Happy 136th Birthday IAMAW
On May 5, 1888 (136 years ago) Thomas W Talbot, a railroad machinist from Georgia founded the Order of the United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers.
One year later on May 6, 1889 Brother Talbot was elected to Grand Master Machinist (now known as International President) at the first major convention in Atlanta.
The Order had a name change to the National Association of Machinists (NAM) and a constitution was created.
Between the years of 1890 and 1891 the Machinists reached Canada, making Canadians the first international members. They also formed locals in Mexico. In 1891 to reflect their international status the name was changed to International Associations of Machinists (IAM) at a conference in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
Women were admitted to membership in 1911 with equal membership rights.
In the 1950s the production of jet engines during the war led the IAM to expand into the aircraft industry
In 1964 at the IAM convention, delegates voted to change the name to Internation Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. At that time Membership was 800,000
Today with nearly 600,000 active and retired members, the IAMAW is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America. You will find IAMAW members in many fields of work- from airlines, aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing and more.
The IAMAW has bargained for increased job security, higher wages and improved benefits and continues to inspire, empower, and move forward to increase the Union solidarity!