2021

The Future of Work: Air Transportation

No other industry has felt the pressure to evolve and adapt to new realities due to the pandemic like air transportation. In fact, the industry’s adaptability is crucial to its survival. Airlines and airports have turned to technology as part of their re-start plan, and safe travel is at the center of it. The industry’s response has been forward thinking, and includes a plan to manage this pandemic and prepare

Michel Richer to Assume Role of Quebec Coordinator

“It has been my privilege to work with Michel Richer over recent years, and I know he will continue to be a valuable asset to IAM members, both in Quebec and across Canada.” General Vice-President Stan Pickthall took pleasure in making the announcement that Michel Richer will soon assume the position of IAM Quebec Coordinator. Richer replaces David Chartrand, who was recently elected as the General Vice-President for IAM Canada.

Winpisinger Center to Welcome In-Person Learning with Safety Protocols on August 1

The Machinists Union is proud to announce the return of in-person learning at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3 Center) in Hollywood, MD beginning August 1, 2021. For the safety of the membership and staff, the flagship union training facility was forced to suspend classes in March 2020. “Education of officers, members and staff has always been an imperative focus of the Machinists Union, and nowhere does

Stan Pickthall's letter in support of UNITE-HERE Local 261

May 14, 2021   Ms. Yolaine Charette, General Manager Sheraton Ottawa Hotel 150 Albert Street Ottawa, ON K1P 5G2   Dear Ms. Charette: The IAM represents 50,000 Union members in Canada, with almost half working in travel-related industries. We are today writing in solidarity with the UNITE-HERE Local 261 workers at Sheraton Ottawa Hotel. It is brought to our attention that the Sheraton Hotel – owned by Keck Seng Investments

Industry 4.0: The Future of Hospitality

The pandemic has halted tourism and related industries, placing pressures on businesses to not only adapt, but prepare for future pandemics. Contactless technologies are becoming essential in public spaces, and hotels are no exception. Expansion of technologies that reduce contact and regulate physical distancing and overcrowding are not merely adaptations to current realities, they are essential to a recovery. But, the current state of global health is not the only

IAM elections set the course for next four years

General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes was the successful candidate elected April 24, 2021. The results were announced May 7, 2021. Cervantes was the incumbent. International President Robert Martinez Jr. was acclaimed, as well as all other General Vice-Presidents. Along with our new General Vice-President David Chartrand, also elected were Tania Canniff, on the Law Committee and Kim Valliere as CLC the representative. All three Canadian representatives will be sworn in July

Automation across the Nation: IAMAW Study of Technological Change

After a busy and challenging year that has re-prioritized work in support of our members, the IAMAW is back on track with a study of automation and artificial intelligence. As businesses adapt to new pandemic realities, technological innovation is given a high priority, and understanding what this means for our members is critical. Our society is on the precipice of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, one that will bring monumental changes.

The relevance of May Day

By Craig Heron, Professor Emeritus, York University How will you acknowledge the 1st of May? The provincial government probably won’t let you dance around a Maypole in any local parks. So maybe we can take a moment to ponder how people in Canada have celebrated this day more soberly for more than a century. The history of May Day is wrapped up in the struggle for an eight-hour day. In

IAM reacts to paid sick days announced by Ford government

29 April, 2021 Toronto, ON – While the IAM welcomes the announcement that Ontario will finally have paid sick days, we are concerned that there is much missing from this legislation. The new legislation, Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Program, provides $200 per day for up to three days if a worker is sick, has symptoms, needs to get vaccinated, waiting for COVID-19 test results, or has COVID-related mental health

Happy Birthday to IAM Founder Tom Talbot

Today marks the birth of the founder of the Machinists Union, Tom Talbot. Born on a farm in Chesterfield County, South Carolina on April 27, 1849, Talbot served as the IAM’s Grand Master Machinist (President) from the IAM’s founding on May 5, 1888 until his resignation in 1890. Talbot was working as a Machinist in the Atlantic Coastline Railway shops, at Florence, South Carolina under deplorable conditions and for very small wages when he conceived the idea of organizing the Machinists for the purpose of improving their conditions through cooperation and collective action.