Who is IAM?
You may have heard a pro-union colleague at BAC discuss Architectural Workers United “AWU”. According to AWU’s website, AWU is affiliated with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). As you think about the potential of union representation at BAC, please recognize that the issue before you is not only whether you want a union acting as your exclusive bargaining representative, but also whether IAM is the right union to address your concerns.
In answering this question, you may want to consider IAM’s history of financial crimes. According to the United States Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards, from 2013-2023, 21 IAM officials across 16 states were convicted of embezzlement and financial crimes in which IAM members are the victims.1 Many of these union officials landed in prison because of their crimes against IAM members.
At the same time, IAM has increased the dues it charges members. Dues can and do often increase.2 Dues pay for the union’s expenses – which includes representing members and paying for the salaries of IAM officers and staff. According to the AWU’s website, members should expect to pay 1.5% of their salary to the union, which does not appear to vary based on your income or seniority.3
According to IAM’s website, negotiating a collective bargaining agreement is “a complex process” and in some industries, can take about four years.4 During the negotiations process, there are typically no improvements to pay, benefits or work rules.
You may have seen that about 33,000 IAM members went on strike at Boeing for 53 days this fall. During this strike, Boeing has alleged in charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board that IAM has engaged in bad faith bargaining tactics regarding its representation of members. Approximately one month into the strike, Boeing announced it would eliminate 10% of its workforce, around 17,000 jobs, including executives, managers, and blue-collar employees, in an effort to keep the business competitive and recover from production setbacks.5 It took three ratification votes to get a contract. In the first vote, 94.6% of the workers voted against the proposed contract.6 In the second vote, 64% of the workers rejected the improved offer from Boeing.7 The strike finally ended when 59% of the workers approved a new offer from Boeing.8 This means the union accepted a deal that 41% of the workers opposed.
As the union or pro-union BAC colleagues approach you and request your support, it is important that you ask yourself if IAM is the kind of organization you want to bring into BAC and represent you.
I hope you will say “No” to signing a union authorization card and continue working directly together toward an even better BAC.