Dear IAM Family,
Happy 136th birthday to the IAM! It’s a testament to all of you, and all those who came before us, that our great union has risen from a railroad pit in Atlanta in 1888 to the powerful force for working people that we are today.
Since having the honor of becoming the IAM’s 15th International President on Jan. 1, myself and your Executive Council have hit the ground running to build on our successes.
We are listening to you – our membership. We are organizing and growing our union. We are embracing our diversity. Most of all, we are moving the IAM into an even brighter future.
Led by membership input gathered last year by the IAM Committee on the Future, myself and your Executive Council are already implementing changes to strengthen our union. We are working toward new ways of communicating with our members and branding our union, expanding mentorship and training opportunities, improving our union’s structure, and much more.
And, our renewed focus on organizing is paying off. The IAM was amongst the fastest growing unions in 2023, and this year, we’ve already won campaigns to represent airline workers, healthcare professionals, artificial intelligence workers, manufacturing workers and more.
We are taking on employers big and small and winning record gains for our members. And, we are realizing our true potential by investing in the leadership of women and other under-represented groups through our new IAM Human Rights Department, and more.
As I continue to travel North America to meet our membership and hear your ideas, I am more hopeful than ever about the future of the IAM. Every day, we are moving closer to fulfilling our purpose of delivering security, dignity and opportunity for all.
Most of all, thank you to all of you for being a part of this journey. Together, we will continue to inspire, empower and create this more perfect union.
In solidarity,
New IAM Staff Learn Critical Skills to Represent Members
The IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center recently conducted its week-long foundational skills class for officers and other representatives in the machinists union. Two full classrooms allowed new staff to meet and work with colleagues from around North America.
During the class, members learned how to manage their time and make schedules to service the membership. Class participants also studied a math program to help with future contract negotiations. Many speakers came to the education center, such as the Communications Department, who informed the students of how information can be given to the membership. Business Representative Shawn Altgilders gives a briefing in this video.