2021

Special offer for Machinists - The Stand movie-musical
Machinists' News

The producers of Stand! are offering Machinists Union members a 20 percent discount to watch the movie from the comfort of their homes. For $7.99 in the United States and $10 in Canada, members can view the acclaimed movie-musical, an immigrant love story set against the backdrop of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike in Canada. Due to COVID-19, the movie transitioned from in-theater distribution to virtual. Starting February 11, machinists can

Canada’s unions mark Black History Month by calling for racial justice in pandemic response and recovery
Human Rights

February 1, 2021 – Canada’s unions are marking Black History Month by calling for an end to systemic anti-Black racism. This includes urging the federal government to disaster-proof Canada’s social safety net to ensure a COVID-19 response and recovery that is rooted in racial justice. “This is a time of reckoning,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “The double crisis of a global pandemic and outcries over

New members of IAM Local 103 ratify first agreement
Machinists' News

Burlington, ON – In early 2020, the employees of Trojan Tire Inc. in Burlington Ontario voted to join the IAM. After a long and difficult round of negotiations, the membership ratified their first agreement. “The group was clear of their needs and achieved many of their goals”, remarked Eric Johnson, District 78 Business Representative. The 4-year agreement provides consistent scheduling, overtime improvements, annual wage increases, vacation increases, benefits, and the

One More Obstacle to Airline Recovery
COV IAM Fights Back

Today’s announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presents yet another obstacle in the IAM’s fight to preserve the aviation industry, where our members and thousands of other workers are being left out in the cold without support. With the requirement for mandatory hotel-quarantine, at a cost estimated to be $2,000, the government has yet again raised the bar on restrictions faced by the transportation industry. This will further result

Lack of Action in Aviation Sector a “Black Mark on Liberals’ Watch”
COV IAM Fights Back

The IAM demands the government immediately establish a Sector Council Working Group to implement a program that helps sustain the airlines, including small air carriers. We also propose that the government maintain a domestic and regional air network, as a healthy domestic air network will be the backbone of recovery in this sector.

Without swift action, this sector will be obliterated. Pickthall has a very clear message to the Liberal government: “Mr. Trudeau, the death of Canada’s aviation industry will be a black mark on your watch!”

IAM Local 1758 in Laval vote to extend contract by three years
Machinists' News

23 January, 2021 For immediate release Laval, QC – 97 IAM members working for Hèroux-Devtek ratified a contract with the Montreal-area manufacturing, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. The contract was accepted by almost 70 percent of the membership. The previous contract expired on 31 December, 2021. As part of the new contract, they will receive 2.15%, 2.20% and 2.25% wage increases, helped, in part, by an investment of $11.3 million

Reo Elkin says farewell - DL250 representative heads to retirement
Machinists' News

26 January, 2021 Reo Elkin, Business Representative for IAM District 250 is retiring this Friday, 29 January, 2021. We caught up with him and spent a few minutes discussing his union life. “I became a Business Rep when Stan Pickthall became Chief-of-Staff at the Canadian Office seven years go. Dale Gentile, who was the Rep, asked me if I was interested and I said ‘Yes’. “Before that I was involved

National Women's Committee - Challenges of Supporting Members During the Pandemic
Machinists' News

The National Women’s Committee has been meeting on a regular basis to discuss the effect on the pandemic on women, and workers of colour across the country. At our last meeting, participants raised the stresses accompanied with heavy workloads, managing issues and emotions of union members as we continue to work in uncertain circumstances. A member of the National Women’s Group will make a presentation on a Mental Health Toolkit

New three-year deal ratified by IAM Local 235 in Toronto
Machinists' News

18 January, 2021 For Immediate release Toronto, ON – Members at IAM Local 235 working at Hobart Food Equipment Group Canada ratified a new 3-year agreement on Monday evening. Due to COVID restrictions, the group met virtually to discuss the changes to the collective agreement and conducted their vote online. “The committee, consisting of Steven Straub, Kumar Balkaran, and Chee Leong, were very effective in advancing the interests of the

Mentorship at Local 764 MTU - continuity and leadership
Machinists' News

The picture is of Shop Steward and Mentor Gas Turbine Engine (GTE) Mechanic James Whiting working and teaching Apprentice GTE Mechanic Kevin Shin at their new Boundary Bay Engine Facility in Delta British Columbia. Brothers James and Kevin are working on the V2500 Engine which is one of 4 Engine types overhauled at this facility. The IAE V2500 is a versatile, two-shaft high-bypass turbofan engine which powers the Airbus A320