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 a significant development for rail manufacturing workers in upstate New York.
The agreement was achieved following an organizing campaign that brought rail production workers into the IAM. According to the union, members unified to secure new rights and improvements, including wage increases and stronger job protections.
At Alstom’s Plattsburgh facility, IAM members are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components used by passenger rail systems throughout the country.
Key provisions of the contract include an immediate 3% wage increase on top of a 2.8% increase already received in April 2025. Second- and third-shift employees will receive a $1.50 per hour shift differential. Team leads will earn their hourly rate plus an additional 10%. Compensated time off will count toward hours worked for overtime calculations. A new classification system with increased pay rates will begin on January 1, 2027, ending favoritism and providing clear advancement criteria. Another wage increase of 2.75% is scheduled for January 1, 2028.
Additional benefits outlined in the agreement include expanded safe and sick leave policies, eight paid holidays plus four floating holidays, defined medical, dental, and vision costs with annual caps on increases, no-cost life and disability insurance, layoff and recall protections, strengthened grievance procedures with enforceable timelines, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and monthly joint labor-management 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.”
With this ratification vote at Plattsburgh completed, these new IAM members join colleagues represented by the union at Alstom’s Hornell facility as well as District 19. The group will also form its own local chapter within the union.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members working across industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive sectors throughout North America.
