Mar 6, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union, and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, issued the following statement calling for an end to all Canadian tariffs:
“The IAM Union strongly urges President Trump to end all tariff actions against Canada, one of our closest allies, without delay. Instead of escalating tensions, the President should embrace trade policies that strengthen the economic bond between the U.S. and Canada. This is a critical moment in history that can bring together workers and unions from both nations to craft solutions for the future. “The IAM Union represents 600,000 workers, including tens of thousands in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing—industries that depend on strong U.S.-Canada cooperation. These tariffs destabilize those sectors, putting livelihoods and our nations’ economies at risk.
“Now is the time for all stakeholders – government, business, and labor – to unite in developing a comprehensive strategy that strengthens and grows critical manufacturing in both the U.S. and Canada. Workers on both sides of the border deserve a seat at the table in shaping policies that affect their jobs, our shared economic prosperity, and national security.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post IAM Union Urges End to All U.S. Tariffs on Canada, Cooperation Amongst Both Countries to Grow Worker Prosperity appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 27, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
MEDIA ADVISORY
March 3: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, Labor Allies to Celebrate Federal Workers Outside McPherson Square Metro Station
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2025—The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), along with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), will host an event to celebrate the contributions of federal workers on Monday, March 3, 2025, during peak commute morning hours outside the McPherson Square Metro Station. The U.S. Veterans Affairs Department is housed directly above the station’s Vermont Avenue exit.
Federal workers are the backbone of our nation, providing essential services that keep our country running. They are healthcare professionals caring for our military veterans, wildland firefighters protecting our lives and property, and park rangers watching after our national treasurers. The IAM Union, America’s largest defense labor union, has the highest percentage of military veteran members in the labor movement.
Event Details:
What: IAM Union and NFFE-IAM to host a visibility event to thank federal workers
When: Monday, March 3, 2025 from 7 to 9 a.m.
Where: Outside the McPherson Square Metro Station (Vermont Avenue exit; Vermont & I “Eye” Streets NW)
Who: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, labor allies, and community supporters
RSVP: Reporters interested in attending can RSVP by emailing Bethany Shelton (bshelton@iamaw.org).
Volunteers will distribute informational materials, engage with commuters, and hold signs thanking federal workers. Members of Congress, elected officials, and local community leaders are invited to attend this event.
“The IAM Union is honored to represent dedicated federal employees and service contract workers who deserve our appreciation and support each and every day,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “This event will be one of many that will recognize federal workers for their contributions while we stand up for their rights in the workplace.”
The IAM Union invites members of the media to attend and cover this event. Visuals and interview opportunities will be available.
“We know that Federal Workers are committed to serving the American people and we value their work, as do hundreds of millions of other Americans,” said Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). “We intend to show each and every one of those workers that we support them and will fight for them because it is the right thing to do.”
The 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, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion
The post March 3: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, Labor Allies to Celebrate Federal Workers Outside McPherson Square Metro Station appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 25, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
The Kentucky State Council recently held a productive lobby day at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., where members of IAM District 1888, including Locals 1294 and 1720, gathered to advocate for policies that benefit working families across the state. During the event, IAM members met with Kentucky state representatives and senators to discuss and advance key legislative issues.
Top priorities included advocating for bills addressing heat stroke prevention and promoting the use of American-made materials in publicly funded projects. IAM members also had the opportunity to meet with Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to discuss ongoing advocacy efforts and critical issues facing workers today.
“By participating in these advocacy efforts, members gain a clearer understanding of the legislative process and the grassroots efforts that shape workers’ rights,” said IAM District 1888 Business Representative Ryan McCarthy. “It’s important to engage at every level, from national policies to local city councils, to foster real, lasting change.”
A notable achievement from the event was securing a co-sponsor for two crucial bills. One focuses on establishing stronger work standards for teenagers, while the other aims to strengthen child labor laws, ensuring safer and more equitable working conditions for Kentucky’s youth.
“The IAM is proud of our members who understand the importance of participating in the political process,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “The laws and policies created today will directly impact the future of our jobs, families, and communities.”
The lobby day was organized in collaboration with the Kentucky AFL-CIO to amplify the voices of working people and strengthen worker advocacy across the state.
See photos here.
The post Kentucky State Council Hosts Successful Lobby Day at State Capitol appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 25, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM Union, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), and allies representing more than 2 million workers have been granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Education from disclosing sensitive personal information to employees affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who do not have authorization to receive the information.
Six individuals, including military veterans, personally harmed by DOGE’s theft of their private information joined the suit filed by the IAM, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), the AFT, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). Protect Democracy and Munger, Tolles & Olson are counsel to the plaintiffs. The suit alleges that DOGE staff have not been properly vetted and have been granted access to some of the government’s most sensitive data systems, in violation of the Privacy Act.
“The IAM Union will always fight to protect our members and our veterans who work so hard to protect our country,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “From caring for our veterans to protecting our national parks, these dedicated civil servants are the backbone of keeping our nation’s promises to the American people. We’re glad the court has agreed to halt this illegal incursion into their personal information.”
“NFFE is pleased to see the court has sided with workers, who have a right to privacy regardless of who is in the White House,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “This is just one of the many unwarranted attacks that federal employees have faced over the past month. We will continue to challenge any violations of law to ensure our members can do their jobs in service to the American public.”
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the claim from the IAM and its plaintiffs — including military veterans and unions representing millions of veterans, teachers, scientists, engineers, federal employees — would likely be successful. The plaintiffs argue that OPM and the Education Department violated the Privacy Act by granting DOGE affiliates unauthorized access to systems containing sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers, bank account information, health records, and other private data.
“Today, the Court agreed with our claim that DOGE affiliates do not need to access Americans’ highly sensitive and private data to do their jobs,” said Kristy Parker, Counsel at Protect Democracy, who represents the plaintiffs. “This ruling is an important step in protecting American’s right to privacy from people who may not have appropriate authority to access it and who may not be using it properly or with adequate safeguards.”
In the 33-page ruling, the judge wrote that “none of these workplace reform measures,” allegedly contemplated by the executive orders covering DOGE “appears to require” OPM and Department of Education employees “to access records with the sensitive personal information of current and formal federal employees” and that the government “never explains why” OPM and Department of Education personnel need this access to implement workplace reform measures.
The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until March 10, 2025, and prevents:
- The Department of Education from disclosing personally identifiable information to any DOGE affiliates.
- OPM from disclosing personally identifiable information to any OPM employee working principally on the DOGE agenda (with the exception of OPM Chief Information Officer Greg Hogan).
The court denied the plaintiffs’ request for relief against the Treasury Department, noting that a previous injunction in another case already provides the plaintiffs protection against Treasury.
The post Protecting Our Membership, America’s Veterans: IAM Union, Allies Win Injunction to Stop OPM, Education Department Disclosure of Private Federal Worker Data appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 14, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
IAM Union is calling on President Trump to immediately reverse his decision and reinstate Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). IAM Union believes this action is critical for ensuring that working Americans receive the full protections they are entitled to under U.S. labor law.
On Jan. 27, President Trump unlawfully dismissed Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board. This decision was not only a violation of legal processes, but also a direct assault on the rights of American workers.
TAKE ACTION: Call 866-832-1560 or click here to urge your representatives to support Wilcox’s reinstatement.
By reducing the NLRB to only two members, the president has effectively crippled the board’s ability to function, leaving workers vulnerable to union-busting tactics and retaliation.
“The IAM urges President Trump to reverse the unprecedented and illegal firing of National Labor Relations Board Member Gwynne Wilcox, restore the Board’s independence, and protect workers’ rights,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant in a letter sent to members of Congress.
Thanks in large part to the IAM’s advocacy, a bipartisan group of 265 lawmakers, including every single U.S. House and Senate Democrat, as well as U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reinstate Wilcox “to restore the NLRB’s ability to protect the rights of American workers to organize and collectively bargain, which have already been impaired by understaffing at the agency and now are effectively lost by the lack of quorum on the NLRB.”
The post IAM Union Urges Reinstatement of Illegally Fired Labor Board Member appeared first on IAMAW.
Feb 13, 2025 | Politics & Legislative News
The IAM Union and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) joined a coalition of labor unions in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s orders to gut the federal workforce. The complaint challenges the firing of probationary employees, the deferred resignation ploy to pressure employees to voluntarily resign, and large-scale reductions-in-force (RIFs) that violate federal laws.
The lawsuit calls out the administration’s reckless attacks on America’s long standing, merit-based civil service. Since Jan. 20, the administration has ordered the firing of thousands of new federal workers regardless of their skill and experience, badgered nearly 2 million federal employees to resign in fear of losing their jobs, and threatened the elimination of entire agency functions—if not the actual agency itself—and the jobs that go with them.
“When the livelihoods of IAM members are under attack, our union will always fight back,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “We are fighting for everyday workers who put their hearts and souls into doing tough, critical jobs for the American people. These are healthcare professionals caring for our military veterans, wildland firefighters protecting our lives and property, and park rangers watching after our national treasurers. If anyone thinks they can unilaterally and unconstitutionally stomp on our members’ dignity, and the vital jobs they do, we’ll see them in court.”
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, also alleges the Trump Administration is illegally undermining Congress’s authority by eliminating federal agencies and jobs that have been created and authorized by the legislative branch. The suit asks the court to declare that the mass firing of probationary and other employees and the deferred resignation program, collectively, are unlawful.
“The Trump Administration’s executive actions to gut the federal workforce are not only illegal, but will also have damaging consequences for federal employees and the public services they provide,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “The courts must intervene and hold this Administration accountable for violating federal laws before it is too late. Federal workers are your friends and neighbors who have dedicated their careers to serving our country. We cannot let the President disrupt their lives and dismantle critical services relied upon by the American people.”
The IAM and NFFE-IAM are also part of a coalition suing to challenge a data heist carried out by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency inside three federal government departments.
The post Protecting our Members’ Jobs: IAM, NFFE-IAM Join Labor Coalition in New Lawsuit Over Illegal Gutting of Federal Workforce appeared first on IAMAW.
Recent Comments