Machinists’ News

Changing times, changing workplaces

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

OPCM Celebrates 125 years of the IAM in Canada

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

New Alberta MLA credits IAM with road map to victory

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

Fuelers: Machinists Go Public to Force Minister of Labour to Act

Members of Lodge 2413 demonstrate against Air Canada's cancellation of fuel contracts. See more photos below the article text. Toronto, ON – Members of the IAM Local Lodge 2413, with support from other Machinist locals were soliciting public support on the airport strip in their fight to save the jobs of refueling workers at Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau International Airports. An airline consortium headed up by Air Canada has

Jim Nugent Passes at Age 70

St. Thomas, ON – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former Grand Lodge Representative Jim Nugent, June 3, 2015. ‘We have lost a great machinist and trade unionist,” said a saddened IAM Canadian GVP Dave Ritchie. “He was a tireless worker on behalf of our members, we will miss him.” Nugent, a tool and die maker from St. Thomas, Ontario, joined the IAM in 1967.

World Solidarity Reaches Strikers in Flin Flon

Flin Flon, MB – World solidarity against a mining giant has stretched all the way from South Africa and Brazil to the IAM picket lines in Flin Flon, Manitoba.   The 180 members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 were given a surprise boost not only to their morale but to their strike fund as well this week. “You just never know who is watching out for you and paying attention

NDP wants Referendum on the Privatization of Ontario Hydro

Andrea Horwath introduces Private Members Bill Marching up Toronto’s University Avenue under the shadows of Hydro One Corporate Headquarters, members of CUPE, employed by Ontario Hydro, protest the proposed sale of the majority of the Crown asset. Toronto, On – Provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath introduced a private member’s bill in the Ontario Legislature May 25, seeking a public referendum on the proposed sale of 60% of Ontario Hydro. Ontario

Machinists Join Protest at Hudbay Shareholder Meeting

Toronto ON – IAM members from the Canadian office, and District Lodges 78 and 140 joined community activists from the Americas to protest outside the annual shareholders meeting of Hudson Bay Minerals – Hudbay. From Guatemala, Peru and Arizona to Manitoba, Indigenous and non-indigenous communities have mobilized to seek justice and reparations from crimes and treaty violations carried out by Hudbay and its subsidiaries. The protestors called on the Hudbay

Tell the Feds to Help Save Air Transport Jobs!

300 workers in Montreal and Toronto are facing the loss of decent jobs with benefits and pensions. If together we can't help they will be 'lucky' to have jobs that pay a bit more than minimum wage with few benefits and no pension. Aircraft refueling workers at Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau are represented by the IAM. Their union has unfair labour practice complaints at the Canada Industrial Relations Board