Machinists’ News

Organizing is very much a Team Effort!

Toronto, ON – To say that the IAM’s new Organizing initiative has been successful would be an understatement with 3,253 new members joining the Canadian ranks since January 1, 2018. To keep that momentum going there has been a strong emphasis placed on forming Local Lodge and District Lodge Organizing Committees to assist organizers in growing the union. On May 10-11th, IAM Grand Lodge Organizer Scott Jackson, IAM District Lodge

Free Trade Agreements: Update ongoing negotiations

NAFTA Negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) started last year. Canada, in a proactive manner and constructive approach, has played big cards against the US by asking them to ratify the ILO Conventions and get rid of right-to-work laws. However, the best way to describe the situation at this point is total uncertainty. The three may have made some progress and may have reached some agreement on

A reunion for past and present at District Lodge 14

Edmonton, AB – Thursday April 26, 2018 marked the first time IAM District Lodge 14 Business Representatives, past and present had the opportunity to sit down for a portrait, swap stories and catch up with each other. There’s a lot of Union experience in this picture. from left to right – Richard Arsenault – James Patterson – Kevin Clark – Daniel Uchacz, David Hagel – Lynn Nixon (Parmenter) – Norman Bezanson  

ITF workshop on Open Skies may open doors with ICAO for IAM

Montréal, QC – The ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) held an Open Skies Workshop which coincided with the inaugural opening of the new IFT office within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) headquarters in Montréal. “This was a very important milestone for the 19.7 million workers from 140 countries belonging to 670 unions from around the world including the IAM,” explained IAM Canadian airline coordinator Carlos DaCosta. “We’re here to

Aéro Montréal launches an unprecedented SME initiative

Montréal, QC – Aéro Montréal announced an initiative today that will assist its SME’s (Small Medium Enterprises) members to develop their international customer base. The new program, known as Accélérateur 360°, received $5 million in financial assistance from the Ministry of the Economy, Science and Innovation and meets the objectives set by the 2016- 2026 Québec Aerospace Strategy to support SME’s in their development. The initiative aims to help commercialization

IAM defeats CAWU in raid on Toronto Airport Screeners!

Toronto, ON – The IAM has successfully fought off a raid of Toronto Airport’s IAM Screeners by the Canadian Airport Workers Union (CAWU). “This was an attack on IAM members by a rogue union that was looking to Raid our membership at IAM Local 2921,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “Our IAM organizing team worked very hard on this campaign, and educated our membership on the value

Meeting the members in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay, ON – When he assumed the office of IAM Canadian General Vice President, Stan Pickthall made a commitment to meet as many IAM members as possible in a given year. He wanted to go outside the staff meetings, conferences and conventions to meet members in their workplace. Since May of 2016, Pickthall, usually accompanied by IAM Canadian Chief of Staff Gord Falconer, has conducted 50 site visits each

International Workers Day pushes for better access to Pearson!

Mississauga, ON – Better access to Pearson International Airport through public transportation was the theme of this year’s International Workers Day and Festival at the nation’s largest airport. The Toronto Airport Workers Council, including members of the IAM, circulated a petition to Metrolinx, asking the public transportation organization to discount transit fares for airport workers, stressing the need for reliable 24/7 public transportation, to and from Toronto’s single largest employer.

Giroux appointed Special Representative

Toronto, ON – IAM International President Bob Martinez announced today that District 11 Business Representative/Organizer Neil Giroux is to be appointed to the position of Special Representative to Grand Lodge, commencing July 1, 2018. Giroux will replace Brother Gerald Tremblay who announced his retirement earlier this year. “Neil Giroux is a solid trade unionist, who has held many roles during his Union career, most recently as a Business Rep in

New Power for Labour Board buried deep inside provincial budget!

Toronto, ON – Buried deep in the pre-election budget Bill delivered by Ontario’s Liberal government last month is a provision to give the Labour Board power over the democratic rights of industrial unions in this province. Bill 31 is what is termed an Omnibus Bill, a Bill which contains several issues not related to the budget itself, in particular ‘Schedule 14’.Under this new regulation, any attempt by a parent union