Shop Steward/ Committee Person Training
2Sep, 2025
Labor Day 2025
Happy Labor Day
Dear IAM Family,
As we celebrate Labor Day, I want to take a moment to recognize and honor the incredible contributions of members like you across our union and beyond. Labor Day is not just any other holiday—it’s a powerful reminder that we are the backbone of our society, the builders of our economy, and the fighters for fairness, dignity, and respect in the workplace. It’s also a day that was founded by a Machinist all the way back in 1882. Watch a video message of our members explaining what Labor Day means to them.
Our freedom to organize, to stand together, and to advocate for our rights is a hard-won treasure—and it is under attack like few times in our history. It is the foundation upon which we continue to fight for better wages, safe working conditions, and respect on the job. This day is a celebration of our collective strength and resilience, but also a call to action to use our rights and voice to push for the fairness we deserve.
I want to acknowledge our members at Boeing Defense in St. Louis, Libbey Glass in Ohio, and all our IAM Family who are currently on strike. Your courage and solidarity exemplify the very spirit of Labor Day. Your fight is about more than individual issues—it’s about securing a better future for all workers, ensuring that we are all treated with respect.
Let’s honor this day by reaffirming our commitment to standing together, advocating for justice, and building a future where every worker’s dignity is recognized. Together, we are stronger. Together, we will continue to fight for the dignity and respect every worker deserves.
Watch my video message to all of you here.
In salutation,
Brian Bryant
IAM Union International President
4Jun, 2025
Calling All ‘Leaders and Legends’ to Join Us at the 2025 IAM Retirees Conference
We’re proud to invite our IAM family to the upcoming IAM Retirees Conference, taking place Oct. 20-22, 2025, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931). This year’s theme, “Leaders and Legends,” will honor the contributions of our retirees while energizing and empowering us for the work ahead.
This gathering is more than just a conference, it’s a celebration of solidarity and strength. Retirees and future retirees from across North America will come together to build community, share experiences, and strategize on how to elevate retiree engagement within our union.
You can expect dynamic guest speakers, thought-provoking breakout sessions, and the opportunity to connect with fellow IAM members who have helped shape our proud history. As a highlight of the event, we’ll take a special tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Oct. 22 — an experience you won’t want to miss.
The deadline to register for both the conference and hotel: Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you in Cocoa Beach as we celebrate the legacy of our retiree leaders and legends and chart a bold path forward together.
29May, 2025
IAM Union Centralizes Organizing Efforts to Deepen Focus on Growth
In order to more strategically and effectively grow the union, the IAM Union Executive Council has unanimously voted to centralize the union’s U.S. organizing efforts.
The decision builds on IAM Union organizing successes in both traditional and emerging industries for the union, such as healthcare and non-profits. The IAM Union was recently recognized as the second-largest union in terms of membership percentage growth among the top 20 largest U.S. unions.
Part of the plan involves a more central organizing structure built out of the IAM Union Organizing Department, which will allow for more sharing of knowledge and coordination in campaigns. Six Assistant Organizing Coordinators will manage organizing efforts, under the leadership of IAM Organizing Director Mike Evans and Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge.
IAM Assistant Organizing Coordinators
Eastern: Brent Coleman
Western: Joe Solis
Southern: Bridget Fitzgerald
Midwest: Ali Rhodes
NFFE-IAM: Jerry McCarty
IAM Headquarters and Rail Division: Jason Woodward
“In recent years, the IAM Union has opened our doors to an even more diverse array of members, rebranded our union for the future, and now we are taking the next logical step toward becoming a true organizing union,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “This new structure will further our commitment to growth, as well as improve service to our current members by allowing more representatives to focus on negotiating, servicing and more.”
International President Bryant, as well as Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett, recently met with the Organizing Department to strategize for the future. Representatives from IAM Departments also spoke with organizers about growing collaboration efforts.
“Our IAM Executive Council is more committed than ever to giving our organizers every resource necessary to grow and strengthen our union,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “We know that this is the right team at the right time to deliver for working people who need and deserve strong IAM representation.”
Learn more about the IAM Organizing Department and its recent victories here.
“This is an exciting time to organize in the IAM Union, and myself and Juan are honored to be on this journey with such a talented group of organizers,” said IAM Organizing Director Mike Evans. “We thank our Executive Council for taking this bold step to further prioritize the Organizing Department and the work we do to grow our union.”
16May, 2025
Congratulations Makena Blalock. This years I.A.M. Scholarship Award Winner
Thursday evening Local 709 had the pleasure of helping celebrate our own Brother Chris Blalock’s daughter, Makena Blalock. Brother Blalock is a strong member of the I.A.M. and we are excited to help celebrate with him and his family. As I talked with brother Blalock, he expressed how proud he is and noted Makena has worked very hard for her accomplishments. Congratulations again Makena and we are all proud of you as well!
7May, 2025
IAM Union Adopts Updated Branding in Nod to Proud Past, Bright Future Ahead
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2025 – IAM Union, formally known as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, is responding to member feedback by updating its branding in an effort to further meet the needs of a diverse membership.
The rebrand comes after IAM’s Committee on the Future (COTF) held 45 listening sessions in 29 cities across North America, as well as 12 additional online listening sessions, allowing thousands of members to express their views on the future of the union. Among other findings, the COTF recommended that IAM update its name, terminology and brand to reflect the diversity of its membership.
Additionally, in September 2024, delegates to IAM’s 41st International Convention passed a resolution to rebrand the union in a way that honors its 136-year past while becoming more relatable for current and future members from a growing array of backgrounds.
The 600,000-member IAM Union is amongst the most diverse unions in North America. Founded as a railroad union in 1888, the union has continuously grown and adapted to represent workers in the airline, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, automotive and transportation sectors. Today, thanks to large-scale organizing efforts, IAM also represents workers in the healthcare, non-profit, wood, pulp and paper, government, emerging technologies, and other industries.
“IAM Union has always adapted with the times. Our past is a story of continuous change that has led us to become one of the most powerful forces for working people in history,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Now, after hearing from our membership, we are proud to begin our next great chapter under a unified and inclusive umbrella – IAM Union.”
IAM Union’s primary branding changes include:
- While retaining its formal name, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the union will primarily now go by “IAM Union,” or simply, “IAM.” IAM has been a common abbreviation used by members and the public for generations. This is seen now in sectors within IAM, such as IAM Healthcare and IAM Automotive, and will continue to expand.
- IAM Union’s logo, sometimes referred to as a gear, is being adapted, as it has in the past, to welcome members of today and tomorrow, while also honoring the union’s proud history. The updated logo retains its original elements of a flywheel, a friction joint caliper and machinist’s square with the initials of the organization. The union is also adding a wordmark, in its historic primary color of royal blue, that simply and powerfully stakes its claim as “IAM Union” or “IAM.”
- Terminology has been updated within the organization. To further welcome members and for clarity, the highest level of the union is now known simply as the “International.” This change is also reflected in updated staff titles. The three primary levels of the organization will be known simply as “Local,” “District” and “International.”
IAM Union is gradually implementing its branding changes across the organization, and branding guidance is being disseminated to stakeholders.
