January 2018

It’s back to Parliament Hill for another CLC lobby!
Machinists' News

Ottawa, ON – Once again the IAM delegation will form the largest contingent involved in the Canadian Labour Congress lobby next week on Parliament Hill. “We have more than 65 delegates from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia coming to meet with parliamentarians February 5-6-7,” explained IAM Political Action Grand Lodge Representative Lou Pagrach. “We’re back to urge MP’s to support Bill C-384, introduced last fall by NDP

Sky Café first contract is a gem!
News Releases

Tuesday January 30, 2018 For Immediate Release Toronto, ON – The one hundred per cent acceptance rate might give you the first indication that the members of IAM Local Lodge 2413 at Sky Café are happy about their first collective agreement. “I’m very proud at the result we were able to achieve,” said a very satisfied IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Dave Freeman. “There were dozens of work

The race to the bottom is not where we want to be in this country!
Campaigns

Montréal, QC – “The race to the bottom is not where we want to be in this country,” stated Employment Minister Patty Hajdu at the end of a round table consultation with representatives of the IAM, CLC and other unions concerning changes to the federal Labour Code. The Minister spoke of how the Code needed updating to reflect current economics and work place environments. “Our biggest concern is the issue

Bombardier Wins C-Series battle!
International News

Boeing lawsuit grounded by USITC Friday January 26, 2018 For Immediate Release Washington, D.C. – The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has ruled in favour of Bombardier in its dispute with Boeing. “I’m floored,” said a jubilant IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “This is the best news we had in a year and I couldn’t be happier for our Québec members,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall.

Across the country Canadians join global women’s marches
Campaigns

Toronto, On – We’re back, more determined than ever and popping up in more places than last year – we’re speaking of the second coordinated round, of Women’s protest marches. In 38 communities across Canada, women demonstrated to proclaim messages of inclusion, equality and empowerment. Last year it was in response to Donald Trump’s boasts of sexual misconduct and his divisive policies that fueled the movement. This year it was

The end of NAFTA would make Quebec's aerospace sector vulnerable
News Releases

For Immediate Release Monday January 22, 2018 Montreal, QC – In the space of 24 years, the North American aerospace industry has grown on a continental scale. As in the automotive sector, the stability of the supply chain was built on a North American commercial space. Breaking this structure would put Quebec’s aerospace cluster to the test. “In case we should give up NAFTA, a slump is to be expected,”

Recommendations of the IAM regarding the NAFTA Renegotiation
International News

Recommendations of the IAM regarding the NAFTA Renegotiation Preamble In this document, we provide you with four recommendations which can potentially increase the fairness and the balance of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and ensure it can create a better environment for all citizens living in North America. Goals of recommendations #1 and #2: • Establish basic labour standards for the entire territory; • Improve the defence of

Canada invokes Chapter 19 to reverse US penalties on C-Series and softwood lumber
News Releases

The Machinists’ Union applauds the decision For Immediate release Sunday January 21, 2018 Montréal, QC – The Machinists Union (IAM) is pleased to see Canada using Chapter 19 to try to break the protectionist measures of the US government. “We have been calling for this initiative publicly since October 13, 2017,” said IAM Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand. “So it is a great relief to see the Canadian government use this

Unifor decision serves only to divide the labour movement
Machinists' News

Toronto, ON – We have learned that Unifor has elected to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). This decision taken by their National Executive Board will also result in their removal from Federations of Labour and Labour Councils across Canada. “The IAM is extremely alarmed by this decision,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This decision only serves to divide the Canadian Labour movement, the impact will

Aerospace Policy discussions highlight site visit!
Machinists' News

Montréal, QC – If you’re going to create an aerospace policy for the IAM in Canada, there’s no better place to start than at Bombardier in Montreal. During his first site visit of 2018, Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall met with the leadership of IAM Local Lodge 712, IAM District Lodge 11, IAM Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand and IAM Aerospace Coordinator Gerald Tremblay, to begin developing a policy. “There’s more to