On February 6th, 2026, the 120 members of IAM Local 412 at AstenJohnson in Kanata, Ontario, voted 93% in favour of a new Collective Agreement. The negotiations committee, made up of Shane Woito, Bill Dixon, Perry Cooper, and Lewis Hanna, was praised for its dedication and focus throughout the bargaining process. “The committee did a fantastic job sticking to the issues that were important to the membership and achieved a
As global trade tensions intensify and economic uncertainty grows, Canada’s labour movement is urging the federal government to change course on trade policy and put workers at the heart of economic decision-making. Labour leaders from both the private and public sectors gathered in Ottawa this week to discuss the future of Canada’s trade strategy, warning that decades of closed-door decisions have left workers, families, and communities paying the price. Job
IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed Peter Tsoukalas as Special Representative in the Canadian Territory, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Tsoukalas is a 25-year member of IAM Locals 1751 and 2309. Tsoukalas, who most recently served as an IAM District 140 General Chairperson since 2017 in Quebec, will help lead organizing efforts in Canada. “Peter has earned the respect of members through his commitment, integrity, and tireless advocacy for working people,” said
Working as industrial firefighters at the Airbus Canada facility in Mirabel, the 21 members of the Garda World bargaining unit, Local 712 of the IAM union, have accepted a first three-year collective agreement, with a 17% pay increase over the term of the contract. The contract also provides the following improvements to working conditions: Addition of a clear distinction regarding seniority: A negotiation marked by the perseverance and determination of
On January 17, 2026, the 163 members of the Howmet Canada unit, IAM Local 712, voted to renew their first collective agreement during a meeting held at the Holiday Inn in Laval. This three-year agreement was approved by 89% of the members present, bringing to a close negotiations that began in September 2025. The new collective agreement delivers significant improvements to working conditions, including: Solidarity at the Heart of Success
Walter Gerlach has dedicated 45 years to the IAM Union, leaving a mark on both the union and his community. His journey began in September 1980 when he was initiated into Automotive Local 1857. That same year, he started his career as an apprentice at an IAM-certified General Motors dealership in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through years of dedication and skill, Walter earned Red-Seal Certification as an Automotive Service Technician, proof
From January 14 to 16, 2026, the Quebec Machinists Council (QMC) hosted a collective bargaining training session in Sherbrooke. The program, led by District 11 representatives Alessandro Bernardelli and Christian Bilodeau, brought together union representatives from Locals 712 and 922. Negotiating a work contract is a core responsibility of union representatives. Successfully reaching an agreement that meets the needs of fellow members requires strong analytical skills, a thorough understanding of
A major milestone has been achieved for Envoy Air employees in Calgary, as members officially ratified their first collective agreement with the IAM Union on January 15, 2026. Envoy Air was certified with the IAM on May 29, 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter of collective representation. Following certification, the parties entered bargaining on August 12, 2025. After months of dedicated negotiations, a Tentative Agreement was reached in
Dorval, January 15, 2026 – Bombardier’s decision to build a new 126,000-square-foot manufacturing center in Dorval will have positive impacts for members of the Bombardier unit, IAM Union Local 712, as well as for the entire Quebec aerospace ecosystem. “This decision will promote increased production of the Challenger program in Dorval, which will create and secure jobs for our Bombardier unit members,” says Éric Rancourt, IAM International Representative for Quebec.
After more than five decades of dedication, Brother Paul Gaudet has officially retired, closing an extraordinary chapter of service to his trade, his country, and his Union. Paul began his career in 1974 as a member of Local 1723, working out of the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) as an Armament Fitter. Early on, he demonstrated a strong commitment to his fellow workers by serving as a Shop Steward, a role
