Machinists’ News

Health and Safety is a major concern for Screeners!

Ottawa, ON – Health and Safety was the biggest concern voiced by Airport Pre-Board Screening officers at a two-day conference in the nation’s capital. The two largest unions representing more than 6,000 Airport Pre-Board Screening officers in Canada met to discuss operational issues at airports across the country.    The International Association of Machinists – IAM and the United Steelworkers – USW, represent over 90 per cent of screening officers

IAM outraged by decision to impose countervailing duties on sales of C Series

Wednesday September 27, 2017 For Immediate Release Toronto, On – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – IAM – is   outraged at yesterday’s decision to impose a 220% countervailing duty on Bombardier C-Series aircraft. “This is an absolutely wrong-headed and protectionist decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “The Boeing Corporation launched this action earlier this year over a contract

Site visit tour hits the Maritimes

St. John, NB – Since taking office as Canadian GVP in June 2016, Stan Pickthall has made it his mission to meet face-to-face with as many Canadian IAM members as possible in their workplace. \Over the next year he plans to tour at least fifty locations across Canada and he began this past week with a tour of the Maritimes. Accompanied by Chief of Staff Gord Falconer, Airline Coordinator Carlos

Pensions – The money belongs to the workers not the companies!

Hamilton, ON – The federal NDP Pension Critic, Scott Duvall – Hamilton Mountain MP – announced he will introduce a private member’s bill this fall to protect workers’ pensions when their employer is allowed to restructure their financial affairs under the Company Creditors Arrangement Act. “The pensions earned by workers are deferred wages, plain and simple, explained Duvall. “Diverting, withholding or seizing those funds should be illegal. The current system

IAM joins rally to protest Boeing court battle with Bombardier

Montréal, QC – More than 150 IAM members joined other unionized workers in a rally and March through the streets of Montréal to the US consulate to protest Boeing Aircraft’s court battle with Bombardier.   Boeing has filed trade tribunal complaints and taken court action against Bombardier over the sale of 75 C-Series 100 commercial airliners to Delta Airlines. Boeing accuses Bombardier of being heavily subsidized by the Canadian and

2017 SYMPOSIUM – Martinez has our back!

Hollywood, MD – International President Bob Martinez loves to talk to Canadian members whenever the chance occurs but seldom does he get the opportunity to talk the entire Canadian staff, leadership and local lodge executives in one room. He did just that today during his address to the 2017 Canadian staff and leadership symposium at the IAM W3 Centre.   “We have listened to our members on how we can

Smaller ships – greater agility

Hollywood, MD – In excess of 110 IAM Canadian staff, Directing Business Representatives, Business Representatives, General Chairpersons as well as Local Lodge officers are attending the 2017 Staff Conference and Local Lodge Symposium this week at the IAM W3 Education Center. In his opening remarks to delegates, GVP Stan Pickthall used the theme of the Symposium, “Smaller Ships” to outline the future course of the union in Canada. “I had

Large Labour Day turnout does Machinists proud!

Toronto, ON – Labour Day in Canada was declared a National holiday back in 1894 and trade unionists have been marching through the streets of Toronto and across the country on the first Monday of September ever since. Labour Day 2017 in Toronto was highlighted by the largest turnout of Machinist members on record, in excess of 250 IAM members marched the 7 kilometer route from the heart of downtown

NAFTA #2: establishing a new Trade Policy that benefit working People

The IAM welcomes the renegotiation of NAFTA. It is the opportunity to protect Canadian jobs and public services. For one, the current federal government is including union and Labour stakeholders in the renegotiation process. IAM Chief of Staff Gord Falconer and Research Director for Canada Aurélie Sarrabezolles took part in the first meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and Labour on August 15 in Toronto. It was the

IAM District 11 Golf Tournament scores big for Dion Foundation

La Chute, QC – One hundred seventy-seven golfers took to the fairways of Golf La Chute over the weekend in the IAM District 11 golf tournament on behalf of the Foundation Maman Dion. “This tournament keeps growing every year and this time we filled the two 18-hole courses in La Chute to near capacity,” explained IAM Québec Coordinator Dave Chartrand. “This year we raised over $46,000 from the tournament and