The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), representing over 600,000 members in North America, has called on the U.S. Trade Representative to take stronger measures during the six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The union is urging for improved labor enforcement, higher wage standards, and action to prevent offshoring of jobs in aerospace, manufacturing, and related sectors.
In its submission to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), IAM Union emphasized that current labor enforcement in Mexico remains weak and that existing rules allow companies to move jobs out of the United States and Canada. The union previously opposed both NAFTA and USMCA due to concerns about job losses.
“The USMCA promised to lift standards for workers across North America, but too many companies are still chasing low wages and weak enforcement,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “It’s time for a trade policy that defends North American manufacturing, protects our workers, and ensures that every product bearing the USMCA label is truly made under fair conditions.”
The union’s filing calls for several specific changes:
– Expansion of the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) so more workers can access protections and labor rights improvements in Mexico.
– Extension of Labor Value Content requirements beyond automotive production to include aerospace, shipbuilding, and other major manufacturing industries.
– Stricter rules regarding product origin to ensure only goods produced within USMCA countries benefit from duty-free treatment.
According to IAM Union’s comments: “Unfortunately, our concerns about USMCA have proven to be accurate: Mexican industrial wages remain lower than those in China, and offshoring of well-paid U.S. jobs continues, including many in the aerospace sector. Indeed, since USMCA was enacted, we have seen further erosion of good, middle-class, union jobs in the United States. In order to prevent this from continuing, we need to take vigorous action on a number of fronts during the upcoming review.”
IAM represents active and retired members working across various industries including aerospace, airlines, defense manufacturing throughout both the United States and Canada.
The organization is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions with membership spanning several key sectors such as transit systems, healthcare services as well as automotive production.
goIAM.org | @IAM_Union
