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 event, held biennially, focused on strategies to address ongoing changes in the transportation industry.
This year’s conference was themed “Building a Better Tomorrow,” highlighting IAM’s commitment to supporting transportation jobs, safeguarding workers’ rights, and fostering future labor leaders. Months of planning by administrative staff, international representatives, headquarters departments, and member education teams contributed to what organizers described as a well-executed program.
IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen told attendees that top-scale Southwest customer service agents and American Airlines ramp workers would reach $40 an hour, while top-scale aircraft mechanics at American Airlines would surpass $70 an hour. “Those are our contracts, those are IAM contracts,” said Johnsen. “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 emphasized mentorship as critical for continued progress: “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,” he said.
Fraser cited mentors such as Dora Cervantes among others as influential in his career development at IAM. For the first time, a young workers committee attended the transportation conference.
Member Education booths were available at the event with experts explaining union benefits. Delegate Sarah Garcia from Houston Local 811 commented on her experience: “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,” said Garcia. “I’m just excited to see the work being put in and what will come of it.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed delegates: “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 own history 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 tailored to their trades where they could provide feedback directly relevant to their needs.
The Rail Division had significant representation at this year’s event. Josh Hartford reported that District 19 and TCU/IAM worked with eight other unions on a new contract with Amtrak resulting in compounded general wage increases totaling 34.1% over its term—the largest such increase in Amtrak’s history.
“Together, District 19 and TCU have an opportunity. An opportunity to demand that we bring change to our workplaces, fundamentally improve our members’ lives, and grow and organize,” Hartford said. “Not just to gain new members but to reignite passion… Relentlessly fighting for what is rightfully our future.”
Tom Regan stated that more than 28,000 United Airlines workers are currently negotiating a new agreement since May 2025; negotiations are also underway involving Alaska-Hawaiian merger employees (over 7,000), United Ground Express (6,100), and McGee Air Services (3,000). A tentative agreement with McGee Air Services was reached in July 2025 pending ratification scheduled for early August 2025.
“After 41 years I want to make sure that I give back to this union,” Regan said. “Remember this – either you stand up and fight or sit down and be quiet. We choose to stand up and fight…”
The IAM represents more than 600,000 active and retired members across North America; its Air Transport Territory includes large groups at major airlines such as American Airlines,United, Southwest,Alaska, and Hawaiian Airlines.
