Founded in 1888 by 19 machinists who met in a locomotive pit in Atlanta, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers now represents more than 730,000 workers in dozens of industries, including aerospace, government, transportation and woodworking. The organization seeks cost-of-living raises, increased purchasing power, paid sick leave, life insurance, equal pay, safe workplaces, a shorter workweek, restrictions on subcontracting, portable pensions and severance pay on behalf of its members, who work under more than 4,000 individual agreements. It has recently negotiated contracts with companies such as Lockheed-Martin, DynCorp, Pratt & Whitney, United Airlines, Boeing and Cessna. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md.