Community
The International Aerospace Machinists (IAM) union is about people helping people to achieve a better life – at home, at work and in the community.
Nearly every weekend our union is making a difference in our communities. Our members assist local charities to keep valuable resources available to residents. In addition, IAM union members set up and help organize various fundraising activities for the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Guide Dogs of America. Just look at the projects we have done recently. Since the 1960’s, the IAM union also has provided nonprofit, affordable housing for over 1,000 local families.
Building a Better Community
Over the years being part of a union has allowed the membership of the machinists union to be able to improve wages and working conditions. This has not been true for many in our community. In 1997 District 751 started the Machinist Volunteer Program. We have participated in hundreds of projects and donated thousands of hours to community service projects around the Puget Sound.
Our volunteers took part in 436 community outreach events in 2018 and 408 in 2019 – more than one a day and gave nearly 13,000 hours throughout the year. The events were as varied as the members and ranged from building wheelchair ramps, preparing meals at area missions, road clean ups, Northwest Harvest food drive, Toys for Tots, a toiletry drive for the homeless and so much more.
Get involved
A committee of volunteers meets twice each month to discuss and approve volunteer events. A member can find out about MVP events several ways: via the District 751 web site, announcements made at local lodge meetings or by requesting to have a letter and calendar mailed to their home each month. To request the letter and calendar call (206) 763-1300 and ask for the MVP Department secretary. Some events are also announced via e-mail to stewards.
Guide Dogs of America
One of the community service projects supported by the IAMAW, Guide Dogs of America, was launched in 1948 by retired machinist member Joseph Jones, Sr. Jones requested aid from the machinists executive council to research the need for guide dogs nationwide after he had been rejected from all other guide dog services due to his age. Our machinists support Guide Dogs of America through fundraising events, advocacy, and individual contributions.
IAM 751 Women’s Committee
The 751 Women’s Committee was established:
To foster women into leadership roles within our union
To promote awareness on unique issues surrounding women and working families.
To promote women’s involvement and recognition at all levels in the union.
To unite members for the purpose of addressing their concerns and issues in the workplace
To educate, recognize, develop and serve as advocates for women in the union
Mentorship
Our members take pride in what they do. We’ve created a structured mentorship training program for both apprentices and journeyworkers to help them learn and share their knowledge.