Frequently Asked Questions

Who’s the “IAM”?

The IAM is a labor union made up of 600,00 working men and women in North America. We work at Lockheed Martin, Southwest Airlines, Harley Davidson and many others. Learn more by clicking the “About the IAM Union” tab above.

What exactly is a labor “union”?

We’re stronger together. Joining together in unions enables workers to negotiate for higher wages and benefits, as well as improve conditions in the workplace. There are millions of union members in America from all walks of life. Union members know that by speaking up together, they can accomplish more than they can individually.  

What is collective bargaining?

The process in which working people, through their unions, negotiate legally binding contracts with their employers to determine their wages, benefits, and other terms of employment.

What can union members bargain with their employers over?

By law, the employer is required to bargain over “wages, hours and other conditions of employment. This includes:

  • Wages
  • Health and Safety Procedures
  • Discipline and Grievance Procedures remove
  • Seniority

Fringe Benefits are also negotiable. This might include:

  • Vacation
  • Holidays
  • Health Insurance
  • Sick Time
How do I join the IAM?

Sign a union authorization card insert link to card https://collinsaerojax.iamsignup.org/addcard and vote YES in the election.

What happens next if we vote to join the IAM?

One of the first things we will do is survey all of the eligible workers in the shop to identify the issues that we want addressed. We will then elect some of us to be on a negotiating committee to work with the IAM Union reps to sit at the table and help negotiate our contract. Once we have a tentative agreement, all the eligible workers will have a vote to accept or reject the contract offer.

How much will my dues be?

IAM dues are established through Local or District Lodge bylaws and add up to just a fraction of your monthly take-home pay. 

What do my dues pay for?

Dues secure all the benefits, rights, services and privileges that are negotiated through collectively bargained contracts. Check out the “union advantage” page to see all that dues pay for.

How is the money monitored?

In every Local and District, at least six officers share responsibility for protecting the members’ dues money. Local Lodge funds must also be audited twice a year. The members nominate and elect auditors (Local Lodge officers may not serve as auditors) and three Trustees to review and verify the auditor’s reports. The reports must then be submitted for review by the Local membership and the General Secretary-Treasurer. As a further check, the International Union conducts periodic, unannounced audits of Local and District Lodge books. Likewise, the integrity of International Union finances are protected through annual audits by an independent firm of certified public accountants.

Will my dues money go to politics?

No. Dues money does NOT go towards political candidates. Every dollar spent on political lobbying comes from voluntary donations to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL). MNPL is separate from the IAM Union.

How do dispute resolutions work at a unionized facility?

 Without a union contract, employers can make whatever rules they choose, and change the rules whenever they choose. With a union contract, you have rules and legal rights in the workplace that the employer cannot change without negotiating with the union. Everyone covered by the contract has the legal right to appeal – that is, to file a “grievance” – if they believe the rules have been broken. Trained IAM stewards and business representatives will meet with management to attempt to resolve the grievance. Ultimately, cases can be taken before an impartial arbitrator to be resolved. 

How does the IAM ensure democracy and membership control of the union?

The IAM Constitution is the union member’s “bill of rights” and the fundamental law of the union. It guarantees the members’ right to nominate and elect their officers in secret ballot elections at every level of the union, from Local Lodge officers to the International President. It guarantees the members’ right to vote on contracts and to participate fully in every aspect of the life of their union. Changes to the constitution are made at the Grand Lodge Convention. Every four years a “convention call” is mailed to all Local Lodges. The members then nominate delegates and elect them in a secret ballot vote. Convention delegates, alone, have the power to amend the Constitution. The number of Convention delegates and votes assigned to a Local depends on the size of its membership.