Machinists’ News

This site visit went underground!

Flin  Flon, MB – Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall makes a point of conducting at least 50 site visits per year to meet with our membership in their workplaces. He has flown from coast to coast to coast to meet with the members but his recent visit to Flin Flon, Manitoba, the term face-to-face, took on a whole new meaning. The first day of his two-day visit to the

Canada knows where it stands!

Washington, DC – While President Donald Trump demands Canada dismantle its supply management dairy system or risk our trading partnership, and his advisers have reserved a special place in hell for our Prime Minister following his comments at the recent G7 summit, Canada has not taken the bait! “I did not vote for Justin Trudeau in the last election, and our politics are often polar opposites but I applaud he

22nd annual Dave Ritchie Guide Dogs tournament another success!

Markham, ON – The golf balls were flying, refreshments were flowing and the sun shone down brilliantly on the 136 golfers at the Remington Parkview Golf Club who took part in the 22nd annual Dave Ritchie charity golf tournament for Guide Dogs over the weekend. This year the winning foursome of Stan Theofilaktidis, Mike Corrado, Giovanni Merkov and John Sitaridis of IAM Local Lodge 2413 took home the Pat Murphy

Criticizing Canada’s trade practices is just plain wrong!

The IAM is raising strong concerns regarding the recently announced direction of the Trump Administration’s trade policy. “Criticizing Canada’s trade practices does not contribute to improving the lives of our members, which have been so devastated by a trade agenda that favors corporations over workers”, said IAM International President Bob Martinez. “The Administration should be focusing our efforts on stopping China from violating trade rules, not insulting our closest ally”. 

McGrath humbled by Norman Court Award

Kingston, ON – Each year the OPCM honours a local IAM member from the host community with the Norman Court award, for their contributions to their membership and community throughout the years. This year, Ted McGrath, president of IAM Local Lodge 54, which hosted the conference, was the recipient. “I am extremely humbled by this award and it should really go to every member of the local,” he told delegates.

Dawn House 2018 OPCM Humanitarian Award Recipient

Kingston, ON – Each year the host committee of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) selects an organization from the host community for the Humanitarian Award. The award which also includes a $1,000 donation, goes to a not-for-profit organization which provides services for the betterment of the less fortunate in their respective community. This year the award went to Dawn House Services and Housing for Women. Since 1986, this

OPCM address filled with both satisfaction and challenges

Kingston, ON – It’s not often that an IAM Canadian GVP can open his remarks to the OPCM with satisfaction but Stan Pickthall was beaming. “I am proud to tell you that over the first part of 2018, the IAM has brought over 3,000 new members into our union in Canada,” he said to the 66 delegates in attendance.       “This is the direct result of a great deal of

Buckley touches all the bases at Kingston OPCM

Kingston, ON – Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley informed and educated the delegates to the 57th annual Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists conference here over the weekend.       “It is my goal to have every organized labour group back in the OFL,” he told delegates. “Our finances are now in order and we have brought back 178,000 members to the OFL including OPSEU, UFCW, ONA and we’re

Kingston OPCM begins with a proclamation!

Kingston, ON – Before there were tweets, texts, voicemails, phones, even microphones, if you wanted your message delivered, it came from the throat of the local town crier. It just so happens that Canada’s first Capital, Kingston, Ontario, is home to three-time world champion town crier, Chris Whyman. So it was only fitting that the 2018 Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists conference in Kingston be opened by a proclamation from