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 upstate New York.
The agreement is the outcome of an organizing campaign that brought rail production workers at the facility into the IAM. According to the union, this contract provides enforceable rights and improvements aimed at raising wages and strengthening job protections.
Workers at the Plattsburgh site are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components for passenger rail systems throughout the United States. Their work is described as essential to maintaining safe and reliable public transportation.
Key provisions of the new contract include an immediate 3% wage increase on top of a 2.8% raise previously received in April 2025. Second- and third-shift employees will receive a $1.50 per hour shift differential, while team leads will earn their hourly rate plus an additional 10%. The agreement also counts compensated time off toward overtime calculations.
A new classification system with increased pay rates will begin January 1, 2027, aiming to eliminate favoritism and clarify advancement opportunities. An additional 2.75% wage increase is scheduled for January 1, 2028.
Other benefits secured in the contract include expanded safe and sick leave, eight paid holidays plus four floating holidays, defined medical, dental, and vision costs with capped annual increases, 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 labor-management committee meetings with 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 agreement in place, newly organized members join their IAM-represented colleagues at Alstom’s Hornell facility. 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 North America in sectors including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive industries as well as others.
