Click here to see photos of the meeting.
Toronto, ON – Members of IAM District Lodges 78 and 140 and CUPE Airline Division Political Action Committees held a meet and greet with NDP Incumbent MPs, MPPs and candidates for the upcoming federal election, last night at the IAM District Lodge 78 offices.
“Our ultimate goal is to give Harper the boot in the upcoming election and put in place a government that works for all Canadians,” said Peggy Nash, MP for Parkdale – High Park. Nash, an advocate of workers’ rights and mindful of the struggles of airline workers, is pushing for an increase in the minimum wage.
Michelle Bilek, a candidate in the riding of Mississauga-Streetsville, is pushing for more federal funding for affordable housing. “The homeless problem in Peel Region is just as disturbing as it is for Toronto,” she told those in attendance. “Homelessness may get the headlines and the media coverage in Toronto but it’s an issue facing every municipality in this country and ignoring the problem while catering to corporations won’t resolve it. The only way to bring about change is to give the Harper government the boot on election day.”
The meeting allowed airline workers from both unions to express to the incumbents and delegates alike, the issues of political action and the upcoming election.
York South MPP Mike Sullivan (centre) holds talks with airline workers at the IAM District Lodge 78 Political Action meet-and-greet January 19, 2015. From left to right: Gary Sinclair, IAM DL140 GC; Dave Flowers, IAM LL 2323 Political Action Committee; Marek Sadiszak, Erin Mills NDP Riding Association; Leo Paradela, IAM LL 2323 Political Action Committee; Dan Janssen, VP IAM LL 2323; Mike Corrado, IAM DL 140 GC.
Peggy Nash, NDP MP for Parkdale-High Park riding in Toronto, speaks with Bryan Wilson, IAM LL 2323 Political Action Committee member (left) and Wayne Patterson, Secretary Treasurer of IAM LL 2323 (right)
Michelle Bilek, NDP Candidate for Mississauga-Streetsville, addresses attendees at the CUPE-IAM airline workers meet-and-greet held at IAM District Lodge 78 offices near Pearson Airport.
From left to right: Stan Theofalakditis, IAM LL2413 ST; Dan Janssen, IAM LL 2323 Vice President; Dave Flowers, IAM LL 2323 Political Action Committee; Pauline Pegnam, IAM LL 1922 Retiree Political Action Committee and Kim Valliere, IAM DL78 BR.