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 deal marks 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. It includes several provisions aimed at improving wages, benefits, and job protections for employees at the Plattsburgh facility, where IAM members are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components for passenger rail systems across the country.
Key elements of the contract include an immediate 3% wage increase—on top of a previously received 2.8% raise in April 2025—a $1.50 per hour shift differential for second and third shifts, and a 10% premium above hourly rates for team leads. The contract also ensures compensated time off counts toward overtime calculations and introduces a new classification system with increased pay rates starting January 1, 2027. Another wage increase of 2.75% will take effect on January 1, 2028.
Additional gains cover expanded safe and sick leave policies, eight paid holidays plus four floating holidays each year, capped annual increases to defined medical, dental, and vision costs, as well as no-cost life and disability insurance. Employees will benefit from clear layoff and recall protections, strengthened grievance procedures with enforceable timelines, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and monthly joint labor-management committee meetings with senior management.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division said: “This agreement replaces uncertainty with enforceable rules and real protections. 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 colleagues represented by IAM at Alstom’s Hornell facility. They will also become part of IAM District 19 while forming their own local unit.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members throughout North America in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads transit systems healthcare automotive sectors among others.
