Governor Gina Hinojosa
• Texas State Representative (D-District 47) and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin
• Texas State Senator (D-District 16) and candidate for Attorney General Nathan Johnson
• Texas State Senator  (D-District 14) and candidate for Comptroller Sarah Eckhardt
• Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Clayton Tucker
• Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines Representatives
• Employee Benefit System Representatives

Prior to the meeting, members of the Texas State Council Executive Board, along with IAM leaders and delegates, visited the Texas State Capitol, where they learned more about the legislative process and the important role political engagement plays in advancing policies that protect workers’ rights. 

The post IAM Texas State Council Charts Course for Organizing and Political Action appeared first on IAM Union.

Leer en español

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. 

The post IAM Union Raises Concerns Over Staffing Shortages Among IAM Airport Rescue Firefighters at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport appeared first on IAM Union.

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2026 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), which represents more than 100,000 workers across the airline and railroad industries, is thanking former National Mediation Board (NMB) Member Deirdre Hamilton for her service following her dismissal by the Trump Administration, a move made possible by a recent Supreme Court decision allowing the arbitrary removal of officials serving on independent federal labor boards.

Hamilton, a respected labor attorney and former IAM Legal Fellow, brought decades of labor law experience to the National Mediation Board, the independent federal agency responsible for administering the Railway Labor Act and helping resolve labor-management disputes in the rail and airline industries.

“Deirdre Hamilton has dedicated her career to standing up for working people, and her service on the National Mediation Board reflected that commitment every day,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “As a former IAM Legal Fellow, Deirdre understands the challenges facing workers and the critical role the NMB plays in ensuring fair labor relations across the rail and airline industries. We thank her for her service and for the professionalism, integrity and expertise she brought to this important position.”

Bryant also expressed concern about the broader implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling and the removal of labor-focused appointees from independent agencies.

“The IAM Union remains deeply troubled by the Supreme Court’s decision, which overturns more than 90 years of precedent, allowing the Trump Administration to remove officials charged with protecting workers’ rights for arbitrary or unclear reasons,” said Bryant. “Independent agencies like the National Mediation Board exist to provide stability, fairness and confidence in the collective bargaining process. Their independence is essential to ensuring workers and employers alike receive fair treatment under the law.”

Before joining the NMB, Hamilton built a distinguished career in labor law and labor relations, including serving as an IAM Legal Fellow early in her career. She became one of the nation’s leading experts on the Railway Labor Act and was widely respected throughout the transportation labor community.

“Deirdre’s contributions to working people will be felt long after her service on the Board,” said Bryant. “The IAM Union is proud of her accomplishments, grateful for her service, and wishes her continued success in the years ahead. The workers of the rail and airline industries were well served by her leadership, and our nation benefits when dedicated public servants like Deirdre Hamilton are allowed to do their jobs independently and without political interference.”

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.

The post IAM Union Thanks Deirdre Hamilton for Distinguished Service, Warns Against Political Interference in Labor Boards appeared first on IAM Union.

Labor leaders, workers, community allies,  NAACP leadership, and delegates from across the country gathered in Chicago for the NAACP “We the Working People” Labor Town Hall, part of the NAACP’s National Convention. The event was hosted by actress, producer and SAG-AFTRA member Ryan Michelle Bathé. 

NAACP Labor Chair Robin Williams and NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell both addressed the crowd about the importance of the partnership between Labor and the NAACP. Throughout history, the labor and civil rights movements have been connected in their struggles for economic justice, democracy, respect, and dignity. 

National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley delivered speeches that brought the delegates to their feet, stressing the importance of getting out the vote ahead of this year’s midterm election and the unemployment rates for Black women. 

According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute, Black women suffered large employment losses in 2025, particularly among college graduates and public-sector workers. 

READ: Federal Job Cuts Hit Black Women Hard—a Year Later, Unemployment Is Up American Prospect 

The alliance between the NAACP and the labor movement dates back 117 years, when the NAACP was founded. One of the key issues that NAACP members fought for and continue to fight for is equal employment opportunities. 

Labor and the NAACP have always stood in the gaps, from labor leader A. Philip Randolph’s role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom to the NAACP and Unions, standing together on the picket lines and in the halls of Congress for civil rights, voting rights, and labor rights. The partnership remains rooted in the belief that economic opportunity and racial justice are inseparable goals.

At the conclusion of the speakers, NAACP Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advancement Jamal Watkins moderated a panel discussion touching on a range of issues facing workers. 

Panelists included SAG-AFTRA member Ryan Michelle Bathé, UNITE HERE Local 1 Shop Steward, Julia Lewis, AFGE Local 777 President, Darrell English, and The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Director of Civil Rights and Community Action LaQuita Honeysucker. 

Some of the issues discussed were the growing threat artificial intelligence poses to jobs, efforts to privatize the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), UNITE HERE Local 1’s upcoming contract negotiations, the impact of surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels on consumers and workers in the grocery industry, protecting the nation’s food supply, and the concept of portable benefits for workers who move between jobs.

The NAACP “We the Working People” Labor Town Hall was sponsored by the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, APWU, CWA, IAM Union, LiUNA!, NEA, SEIU, UAW, UFCW, and UNITE HERE.

The post ‘We the Working People’: NAACP, Labor Unions Unite for Economic Justice and Voting Rights appeared first on IAM Union.

As the FIFA World Cup ends, the IAM Union proudly thanks our members across the United States and Canada who helped keep millions of fans moving safely throughout the tournament.

From rail stations to airports, IAM Union and Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) members stepped up in host cities and across North America’s transportation network, with many volunteering for additional crowd control, passenger assistance and operational duties to meet the demands of one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Many transit systems also implemented modified operating procedures and special service plans for the tournament, and our members played a critical role in putting those plans into action. Reports from across the continent highlighted the professionalism and teamwork our members brought to every shift.

“When the world came to North America, IAM Union and TCU/IAM members answered the call,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Whether welcoming travelers at our airports or helping move massive crowds through our rail systems, our members once again proved they are the skilled professionals who keep our transportation network running. Their professionalism, adaptability and commitment made this tournament a success, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

The post IAM Union Salutes Members Across North America for World Cup Transit Success appeared first on IAM Union.

The spirit of service was on full display as IAM District 6 members held their IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community event on June 27 at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds in Algona, Iowa.

With the help of dedicated volunteers from IAM Local 1045, members spent the day giving back by improving the fairgrounds through a variety of beautification projects. Volunteers prepped and painted an outhouse, refreshed a gazebo with touch-up painting, pulled weeds, and completed light landscaping throughout the area.

Beyond the work accomplished, the event brought members together for a day of camaraderie, conversation, and community pride under beautiful Iowa skies.

“This IAM H.E.L.P.S. event was a tremendous success because our members stepped up with enthusiasm and a commitment to serving their community,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Whether it was painting, landscaping, or simply working side by side, these volunteers demonstrated what it means to live the values of our union. I’m proud of District 6 and Local 1045 for their lasting tradition of service.”

District 6 leadership also praised the volunteers for making the event a memorable one.

“This was a great opportunity for our members to give back to a community that supports working families,” said IAM District 6 Directing Business Representative Pam Gonzales. “Everyone pitched in, worked hard, and enjoyed spending time together. It was rewarding to leave the fairgrounds looking better than when we arrived, and we’re already looking forward to our next IAM H.E.L.P.S. project.”

IAM H.E.L.P.S. (Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing) in the Community encourages IAM members across North America to strengthen the communities where they live and work through volunteer service. District 6’s inaugural event marks another example of IAM members making a positive impact beyond the workplace.

pic 10

pic 9

pic 7

pic 6

pic 5

pic 4

pic 3

pic 2

pic 1

group pic

The post IAM District 6 H.E.L.P.S. Beautify Kossuth County Fairgrounds appeared first on IAM Union.

IAM Union members joined labor activists, LGBTQIA+ advocates and allies from across the labor movement at the 2026 Pride At Work Quadrennial Convention, where delegates gathered to discuss the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ workers and set priorities for the years ahead.

The three-day convention brought together union members and leaders committed to defending hard-won rights, combating discrimination, and strengthening solidarity across the labor movement. Pride At Work serves as the AFL-CIO’s LGBTQIA+ constituency group, advocating for equality and inclusion both on and off the job.

The convention opened with a powerful presentation from NFFE-IAM member Dr. S.J. Joslin, a former Yosemite National Park ranger and wildlife biologist who shared their experience of being terminated from federal service.

Joslin worked at Yosemite National Park for nearly five years and is a published researcher studying the cliff-dwelling bat populations that inhabit the park. Joslin said they were terminated in May 2025 after participating during off-duty hours on a climb of El Capitan, a legendary rock formation in Yosemite National Park, where a trans pride flag was displayed.

According to Joslin, park officials initially investigated them for criminal misconduct and later administrative misconduct before ultimately citing probationary employment status as the basis for termination.

“They investigated me first for criminal misconduct, then they investigated me for administrative misconduct, and they found that I was unfit as a wildlife biologist,” said Joslin. “We are just trying to exist as people. We are just trying to go to the grocery store, use the bathroom, or have someone acknowledge that gender identity is a spectrum, and it doesn’t hurt anyone to let us accept ourselves.”

Joslin’s story underscored one of the convention’s central themes: the ongoing fight to ensure all workers are treated with dignity and respect regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Delegates also heard from Pride at Work Executive Director Brittany Anderson, a former IAM Union member who joined the labor movement in 2011 and served in several leadership roles at IAM District 77 before being elected co-president of Pride at Work in 2022.

“We all matter. No one wins if the rights of someone else are trampled on because you want to discriminate against them,” said Anderson. “I pray they have better angels to guide them.”

The convention featured remarks from several labor and political leaders, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Flanagan spoke about the importance of solidarity in confronting injustice and building stronger communities. She addressed the challenges faced by Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community and emphasized the need for workers and communities to stand together when confronting discrimination and division.

Delegates also heard from longtime LGBTQIA+ activist Cleve Jones, a protégé of the late Harvey Milk and the founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project. Jones reflected on decades of activism and the importance of preserving the history of movements that fought for equality and dignity during some of the nation’s most difficult moments.

Throughout the convention, delegates participated in discussions focused on organizing, collective action, workplace protections and strategies to push back against attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the labor movement’s strength comes from its ability to unite workers across industries, identities, and communities.

Peter Greenberg, IAM International Affairs Director, serves on the Pride at Work National Executive Board and chaired the IAM Convention Committee. IAM Local 2003 members Jennifer Bourassa and Jocelyn Joyner are Co-Presidents of the Pride at Work Alabama Chapter. Jennifer co-led a training on fighting authoritarianism, and Jocelyn served on the Convention Elections Committee.

As the convention concluded, attendees reaffirmed Pride At Work’s mission of advancing workplace equality and ensuring every worker has the freedom to live and work without fear of discrimination.

Joslin’s case remains a point of concern for many advocates. A federal judge in California recently dismissed a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful termination. The ruling also allowed to stand a policy that, according to Joslin, permits free speech on federal land to be restricted to designated “free speech zones,” raising broader concerns among labor and civil rights advocates about free expression and workers’ rights.

The post IAM Union Members Stand for Equality and Inclusion at Pride At Work Convention appeared first on IAM Union.

Wildfires continue to exact a growing toll on communities across the United States. According to NOAA data, wildfire damage has averaged between $15 billion and $25 billion annually over the past two decades. In 2025 alone, wildfire losses reached an estimated $57 billion. So far in 2026, more than 3.3 million acres have burned, with many fires sparked by lightning strikes on public lands and in national forests.

The dangers facing wildland firefighters were brought into sharp focus on June 27, when three firefighters were killed and two others suffered critical injuries while battling the Knowles Fire in western Colorado. The fire later merged with another blaze and is now known as the Snyder Fire.

Just days before the tragedy, members of Congress joined members of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) outside the U.S. Capitol to warn that staffing reductions, budget cuts, and agency reorganization efforts are weakening the federal government’s ability to prevent and respond to increasingly severe wildfires.

“Key wildfire prevention, mitigation, and management programs are experiencing irresponsible and reckless staffing and budget cuts that have dramatically, in my view, worsened working conditions for our wildland firefighters,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.). “This is creating unsustainable workloads, inadequate pay and benefits, and a dwindling trust in agency leadership, leading to three out of four wildland firefighters at the federal level considering leaving the workforce.”

In March 2026, the Trump administration reduced the U.S. Forest Service budget by $438 million, a 24% cut. The administration also announced plans to reorganize the agency into a state-based model, reducing regional staffing and relocating the agency’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City.

“In reality, this is a dismantling of a beloved 120-year institution that maintains the American people’s public lands,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “It would close 57 research facilities in 31 states, dismantling decades of locally based science that cannot be replaced. Once that research is disrupted, the taxpayer investment made over decades is lost forever.”

The reorganization proposal would also create a new Wildland Fire Service, replacing the Forest Service’s long-established wildfire response structure. The Forest Service’s incident management system has become the national standard for emergency and disaster response and has been adopted by emergency services around the world.

NFFE-IAM leaders argue that the proposed changes come at a particularly dangerous time. Fire activity in 2026 is already running at roughly twice the pace of the 10-year average, increasing concerns about the nation’s preparedness for a worsening wildfire season.

Federal workforce reductions have further compounded those concerns. Since 2025, thousands of Forest Service employees have left the agency through layoffs, attrition, and workforce restructuring efforts.

“Through these actions, we have already seen the loss of approximately 5,800 employees,” said Genny Kotyk, president of the NFFE-IAM Forest Service Council. “An additional 6,500 employees could be forced to relocate, resign, or accept significantly different positions. Our union surveyed employees and found that 93% would not relocate if forced to make that choice.

“This could be devastating for our country and the people who depend on these public lands,” Kotyk continued. “At a time when fire season is burning at twice the rate of the 10-year average, these cuts ignore our responsibilities to provide sustainable timber resources, protect endangered species, preserve archaeological sites, uphold tribal agreements, and keep our communities safe.”

As wildfire risks continue to grow, NFFE-IAM members and their allies are calling on Congress to protect the staffing, research, and operational resources needed to safeguard public lands, support frontline firefighters, and strengthen the nation’s wildfire response capabilities.

The post As Wildfires Intensify, NFFE-IAM Warns Forest Service Cuts Threaten Public Safety appeared first on IAM Union.

As the nation’s third-largest provider of bus, commuter rail, and light rail service, NJ TRANSIT plays a critical role in connecting communities across New Jersey with New York City and Philadelphia. 

Watch Video Here

Recently, IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh, along with District 19 leadership, toured the NJ TRANSIT facility to meet with IAM Local 1041 members and see firsthand the essential work they perform every day. Operating 12 commuter rail lines, the agency provides nearly 200,000 commuter rail trips on an average weekday, helping hundreds of thousands of passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently.

Behind that service is a skilled union workforce. IAM Local 1041 (District 19) members perform essential duties that keep the railroad operating day in and day out, from supporting train operations to handling other operational responsibilities. Their professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to safety help ensure one of the nation’s busiest commuter rail systems continues to serve the public with reliability and excellence.

“Our members are the backbone of the railroad industry,” said Murtagh. “Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safety keep America’s rail network moving every day. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt by every passenger who depends on safe, reliable rail service. We are proud of the work our members do and the commitment they bring to the job each and every day.”

For many IAM Union members, working on the railroad is about more than moving trains, it’s about serving the public while supporting their families through good union jobs.

“Working on the railroad isn’t just a job, it’s a responsibility,” said Brian Lock, a 22-year IAM Local 1041 member who also serves as Local Vice Chairman. “Every day, our passengers and fellow employees count on us to do our jobs safely and professionally. Being an IAM member means knowing I have a union that fights for fair treatment, good wages and the resources we need to do our work the right way.”

“I take great pride in being a member of a union that advocates for working families,” said Donald J. Winters, a 52-year IAM Local 1041 member. “The IAM has worked to protect our wages, benefits, and working conditions, enabling me to support my family while contributing to the daily operations of the railroad. It’s an honor to be part of this.”

EFR08802

EFR08801

EFR08798

EFR08790

EFR08786

EFR08784

EFR08780

EFR08777

EFR08775

EFR08772

EFR08764

EFR08762

EFR08757

EFR08753

EFR08752

EFR08747

EFR08745

EFR08744

The post How IAM Union Members Help Keep New Jersey Transit on Track appeared first on IAM Union.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13, 2026 — The 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is urging the District of Columbia Council to amend the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0684), citing concerns about the legislation’s impact on workers, public transit, and the local economy.

In a letter to Councilmember Charles Allen, who chairs the council’s Transportation and Education Committee, ahead of a Monday, July 13 public hearing, the IAM Union said it opposes the bill as written because of “the lack of guardrails to properly address the expected negative impacts to those such as existing ride-share drivers and the local economy.”

The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across North America, including tens of thousands of rideshare drivers. The IAM Union, along with SEIU, won a first-in-the-nation effort to represent 70,000 rideshare drivers in Massachusetts, and championed the successful passage of rideshare union legislation in Illinois.

“The IAM welcomes innovation,” wrote IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon in a letter to DC Councilmember Charles Allen, who serves as Chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. “Specifically, we welcome innovation that helps workers, not an unchecked innovation that threatens to upend thousands of jobs and disrupt a local economy.”

The IAM Union joined SEIU 32BJ in raising concerns about the potential impact autonomous vehicles could have on workers throughout the transportation sector. According to the union’s testimony, recent reports by Gridwise, an app that helps ride-share drivers track mileage and earnings, show that driver hourly pay declines in cities where autonomous vehicles have been introduced.

“We join with SEIU 32BJ in opposing the proposed District legislation as written, seeing AVs as threatening to destroy the jobs of thousands of workers in the District, not only rideshare, but those like public transit workers,” wrote Solomon.

The union also highlighted the important role ride-share drivers play in the District’s economy.

“As you know, many ride-share drivers tap platforms like Uber and Lyft for work that allows them to make ends meet, providing benefits not only for their families but for the local economy as well,” wrote Solomon. “These wages stay in the community for paying rent, paying income taxes, shopping at local grocery stores and other day-to-day costs that benefit the District.”

The IAM Union warned that the unchecked deployment of autonomous vehicles could divert economic benefits away from local communities.

“This upending of jobs threatens to shift such local economic gains away from the District and into the hands of Silicon Valley investors,” wrote Solomon.

The IAM Union is urging the Council to adopt strong worker protections and economic safeguards before advancing the legislation.

“Again, the IAM opposes this bill as written, and urge strong guardrails that protect drivers of the city and the economic vitality,” Solomon concluded.

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.

The post IAM Union Opposes D.C. Autonomous Vehicle Bill, Calls for Stronger Worker Protections appeared first on IAM Union.