More than 800 delegates from the Air Transport and Rail Divisions of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) gathered in Las Vegas this summer for the 2025 IAM Transportation Conference. The biennial event focused on strategies to adapt to changes in the transportation industry, emphasizing job protection, workers’ rights, and leadership development.
The conference theme, “Building a Better Tomorrow,” highlighted efforts to include new perspectives among union members. Organizers aimed to engage both experienced members and younger workers, underlining shared goals within the union.
Months of preparation went into planning the conference, with support from administrative staff, international representatives, headquarters departments, and education teams. According to organizers, this coordination ensured a smooth event that left attendees motivated about their collective influence.
IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen announced wage increases for certain airline workers: “This year, the top of the scale Southwest customer service agents and American Airlines ramp workers will hit the $40 an hour mark. Top-of-scale aircraft mechanics at American will see over $70 an hour.” He added: “Those are our contracts, those are IAM contracts. We keep delivering and delivering, but there is much more to do. The FAA Authorization bill [passed by Congress and signed into law in 2024] deserves polite applause for getting done, but it means nothing if they are not implementing what we got them to put in that bill. That’s why we’re ready to keep fighting”.
Chief of Staff Edison Fraser spoke about mentorship: “I’ve seen plenty of examples of progress being lost because there was no plan, no leaders, and no mentoring of the next generation. That is why mentorship is so important to GVP Johnsen and me, because you want the tide to keep rising in our favor. If we fail to plan, then our plan is to fail and failure is not an option.” Fraser credited his mentors for shaping his career and emphasized involving young workers in planning for future conferences.
Education booths at the conference provided information on union benefits. Delegate Sarah Garcia from Houston Local 811 said: “It’s great to hear what the leaders had to say about the direction they want to take the union in and the changes they want to put in place to make sure the union is ready for the issues we may be facing in the future. I’m just excited to see the work being put in and what will come of it.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed attendees: “This union is stronger because of your commitment. ‘Building a Better Tomorrow’ is not just a slogan; it’s truly our mission,” he said. “For our members, families, and the industries we work in daily. Please take that message back to your shops.”
General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes reflected on her career with IAM: “I can tell you, with all the pride in my backbone, that I was raised right. My father stressed union with all his children. My brother, three sisters, a cousin, one niece, and one nephew all IAM members,” Cervantes said. “And I will always be a loyal member, and I will be a loud yelling, loud thumping, fighting Machinists forever.”
Delegates participated in breakout sessions designed around their specific trades as part of efforts to ensure plans reflect worker feedback.
The IAM Rail Division also played a significant role at this year’s conference. Josh Hartford reported that District 19 and TCU/IAM worked with eight other unions on an agreement with Amtrak that resulted in general wage increases totaling 34.1% compounded over its term—the largest such increase ever secured at Amtrak.
“Together, District 19 and TCU have an opportunity. An opportunity to demand that we bring change to our workplaces… Relentlessly fighting for what is rightfully our future,” Hartford stated.
Tom Regan reported ongoing negotiations involving more than 28,000 United Airlines employees seeking new agreements after their previous contract became amendable earlier this year; additional talks involve Alaska-Hawaiian merger employees as well as United Ground Express staffers (6,100 employees). In July 2025 a tentative deal was reached with McGee Air Services covering another 3,000 workers.
“After 41 years, I want to make sure that I give back to this union,” Regan said during his remarks at the conference. “Remember this – either you stand up and fight or sit down and be quiet. We choose to stand up and fight…”
Organizers reminded attendees about resources available through IAM membership—an organization representing more than 600,000 active or retired individuals across North America—and noted Districts 141 & 142 lead membership among major airlines including American Airlines,
United,
Southwest,
Alaska,
and Hawaiian Airlines.
