Machinists’ News

Air Canada makes offer to buy back Aeroplan

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

O’Regan will top it up for the last time August 3, 2018

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

Fighting back against contract flipping at Pearson Airport

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

Giroux assigned to the Canadian Aerospace portfolio

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

It’s Official, the C-series is now part of Airbus Declaration of the Machinists Union on the takeover of C-Series Limited Partnership by Airbus

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

Strategic organizing works!

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

Martinez pledges IAM support to Canada – opposes trade tariffs

Vancouver, BC – IAM International President Bob Martinez told delegates to the IAM Canadian staff conference that the biggest threat to working people is Donald Trump himself. “We are not interested in lip service from this president or anybody else, we want real change,” he said. “No more outsourcing of Canadian work to Mexico or China or any other country that does not enforce fundamental human rights, like the right

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