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 workers in the region.
The agreement follows an organizing campaign that brought these rail production workers into the IAM union. The contract provides enforceable rights, clearer standards, and improvements in wages and job protections.
At the Plattsburgh facility, IAM members are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components used by passenger rail systems across the country.
The new contract includes an immediate 3% wage increase on top of a 2.8% raise received in April 2025. It also provides a $1.50 per hour shift differential for second and third shifts, a 10% premium for team leads, overtime calculations that include compensated time off, a new classification system with increased pay rates starting January 1, 2027, and a further 2.75% wage increase effective January 1, 2028.
Additional benefits secured under the agreement include expanded safe and sick leave policies, eight paid holidays plus four floating holidays, capped annual increases for medical, dental, and vision insurance costs, life and disability insurance at no cost to employees, clear layoff and recall protections, strengthened grievance procedures with set timelines, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and monthly meetings between labor representatives and senior management.
“This agreement replaces uncertainty with enforceable rules and real protections,” said IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford. “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.”
With this contract ratification in Plattsburgh, newly organized workers join their counterparts at Alstom’s Hornell facility as part of IAM District 19 while forming their own local unit within the union.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members in various industries throughout North America.
