2019

Women Machinists at Magellan

Longtime employees say Michelle Park is the first woman machinist to work at this Magellan aerospace shop in about 70 years. She and two other women machinists from Canada’s Local 717T share their passion for the field they love.

Machinists Mourn Loss of Former IAM International President George Kourpias

George Kourpias, who served as the IAM’s International President for eight years before retiring in 1997, passed away on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. He was 87. Kourpias, a 67-year IAM member, navigated the union through some of its greatest challenges. His tenure included Reagan’s assault on workers, national strikes in the airline industry and the reformation of organized labor through the election of John Sweeney as the AFL-CIO’s president. “George

Review of the 32nd FTQ convention

After four days of work, the 943 delegates were able to debate and deal with some 95 resolutions, participated in conferences, worked in committees, took stock of the main issues supported by the FTQ and adopted two policy statements. (occupational health and safety and public and universal drug insurance). Issues related to technological change, health and safety at work and the environment played an important role throughout the last FTQ

The Conservative Play Book

By Derek Ferguson, Special Representative, Political Action Whether it’s the Public Sector Wage Arbitration Act (Bill 9) in Alberta, Ontario’s  Protecting a Sustainable Public Generations Act (Bill 124), or Manitoba’s Public Services Sustainability Act (Bill 28 – Conservative governments across Canada continue to blame Unions for the manufactured fiscal deficits they say they inherited . After waiting nearly two and a half years, Manitoba’s public sector unions finally went to

PIREC Members Join IAM

For immediate release 29 November, 2019 Ottawa, ON – Members of the Professional Institute Regional Employee Council (PIREC) have joined the IAM and the ranks of staff of unions joining the IAM. The 35 staff work for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) across Canada. The new members are well-grounded in labour law and represent the more than 60,000 members of PIPSC. A new IAM charter

OFL Convention makes history, promises greater solidarity in the austerity fight

The Ontario Federation of Labour’s 15th Biennial Convention continues this week with many events, both historic and significant. Executive Board elections, presentation, panel discussions, awards, forums, and cultural celebrations punctuated the convention in downtown Toronto. Executive Elections The one thousand or so delegates voted overwhelmingly to elect Patty Coates as the first female president of Canada’s largest federation of labour in what has been an historic election. Coates, a long-time

IAM Local 1722 ratifies new deal with Diamond International

For immediate release 15 November, 2019 Edmonton, AB – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1722 has ratified a new collective agreement with Diamond International Trucks Ltd. this week. Facing economic instability in Alberta, and a contentious set of bargaining, the committee was able to get a deal by sticking together and implementing and following the plans devised at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Center prior to bargaining. Members working at

Is there harassment in your workplace?

A recent report Conducted by Statistics Canada  from 9,000 workers, aged 15 to 64, found almost one in five women had been harassed at work at some point during the year, while one in every eight men reported similar experiences. The reported harassment included verbal abuse, humiliating behaviour, threats, violence and unwanted sexual attention or harassment. Women report more abuse The survey reported that 13 per cent of women and 10

Garment workers, suppliers and ACT brands agree on Freedom of Association Guideline

15 November, 2019After eight months of negotiations, factories producing for ACT brands in Myanmar have agreed on a Myanmar Freedom of Association (FoA) Guideline with IndustriALL affiliate Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM). The Myanmar FoA Guideline aims to secure constructive relations between employers and workers. By providing workers a voice and representation, the guideline facilitates cooperation to solve workplace issues. The guideline aims to specify and ensure the practical application of