Newly organized members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at Alstom Transportation in Plattsburgh, New York, have ratified their first three-year collective bargaining agreement. The vote marks a significant step for rail manufacturing employees in upstate New York.
The agreement follows an organizing campaign that brought the rail production workers into the IAM union. According to a statement from IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford: “This agreement replaces uncertainty with enforceable rules and real protections. More importantly, it establishes a solid foundation from which IAM Union members at Alstom can continue to build power, improve working conditions, and raise standards across the rail industry. Congratulations to the members, stewards, bargaining committee, and IAM Organizing Department on this important victory.”
Under the new contract, workers will receive an immediate 3% wage increase in addition to a 2.8% raise already granted in April 2025. Other terms include a $1.50 per hour shift differential for second and third shifts, team leads earning their hourly rate plus 10%, compensated time off counting toward overtime eligibility, and a new classification system set to begin January 1, 2027 that increases pay rates and clarifies advancement procedures. Another wage increase of 2.75% is scheduled for January 1, 2028.
Additional improvements cover expanded safe and sick leave policies, eight paid holidays with four floating holidays each year, capped annual increases on medical, dental, and vision costs, no-cost life and disability insurance benefits, clear layoff and recall protections, strengthened grievance processes with defined timelines, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and monthly meetings between labor representatives and senior management.
IAM members at the Plattsburgh facility are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars that support passenger rail systems nationwide. With this agreement ratified, they join other IAM-represented employees at Alstom’s Hornell facility as part of District 19 while establishing their own local unit.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail transit healthcare automotive among others.
