Ottawa, ON – The latest federal budget, as one analyst stated, offers lots of vision but few numbers. It poses two questions: 1) what can our Canadian Machinist members expect but, more importantly, 2) is when can they expect it? The Liberals emphasized skills training, infrastructure and child care. Under social infrastructure, the Liberals have pledged $11 billion but the figure is a hollow one as it’s spread over 11
Toronto, ON – Federal New Democratic Party leadership candidate Guy Caron dropped by the IAM Canadian offices last week for a morning visit on the heels of an evening organised by the Caron campaign held in east-end Toronto. Canadian office staff asked questions and received answers from the second-term Member of Parliament for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques. IAM Canada looks forward to meeting with leadership candidates as the party works toward electing
We have a new face among our staff at the IAM Canadian office. We are pleased to welcome Caroline Ramos as our new Administrative Secretary (cramos@iamaw.org). Caroline replaces Sandy Georgen, who retired last September.
March is federal budget season in Ottawa and this year the national budget will be presented by the Finance Minister Bill Morneau on March 22. With the new Trump administration in Washington also bringing forward its first budget, Ottawa seems to be very pragmatic to wait and see what will be brought forward south of the border. Two major areas seem to be the main focus in this year’s Canadian
The IAM represents workers in a large number of diverse industries and sector of the Canadian economy. One is mining. While in Canada, we represent workers who have a variety of skills, and who expertise makes mining possible, we don’t have any members employed as miners, directly. Our members do however maintain and manufacture the equipment used in the mining sector. There are many mining sites that use the services
There will be five federal be-elections this spring held on April 3, 2017. Two of the ridings, Calgary Heritage and Calgary Midnapore are in Alberta, Markham-Thornhill and Ottawa-Vanier are in Ontario with Saint-Laurent in Quebec. Adavanced voting days are March 24, 25,26 and 27, 2017. All Machinists members resident in these ridings are encouraged to exorcise their democratic right and cast their vote. -30-
Tuesday March 7, 2017 For Immediate Release Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Picket lines may go up outside Superior Nissan, Superior Custom Detailing and Superior Used Cars on March 20th and it may not stop there. “The employer and their legal counsel have been uncooperative in negotiations thus far,” explained Ralph Martin, Grand Lodge Representative for the International Association of Machinists – IAM. “We have a 100 per
On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day, a day to mark the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also calls for actions to be taken to address the unresolved issue of gender parity. Women are playing an ever increasing and meaningful role in our Union at all levels. The IAM is stronger when all united voices are at the bargaining table. There are
Friday March 3, 2017 For Immediate Release Mississauga, ON – Tired of scheduling problems and favouritism, employees at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Mississauga have joined the IAM. “Scheduling, respect for seniority and continual favouritism by management were the key issues in this organizing drive,” explained IAM District Lodge 78 Organized Roy Bhansingh. “These workers saw the improvements the IAM has won for workers at the Courtyard by Marriott
The next few months will make a big difference to Ontario workers. Ontario is reviewing its labour and employment laws, with recommendations expected soon. If we want MPPs to support decent work in Ontario we need to tell them what workers need, and we need to tell them now. MPPs need to know that it must be easier for workers to join and keep a union, and how to set
