Machinists’ News

Automation across the Nation: IAMAW Study of Technological Change
Machinists' News

After a busy and challenging year that has re-prioritized work in support of our members, the IAMAW is back on track with a study of automation and artificial intelligence. As businesses adapt to new pandemic realities, technological innovation is given a high priority, and understanding what this means for our members is critical. Our society is on the precipice of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, one that will bring monumental changes.

IAM reacts to paid sick days announced by Ford government
Campaigns

29 April, 2021 Toronto, ON – While the IAM welcomes the announcement that Ontario will finally have paid sick days, we are concerned that there is much missing from this legislation. The new legislation, Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Program, provides $200 per day for up to three days if a worker is sick, has symptoms, needs to get vaccinated, waiting for COVID-19 test results, or has COVID-related mental health

Happy Birthday to IAM Founder Tom Talbot
Machinists' News

Today marks the birth of the founder of the Machinists Union, Tom Talbot. Born on a farm in Chesterfield County, South Carolina on April 27, 1849, Talbot served as the IAM’s Grand Master Machinist (President) from the IAM’s founding on May 5, 1888 until his resignation in 1890. Talbot was working as a Machinist in the Atlantic Coastline Railway shops, at Florence, South Carolina under deplorable conditions and for very small wages when he conceived the idea of organizing the Machinists for the purpose of improving their conditions through cooperation and collective action.

A first collective agreement for members of the Stelia Mirabel unit
Machinists' News

April 26, 2021 On Saturday, April 24, 2021, the new members of the Stelia Aerospace Canada unit (Local 712) at Mirabel ratified their first collective agreement. “The major challenge of this negotiation was to improve and ensure the upkeep of working conditions as employers generally seek to reduce working conditions since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Éric Rancourt, Business Representative at District 11, responsible for the Stelia Mirabel unit.

GVP Stan Pickthall Remarks – Day of Mourning 2021
Campaigns

Sisters and Brothers, I hope this finds you well. April 28th is our National Day of Mourning. It’s a day when we remember those who lost their lives or were injured as the result of a workplace tragedy. This is particularly painful at this time for IAM members of Local Lodge 99 and District 14 in Alberta, who recently saw a member lose his life in a workplace accident. In

Grand Lodge Elections - VOTE IN PERSON
Machinists' News

The Grand Lodge election take place Saturday April 24, 2021;  for in-person voting. Members who choose to vote by absentee ballot, requires that be mailed prior to April 22, 2021. If you voted by absentee ballot, you need not go in-person, to the voting location. However if you wish to change your vote, you can still vote in person. The in-person vote takes precedent over the absentee ballot. Nevertheless, you

Federal budget - The good, the bad and the ugly
Campaigns

19 April, 2021 Toronto, ON – In one of the most important-anticipated budgets in our lifetime, the IAM hopes it will reveal a clear roadmap to our fiscal future. The grave nature of the disruptions caused by COVID-19 demands nothing less. Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered her first budget to Canadians today. The budget, first intended to be presented by former Finance Minister Bill Morneau on 30 March, 2020,

Normand Cherry (JUNE 2, 1938 – APRIL 11, 2021) A great defender of Quebec aerospace workers has passed away
Machinists' News

It is with regret and sadness that we announce the death of our colleague Normand Cherry, at the age of 82. A man of conviction and in solidarity with his fellow Machinists, he left his mark on the history of Local 712, the labour movement, politics and the economy of Quebec. He joined Canadair as a machinist in 1954 and served as President General Chairperson of IAMAW Local 712 from

Report from federal NDP Convention
Machinists' News

IAM political action delegates from Local Lodges across Canada joined the nearly 400 other labour activists on the weekend at the federal NDP virtual Convention. Despite some minor technical difficulties, the Convention went well and some important policies were hammered out. “The IAM has been calling on the NDP to put increased focus on the labour issues facing workers across Canada. Workers have borne the brunt in this pandemic and

Financial Aid for Airlines on the Horizon: Air Canada Negotiates a Deal
Machinists' News

April 12, 2021 For Immediate Release “Announcement of an aid package for Air Canada brings relief to many workers in the aviation and air transportation sectors and is a critical first step towards a recovery. Aid has been a long time coming, and will stop the hemorrhaging in the entire Canadian industry, and related industries, such as aerospace, in which we also have a stake.” remarked Stan Pickthall, Canadian General