The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board has publicly endorsed the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) for its longstanding role in protecting aviation jobs in Hawaii. The endorsement comes as workers face a union representation vote following the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
According to the editorial, Hawaii’s aviation workers are at a pivotal moment that will affect whether maintenance operations and related jobs remain in the state. The board stated, “When keeping good jobs in Hawaii is the priority, as it must be, IAM’s record of nurturing and preserving a well-paid Hawaii workforce seems to offer an edge.”
The editorial also noted that IAM has represented employees at Hawaiian Airlines since 1951 and currently represents 2,550 ground workers and mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines along with more than 5,100 ground workers at Alaska Airlines. This broad representation is seen as providing protection against outsourcing and job insecurity for essential support roles.
In contrast, the board raised concerns about AMFA’s narrower worker classifications and limited local history regarding worker protections.
Richie Johnsen, IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President, responded to the endorsement by saying: “This endorsement reinforces what we’ve known all along, the IAM is the best Union to protect Hawaii’s future in aviation and to keep jobs, skills, and decisions right here at home. IAM has protected Hawaii’s workforce for more than 70 years, and we’ll continue fighting to ensure these are not just good jobs, but good jobs that stay in Hawaii.”
IAM is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions with approximately 600,000 active and retired members across various industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive sectors throughout the United States and Canada.
