The Air Capital
Wichita, KS. is the Air Capital of the World. General Aviation was founded here, with legendary Companies such as Cessna, Stearman and Travel Air.
Wartime
The IAM grew with Wichita. District Lodge 70 was chartered in 1942, and the union workforce helped win World War II at the Bomber Plant in Southeast Wichita, with thousands of Rosie the Riveters working around the clock.
Peacetime
With the end of the war, Boeing made airliners in Wichita, and general aviation took off, and Wichita continued to boom with Cessna, Beechcraft, and in the sixties, Learjet started production in Wichita.
The Union Advantage
With tens of thousands of unionized workers in Wichita earning high paychecks and good benefits, Wichita prospered. Aircraft workers spent their money at local merchants, fueling the local economy and fed the tax base, so Wichita could have god schools and Police and Fire protection.
Hard Bargaining
Aviation companies pull money from around the world, and the paychecks for workers are how the money from the companies benefits the local community. The IAM bargains hard to make sure Wichita gets its cut, and the strikes occur from time to time are a benefit to the community in the long run.
The Greatest Aerospace Workers In The World
Wichita has a history of aerospace manufacturing clear back to the beginning of the industry. Wichita aircraft workers are multi-generational, with the craftsmanship passed down through three and four generations. Most aircraft workers have grandfathers or grandmothers who worked in the plants.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Aircraft is in the blood of Wichita Machinists members. The skills and knowledge are passed down through the generations in and out of the factories, but pride is the most important factor that makes Wichita great.
Skills For The Future
The Machinists Union doesn’t just bargain for pay and benefits. We look to the future, and realize that a highly-skilled workforce is important to keep jobs in Wichita. So, we bargain with the companies for increased skills training, and lobbied and worked with the local government and the companies to help create the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita.
The Last Great American Industry
As corporations climb on the outsourcing bandwagon, so many of our industry have left our shores. The aerospace industry is the last one where America still leads on innovation and quality. The Machinists Union bargains with our companies and lobbies our government, both local and national, to keep the industry in America – and Wichita.
Breaking New Ground
The IAM in 2010 negotiated a ground-breaking partnership contract with Spirit AeroSystems that guaranteed that all jobs remained in Wichita for the 10 years of the contract. The IAM tries to put job guarantees into our contracts, and lobbies the government to include job guarantees in government assistance.
Support Our Community
The Machinists Union and its members support the AFL-CIO and United Way partnership, giving millions of dollars every year, volunteering for charity, and being there when disaster hits, such as tornadoes and storms. The IAM is there when our community needs us.
Wichita Strong, Wichita Proud
The Machinists Union has been an important part of Wichita for decades, and we’re here to make sure the aerospace industry stays in Wichita and Wichita remains the Air Capital of the World.
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Make Your Food Dollars Stretch If you eat. You qualify. Packages can be ordered in any quantity to meet your family’s needs. If you are being laid off or furloughed this can be a great resource for you and your family. December Menu
Locations
| District 70 and the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation 2013 Spirit of Labor’s Christmas Program
Application for Assistance
Application Deadline is December 12th, 2013
| Would you like to volunteer during the holiday season. United Way of the Plains has volunteer opportunities available for you.
View all the opportunities
| "I Am the IAM" is a section created on goiam.org that highlights the amazing stories of our extraordinary members.
Today the story of Machinist Larry Wilson is in the spotlight.
I hope you enjoy Larry's story…he is a prime example of what sets the IAMAW apart from all the rest!!
Larry is the communicator for District 70 and for Local Lodge 733.
| Saturday June 22nd, 2013 at North Rock Lanes. District 70 held it's first annual bowling tournament benefiting Guide Dogs of America.
Everyone enjoyed a great evening of bowling, good, winning great prizes while helping raise money benefiting GDofA.
Thank you to everyone that participated. Hope to see you again next year. Tell all your friends, family and co-workers and be prepared for the 2nd annual bowling tournament next summer.
| Help us decide which programs to fund
United Way is seeking volunteers to join its Citizens Review Process. The volunteers evaluate local agency programs and recommend funding. Volunteers will receive training and will be asked to give about 20 hours of their time during the fall, most of it during the workday. To learn more or sign up, click here.
