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 contract is seen as a significant development for rail manufacturing workers in upstate New York.
The agreement follows a successful organizing campaign that brought these rail production workers into the IAM union. According to union representatives, the new contract provides enforceable rights, clear standards, and improvements aimed at raising wages and strengthening job protections.
Workers at the Plattsburgh facility are responsible for manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components used in passenger rail systems across the United States.
Key elements of the new contract include an immediate 3% wage increase—on top of a previously received 2.8% raise in April 2025—and a $1.50 per hour shift differential for employees on second and third shifts. Team leads will now receive their hourly rate plus an additional 10%. Compensated time off will count toward hours worked for overtime purposes.
A new classification system with increased pay rates will begin on January 1, 2027. This system aims to eliminate favoritism by clearly defining advancement opportunities. Another wage increase of 2.75% is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028.
The agreement also includes expanded safe and sick leave provisions, eight paid holidays plus four floating holidays, capped annual increases for medical, dental, and vision costs, life and disability insurance at no cost to employees, clear layoff and recall protections, strong grievance procedures with enforceable timelines, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and monthly joint labor-management committee meetings with senior management.
“This agreement replaces uncertainty with enforceable rules and real protections,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division. “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.”
These newly organized members join existing IAM-represented coworkers at Alstom’s Hornell facility in New York State. They will be part of IAM District 19 while establishing their own local chapter.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare sectors, automotive manufacturing operations throughout North America.
