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WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2025– The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), the largest air transport union in North America, recently wrote a letter urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen its plans to improve airport ramp worker safety significantly. In formal comments submitted to the agency, IAM Union Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen called the FAA’s proposed voluntary safety questionnaires “a good step forward,” but emphasized that a broader research scope and stronger data collection are essential to protecting frontline workers.
The FAA survey stems from a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directs the agency to initiate a ramp worker safety “call to action.” The effort aims to bring together stakeholders, share best practices, and implement measures to reduce hazards, including ingestion zone and jet blast zone incidents.
“This call to action is much needed, as ramp workers face dangerous working conditions across various roles,” wrote Johnsen. “We’ve witnessed the steady string of such tragic events for years. This year is no different, as we’ve witnessed increased incidents like in February, an IAM member employed by United Airlines was seriously injured in a collision between a plane and a tug vehicle, a tragic incident that came just days after an IAM member employed by American Airlines was killed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after being hit by an aircraft tug on the tarmac.”
GVP Johnsen highlighted the IAM Union Reporting System as a national model for effective, data-driven safety improvements The IAM Union Reporting System was developed under the leadership of IAM International President Brian Bryant and General Vice President Richie Johnsen, in close coordination with safety representatives, data experts, and labor stakeholders. Built over two decades, it stands as a nationally recognized platform for capturing, analyzing, and applying occupational safety data to protect workers on the ramp and in airline maintenance roles.
The IAM is urging the FAA to:
The IAM Union offered to brief FAA officials on the system and invited collaboration with the IAM Air Transport Territory, which played a central role in developing the initiative.
Read the complete letter here.
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, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
