2015

Thousands march in Toronto Labour Day parade

IAM marchers numbered nearly 100. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair was among the marchers. NDP candidate Olivia Chow greets Machinist marchers. GVP Dave Ritchie (left) led the Machinists' delegation. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair was among the thousands of participants in this year's Toronto Labour Day parade. Nearly 100 Machinists participated. "That so many people would come out to the parade on a holiday says a lot about the vitality of our

This is Our Time

Transportation Developments Usher In Change Fort Lauderdale, Fla – Over a five-day period, 600 delegates to the 2015 IAM Transportation Conference heard of organizing victories, the promise of real change in the Canadian political landscape, the implications of contract flipping as well as the need to do more. But at the end of the week, delegates left knowing that “This is Our Time.”

Tens of Millions Strike in India to Defend Labour Rights

Tens of millions of Indian workers have joined a national strike called by ten major trade union bodies today, in what may be the largest strike in history. The unions are protesting at plans announced by Prime Minister Modi to deprive large segments of India’s workforce of labour law protection at the behest of local and foreign investors.   Workers from manufacturing, mining, the public sector, transport and other sectors,

Indonesian Unions Mobilise Over Minimum Wages, Layoffs and Labour Laws

Indonesia’s main trade union centres KSBSI, KSPI and KSPSI have launched a national campaign over minimum wages and labour laws with a 25,000-strong demonstration of workers in Jakarta. The unions are calling for a minimum wage increase of 25% for 2016, and have rejected a government proposal to handle minimum wage adjustments through an automatic calculation without negotiation. Many workers in Indonesia are unable to make ends meet with high

HudBay Strike Finally Over

Tuesday September 1, 2015 For Immediate Release   Flin Flon, MB – The 180 members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 have ended their 17 week strike against Hudson Bay Minerals (HudBay) operations in Flin Flon and Snow Lake, Man. The membership ratified a new collective agreement by a margin of 71 per cent. “It took five long days of intense bargaining in the last week of August to reach a

IAM 2016 Scholarship Competition Announcement

September 1, 2015   To All Grand Lodge Representatives, Special Representatives, Grand Lodge Auditors, Organizers, Business Representatives, Airline and Railroad General Chairmen, District Lodge Secretary-Treasurers, Local Lodge Recording Secretaries, State and Provincial Councils and Territorial Education and Communications Representatives, TCU/IAM Executive Council, Carmen Division Officers, National Representatives, Assistant National Representatives and Local Lodge Officers   Dear Sisters and Brothers:   It is with renewed enthusiasm that we are beginning another

Ritchie Warns Air Canada Model Could Come to US Airlines

Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie addresses the IAM Transport Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla – In his opening remarks to the IAM 2015 Transportation Conference here, IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie warned American members employed in the airline sector, that the Air Canada model is coming to America. “There are discussions underway in the US to sell off baggage services, “ said Ritchie. “Air Canada sold off its

Changing times, changing workplaces

Scott JacksonThe Government must change the law and upgrade its enforcement to ensure that Ontario employers meet their moral and legal responsibilities to their workers. That was the IAM message in June to the Special Advisors reviewing the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act for the Ontario Government. The IAM submission to the Review, presented by IAM Organizer Scott Jackson, highlighted the need for dramatic legislative and regulatory changes

Troika” must get serious about negotiating debt relief for Greece

                Brussels, 6 July 2015 (ITUC OnLine): The results of Sunday’s referendum in Greece confirm for the second time in less than six months that the Greek people decisively reject the austerity policies that have left a more than quarter of the country’s workforce unemployed.     The ITUC urgently calls on the creditor institutions formerly known as “the Troika” – International Monetary

Fourth Political Action Day the Best Ever

Montréal, QC – With an eye toward the upcoming federal election, the Conseil des Machinistes du Québec held its fourth Political Action Day June 29 and it was a huge success. “It was great to see so many NDP Members of Parliament and new candidates out to meet with IAM members,” said Eric Rancourt, IAM Local Lodge 712 Vice President and President of the Conseil des Machinistes du Québec. Thirteen