The 600,000-member IAM Union, the largest airline and defense labor union in North America, which represents maintenance and stores members at PSA Airlines, released the following statements:
“As a union with deep ties in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries, as well as a significant presence in Wichita, we are heartbroken by the crash at Reagan Washington National Airport,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We are thinking of those impacted by this tragedy and we are extremely grateful for the first responders who have been heroically working in dangerous conditions. The full resources of the IAM are available to everyone involved, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely as it unfolds.”
“The IAM’s Flight Safety Team is in route to DCA to assist in any way with the investigation into this tragedy,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “The IAM’s Employee Assistance Program and Critical Incident Response Team are also fully engaged and ready to assist our membership, as well as our union family at ALPA and AFA-CWA. We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to those affected.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.