In 1968, Lester B. Pearson (and then Pierre Trudeau) were Prime Ministers of Canada. John Robarts was Premier of Ontario. Medicare came into effect. The three branches of the Canadian Forces were merged into one. The Warsaw Pact countries invaded Czechoslovakia, leading to a wave of immigration to Canada and Canadians invented IMAX. These are only some of the events of 1968. Fifty years ago, the Grand Lodge granted a
Burnaby, B.C. – The IAM welcomed 39 new members into the union after a representation vote went in favour of the union. “Spreading the word about how independent trade unions operate and represent their membership was the magic formula,” said Al Cyr, Business Representative for IAM District 250. AK Draft & Seal workers in Burnaby, B.C., who were previously represented by the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), voted to
The IAM and five other unions have joined forces on a public awareness campaign to show their members (and voters) the way forward in the next Québec elections. Approximately 1,600 placards were distributed in the Taschereau constituency in the Quebec City area, Pointe-aux-Trembles in the Montreal area, Roberval in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Jérôme in the Laurentians. The union coalition installed large signs on utility poles with the message, “It’s the same
Sydney, NS – Sixteen members of IAM Local Lodge 684 employed by Logistec Corporation will officially lose their jobs this weekend as Nova Scotia Power Corporation (NSP) has awarded management of the International pier and associated rail operations to Savage CANAC Corporation. “This isn’t a contract flip,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Ken Russell. “Savage CANAC, drastically underbid Logistec for the work and according to our legal
Toronto, ON – Air Canada has made an offer to buy back its former loyalty program which it created in 1984. Air Canada is partnering with Toronto-Dominion Bank, CIBC and Visa to buy Aeroplan from its current owner Aimia, in exchange for taking over the liability of $2 billion worth of outstanding Aeroplan points, plus an additional $250 million in cash. Air Canada started Aeroplan as its loyalty program in
Moncton, NB – A fixture on the ramp at Moncton’s Romeo Le Blanc International Airport for forty years, IAM Local Lodge 2797 member, James O’Regan, will fuel his last aircraft on August 3, 2018. “James will turn 70 this year and it’s time to enjoy retirement,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Ken Russell. “Always dependable, always there, his work ethic was second to none. He’s a true
Toronto, ON – The IAM has been establishing a trend toward reversing contract flipping at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Contract flipping – when service providers have lost their contracts to a competitor who undercuts their bid – has long been a problem for workers and their unions at Pearson Airport. Workers lose their jobs, seniority and pensions when the new employer takes over and if they want their job back, it’s
Toronto, ON – IAM Special Representative Neil Giroux has been assigned to the Canadian Aerospace portfolio this week. He replaces Gerald Tremblay who retired July 1st. “I am very pleased that Neil agreed to join the IAM Canada Team as a Special Representative,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “Neil has done an outstanding job for the union in his work with IAM District 11, and I know
Montreal, QC – On this day when Airbus officially becomes the majority partner of C-Series Limited Partnership, the Machinists Union would not want us to forget that it is the workers who are the heart of the aerospace industry. “The takeover of C-Series by Airbus must be considered the end of a chapter and not the end of the story,” said IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “This apparatus, which was
Vancouver, BC – The proof is in the pudding so the saying goes and IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall was proudly dishing out congratulations to national, district and local IAM organizers for bringing more than 3,200 new members into the union since January 1st. Speaking to delegates at the recent Canadian staff conference in Vancouver, Pickthall said the 10 per cent growth in Canadian membership is a direct
