2023

12 December, 2023 – IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed District 11 Business Representative Eric Rancourt as a Canadian Special Representative. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2024. Rancourt, a 25-year member, joined IAM Local 712 as a fitter at Bombardier Aerospace’s Ville Saint-Laurent, Québec plant in 1998. His early union involvement included serving as a shop steward, helping to create his local’s youth committee and becoming involved

The group contacted organizer, Kyle Franzen, out of District 14, this was due to one of the employee’s previous histories working for Air Canada. Kevin Timms, of District 140 relayed the contact information to Kyle, and the process began. A first agreement was bargained and ratified in early November, which established consistent pay raises and rights in the workplace. The new members will be part of Local Lodge 1722. Kyle

IAM Canadian General Vice-President David Chartrand has appointed Kim Valliere as the IAM representative to the Executive Board of the Ontario Federation of Labour. Valliere will be responsible for representing the IAM and the many issues IAM members face. She will also represent the voice of Ontario workers. A 32-year IAM member, Sister Valliere became a member of IAM Local Lodge 2330 (now Local Lodge 103) in 1990, when she

IAM Canadian General Vice-President David Chartrand has been installed as a member of a newly-launched advisory board to advise the Canadian government on labour issues. The Union-Led Advisory Table brings together 14 labour leaders from across Canada with expertise different across sectors to advise the government on the big challenges and opportunities of our time. The council will consider issues like automation, energy transition and supporting skilled workers and sectors.

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has announced the appointment of long-time IAM staff member, organizer and leader Ralph Martin as IAM Canadian Chief of Staff to General Vice President David Chartrand. The appointment is effective Jan. 2, 2024. “I’m thrilled to welcome Ralph into this new role serving our membership in Canada,” said Chartrand. “Ralph understands what it means to organize new members and represent current ones, and we’re

December 6, 2023 (From the CLC) Canada’s unions are marking the 34th anniversary of the attack at École Polytechnique in Montreal by urging the federal government to take concrete steps to prevent and address gender-based violence in Canada. This must include implementing ILO Convention 190 (ILO C-190), the first international standard of its kind, that acknowledges the universal right to a world of work free from violence and harassment; integrating

IAM Canadian Chief of Staff Gord Falconer has announced his retirement, effective Jan. 2, 2024. Falconer, a 25-year IAM member, has held the position since May 2016 and has served under Canadian General Vice Presidents Stan Pickthall and David Chartrand. “Gord has been a friend and advocate of countless members over his storied IAM career,” said IAM International President Martinez Jr. “We thank him for his service and wish him and his family a

Toronto, ON – The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association of Ontario, 2023 AME Conference saw an impressive showcase of skills and expertise as teams vied for victory in various challenging competitions. The IAM proved its members are at the very top of every class. Among the rigorous events were the lock wiring contest, virtual main wheel and brake changes, avionics fault troubleshooting, 2D virtual paint challenge, non-destructive test challenge, and sheet

Montreal, Thursday, November 30, 2023 – For us, there’s no justification for going with a direct contract. This choice is a form of contempt for our aerospace industry and the workers for whom it is famous. “The Canadian government has just missed an opportunity to be transparent with Canadians, to give our Canadian companies the opportunity to showcase themselves and our industry,” said David Chartrand, Canadian General Vice-President of the

Ottawa, ON – On Tuesday, more than 200 labour activists met with MPs on Parliament Hill under the banner of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) – and once again the dominant group came from the IAM. This time 57 IAM members lobbied parliamentarians on the need for a quicker implementation of the Anti-Scab Law, A national Pharmacare plan and sustainable jobs. On Monday evening, the IAM had a caucus meeting