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 development for rail manufacturing workers in upstate New York.
The agreement follows an organizing campaign that brought these rail production workers into the IAM union. According to the union, this effort led to improvements in wages, job protections, and working conditions.
Workers at the Plattsburgh facility are involved in manufacturing, assembling, and repairing railcars and components used by passenger rail systems across the United States.
Key provisions of the new contract include an immediate 3% wage increase, which is in addition to a 2.8% raise received in April 2025. Second- and third-shift employees will receive a $1.50 per hour shift differential. Team leads will now earn their hourly rate plus 10%. The contract also ensures that compensated time off counts toward hours worked for overtime calculations.
A new classification system with increased pay rates will begin on January 1, 2027. This system aims to end favoritism and clarify advancement opportunities for workers. Additionally, there will be a further 2.75% wage increase effective January 1, 2028.
Other negotiated gains cover expanded safe and sick leave policies, eight paid holidays with four floating holidays, defined medical, dental, and vision costs with capped annual increases, life and disability insurance provided at no cost to employees, clear layoff and recall procedures, stronger grievance language with set timelines for resolution, guaranteed union representation on every shift, and regular monthly labor-management meetings involving 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 agreement in place at Plattsburgh, newly organized members join their counterparts represented by IAM at Alstom’s Hornell facility. These workers will also become part of IAM District 19 while establishing their own local branch within the union.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members working across various industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads transit systems healthcare automotive manufacturing throughout North America.
