News Releases

Layoffs in the aerospace industry - A second wave of layoffs is emerging

October 14th, 2020 – The fact that companies such as Pratt and Whitney and Airbus are planning layoffs is a new indicator of the severity of the current crisis in air transport and the aerospace sector. “It’s always frustrating to hear that workers are going to lose their jobs, but it’s even more so when you consider that the federal government could have taken action to prevent this from happening,”

Contract ratified despite pandemic challenges - IAM Local 692 Finning BC

07 October, 2020 For immediate release Surrey, B.C. – More than 700 members of IAM Local 692 working for Finning across British Columbia and the Yukon voted in the second round of the contract ratification and accepted a new collective agreement. The three-year deal brought a wage increase of 1% per year over the first two years and 2% in the final year. A workshare program was initiated by the

IAM Local 1120 members ratify agreement after standing strong

07 October, 2020 For Immediate Release Thunder Bay, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1120 have ratified a new collective agreement with Badanai Motors. The deal comes as a result of a final offer from the employer, removing some key controversial items from their initial demands. “The employer removed two of their demands from the table: concessions and flat-rate compensation,” explained IAM Local Lodge 1120 Directing Business Representative Pete

MTU apprenticeship grads

7 October, 2020 For immediate release Delta, B.C. – Members at IAM Local Lodge 764, working at MTU Maintenance Canada have secured work for a decade. This comes as welcome news for those members, as well as the IAM. It assures the work will be there for IAM members despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is great news for our Members.  The transportation sector has been significantly impacted by this pandemic,

Federal Government Should “Absolutely” Support Canada’s Airlines

October 2, 2020 – “The Federal Government should absolutely support Canada’s airline and air transportation industry!” This was the unequivocal statement of Stan Pickthall, Canadian General Vice President of the Machinists Union (IAM). “This is a position we have taken throughout the pandemic, and one that we have published in two releases on our website.” September 25: Feds must support air transportation now September 30: Crisis in Air transport and Aerospace – The

Technicians at Kal Tire in Thunder Bay ratify agreement the second time around

29 September, 2020 For immediate release Fort Frances, ON – After rejecting the first tentative agreement in August 2020, the members at IAM Local Lodge 1120 in Fort Francis working for Kal Tire have ratified their new collective agreement. The ratification assures labour peace between the parties for the next two years. “We made some gains for our members, and they’ve seen the value of it,” said Tony Didoshak, Grand

100 more Stelia workers join IAM

29 September, 2020 For immediate release Mirabel, QC – Making sure their seniority was protected was the number one priority of the 100 newest members of IAM Local Lodge 712. Seniority was the top issue for the 100 new members and that priority has been safeguarded. IAM District 11 Business Representative, Éric Rancourt, with the help of the DL 11 Organising Committee, worked closely with the group at Stelia until

Crisis in Air transport and Aerospace - The federal government must not underestimate what is happening

Montreal, September 30th, 2020- Air transport and Aerospace are among the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, tens of thousands of jobs and the survival of many businesses are at stake. The crisis that is simultaneously hitting these two sectors deserves the attention of a parliamentary committee “A perfect storm is hitting both industries,” says David Chartrand, Quebec coordinator of the Machinists’ Union. For several months now,

Christian Bilodeau

15 September, 2020 For immediate release Montreal, QC – IAM members at Local 1660 in Montreal, QC voted to accept a 5-year contract with Dominion Sample. The members voted overwhelmingly to accept the new agreement. The agreement contains some new, as well as many improvements, including: wage increases of 2.75% for the first 2 years, and 3% for the last 3 years of the contract new language on “Progressive Retirement”

IAM Local 11 wins big in Arbitrator’s Decision

22 September, 2020 For immediate release Vancouver, BC – Arbitrator Corrinn Bell issued two decision, both in favour of IAM Local 11 members working at Avcorp Inc. The basis of the union’s grievances lay in the fact that 11 members (10 aircraft mechanics and one material handler) were all laid off and their seniority retention ran out. After a span of approximately 4 years, they were rehired as new employees, but