Machinists’ News

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

Congress of Union Retirees of Canada CONVENTION

May 25, 2018 Sisters and Brothers: Greetings! Please forward this to your retiree organizations and/or retiree activists with your Local Lodge. As you may be aware, the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada is holding their Thirteenth (13th) Convention this fall, from September 19thto 21st. CURC is a retirees organization of the Canadian Labour Congress, and is certain to have many socially-progressive and like-minded members of affiliated Labour organizations in

Latest poll shows NDP in first with Liberal collapse!

Toronto, ON – The latest Forum Research poll shows support for Kathleen Wynne’s ruling Liberal party collapsing, placing the NDP rather than the Tories in the best position to form a majority government in two weeks’ time. The poll of 906 randomly selected Ontario voters has determined that 47 per cent of decided or leaning respondents now support the NDP compared to 33 per cent for the Progressive Conservative party

IAM Communications Contests!!

Don’t miss your opportunity to be in the IAM history books. Entries are still be accepted for the Communications Department’s newsletter, website and photo contests. Last day to enter is June 15, 2018. This is a great opportunity for your hard work to be recognized and seen by your IAM brothers and sisters. Please visit the site: https://www.goiam.org/news/time-is-running-out-to-enter-iam-communications-contests/

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