The cornerstone of the labour movement, and a right won through decades of bitter battles is the right to bargain freely and fairly. In fact, without it, unions would lose their essence and effectively be eliminated, which is exactly what the Conservatives want. Ford government’s trampling on this right is egregious, but the intrusion into the finer details of collective agreements is downright dangerous. This is what the erosion of
3 November, 2022 Urgent message from the Ontario Federation of Labour TOMORROW – Picket line locations for CUPE-OSBCU strike on Friday, November 4 The Ford government is pulling the plug on bargaining while it’s still underway and using Bill 28, to forcibly impose a contract on education workers. This is unacceptable and must be met with urgent and collective action. This attack goes beyond basic labour rights. It’s an attack
I was proud to be at the emergency rally organized by the Ontario Federation of Labour in support of Ontario’s 55,000 education workers, The demonstration is in response to the “Keeping Students in Schools Act,” which is being debated at the Ontario legislature at Queen’s Park. The Bill, introduced on Monday, would prevent a planned strike by the Ontario education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE),
27 October, 2022 Ottawa, ON – The IAM strongly supports the NDP initiative led by Alexandre Boulerice, a bill that if passed, would prevent the use of replacement workers, or anti-scab legislation. The legislation would affect workplaces in the federal jurisdiction. Preventing use of replacement workers ensures that unions can effectively negotiate fair collective agreements. But, it’s not just workers that benefit, labour relations are improved as a result, while
October 2022 Toronto, ON – Members working for AAS Canada Core Services at Toronto Pearson Airport voted 90% in favour of a new five-year collective agreement. The deal provides for wage increases of between 12 % – 27% depending on classification and seniority over the life of the agreement. Members will also join the Union’s Multi-Employer Pension Plan (MEPP). Gurdeep Panesar, Devinder Lotay and Atta Mohammed, members of the Negotiating
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. in his closing remarks to the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention said, “If you had any doubt about what this union is about, I hope you go home knowing that the IAM is here for you. The IAM is here for your family, and the IAM is here for your community,” he said. “Yes, we negotiate contracts that allow our members to live the
With the political landscape quickly changing and anti-worker politicians sweeping the polls, acting politically and strategically has never been so essential. Workers know all too well, that if we’re not at the table, we’re bound to end up on the menu. David Chartrand, General Vice President for Canada understands this and spared no time in meeting with the Ontario NDP’s interim leader, Peter Tabuns. “Mr. Tabuns understands that the NDP
On Friday 7, 2022, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. and IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo presented the 4th International President’s Excellence in Organizing Awards recognising organizers and territories who have demonstrated a superb commitment to growing the strength of the IAM. Canadian organisers shone once again, taking top honours with the Eastern Territory for the distinction of being the top territory in organising new members into the IAM. “The
29 September, 2022 Thunder Bay, ON – IAM Members at Lakehead Motors ratified a new collective agreement late last week and gained a number of improvements to their contract. “The negotiations were very productive,” said Peter Topetto, Directing Business Representative of IAM Local 1120 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The agreement includes a salary increase for every year of the contract, as well as improvements in benefits. The local also now
128 delegates Canadian delegates and 57 alternates attended the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention, delayed by two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was received with a mixture of joy and relief at finally being able to conduct the union’s business after six long years. David Chartrand, Canadian General Vice-President, attending his first convention as GVP, was glad to have the North American membership
