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Machinists ratify new agreement with Innotech Aviation

Friday May 3, 2019   For Immediate Release Ottawa, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2413 have ratified a new three – year collective agreement with Innotech Aviation but it wasn’t without some soul searching by the membership. “This group of employees pushed the envelope and were very close to striking over their employer’s entry level wage approach,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Mike Corrado. “In

Pearson May Day celebrations had an international flavour!

Toronto, On – The annual May Day celebrations at Toronto’s Pearson Airport had international overtones this year. Canadian airport workers were joined by their brothers and sisters from Korea, England, Malaysia and Indonesia and they braved the cold weather in solidarity on the departures level of Terminal One. A variety of speakers voiced concerns on issues that impact airport workers around the globe, namely contract flipping, poor labour conditions as

Labour Conditions at Pearson need to improve!

Toronto, ON – Members of the International Transport Federation from four continents gathered in Toronto this week to discuss problems facing airport workers around the world. One of the biggest concerns is worker safety. The Toronto Airport Workers Council has made great strides in convincing airport management and employers that workers need to have their voices heard in discussions concerning worker safety at Pearson. The Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA)

Disclosure of financial penalties key to Menzies deal!

Toronto, ON – Disclosure of financial penalties for not complying with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority’s (GTAA) new employee retention standards, is a stumbling block in bargaining talks between the IAM and Menzies Aviation. Speaking to delegates at a two-day International Transport Federation (ITF) conference in Toronto, IAM Transportation District Lodge General Chairperson Mike Corrado said the new standards are design to stem the problem of employee turnover for service

Employee turnover at Pearson reaches 160 per cent with contract flipping!

Toronto, ON – Contract flipping at Toronto’s Pearson Airport is so bad that the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) has introduced a new set of employee retention standards for service providers who practice contract flipping. Speaking to delegates at a two day conference sponsored by the International Transport Federation and the Toronto Airport Workers Council, IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Mike Corrado, said companies who practice contract flipping

Machinists sign gem of a deal with Geo-Tech Industries

Tuesday May 30, 2019   For Immediate Release   Crofton, B.C. – Members of IAM Local Lodge 456 have ratified a new collective agreement with Geo-Tech Industries Inc. “Our members are extremely happy with this agreement and it reflects the value of their expertise,” explained IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative John Humphrey. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 5 per cent in the first year, and 3 per

Day of Mourning

April 28 is a Day of Mourning for thousands of Canadian workers killed or injured on the job each year, or who die from work-related diseases. On this day, we mourn, but it is also a time to insist that all levels of government do more to enforce existing health and safety laws and vigorously prosecute violations when a worker is killed or seriously injured. The labour movement worked for

History made as PEI Election Results Tabulated

24 April, 2019 In an eagerly-anticipated campaign, the PEI Green Party made history last night as it became the official opposition in Prince Edward Island – the first time that has ever happened. This was the strongest showing of any Green Party in Canada. The Liberal leader Wade MacLauchlan lost his own seat to a Conservative in an illustration of how unhappy Islanders were with the status quo. The Progressive

Voices matter – The 5th IAM Canada Political Action Symposium

Hollywood, MD – More than 80 Canadian IAM political activists gathered at the William W Winpisinger Education Center this week for the 5th IAM Canada Political Action Symposium. “Political Action requires people,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall in his address to the delegates. “Voices matter, more voices means we can influence the decision- makers and push them to prioritize the needs of working people. The way to

IAM warns of watered-down certification training!

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) is looking to take away the employer requirement to supply three days of classroom training to become a Certified Joint Health and Safety Committee representative. The Ministry wants to replace it with a one day online course. “Our biggest fear is that some employers will abuse this change to provide workers with the cheapest option available and therefore the least amount