The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board has endorsed the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) for its longstanding role in protecting aviation jobs in Hawaii. The endorsement comes as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines complete their merger, prompting a union representation vote that will affect the future of local maintenance operations.
The editorial board emphasized the importance of maintaining skilled aviation jobs in Hawaii following the merger. It 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 IAM has represented Hawaiian Airlines employees 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. According to the editorial board, this broad representation helps protect against outsourcing and job loss by covering a wide range of roles including aircraft mechanics, line service workers, cleaners, and logistics personnel.
The board also expressed concerns about alternative unions such as AMFA, noting their narrower classifications and lack of local history or established 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.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions. It represents around 600,000 active and retired members across industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad transit healthcare automotive throughout the United States and Canada.
