IAM political lobbying and letter-writing workshop for activists and staff

The Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) held a political lobbying and letter-writing workshop for activists and staff in the IAM. The session was attended by 32 IAM members from Ontario and was facilitated by Heather Kelley, National Education Representative; Gord Falconer, National Political Action Co-ordinator and Frank Saptel, National Communications Representative.

 

 

The workshop discussed fact “cards” on issues important to IAM members, a step-by-step action plan on what to do about those issues, and a letter-writing workshop which had the goal of making our rank-and-file members more comfortable with speaking to elected representatives.

 

“This is the first in a series of workshops to help activists in the IAM engage in the political process and change the direction of the labour movement,” said Gord Falconer.

 

 

The day also featured the unveiling of “Political Snakes and Ladders”, a new board game launched by the IAM. The game features issues facing the labour movement as well as society in general and how they are related. The activists took the subjects and practiced a letter writing exercise. This workshop was well attended from across Ontario.

 

“Political action is the only way we achieved anything in the labour movement. It remains the only way to fight the corporate agenda which wants to return us to the position of servitude,” said Stan Pickthall, IAM Canada’s Chief of Staff, who opened the day with a welcome to the IAM activists.