(UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND) - The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have announced a partnership in forming the first Employee Union in FAS’ nearly 80-year history.

The FAS and IAM voiced their excitement to engage in a productive and collaborative partnership with the goal of fostering a positive and mutually beneficial working environment for all FAS Employees.

The FAS takes seriously its role as a beacon and voice for the Science Community and is seizing this opportunity to forge a more inclusive future for the organization and model what can be unlocked when everyone has a seat at the table, representatives said.

After the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of Atomic Researchers - deeply concerned about the use of science for malice - created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.

The group they created - the Federation of Atomic Scientists - soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of Scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world. 

FAS Representatives said it honors our legacy and puts into practice the shared values the organization espouses - not just equity, inclusion and transparency, but its vision of an organization that is impact-driven, customer-focused, entrepreneuria and growth-oriented as a force for good.

“We are proud to form a partnership with FAS,” IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan said. “They make a huge impact in the scientific community and this partnership will ensure their industry is treated with respect and dignity.  This is why the organization’s leadership is excited to work with us because of our voice and protection of Workers’ Rights to hopefully start shedding more light on the Scientific Community through our work together and their reach in that community.”

The FAS works to advance progress on a broad suite of contemporary issues where science, technology and innovation policy can deliver dramatic progress and seeks to ensure scientific and technical expertise have a seat at the policy-making table.

Established in 1945 by Scientists in response to the atomic bomb, FAS continues to work on behalf of a safer, more equitable and more peaceful world.

The IAM is one of North America’s largest and most diverse Industrial Trade Unions, representing 600,000 Active and Retired Members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive and other industries.

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Voluntarily Recognizes First Employee Union in Organization’s Nearly 80-Year History - IAMAW (goiam.org)