We are known by many names, the IAM, the Machinists Union, the IAMAW; but we aren't just machinists.  The IAM is an International Labor Union, representing workers in the United States and Canado.  We have members in Public and Private sectors, in almost every workplace imaginable.  We represent workers, supervisors, and middle managers in Government, Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation,  Non-Profits, Aerospace, and many other industries.  

We collectively bargain to improve wages and working conditions, as well as protections on the job.

Union members earn an average of 27% higher wages, they often have better healthcare and retirement plans, more paid days off,  safer work environments, and better overall working conditions.  If you would like to see improvements in any of these areas, the IAM can help you.

In addition to our wide range of experience, the IAM puts a significant effort into educating our staff and members.  Every staff member attends courses at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Maryland.  These courses educate our staff in all aspects of Labor Representation so that we can provide exceptional service to our members.  We also offer many courses to our members; we firmly believe that educating our members is critical to creating a world class organization.  Many unions offer some type of basic education for their members, the IAM takes it a step further and puts our members in a highly structured classroom environment, similar to a College or University.  Check out our Resources page for more details.

There are State and Federal laws that protect workers who are trying to organize their workplace.  If your employer threatens you or retalliates against you for trying to organize, that is likely a violation of the law and the Union would file charges against the employer.

There is a very long list of protections and acts that employers are prohibited from engaging in.  Your employer cannot theaten, retalliate, discipline, monitor employees, ask employees what it would take to keep a union out of the workplace, and the list goes on and on.  Click Here for a comprehensive list of protections from the National Labor Relations Board

Almost anything that concerns compensation and working conditions can be negotiated.  Most common are Wages, Health and Welfare Benefits, Paid Holidays, Paid Leave, Paid Vacation, Retirement Plan, and Work and Safety Rules.

The IAM offers several retirement plans as well as very competitive Health and Welfare plans that may include: Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance.  These plans must be negotiated into your Collective Bargaining Agreement, in some cases the employer will offer their own competitive plan.  

One of the cornerstones of the IAM approach is workplace safety.  We have representatives on staff that are well versed in State and Federal workplace safety regulations and can help you navigate workplace safety issues.   We have experience working with Washington State Labor and Industries Department of Safety and Health and can arrange consultations or inspections if necessary.  

Its not uncommon for employees to become complacent to safety and health hazards, an outside resource can help identify and address these issues.  If there are a lot injuries, or even a few severe injuries, often times it's because the employer is not complying with safety regulations.  Please contact us if you need assistance with safety or health issues-even if you're not a member, we can provide assistance.

A majority of employees in your workplace must vote in an official election that is administered by the National Labor Relations Board.  Sounds like a big deal, but it's a very straightforward process and very easy to understand.  If you are interested in organizing your workplace, or even if you just have questions, reach out to our District 160 organizer for a no pressure conversation about how the IAM can benefit your workplace.

It's very common for employers to put their spin on popular news stories that give Union's a bad reputation.  An example would be "The Union is stopping children from returning to the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic because the Teachers don't want to teach".  This is not factual, Unions just don't have the authority to make that decision.  In most instances it's a half truth, the employer and the union made an agreement and the employer put their spin on it as a Union decision to keep parents and the news media off the employers back.  

Another common myth is that Unions protect bad employees.   Unions ensure that every employee is given due process, regardless of who they are or what they might have done. It's the employers responsibility to follow their discipline and termination practices, State and Federal laws,  and provide the employee due process.  If you ever hear somebody say the Union is keeping the bad employees from getting fired, that's just not the case.  A more accurate statement would be the employer did not follow the proper procedures and the employee was not given fair treatment.

The IAM offers many great benefits to being a member outside of the traditional collectively bargained items. 

All IAM members and their families are eligible for the IAM Free College program.  This means any member and their family can get an Associate's degree from an accredited College for absolutely free.  Bachelors degree's are also available, for little or no cost.
https://freecollege.goiam.org/

All IAM members have access to Union Plus benefits.  Union Plus offers discounts or preferred pricing on many items including insurance, restaurants, electronics. new vehicles, preferred mortgage rates, and much more. 
https://www.unionplus.org/

We also offer Machinists Custom Choices supplemental insurance options through our partnership with Employee Benefit Systems.
https://ebsworksite.com/mcc/