Machinists’ News

“This is a flashpoint in the fight for all workers.” - Pickthall IAM Local 2301 strike: stern warnings from labour and political leaders
Machinists' News

Thursday January 16, 2020 Montreal, QC – On strike since 31 December, 2019, IAM Local 2301 has brought about a broad coalition of labour leaders and political parties in the Montreal area, and across Canada. Leaders from various sectors spoke in strong terms about the danger to Québec workers, as well as airport workers across the country. Speakers representing the IAM, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the United Steelworkers (USW),

Strike at Montréal-Trudeau and Mirabel airports: Negotiations resume for IAM Local 2301 and Swissport
Machinists' News

Strike at Montréal-Trudeau and Mirabel airports: Negotiations resume for IAM Local 2301 and Swissport For immediate release Thursday January 16, 2020 Montreal, QC – The federal mediator has reconvened meetings between IAM Local Lodge 2301’s negotiation committee and representatives of Swissport for the resumption of negotiations this morning at 10 a.m. “We were anxious to return to negotiate. Swissport has not made any offers to us since the strike started.

Fred Hospes' letter to the Minister of Labour
Machinists' News

Vancouver, January 8, 2020 Sent via email The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, We would like to raise to your attention a very worrying situation which has contributed to the deterioration of the working conditions and environment at Canadian airports for many years. The IAM, representing 22,000 workers spread across all major Canadian airports, has seen the many problems caused by airport contract transfer practices (also known as Contract-Flipping).

Turbulence at the airport: if nothing changes, it won't be the last time
Machinists' News

This opinion piece appeared in Le Devoir on 03 January, 2020 David Chartrand Quebec Coordinator As the Swissport Airplane fuelers at Pierre Elliott-Trudeau and Mirabel airports take strike action, it is time for the public to better understand the reality of the workers who make a living there. In recent years, there has been a deterioration in working conditions, this deterioration is accompanied by an increase in responsibilities, workload and

Dorothy Wick (1930-2020)
Machinists' News

Brothers and Sisters of the IAM family, It is with regret and sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dorothy Wick, beloved mother of GVP Stan Pickthall. Dorothy passed peacefully early on January 1, 2020, just days before her 90th birthday. Born on January 5, 1930 in Lancashire, England. She was predeceased by husband John Wick, who passed 39 years earlier in 1981. She was fiercely proud of

Strike now in effect at Montréal-Trudeau and Mirabel airports!
Machinists' News

For immediate release 31 December, 2019 Montreal – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2301 were unable to reach a tentative agreement before the strike deadline.  As of 11:00 this morning, workers of Swissport Canada Inc. are on strike and will cease performing aircraft refueling operations at Montréal-Trudeau and Mirabel airports. It appears that Swissport’s intention to use management employees to maintain its fuelling operations may cause disruptions at both airports.

Weeks before Christmas, the Grinch Visits Vancouver Island
Machinists' News

Tuesday 17 December, 2019 For immediate release Victoria, BC – With Christmas less than two weeks away, sixty IAM members working at three car dealerships in Nanaimo and Victoria went on strike on Friday, 13th, December, 2019. Members of the local have been in six difficult rounds of bargaining with the company since September 2019. Their contract expired at the end of August. Technicians, service advisors and parts and details