IAM Local 2184 (District 60), representing 480 IAM members at Pratt & Whitney, has a new three-year contract with the company after successful negotiations mid-March.

IAM District 60 Business Representative Heather Hildebrand led the negotiations that lasted a short five days and produced substantial wins.

The IAM Local 2184/Pratt & Whitney contract highlights include:

– Equity increase of 60 cents for all
– Wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3% per year
– COLA increased to 50 cents
– 401(k) increase of $2 each year
– Pension increase of 15 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents per year
– $2,000 ratification bonus
– Two additional paid holidays
– $2.50 shift premium
– Unused paid time off paid out at time and one-half
– Addition of Juneteenth holiday (unpaid)
– Shoe allowance increased to $150

“The group stood strong for that week. We had the full support of the membership, and their solidarity paid off because negotiations were very successful, “ said Hildebrand. “When we presented the contract to the membership, they stood up and applauded certain gains that were really important to them.”

The Bargaining Committee included IAM Local 2184’s Rick Cousino, Matt Fosburg, Antonio Velasquez Sr., Atiba Brooks, Ker Vue, IAM Eastern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Neil Douglas, and IAM District 60 Business Representative Heather Hildebrand.

“My thanks go out to IAM Aerospace Coordinators Bobby Barnwell and Denise Heath and Senior Research Economist Gwendolyn Camp,” said Hildebrand. “Their industry experience and assistance were absolutely crucial to the success of these negotiations.”

“Business Representative Heather Hildebrand and this Bargaining Committee had my full confidence in achieving a strong new contract for our members at Pratt & Whitney, who support families and are integral to the health of their communities and local economies,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. 

“My congratulations to the Committee and the hard-working members of Local 2184 on a strong new contract,” said Sullivan.

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A group of dispatch supervisors working for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) at Boston’s Logan International Airport have voted unanimously to join IAM District 15.

The workers made the decision to unionize in order to improve their working conditions and wages, as well as gain the ability to collectively negotiate for their future. They had been burdened with increased workloads, were not receiving the raises they deserved, and had little control over their schedules.

“We are thrilled to welcome these workers at Boston Logan International Airport into the IAM family,” said IAM District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative Mike Vartabedian. “Their decision to join our union is a testament to the strength of the IAM and our ability to fight for and defend the rights of workers across North America.” 

The dispatch supervisors are responsible for coordinating and communicating with crews and other airport personnel to ensure safe and efficient airport operations.

“Dispatch supervisors at Boston Logan International Airport work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of everyone who uses the airport,” said IAM District 15 Directing Business Representative Norm Shreve. “They deserve fair pay and working conditions that reflect the importance of their work. We look forward to working with them to negotiate a contract to achieve these goals.” 

The dispatch supervisors’ decision to join the IAM comes at a time when workers across the country are seeking to improve their working conditions and wages. 

“The IAM Eastern Territory has a long history of advocating for workers’ rights and fighting for better pay and benefits,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “With the addition of the Boston Logan International Airport dispatch supervisors, the IAM is poised to continue this important work and help workers achieve the fair treatment they deserve.”

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. April 4, 2024 – In a monumental stride toward enhancing workers’ rights and union representation, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM),  the labor union representing Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) employees, applauds the Maryland Senate’s passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at empowering library employees across the state. 

The Library Workers Empowerment Act, House Bill 609, sponsored by Delegate Jared Solomon (D-18), received bipartisan support in the Maryland House before making its way to the Senate, where it was met with overwhelming approval. The bill was cross-filed by Senator Clarence Lam (D-12) as Senate Bill 591. The Library Workers Empowerment Act paves the way for Maryland’s unorganized public library employees to form unions and collectively bargain with their employers. 

The IAM has been a vocal advocate for the bill, underscoring the importance of providing library workers with the tools they need to advocate for better working conditions, fair wages, and a more collaborative working environment. 

The passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act marks a significant milestone in these efforts, signaling a brighter, more inclusive future for library employees throughout Maryland. 

“We need to feel confident that our ideas and concerns will be heard. A union will give us that confidence and a means to negotiate our working conditions,” said Megan Baker, a Harford County Public Library (HCPL) employee working to organize with the IAM.

“We are thrilled to witness the passing of the Library Workers Empowerment Act,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This legislation is not just a win for library employees; it’s a victory for all workers seeking fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. We are grateful for the bipartisan support this bill received and look forward to seeing Governor Wes Moore’s signature making it law.”

“We need to be our own voice, to have the ability to advocate and fight for changes within the systems that are choosing to neglect us,” said Morgan Michael, a Harford County Public Library employee. “A union will give us that voice.” 

The bill now returns to the House for a final review before sent to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who is expected to sign the bill into law with an effective date of July 1, 2024. 

“The IAM and its members extend their deepest gratitude to the legislators who supported this piece of legislation and to the library employees who have tirelessly advocated for their rights,” said IAM Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) Local 4538 President and a Library Service Assistant Anita Bass. “This achievement is a testament to the power of solidarity and the importance of standing together for the betterment of all workers.”

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

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IAM District 60 is celebrating a recent major contract win at H.B. Fuller in Michigan.

 IAM Local 435 Bargaining Committee members Richard Dawson, Alan Lowe, Jacob Hildebrand, and District 60 Business Representative Heather Hildebrand attended a negotiations preparation class at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center before entering bargaining. 

IAM Local 435 represents 170 members at H.B. Fuller’s Michigan Center facility.

“The Committee did a fantastic job in negotiations, “ said District 60 Business Representative Heather Hildebrand. “For all but one committee member, this was their first time being on the Bargaining Committee. They had the members’ trust,  assumed their role earnestly, and represented the membership very well.”

Hildebrand sat on the Bargaining Committee in negotiations with the company in 2018 when she was a member of Local 435.

“Going five years, after taking some losses in the 2018 contract to now having bargained much of it back, this is a huge win for the group,” said Hildebrand. 

The negotiations lasted a full three weeks before a tentative agreement was reached. The last session of bargaining lasted 15 hours but produced a new three-year contract with impressive gains.

“Thanks to Business Representative Heather Hildebrand and the Local 435 Committee’s hard work at the table, we are celebrating impressive enhancements in this contract,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “I appreciate the dedication from this committee, putting in long hours to reach an agreement that serves our membership well.”

The IAM Local 435/H.B. Fuller contract highlights include:

– Reduced probationary period from 180 days to 160 days
– Strict guidelines on temporary employees
– Guaranteed time with new hires at orientation
– Improvements to funeral leave
– More than doubled shift premiums, from 35 cents to 75 cents
– Removal of company-determined performance-based wage increases and secured standard wage increases for all employees
– 3.5% wage increases in years 2 and 3 of the agreement
– Ratification bonus of $1,000

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The IAM joined U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), John Larson (D-Conn.), and John Rutherford (R-Fla.) in a letter urging chairs and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fully invest in the IAM-built F-35 Lightning II program for Fiscal Year (FY) 25.

“The F-35 is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, and continued investment in this program is essential to our national security and ensuring the United States maintains its air dominance,” wrote the lawmakers. “In addition, the F-35 provides for tens of thousands of high-skilled, Machinists Union jobs and supports more than 218,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.” 

“I appreciate Reps. Veasey, Turner, Larson, and Rutherford for fighting for investment in the F-35 program,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM will work with these lawmakers and other allies in Congress to uplift the national security and economic benefits of the F-35 program.”

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One year has passed since the tragic derailment of Norfolk Southern’s train in East Palestine, leading to severe toxic contamination that has profoundly impacted the community and its workforce. Residents and workers now grapple with deteriorating health conditions compounded by diminishing healthcare coverage. The cost of life-saving medical treatment has become an overwhelming burden for many, often reaching into the thousands of dollars.

IAM District 19 recently joined labor leaders, union members, environmental justice groups, community organizers, and supporters from across the nation joined together with local residents in the newly established Justice for East Palestine Residents and Workers Coalition. Their central aim is to urge President Biden to utilize the Stafford Act and declare East Palestine a major disaster area. Such a declaration would release essential federal resources required by residents and ensure emergency healthcare for everyone.

The conference featured panels consisting of residents, labor, and environmentalists. IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chairman Andrew Sandberg was featured on the labor panel.

READ: ‘If I don’t talk no one’s going to know’: Stories of pain from East Palestine move coalition members to action Pittsburgh Union Progress

“Corporate greed has taken over here. Railroad companies prioritize profit above all else,” said Sandberg. “Over the past five years, they’ve laid off approximately 2,000 to 3,000 machinists from major companies like Norfolk Southern, CSX, BNSF, and Union Pacific. Yet, it’s never sufficient. They continuously slash maintenance budgets, leading to incidents like the one we’ve witnessed here. Neglecting maintenance has dire consequences, and unfortunately, this is the outcome.”

The coalition is also supporting stronger railway safety protections through the Railway Safety Act, which would prohibit railroad carriers from imposing impractical deadlines on railcar and locomotive inspectors. This ensures inspections are conducted thoroughly and diligently, promoting overall rail safety for communities.

“We stand with the residents and workers of East Palestine, advocating for justice and urgent action,” said IAM District 19 Assistant President Directing General Chairman Juan Estrada. “By urging President Biden to invoke the Stafford Act and declare East Palestine a major disaster area, we seek to unlock vital federal resources and guarantee emergency healthcare for all. Together, we strive for a future where every individual’s well-being is safeguarded and prioritized.”

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Members of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists recently took up the fight for military veterans benefits by testifying in support of legislative measures to fully exempt certain totally and permanently disabled veterans from property tax.

Taylor Salman, an IAM District 26 Steward and Recording Secretary, U.S. Navy veteran and IAM Veterans Services Steering Committee member, submitted written testimony in support of House Bill No. 5405 that would establish a task force to study providing a property tax exemption to certain permanently and totally disabled veterans.

Mark Nati, an IAM District 26 Connecticut State Council of Machinists member and U.S. Marine Corps. veteran, submitted written testimony and testified in person before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee in support of the same bill.

A little over a week after Salman’s and Nati’s testimonies for H.B. 5405, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee introduced H.B. 5491, which would establish a property tax exemption for veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nati says that both bills appear to have significant support.

“If this proceeds, it will be huge considering not every state has this great benefit in place,” said IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Rich Evans.

The public hearing for H.B. 5491 occurred on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, and Evans wrote a letter of support to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

“The IAM has over 10,000 members with a sizable percentage of those members being Veterans. Our union’s roots run deep in Connecticut, and we support legislation that can help workers and families prosper and support the state’s continued growth and success,” reads Evans’ letter.

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On March 1, 2024, Regina Wright started her newly elected position as President of the Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM). The Ohio State Council of Machinists is an organization of 32 locals of the IAM, which represents over 20,000 members across Ohio and West Virginia.

Since 2016, Sister Wright has previously held numerous positions for the OSCM including Vice President, Legislative Director, and Communications Representative.

She currently works for the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) for District Lodge 54 as a Business Representative, a position she started on January 1, 2020. Prior to her appointment as a Business Representative, Regina started working for District Lodge 54 in 2012 as the District’s Communications Representative as a member of IAM Local 321/District Lodge 1.

Sister Wright graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University in 2017 with her B.A. in International Business and Political Science. She also completed her Master of Public Policy from The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at The George Washington University. She previously worked for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown in Cincinnati, OH and completed a fellowship for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in Arlington, V.A. and Washington, D.C. She is a fourth-generation union member.

“Regina was raised in this union, is a member of this union, and now will continue to bring the resulting tools of her education that will benefit our members and working families not just in Ohio and West Virginia but elsewhere,” said Don Riffee, 1st Vice President of the Ohio State Council of Machinists. “We are proud to have someone represent us with a strong union background and education.”

Within District Lodge 54 Regina was the first woman that has held a staff position and will also serve as the first woman President of the Ohio State Council of Machinists.

“I want to thank the Board for their support in my new position,” said Regina Wright, President of the Ohio State Council of Machinists. “I look forward to continuing the good work of our Council and working with all our locals in Ohio and West Virginia.”

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Cleveland-Cliffs in Middletown, Ohio, has received up to $500 million in federal funding for improvements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industries. The company plans to create 170 permanent jobs and 1,200 temporary union construction jobs while also preserving the site’s existing 2,500 jobs, which includes 2,000 IAM Local 1943 members.

The funding, which comes as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, would provide Cleveland-Cliffs Steel, America’s largest flat-rolled steel producer, to retire a blast furnace and replace it with two electric furnaces. 

IAM Local 1943 members will play a crucial role in carrying out projects that would enable the facility to use natural gas as fuel, thereby reducing the current carbon intensity of ironmaking by more than 50%. The facility could also potentially switch to a combination of natural gas and clean hydrogen, or entirely clean hydrogen, which would bring down the current carbon intensity of ironmaking by over 90%.

“The IAM applauds this historic Department of Energy grant awarded to Cleveland-Cliffs under President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The recognition is a tribute to IAM Local 1943 members’ dedication and expertise, the backbone of Cleveland Cliffs’ success. This DOE grant from the Inflation Reduction Act is a win for American manufacturing and sustainability. The IAM commends U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s commitment and the Biden-Harris Administration’s support for a stronger domestic steel industry.”

The initiative aims to support the creation of good-paying union jobs, revitalize industrial communities, and strengthen the nation’s manufacturing competitiveness.

“I applaud the members at IAM Local 1943,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This award will benefit Ohio’s working families for years to come. The IAM is proud to stand with our members as we continue strengthening the American workforce and promoting sustainability.”

The plant aims to reduce carbon emissions and become one of the world’s most advanced, lowest greenhouse gas-emitting iron and steel facilities.

“IAM Local 1943 members at Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works have fueled steel production for more than 100 years, powering essential products nationwide,” said IAM Local 1943 President and Directing Business Representative Shawn Coffey. “We are excited that this DOE grant validates our members’ hard work and commitment to driving our nation’s economy, and will help us continue making steel in Middletown, Ohio for 100 more. IAM Local Lodge 1943 would like to thank Cleveland Cliffs for their commitment to our members and the community of Middletown. I would also like to thank our elected officials, the DOE, and everyone involved for the hard work and dedication that they have put in to make this happen.”

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited Cleveland-Cliffs Steel in Middletown, Ohio, to make the announcement and share how this investment can help Ohio’s working families. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) had urged the U.S. Energy Department to approve the funding.

“This partnership will ensure that IAM steelworkers in Middletown remain at the forefront of the global steel industry,” said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. “This is why we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act – to ensure Ohio manufacturing continues to lead the world in the technologies that will drive our economy for decades to come. The Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works plant will support growing industries in Ohio while creating good-paying jobs, and ensuring that Ohio remains a national leader in manufacturing and innovation.”

Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Twitter

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The IAM has partnered with Voith Hydro Inc., in York, Pa., to assist in obtaining energy investment tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and to support IAM members’ increasing involvement in the hydropower industry.

Investments in renewable energy sources can increase the demand for hydropower. Voith Hydro is a Union facility that offers excellent equipment options to support this demand. By making such investments, new and advanced machining centers can be installed to replace outdated equipment and provide additional functionality. 

Accomplishing these improvements will require highly-skilled and competent machinists and other craftsmen to enhance productivity, safety, and quality. It’s worth noting that these investments qualify for the IRA 48C funding, which can be used to retool existing shops that produce renewable energy equipment.

Recently, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan along with IAM Eastern Territory Chief of Staff Charles Herod and IAM District 98 and IAM Local 1400 committee members Justin Becker, Rob Bedford and Local Lodge President Luke Miller, visited the Voith Hydro facility in York, where they had the opportunity to meet with members and discussed with the company on how the energy tax credits could help workers and create more opportunities. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Voith Hydro to support our members’ involvement in the hydropower industry,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “These investments could go a long way in supporting the development of renewable energy sources, and it opens up new opportunities for IAM members and their communities.”

U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) have shown support for this initiative to invest in U.S. hydroelectric manufacturing.

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