The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board has endorsed the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) for its long-standing efforts to protect aviation jobs in Hawaii. The endorsement comes as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merge, prompting a union representation vote that will influence the future of local maintenance operations.
The editorial board described the decision facing Hawaii’s aviation workers as critical, with the outcome set to determine whether key maintenance jobs remain in the state. The board wrote, “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.”
According to the editorial, IAM has represented Hawaiian Airlines employees since 1951 and maintains a significant presence among ground workers and mechanics. The union currently represents 2,550 ground workers and mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines and more than 5,100 ground workers at Alaska Airlines. This broad membership base is seen as providing protection against outsourcing and job losses that could affect worker pay and security.
The editorial also noted concerns about AMFA’s narrower job classifications and its limited history of worker protections in Hawaii.
IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen responded to the endorsement by stating, “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 about 600,000 active and retired members across various sectors including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive industries in both the United States and Canada.
