Happy 137th Birthday to the IAM

May 5, 1888 – May 5, 2025

With nearly 600,000 active and retired members, the IAM is one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in North America. From Boeing and Lockheed Martin to United Airlines and Harley-Davidson, you will find IAM members across all walks of life. IAM members demand respect and dignity in the workplace. Together, we have been able to bargain for increased job security, higher wages and improved benefits.

The IAM Forms
May 5, 1888

19 machinist above, meeting in a locomotive pit at Atlantic GA, voted to form a trade union. These machinist at that time earned 20 to 25 cents an hour for a 10-hour day.