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This article was featured in the Winter 2026-2027 IAM Journal and was written by IAM Communications Representative Bill Harkum
The leadership of the IAM Union’s Air Transport Territory has recently been contemplating how to grow the union in exciting ways, and has decided to expand its efforts to do so.
“We started five years ago, and we had this grand plan to communicate and be visible, so members see that they are being heard and understand the union is them, and we are working for them,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “If they don’t see or hear from us, they don’t think anything is being done. So we decided to work harder to get the message out.”
The first step was to totally revamp the initial engagement with new members. The Air Transport Territory new hire program was rebuilt with a strong foundation in unionism in mind, to help identify and grow future leaders.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. But you face dangers alone. If you want to go far and survive, go together,” is an old African proverb.
Every worker wants to be the No. 1 draft pick and command the largest contract dollars, but at most job sites, pay and benefits are not a function of hard work nor talent. It is simply cost controls. Every worker will not command the highest dollar in benefits, unless they use strength in numbers. Strong solidarity can build structures that fight for the best benefits of all, but that takes all workers pulling together, not just the No. 1 draft pick.
Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen meets with young workers at Alaska Airlines Cargo at SeaTac airport in Washington state.
“We always hear the term ‘knowledge is key’, and rightly so. If we don’t take the time to learn, we cannot have a thorough understanding of the challenges ahead,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “With wisdom comes judgment, and correct judgment gives us an advantage at the right time to implement a plan. Keep in mind that empathy is also essential.”
Empathy for each other is common in a workforce, and at the job site, they see the best and the worst of the daily grind to produce. Solidarity grows from seeking justice on the job for all.
With over 100,000 members represented by the Air Transport Territory, the largest segment in the IAM Union, there are plenty of talented people rising in their careers who are the natural leaders of this union in the future.
“I was looking for work, and someone told me about the United Airlines jobs in Houston. When I went through new hire orientation, it was my first exposure to unions,” said IAM Local 2198 Young Workers Committee Chair Quintarius Oliver. “It changed everything I thought about unions, and I saw how it could bring people together. So I dived right in, and they put me to work building the Young Workers Committee for the Local. I love going back to my high school to talk about the union and jobs that kids about to graduate do not know are out there. My union job was a great step for me, and I hope that I can pass that on to as many people as I can.”
IAM Local 2198 Young Workers Committee Chair Quintarius Oliver speaks to a crowded room of young people at Elisk High School in Houston during a job fair.
“Quintarius is a great example of the leaders we are looking for. He shows that new hire orientation is working. It has increased involvement and awareness of how the union supports members and what it does on their behalf,” said IAM District 141 President and Directing Chair Mike Klemm. “Younger members are asking questions and sharing what they learn through the orientation program.”
“Individuals who command a room when addressing members and possess credibility and respect among their peers are the people we need to grow into leaders for our future. Stay true to yourself, underpromise, and overdeliver. These are the keys to a successful union leader,” said Klemm.
With District 142 reaching from the Dominican Republic to Alaska and Hawaii, you need to command more than just a room when addressing members.
“I became involved with our new hire program around 2023 when I became a grievance representative. I wanted to educate new members about the IAM, the benefits and protections available to them, and most importantly, the power of their voice,” said IAM Local 2339N Recording Secretary and Communicator Kayla Felix. “I believe the people who are successful in taking on new roles and leadership positions are those who are willing to learn while understanding they will never know everything. To me, the beauty of education is that it never ends—there is always something new to learn, grow from, and share with others.”
So where do you look for a person like that?
Richie Johnsen reminisces about how he got involved. Jim Barnett was a committeeman to Johnsen early in his career at United Airlines in Oakland, Calif.
“He was an interesting guy because he taught psychology at the junior college, so his perspective on how to be a representative was different than anything I’d ever seen before,” said Johnsen. “He said, ‘Hey look, if you have any guts, you’ll do this.’ He said, ‘You step up- and you do it.’”
District 141 President and Directing Chair Mike Klemm speaks to his staff and committee members about the importance of engagement with new and current members through the new hire orientation program.
Another mentor, Robert Roach Jr., told Johnsen that, “if you do this the right way, you could be me someday.”
“But here we are 25 years later, and I’m in this position as General Vice President,” said Johnsen. “So my message to any young worker out there is to step up, get involved, and then when a door opens, or a window opens, or a crack in the wall opens, go through it! Take that chance! Say I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, I have the work ethic. Take the chance!”
To support that effort, General Vice President Johnsen and Air Transport Territory leaders have announced their “Ride Along Program.”
The program offers an open opportunity for union members who have stepped up to be paired with a senior union mentor, allowing up-and-coming leaders to shadow current leaders at key events and functions. It is also an investment in the Air Transport Territory of tomorrow and the future of the IAM Union.
The IAM does not take applications for an opportunity like this – these opportunities are reserved for those who make a commitment to serve their fellow members. Are you one of those future leaders?
