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 affect the future of local maintenance operations.
The editorial board described the current decision facing Hawaii’s aviation workers as significant, with potential consequences for whether 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.”
IAM has represented employees at Hawaiian Airlines since 1951. Its membership includes aircraft mechanics, line service workers, cleaners, and logistics personnel. According to the editorial, this broad representation helps protect against outsourcing and job loss, supporting the local economy.
Currently, IAM represents 2,550 ground workers and mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines and more than 5,100 ground workers at Alaska Airlines. The editorial noted that this coverage provides protection for essential support roles and helps maintain worker pay and job security.
The board also raised concerns about the narrower classifications covered by another union, AMFA, noting their limited local history and experience with 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. It represents around 600,000 active and retired members across various industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad transit, healthcare, automotive sectors in both the United States and Canada.
