Meeting Times and Location

Business meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m., and on the third Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. at the John H. Kennedy Hall, 1037 Sterling Rd., Suite 103, in Herndon, Virginia 20170.

Purpose

Capital Air Lodge 1759 is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit labor union organization with the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM). We are affiliated with IAM Airline Districts 141 and 142 under the jurisdiction of IAM's Transportation Department.

In addition, we are affiliated with the AFL-CIO, Virginia State AFL-CIO, Maryland & D.C. AFL-CIO, Virginia and Maryland State Machinists Councils, the Northern Virginia Labor Council and the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO.

Capital Air Lodge 1759 represents unionized contractual ground workers at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington National (DCA) Airport, Richmond International Airport and Norfolk International Airiport. We represent employees at Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Allied Aviation, American Airlines, Signature Flight Support, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Origin of the International Association of Machinists (IAM)

In 1888, a group of nineteen machinists at the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad assembled in a locomotive pit to decide what to do about a wage cut.

They voted to form a union.

It was the beginning of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

This railroad pit in Atlanta, Georgia was the birthplace of the Machinists Union.

Origin of Capital Air Lodge 1759

IAM Local 1759 Charter

Originally named after Pennsylvania Central Airlines (PCA), PennCenAir Local 1759 was established on March 7, 1946 and chartered in Washington, D.C. The IAM local represented PCA aircraft mechanics at Washington National Airport.

Pennsylvania Central Airlines was an original tenant operating out of Washington National Airport (DCA), and in 1941 the airline based its headquarters there.

Pennsylvania Central Airlines Douglas DC-3

By 1947, PCA's route structure no longer reflected its name and the airline adopted new colors and renamed itself Capital Airlines.

In March, 1951, PennCenAir Local 1759 changed its name to Capital Air Lodge 1759. When Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines in July, 1961, the local's name remained unchanged as a tribute to the proud members who worked at Capital Airlines.

Capital Airlines Douglas DC-4

Our charter location relocated from Washington, D.C. to Alexandria, Virginia on July 7, 1977.

Capital Air Lodge 1759 offices and the John H. Kennedy meeting hall are currently located at 1037 Sterling Road, suites 103 and 104, in Herndon, Virginia.