2017

Machinists back a winner – Singh takes NDP leadership!

Toronto, ON – Jagmeet Singh is the new leader of the federal New Democratic Party with a resounding first-ballot victory by a margin of 53 per cent in the NDP leadership in Toronto Sunday night. “Earlier last month the IAM endorsed Jagmeet Singh to be our new leader after a vigorous internal debate,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “At that time we concluded that he was the

Machinist Member wins Young Leader of the Year award!

Toronto, ON – UFCW Canada National Representative and IAM Local Lodge 1922 member, Zenne May Maceda has received the Young Leader of the Year award at the  augural Gold Balangay Awards, held in Toronto. Organized by a number of Filipino community groups, businesses, and non-profit organizations, the awards show was established to celebrate Filipino Canadians who have made a positive impact in their community or field of work. It recognized Sister

Bezanson celebrates 88th birthday with fellow retirees!

Edmonton, AB – The axiom that you can retire from the job but not from the union was in  evidence at a recent retirees meeting of IAM District 14. Members gathered to honour their elder statesman, Norman Bezanson, with a birthday cake, he is 88 years young. Norman was the District’s founder and original Business Representative.   (from left to right) Dan Uchacz –LL 1722 and former Business Representative, Leondar

Maritime Council of Machinists caps week long site visits

Halifax, NS – The Maritime Council of Machinists biennial conference capped a week of site visits throughout the Maritimes for Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall.    Accompanied by Chief of Staff Gord Falconer, Airline Coordinator Carlos DaCosta, Grand Lodge Representative Rick Arsenault and Transportation District 140 General Chairperson Ken Russell, Pickthall travelled the breadth of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Members at auto dealerships in Bathurst and Miramichi, New Brunswick, airport

Celebrate Women's History Month - October

October is Women’s History Month in Canada! It’s a time for Canadians to celebrate the achievements of women and girls throughout our history and recognize the trailblazing women who have shaped our country and way of life. Make your mark When women and girls bring their passion, energy and talents to everything they do, there is no stopping them! Looking back over the past 150 years since Confederation, countless women

Health and Safety is a major concern for Screeners!

Ottawa, ON – Health and Safety was the biggest concern voiced by Airport Pre-Board Screening officers at a two-day conference in the nation’s capital. The two largest unions representing more than 6,000 Airport Pre-Board Screening officers in Canada met to discuss operational issues at airports across the country.    The International Association of Machinists – IAM and the United Steelworkers – USW, represent over 90 per cent of screening officers

IAM outraged by decision to impose countervailing duties on sales of C Series

Wednesday September 27, 2017 For Immediate Release Toronto, On – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – IAM – is   outraged at yesterday’s decision to impose a 220% countervailing duty on Bombardier C-Series aircraft. “This is an absolutely wrong-headed and protectionist decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “The Boeing Corporation launched this action earlier this year over a contract

Myanmar: Crisis Must be Resolved Peacefully and According to International Law

15 September 2017 The ITUC has expressed grave concern over the fate of more than 300,000 stateless “Rohingya” people who have fled Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh in the face of violent clashes between Myanmar security forces and militants. United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra‘ad al-Hussein has described the situation as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. “For decades, the international community stood with those in Myanmar who opposed

Site visit tour hits the Maritimes

St. John, NB – Since taking office as Canadian GVP in June 2016, Stan Pickthall has made it his mission to meet face-to-face with as many Canadian IAM members as possible in their workplace. \Over the next year he plans to tour at least fifty locations across Canada and he began this past week with a tour of the Maritimes. Accompanied by Chief of Staff Gord Falconer, Airline Coordinator Carlos

Pensions – The money belongs to the workers not the companies!

Hamilton, ON – The federal NDP Pension Critic, Scott Duvall – Hamilton Mountain MP – announced he will introduce a private member’s bill this fall to protect workers’ pensions when their employer is allowed to restructure their financial affairs under the Company Creditors Arrangement Act. “The pensions earned by workers are deferred wages, plain and simple, explained Duvall. “Diverting, withholding or seizing those funds should be illegal. The current system