IAMAW
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
 

Research Economist

Based in Upper Marlboro, MD

 

Job Summary
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is a trade union representing 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airline, manufacturing, transportation, automotive, woodworking, health care, and other industries in North America.

The IAM Strategic Resources Department provides information and develops strategies for organizing, bargaining, public policy, and education at all levels of our union.  We are seeking a Research Economist who can handle a wide range of responsibilities and work independently in a variety of situations.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Perform economic, financial, and labor cost analysis for contract negotiations
• Conduct research and advice on compensation and benefits, economic/industry trends, and public policy
• Prepare materials, reports, briefings, and presentations for organizing, bargaining, legislative activities, and government rulemaking
• Analyze detailed financial reports of employers going through changes in ownership, claiming financial distress or bankruptcy
• Teaching classes at the IAM educational center
• Provide support to union strategic planning efforts
• Present at a variety of IAM and other external conferences
• Develop curriculum working with IAM educational staff and teach at IAM education center
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations
• Generate reports from proprietary and public databases
• Represent the IAM in coalitions with other unions and organizations
• Provide expert testimony
• Assist organizing, membership education, & mobilization
• Frequent travel is required
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years’ experience related to supporting collective bargaining and organizing campaigns, including (but not limited to) strategic corporate research, retirement and health benefit analysis, and/or contract costing.
• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, labor studies, or other relevant field is required. Master’s Degree in a relevant field, or working towards one, is preferred.
• Public speaking and/or teaching experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office software (Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Word). Advanced knowledge of Excel is preferred.
• Ability to:
  • Work in groups and independently
  • Communicate complex issues clearly
  • Meet tight deadlines
  • Simultaneously work on multiple projects
  • Perform well in stressful situations such as negotiations or organizing drives with hostile employers
  • Work well with people with diverse backgrounds and opinions
  • Be creative
  • Learn new skills
• Travel is required in this position. Candidate must be available for frequent out-of-town assignments.
• Familiarity with the IAM specifically, as well as other key union activities, such as organizing, is strongly preferred.

Job is based at the IAM headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Washington, D.C. metropolitan area)

This is a bargaining unit position starting at $136,411.10 with automatic step increases and an excellent, comprehensive benefit package including fully employer-paid family health care and a generous, fully employer paid defined benefit pension plan.

The IAM embraces diversity and equal opportunity.  The more inclusive we are, the stronger the organization.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy and pregnancy related status, veteran status or disability.

To Apply:
All interested applicants should e-mail a current resume and cover letter to strategicresourcesjobs@iamaw.org. Please write “Research Economist Position” in the subject line. For best consideration, please respond by February 1, 2025.