IAM members from around North America met to prepare the committee report for the IAM Aerospace Committee. The report is presented to the Grand Lodge Convention delegates to set the direction for policies in support of IAM aerospace members for the next four years.

(Caption: IAM Aerospace Committee members met September 3rd, 2024, at the 41st Grand Lodge Convention, New York, NY.)

Both the U.S. and Canada possess a technological and operational success edge over other nations. The committee aims to keep that lead by having a talented, educated, and resilient workforce ready for today and the future. 

The report identified a shortage of qualified workers and a need to seek regulated state and federal apprenticeship programs.

Other recommendations included:

• The IAM should take a serious look at initiating its own brick and mortar Aerospace Training Facility using the highly successful Machinists Institute, initiated and founded by District Lodge 751 in Seattle, Washington as a template.
• Initiate outreach programs at local schools to inform students of the possibility of a career in the Aerospace Industry.
• Negotiate strong language to capture all new technology including AI and automation emerging in the workplace to protect the jobs of our members.
• Negotiate strong language to eliminate outsourcing.
• Be open to the possibility of alternative work schedules to allow for better work life balance, while also protecting overtime language and guarding against forced staffing on off days.

The Aerospace report was presented by Committee Chair Brother Alexandre Landry, Business Representative and Organizer for District 11 in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and Committee Secretary John Kleibocker, Local 63, Gladstone, Oregon.