The IAM has prepared this page to help you and your family learn about us and the benefits of union representation. If you have further questions, you can call 1-800-998-3554 to speak to an IAM representative.

1. Who is the IAM ?
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is a union of more than 700,000 active and retired members employed in 200 basic industries in the United States and Canada. The IAM was founded in 1888 by 19 railroad machinists in Atlanta, Georgia. The IAM negotiated the airline industry's first union agreement in 1939. Today, the IAM represents more than 120,000 air and rail employees, more than any other union.

In its 71 years in the airline industry, the IAM has negotiated top quality contracts for airline members in mechanic & related, ramp & stores, flight simulator technician, fuelers, customer service, cargo, reservation agent, flight attendant, flight dispatcher and office & clerical positions. The superior wages and benefits in IAM agreements make airline jobs the most sought after of any industry.

2. What does the IAM do?
The IAM's primary role is to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or contracts, with employers. Agreements are legal documents that establish wages, shifts, working conditions and benefits for all workers under its jurisdiction. Once negotiated, the IAM enforces the agreement by representing members having day-to-day problems with management; problems such as discipline, work rule or seniority violations, harassment, or discrimination. The IAM also addresses issues such as workplace safety and community services.

3. What are the benefits of joining the IAM?
Unions are one of the few organizations in America that represent the interests of workers on the job, in politics and in the community. As a union member, you do not face your employer alone. IAM-represented workers benefit by being treated with respect on the job and earning more on average in both hourly rates and benefits than do non-union workers in similar jobs.

Other benefits of IAM membership include access to IAM Scholarships and the AFL-CIO's Union Privilege Program. Each year, the IAM awards a number of college scholarships to eligible members and the children of members. The Union Privilege Program offers union members exclusive benefits such as a home mortgage program, legal services, life and accident insurance, personal loan programs and much, much more..

4. Who runs the IAM?
The members do. Every level of the IAM operates on the democratic principle of majority rule. IAM members have the right to participate in local lodge meetings, vote for local and international officers and vote on contracts and convention delegates. The Grand Lodge Convention, which convenes every four years, is the highest governing body in the union. Elected delegates set union policy and have the power to amend the IAM Constitution.

5. How is the IAM structured?
The IAM operates on three levels: local, district and international. All members belong to a local lodge which has jurisdiction in their city, town, or area. Members elect their own local officers and conduct their own day-to-day business. Every local must hold at least one monthly meeting for members to vote on expenditure of union funds, conduct local business, and discuss member concerns. Most locals are organized into districts covering a particular type of industry. All locals and districts come under the jurisdiction of the International, or Grand Lodge.
The International maintains a headquarters near Washington, D.C. to administer the union and to implement programs and policies mandated by the Grand Lodge Convention. Headquarters departments handle administrative functions and provide special services to the membership, including Collective Bargaining; Communications; Community Services; Human Rights; Legal; Organizing; Strategic Resources and the Women's Department. The Transportation Department has its own general vice president and office at headquarters that oversees agreements in the airline and railroad industries. The IAM also has five general vice presidents with regional offices in the Eastern, Midwest, Western, Southern and Canadian territories.

6. How are IAM officers elected?
International officers are nominated and elected by the membership every four years according to the terms spelled out in the IAM Constitution. In the airline districts, officers and assistant general chairmen are also nominated and elected by the members of their respective districts according to the terms of their district bylaws. Local lodge officers, grievance committee members and shop stewards are nominated and elected by the members of their local, also according to the terms of their local bylaws.

7. What's the difference between an Employee Involvement Team and the IAM?
Companies use Employee Involvement Teams (EIT's) and similar Employee Roundtables to avoid unions. By design, they give well-meaning employees the illusion of representation. Management prefers EIT's because management retains control over your working life. In the IAM, you have an independent voice. You get experienced, professional representation at the bargaining table whose job is to protect your interests.

8. How are new agreements negotiated?
For new airline agreements, or contracts, the appropriate district lodge assembles a negotiating committee consisting of experienced IAM negotiators and members of the newly organized group. Before negotiations begin, all fleet service workers can submit contract proposals to the negotiating committee concerning the issues they want addressed during negotiations.

9. How long do negotiations take?
Airlines operate under the jurisdiction of the Railway Labor Act. The Act does not set any time limits on negotiations. How long it takes to negotiate a new contract depends on the complexity of the issues involved, the resolve of the members, and the willingness of the company to bargain in good faith.

10. Do I get to vote on the agreement?
Yes. Once negotiations are complete, the negotiating committee will provide the membership with a tentative agreement for their review prior to voting to accept or reject it. A simple majority of members must vote to approve the tentative agreement before it becomes valid.

11. How much are dues?
Dues rates are approximately two times your hourly rate of pay. Generally, what it costs a union member in dues is paid back many times over by higher wages and more company-paid benefits than non-union workers.
The IAM believes that all members have a duty to pay their fair share of the costs of operating the union. Everyone gets the benefits of the contract, it's only fair that everyone shares in the cost.

12. How are IAM members' dues spent?
Dues pay for all the operating expenses of the union, including contract negotiations, grievance handling, and arbitration. In addition, dues cover the cost of union publications, legislative activities on your behalf, the IAM's William Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, community service programs and many other member services.

13. What about strikes?
In the IAM, strikes are a last resort, used only when all other means of reaching an agreement fail. The IAM negotiates more than 99% of its contracts without a strike. In the IAM, you can't go on strike unless you and your fellow members vote to do so. Strike approval requires a two-thirds majority vote of the membership in a secret ballot election.

14. What is a grievance procedure?
When you have union representation, whenever you believe that management has violated your rights, the contract, or subjected you to harassment or discrimination, you can file a grievance. You and your shop steward reduce the case to writing and file a grievance with management. That way the dispute is resolved in a professional manner and doesn't become a personal fight between you and management. Both the company and the union agree to make an earnest effort to ascertain the facts and seek a fair and equitable settlement.

15. What if I have a grievance?
Resolving a grievance starts with your shop steward. The shop steward is your IAM representative in the work area. When you have a problem, talk to your steward as soon as possible. The steward will determine if a contract violation occurred and will try to resolve the matter with your immediate supervisor. Where the company refuses to settle a valid grievance, a neutral arbitrator may be necessary to resolve the issue.

16. Is the IAM affiliated with other labor organizations?
Yes. The IAM is part of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a federation of 52 national unions with a combined membership of 9 million workers. The IAM is a recognized leader in the fight for worldwide labor rights. It maintains close ties with several major international labor organizations such as the 25 million member International Metalworkers Federation, the International Labor Organization and the Confederation of Free Trade Unions. The IAM holds leadership positions in the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), which unites 624 unions representing 4,500,000 transport workers in 142 countries. The Chair of the ITF's Civil Aviation Section is an IAM member.

17. Is the IAM involved in politics?
Yes. Legislation at the federal and state level has a tremendous impact on our members. The IAM has a very effective Legislative Department that monitors pending legislation in Congress that could affect the lives of our members and their families.
The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) raises voluntary contributions to assist pro-worker candidates and defeat those who consistently vote against the interests of our members.

18. When I join the IAM, how will I know what's going on in the union?
You can stay informed by going to union meetings and participating in your local's activities. Your steward and local officers can answer your questions about specific IAM policies and programs. In addition, you can read local, district and international union publications. Every member gets the IAM Journal, a publication from headquarters that covers air transport and other issues of concern to working families. The IAM also maintains an Internet web page at goiam.org and a twice-weekly I-mail that is sent directly to members by email. All Air Transport District Lodges maintain their own websites mail newsletters to their members. All Local Lodges are also required to have a Communicator who oversees the locals website, newsletter and other member communications.

19. I want IAM representation, what do I do?
The first step is to sign, date and return an IAM Authorization Card to an IAM organizer or mail it directly to the Machinists Union. When an election is called the most important thing to do is vote in an election is to vote and urge your fellow workers to vote, too. The election rules are governed by the Railway Labor Act and administered by the National Mediation Board (NMB). Under these rules, a majority (50% +1) of eligible workers must vote to make a valid election. That's why management will make every effort to discourage voter turnout.