The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) Rail Division and the Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU/IAM) have announced that 90 Alstom employees at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport voted to join the union. The election results were made public on August 20, 2025.
These workers operate and maintain the Plane Train, an automated people mover system responsible for transporting about 250,000 passengers daily between terminals at what is considered the world’s busiest airport. Their decision to seek union representation was driven by concerns about job security, fair wages, improved working conditions, and a desire for a stronger voice in their workplace.
Union organizers from IAM and TCU/IAM collaborated with Alstom employees throughout the organizing process. According to the unions, this outcome reflects a broader trend among transportation workers across the country who are seeking better conditions and respect on the job.
TCU/IAM plans to begin collective bargaining efforts aimed at reaching a first contract that addresses the priorities of these new members.
“This victory marks a historic moment as the first joint organizing effort between TCU and the IAM, and we could not be prouder of the outcome,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “The Alstom workers, who operate and maintain the Plane Train at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, perform vital work keeping hundreds of thousands of passengers moving safely every day through the world’s busiest airport. We proudly welcome these workers into our union family and look forward to negotiating a strong first agreement that secures the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve.”
Earlier this year, Alstom delivered its first Innovia APM R vehicle as part of an $87 million project—the company’s largest APM replacement contract so far—to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This upgrade is expected to improve reliability for travelers as passenger numbers continue to rise; in 2024 alone, more than 108 million people used the airport.
“This organizing win is significant because the IAM Union was founded in Atlanta in 1888,” said Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “More than 135 years later, workers in this city continue to carry forward the proud legacy of standing together for dignity, respect, and a better future. The Alstom Plane Train workers are now part of a union family with a history of fighting and winning for working people.”
The IAM Rail Division includes members from both TCU/IAM and IAM District 19. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired members across various industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad operations, manufacturing, transit services, healthcare sectors, automotive fields, among others.
