COV IAM Fights Back

COVID-19 Fatality: WSIB Finds IAM Member Contracted Virus in the Workplace
COV IAM Fights Back

COVID-19 is proving to be a tough adversary as we manage through the fourth wave of the pandemic. In many workplaces across Canada workers have both contracted and died from COVID-19, the culprit of the spread often being lax health and safety protocols. Often numbers of workers sick with COVID-19 are officially underreported, and proving COVID-19 is contracted in the workplace is an uphill battle. From meat processing plants, retail,

Federal budget - The good, the bad and the ugly
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19 April, 2021 Toronto, ON – In one of the most important-anticipated budgets in our lifetime, the IAM hopes it will reveal a clear roadmap to our fiscal future. The grave nature of the disruptions caused by COVID-19 demands nothing less. Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered her first budget to Canadians today. The budget, first intended to be presented by former Finance Minister Bill Morneau on 30 March, 2020,

Shocking difference in US and Canadian approaches to airline industry
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For immediate release 08 April, 2021 Toronto, ON – The Canadian government is facing mounting criticism over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it be the availability of the COVID vaccine, the vaccination plan or lack of a plan about jobs and the economy, they have been facing increasing pressure. One specific industry that has been abandoned is the airline industry. Canada remains the only G7 nation yet to

IAM on the Global Stage: COVID-19 and the Private Sector
COV IAM Fights Back

Participants from around the world gathered for the United Nations 65th Conference on The Status of Women, taking part in numerous sessions, with a great number looking at the impact of COVID-19 on women, youth and women of colour. Much attention has been given to the experiences of women in the public sector given large numbers of women in sectors like education and healthcare, but the experiences of women in

Questions about vaccines and vaccinations
COV IAM Fights Back

Sisters and Brothers: It has now been one year since there was a worldwide pandemic call respecting COVID-19. In that context, there has been a great deal in the news over recent weeks about the availability of vaccines. We now know there are four (4) separate vaccines that will be made available to the public as vaccine rollout occurs across Canada. This has led to a number of questions being

Do the right thing: Paid Sick Days Now!
COV IAM Fights Back

As the crisis that ensued from the pandemic continues, there’s another one that’s raging- unavailability of paid sick days. Workers, unions, advocates, small business owners, and health experts are all united in their calls on provincial governments to act responsibly and finally take all precautions to protect public health; implement paid sick days. Yet, despite a yearlong lobby effort, no action has been taken. The pandemic has plagued our communities

Re: the crisis facing workers in Canada’s air travel and tourism sector
COV IAM Fights Back

February 24, 2021 The Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 The Honourable Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6   Dear Honourable Ministers: Re: the crisis facing workers in Canada’s air travel and tourism sector

IAM to Minister: Comprehensive Aviation Policy Needed Now!
COV IAM Fights Back

February 08, 2021 Earlier today the IAMAW met with Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra to discuss the future of Canada’s air transportation, and aviation sectors. Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall voiced once again the need for a comprehensive sound policy to ensure the long-term viability of Canadian air carriers, both large and regional. Pickthall said: “Workers need support. Many of our members and other workers across the aviation sector have

One More Obstacle to Airline Recovery
COV IAM Fights Back

Today’s announcement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presents yet another obstacle in the IAM’s fight to preserve the aviation industry, where our members and thousands of other workers are being left out in the cold without support. With the requirement for mandatory hotel-quarantine, at a cost estimated to be $2,000, the government has yet again raised the bar on restrictions faced by the transportation industry. This will further result

Lack of Action in Aviation Sector a “Black Mark on Liberals’ Watch”
COV IAM Fights Back

The IAM demands the government immediately establish a Sector Council Working Group to implement a program that helps sustain the airlines, including small air carriers. We also propose that the government maintain a domestic and regional air network, as a healthy domestic air network will be the backbone of recovery in this sector.

Without swift action, this sector will be obliterated. Pickthall has a very clear message to the Liberal government: “Mr. Trudeau, the death of Canada’s aviation industry will be a black mark on your watch!”