Machinists’ News

Machinists reach tentative 10-year deal with Air Canada
Machinists' News

Toronto, ON – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached an unprecedented tentative ten-year collective agreement with Air Canada. The tentative agreement follows a week of intense round the clock bargaining in Vancouver. “This agreement provides job security for our mechanics and airport workers,” explained IAM District Lodge 140 President and Directing General Chairperson Fred Hospes. “This is the first time in over a decade we

Work with Us on Air Canada Maintenance Jobs Machinists Ask Federal Government!
Machinists' News

 Toronto, On – Canada’s largest air transport sector union – The International Association of Machinists (IAM) – is asking the federal government to work with it to ensure the Air Canada Public Participation Act (ACPPA) is upheld. Recently, the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled that Air Canada had contravened the ACPPA by moving its heavy maintenance work out of Montreal, Winnipeg and Mississauga. In fact, the airline sent most of

Fed-Forward Slate Sweeps to Victory as New OFL Executive
Machinists' News

Toronto, On – A new slate of executive officers has been elected by delegates attending the Ontario Federation of Labour‘s 13th Biennial Convention. The New officers – President Chris Buckley of Unifor, Secretary Treasurer Patti Coates of O.S.S.T.F. and Executive Vice President Ahmed Gaied of UFCW were the candidates on the slate known as Fed Forward – supported by the IAM, Unifor, USW, OSSTF and UFCW. Buckley and Coates won

Martinez elected International President; replaces Buffenbarger Jan. 1
Machinists' News

Washington, D.C., November 22, 2015 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced that General Vice President Bob Martinez, Jr. will succeed current International President Tom Buffenbarger, who steps down on Jan.1, 2016 after a 45-year career that spans service as a local IAM Shop Steward to more than 18 years as the IAM’s top elected official. The announcement follows a vote by the union’s 11-member Executive

Buffenbarger Makes Final Address to IAM Retirees
Machinists' News

Las Vegas, NV – Tom Buffenbarger made his final address to an IAM Retirees Conference in his capacity as International President. He retires on January 1, 2016. “Your presence here shows you’re engaged with you union,” he told delegates to the 2015 IAM Retirees Conference. “Next year I will be sitting here as one of you and I look forward to it.” He spoke of the challenges facing retirees in

IAM Retirees: the Untapped Resource
Machinists' News

Las Vegas, NV – When 15 Canadian delegates to the 2015 IAM Retirees Conference sat down together, they discovered that beyond monthly coffee clubs within their respective groups, they didn’t communicate much with their local lodges or districts. “Beyond a small group of us who get together for coffee at the local we never see other retirees until the annual retirees' dinner,” explained IAM Local Lodge 2323 retiree Larry Hutchinson.

Seniors can prevent falls and Improve Household Safety
Machinists' News

Las Vegas, NV – You would think that falling wouldn’t be an issue of interest at a retirees conference but when clinical nurse specialist Cheryl Bradas asked how many attending IAM delegates had experienced a fall since they retired, more than a third of the audience raised their hands. The incidents of falling for seniors is on the increase. In 2011, there were 11,000 incidents daily in the US for

Machinist ALS Victim tells Retirees to Never Give up Hope
Machinists' News

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

GVP Ritchie asks new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invest in the Canadian Aerospace Sector
Machinists' News

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

Thousands march in Toronto Labour Day parade
Machinists' News

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