Las Vegas, NV – For 31 years Sam Beekman was a machinist at Boeing Aerospace and an active member of IAM Local Lodge 63. But in 2013, Sam was diagnosed with ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. “That’s when my entire life changed in a heartbeat,” he said to more than 120 delegates to the 2015 IAM Retirees Conference. ALS is a neuro-muscular disease which
IAM Canadian General Vice-President Dave Ritchie and 120 other Canadian labour leaders met with new Canadian Prime minister, Justin Trudeau as part of the Canadian Labour Congress’ Canadian Council, a democratically elected group that governs the CLC between its national conventions. Ritchie met briefly with Trudeau to talk about, among other things, investment in an industry ignored by the previous Conservative government. The conversation is on the heels of a
IAM marchers numbered nearly 100. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair was among the marchers. NDP candidate Olivia Chow greets Machinist marchers. GVP Dave Ritchie (left) led the Machinists' delegation. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair was among the thousands of participants in this year's Toronto Labour Day parade. Nearly 100 Machinists participated. "That so many people would come out to the parade on a holiday says a lot about the vitality of our
Transportation Developments Usher In Change Fort Lauderdale, Fla – Over a five-day period, 600 delegates to the 2015 IAM Transportation Conference heard of organizing victories, the promise of real change in the Canadian political landscape, the implications of contract flipping as well as the need to do more. But at the end of the week, delegates left knowing that “This is Our Time.”
September 1, 2015 To All Grand Lodge Representatives, Special Representatives, Grand Lodge Auditors, Organizers, Business Representatives, Airline and Railroad General Chairmen, District Lodge Secretary-Treasurers, Local Lodge Recording Secretaries, State and Provincial Councils and Territorial Education and Communications Representatives, TCU/IAM Executive Council, Carmen Division Officers, National Representatives, Assistant National Representatives and Local Lodge Officers Dear Sisters and Brothers: It is with renewed enthusiasm that we are beginning another
Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie addresses the IAM Transport Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla – In his opening remarks to the IAM 2015 Transportation Conference here, IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie warned American members employed in the airline sector, that the Air Canada model is coming to America. “There are discussions underway in the US to sell off baggage services, “ said Ritchie. “Air Canada sold off its
Scott JacksonThe Government must change the law and upgrade its enforcement to ensure that Ontario employers meet their moral and legal responsibilities to their workers. That was the IAM message in June to the Special Advisors reviewing the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act for the Ontario Government. The IAM submission to the Review, presented by IAM Organizer Scott Jackson, highlighted the need for dramatic legislative and regulatory changes
A White Glove Affair: Left to right, IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie , Stratford Perth Museum Curator Micaela Fitzsimmons and IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger don white gloves to handle the first minutes book – circa 1890 – from the first Canadian Local Lodge 103. The book is on permanent display at the Museum, it was loaned to the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists to celebrate 125 years of the
Let me show you my new house – IAM Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie (left) and IAM District Lodge 14 Directing Business Representative Bob McKinnon (right) join newly elected Alberta MLA and IAM Local Lodge 1681 member Jamie Kleinsteuber, in front of his new house, the Alberta Legislative buildings in downtown Edmonton. Kleinsteuber was one of nine trade unionists elected under the NDP banner in the May 5, 2015
