Not long after becoming an employee with my current employer about 17 years ago, I became the Secretary/Treasurer of my Local, but we were a small Local, not affiliated with the greater labour movement, even though my employer is a labour union. Since our local joined IAMAW four years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in some great training programs at the Winpisinger centre and grow my network of
This is my first attendance of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention. It’s Inspiring to see the diversity of the members attending from all walks of life. I immediately felt I belonged because they stand for the improvement of workers’ lives. All speakers referred to the importance of unity – standing up together to collectively use our voices and act. Enough is Enough is the theme of the convention,
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) elected two new officers and re-elected a third to for the core of the new leadership which will guide them for the next two years. Dubbing themselves “Team Ignite”, the three candidates were acclaimed or elected by delegates at the 17th Biennial OFL Convention. Opening the Convention were Krista Maracle, Ethel LaValley and Dan Bowers of the Indigeneous communities. Laura Walton
The 150 members of IAM Local Lodge 3011 ratified a new collective agreement with their employer. There were many improvements and additions to the contract. The bargaining team would like to thank everyone who provided support in achieving this tentative agreement: The IAM Canada staff, in particular Neil Giroux and Ralph Martin, members of our mobilization and strike committees and Local Lodge 3011 Executive, all volunteers and our colleagues in
Members at Peel Cheshire Homes in Brampton have ratified their new two -year agreement. The agreement provided some important language changes regarding scheduling, call-in procedures and vacations that our members were seeking to improve fairness at their workplace. Also included was an additional sick day for part-time employees, a 0.5% bump to their pension, a 3.5% increase for 2023 and an additional 2.5% increase in 2024. Pictured below are our
Today’s introduction of legislation banning scab workers during strikes marks a monumental first step for Canadian workers and protection of the right to strike in Canada. The IAMAW applauds the introduction of this bill and will work diligently to ensure it becomes federal legislation. This bill is the culmination of multiple efforts and decades of advocacy, which would not have been possible without the supply-and-confidence agreement between the NDP and
The 6th of November marked the start of living wage week with the release of a report on living wages for 2023. The living wage movement sheds light on the extent to which workers are falling behind, and the ineffectiveness of minimum wage hikes, which do little to address the affordability crisis in the country. The report uncovers that the living wage rate for the Greater Toronto Area is $25.05,
7 November, 2023 Halifax, NS – This morning, IAM Local Lodge 2797 member Melissa Marsman was just elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (NSFL). This marks the first time an IAM member has been in the position of a ranking officer of the NSFL. Marsman, a 22-year member of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees’ Union (NSGEU), she is also an activist and advocate for unionism,
7 November, 2023 Halifax, NS – The 52nd Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (NSFL) Convention saw a strong presence of IAM members. Delegates and observers from IAM LL 2797 and IAM LL 1763, along with Canadian Labour Congress representatives and IAM LL 3111 member Kelly Roche Codner, gathered at the NSFL Convention in Halifax. Matt Barnable, Grand Lodge Representative also attended the convention as a delegate. It marks one of
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. has appointed long-time labor advocate Bernie Wood as an IAM Special Representative in Canada. The appointment is effective Nov. 20, 2023. Wood, an executive board member of IAM Local 3111 CULR, will service IAM members in Manitoba. For the last five years, Wood has worked for the Canadian Labour Congress as Prairie Regional Representative in Manitoba. He has a robust background in political action,
