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Machinists Expand at Toronto’s Pearson Airport!

Toronto, On – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have yet again expanded their membership at Pearson International Airport. Two hundred employees of Toronto Ground Airport Services, a subsidiary of BBH Services, are the newest members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2323. “This is a very rewarding victory over an aggressive and anti-union employer,” said a very happy IAMAW District 140 Organizer Ian Morland. “This campaign has been ongoing

Machinists Organize More Hospitality Workers

Sarnia, On – Workers at the Super 8 Hotel in Sarnia are the newest members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1295. “It was the search for better wages and respect from the employer that led these people to us,” said Ralph Martin, IAMAW District Lodge 78 Organizer. “It’s a recurring theme of hospitality workers who have joined the IAMAW.” The 16 workers consist of housekeeping, maintenance and front desk staff at

Maritime Machinists convention 2009

Moncton, NB – The Maritime Council of Machinists elected a new executive board for the upcoming term at the recent two-day MCM Conference held in Moncton, New Brunswick. Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie swears in the new slate of executive officers for the Maritime Council of Machinists in Moncton New Brunswick The new MCM Executive Board (from left to right) back row – Andrew MacFarlane – VP Nova Scotia, Mike Scully

Help Prevent Cervical Cancer

The Pearl of Wisdom campaign supports programs to prevent cervical cancer. Almost every case of cervical cancer can be prevented through programs using the Pap test, the HPV test, and the HPV vaccine. But many women around the world don’t know about or have access to these tools. As a result, 500,000 women develop cervical cancer and almost 300,000 die of cervical cancer – every year. The Pearl of Wisdom

Resist the HST (Ontatio only)

Next summer (2010) the Ontario Government is set to put into force its new harmonized GST/PST sales tax which will apply a 13% sales tax to everything we purchase. Things That Were Not Subject To The Current 8% PST Will Be Now Taxed As a result, things that were not previously taxed under the current Ontario Provincial Sales Tax (PST) will be taxed at 8%. The new 13% tax will

Machinists Ink New Agreement With Lounsbury

Miramichi, NB – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2418 have ratified a new collective agreement with Lounsbury Company Ltd. (Chevrolet). The three – year agreement provides wage increases of 2 per cent in the first year retroactive to September 1, 2009, and two six month increases of one per cent in each of the remaining two years. Other agreement highlights include : • Parts and Service employees receive a $100 annual

Flaherty's Pension Announcement: A Weak Response

I recently wrote about the “pension crisis” and what was needed to improve income protection for Canadian seniors. While several provinces have been working on new pension rules, it was federal Finance Minister Flaherty who made the first move, with his announcement on October 26 of proposed changes to federal pension legislation. While there were some positive elements in Flaherty’s announcement, it was far short of what we need. His

“Keep your promises,” say laid-off workers

Ontario’s Second Career training program in doubt, while federal EI training programs don’t meet expectations Toronto, On — Public and private sector unions including the IAMAW as well as laid off workers are calling on the provincial and federal governments to keep their word and to ensure that those who were promised training get it. “Too many workers in general are employed in low-skill, low-wage jobs,” says IAMAW Education Representative

Pensions en crise : un mythe ou une réalité?

Si vous avez lu les journaux cette semaine, vous pourriez croire que les régimes de pension ont fait l’objet d’une transformation soudaine et radicale au Canada, et il faudrait vous pardonner votre erreur de perception. Il appert que tout le monde écrit sur la crise qui frappe les régimes de pension : régimes qui disparaissent, faillites, perte de droits à pension, retraités qui craignent de ne plus pouvoir subvenir à

Pension Crisis?

If you look at the newspapers this week, you could be forgiven for thinking that there have been sudden dramatic changes in Canadian pension plans. It seems like everyone is writing articles about the pension crisis – disappearing pension plans, bankruptcies, workers losing plans, retirees afraid of starving. Unfortunately, lot of what is being written is confusing and in some cases, confused, so I’ll try to briefly sort out what