Jon Holden, President of District 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), has been appointed as an IAM General Vice President following a unanimous vote by the IAM Executive Council, effective April 1. In his new position as General Vice President of Training and Apprenticeships on the IAM Executive Council, Holden will focus on expanding the union’s apprenticeship and training initiatives.
Holden brings nearly three decades of experience to his new role. He joined IAM Local 751F in 1997 when he began working at Boeing’s Everett facility as a Materials Management Specialist. Since then, he has held several positions within the union, including steward and local officer roles. Throughout his career, Holden has worked to improve conditions for IAM members and support their communities.
Since being elected District 751 President in March 2014, Holden has represented more than 32,000 aerospace and manufacturing workers at Boeing and other employers across Puget Sound. Under his leadership, District 751 addressed major challenges facing aerospace workers. Notably, he led members through a historic strike at Boeing in 2024 that resulted in significant wage increases, enhanced job security protections, and greater worker involvement in production processes.
Holden also serves as President of the Machinists Institute’s Board of Directors. The institute is dedicated to expanding education opportunities, skills training, and workforce development for union members adapting to changes in their industries.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve on the IAM Executive Council and to continue fighting for our members,” said Holden. “Expanding apprenticeship programs and investing in cutting-edge training must be at the center of our union’s future.”
IAM International President Brian Bryant said: “Jon Holden is a proven leader who has spent his entire IAM career fighting for working people and delivering real results for our members… Now we have the opportunity to take that model [the Machinists Institute]…and replicate it across the IAM.”
The appointment signals an increased emphasis by IAM on developing skilled labor through apprenticeships as industries evolve.
