By Shelley Cermak and Laura Sharpe, IAM Local 764 Noreen Olive Schmitt was first a partner, mother, grandmother, a sister – and to many of us in the union family, a mentor! Kind, gentle, caring, empathetic and very sharing of her struggles and she wanted more for us young ones coming up the ranks. She spent countless hours with her union & community, teaching and passing on her knowledge. She
Union organizer and social activist. Late in life, Madeleine Parent was recognized her indefatigable activism on behalf of workers, women, and minorities. But in her younger years she was marked as a dangerous woman and a “seditious” traitor. In the 1940s, Parent organized workers in the massive textile factories of Quebec. She was convicted — and later acquitted — of seditious conspiracy. From the 1950s to the 1970s, she led
Ivana Saula Research Director Six months ago, talks between the federal government and airline companies began over financial aid for air transportation. As soon as the impact of COVID-19 was evident, the IAM began a continuous lobbying effort for assistance for aviation and air transportation. Also, over the last year, one by one, governments around the world announced aid specifically for the airlines. In Canada, we’re still waiting. A recent
Kwakwaka’wakw leader, cultural mediator, and activist. Born on Vancouver Island, Ga’axstal’as, Jane Constance Cook was the daughter of a Kwakwaka’wakw noblewoman and a white fur trader. Raised by a missionary couple, she had strong literacy skills and developed a good understanding of both cultures and legal systems. As the grip of colonialism tightened around West Coast nations, Cook lobbied for First Nations to retain rights of access to land and resources.
Activist, radio host, and politial leader. Despite being brought up in wealth and privilege, Thérèse Casgrain felt that life should be fair to everyone. She helped to found the Provincial Franchise Committee for Women’s Suffrage in 1921 and later hosted a prominent radio program, called Fémina, for Radio-Canada. She became the first female leader of a political party in Canada — the left-leaning Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) — in the 1940s.
By Ivana Saula, Research Director and Women and Human Rights Representative “Diversity is our Strength, Solidarity Is Our Power” Duygu Brauer, DaMigra The IAM is proud to be a delegate to Canada’s delegation, with two representatives in attendance; Tania Canniff General Chair Person, District Lodge 140 and myself. Despite the pandemic, the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Status of Women went full steam ahead, with delegates from around the
First black woman newspaper editor in North America. Mary Ann Shadd was a tireless advocate for universal education, black emancipation, and women’s rights. Born in Delaware, Shadd moved to Windsor in Canada West (now Ontario) to teach in 1851. She soon founded the Provincial Freeman, which was dedicated to abolitionism, temperance, and women’s political rights. During the American Civil War, she went back to the United States as a recruiter of
New York, March 18, 2021 Bonjour, Aaniin, Salaam-Alaikum to my colleagues in the international community. I hope wherever you are, you are safe, you are well, and I wish the same for your loved ones. COVID-19 is the most serious public health crisis that Canada has ever faced. It has laid bare fundamental gaps in our society and disproportionately impacted those who were already marginalized, vulnerable, or struggling. Women have
For immediate release 12 March, 2021 Kanata, ON – Members working at AstenJohnson in Kanata ratified their new collective agreement incorporating many gains despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic. Shane Woito, President of Local Lodge 412, thanked the Local and the organization, for the opportunity to lead the Bargaining from start to finish. “It was exciting to have the responsibility of working with the employer, and a great experience
First woman elected to the House of Commons. Agnes Macphail was born in rural Ontario. While working as a young schoolteacher she became involved with progressive political movements, including the United Farm Women of Ontario. She also began writing a newspaper column. She was elected to the Commons as a member of the Progressive Party of Canada in 1921. Her causes included rural issues, pensions for seniors, workers rights, and
