You have taken the first step towards a better life for you and your family by seeing what the IAM can do for you.

We represent workers across North America, ensuring their right to power in the workplace. That power is demonstrated in guaranteed paychecks and pay increases, defined workrules and solid representation.For more than 100 years we have fought for workers' rights and the benefits so often taken for granted. Benefits like sick pay, leaves of absence, bereavement leave, holidays, vacations, retirement security and healthcare.

Where will you find the I.A.M.?

You will find Machinists in Aerospace, Transportation, the Federal Government, Automotive, Defense, Woodworking and several other industries. We represent workers at companies as diverse as Harley-Davidson, Southwest Airlines, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Freightliner, Tennessee Valley Authority and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The IAM Organizing Departmentcan help you in many ways. We have an experienced and motivated staff to lead you through your campaign. These people work very hard to maintain our winning record.

Already in a Union

If you’re already in a union, we may be able to help you affiliate with the IAM. Being a part of the large, successful IAM can improve your bargaining power and provide many member-only benefits. Organizations like the Shipbuilders Union, Die Sinkers International Union, Patternmakers Union, International Woodworkers of America, theNational Federation of Federal Employees and the Transportation Communications International Union have all joined the IAM family.

Organizing a Union where you work

Organizing a union in your workplace also strengthens the movement for social justice. In these difficult times workers and their families benefit from solidarity and the powerful voice it can raise when programs like Social Security are threatened. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers was founded over a century ago in Atlanta, Georgia as a union of skilled mechanics on the railroads. Today, the IAM represents workers across the fifty United States, its territories, and Canada in a wide range of trades and occupations. Ourunion is well known for its leadership in the aerospace and air transportation sectors, but the IAM has a strong presence across the industrial spectrum from manufacturing to automotive service to government. The Machinists Union strength can be seen and felt in everything that keeps North America moving. You too can be a part of North America's Might.

The I.A.M. Advantage

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers was founded over a century ago in Atlanta, Georgia as a union of skilled mechanics on the railroads. Today, the IAM represents workers across the fifty United States, its territories, and Canada in a wide range of trades and occupations. Our union is well known for its leadership in the aerospace and air transportation sectors, but the IAM has a strong presence across the industrial spectrum from manufacturing to automotive service to government.

Wage Increases

IAM members enjoy industry-leading wages in every sector where we represent workers.Last year, the average IAM member received a general wage increase of 3.5%. That''s well above the average wage increases bargained in the manufacturing sector in either the U.S. or Canada.

Paid Time Off

Beyond the financial benefits of better pay and fringe benefits, almost all IAM contracts provide other benefits, such as paid vacations, paid holidays and extra pay for overtime.

Moreover, IAM workers enjoy signifcantly more paid leave time than workers without a collective bargaining agreement. For example, the number of paid holidays in small firms is just 7.6 days, in large firms, the average is 9.3 days. But under IAM contracts, the average number of paid holidays is 11.2.

Job Security

Some of the most important benefits that we get from Union membership are impossible to put a price tag on: representatives in the workplace of our own choosing, an active, collective voice to bargain over working conditions, and due process on the job.

Most non-union employees don''t know that they check many of their rights at the office door or at the factory gate. Generally speaking, unless you work under a collective bargaining agreement, you are an “at-will” employee. That means you could be fired at any time for any reason – or even for no reason at all. Joining the IAM means you''ll work under a contract with an enforceable grievance process, protecting you from unjust discharge.

The IAM has been a leader in negotiating innovative contract language to protect its members from layoffs, plant closings, and outsourcing.

As Union members, we know that collective bargaining is the best way to promote the basic, democratic principles of fairness and dignity at work. Every month, more and more people are recognizing the advantages of a Union and a choosing the IAM.

Retirement Benefits

IAM members enjoy top-notch retirement benefits, whether through collectively-bargained employer-sponsored plans, or through IAM-sponsored plans like the IAM National Pension Plan.

Defined benefit pension plans, which specify a formula for future benefits, provide the financial security of a guaranteed monthly benefit in retirement. Defined contribution plans (like 401(k)''s) function as savings plans, allowing employees and their employers to set aside money for retirement savings. While defined contribution plans can be good supplements to an insured defined benefit pension plan, they cannot provide the kind of security that a worker needs in retirement.

IAM collective bargaining agreements guarantee defined benefit pensions for more than 87% of IAM members.

Compare this number to figures for the U.S. workforce as a whole: defined benefit plans are available to only 15% of employees of small firms and to just 50% of employees of medium and large firms.

Roughly 60% of IAM members work under a contract with both a defined benefit and a defined contribution plan

1. People who belong to unions have better wages and conditions than non-union members: - Did you know that union members on average earn 15% more than non-union members!


2. Unionised workplaces have better health and safety conditions and are more likely to elect representatives who are then legally entitled to monitor health and safety at work.


3. Unions have a long and proud history of defending the rights of working women, part timers and casuals. It is much more difficult for employers to discriminate against women union members who are aware of their rights. Anti-discrimination laws, paid maternity leave and family leave was won by unions who continue to fight for improved conditions for part time and casual workers.


4. Overtime rates, annual leave, rostered days off, redundancy agreements, long service leave payments - these are all conditions fought for by unions. Employers do not just hand out entitlements.


5. Unions collectively and individually support education and training for employees and lobby for on-the-job training for members. The benefits flow onto everyone.


6. The Union movement has successfully lobbied state and federal governments for better laws to protect low paid workers such as outworkers.
7. People who are active in their unions learn heaps about their working environment and how it can be improved - they can help fellow workers and have fun at the same time.


8. In tough economic times, employers will try to cut jobs and increase productivity - it is unions who make sure that big companies don't put profit before people.


9. Unions help to break down barriers in workplaces - they unite workers and create a community so workers don't feel isolated and fearful of employers.


10. Unions are involved in important social and community issues. The environment, women's movement, Aboriginal reconciliation, rebuilding East Timor and other overseas aid and rights for refugees are just some of the social justice issues unions become involved with.