2018 OPCM in Pictures
McGrath humbled by Norman Court Award
Kingston, ON – Each year the OPCM honours a local IAM member from the host community with the Norman Court award, for their contributions to their membership and community throughout the years. This year, Ted McGrath, president of IAM Local Lodge 54, which hosted the conference, was the recipient. “I am extremely humbled by this award and it should really go to every member of the local,” he told delegates.
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
Need for respect brings passenger agents to IAM
Tuesday May 29, 2018 For Immediate Release Calgary, AB – “These people had very simple needs, respect in the workplace and someone to give them a voice and they chose the IAM and we’re happy they did,” explains IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Keith Aiken. Two weeks ago, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered a representational vote for the passenger service agents working for ATS
NAFTA Update: Nowhere near an Agreement on a modernized NAFTA
If you have been following the rounds of negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), you may be surprised by the latest development. Last week, Prime Minister Trudeau was declaring that the three nations were close to reaching an agreement and this week the negotiations have come to a halt because of the United States. US President Trump has decided to play a card that nobody expected: launch
Persistence at Labour Board nets IAM new members!
Monday May 28, 2018 For Immediate release Cambridge, ON – “When the employer continues to throw up road blocks, organizing can become a long frustrating process but you have to persist and never give up,” explains IAM Grand Lodge Organizer Scott Jackson. “IAM District 78 Business Representative Kim Vallier and I applied for certification in May of 2017 for a group of workers at Cambridge Shelter Corporation and the
Machinists welcome new C-Series order by Air Baltic
Monday May 28, 2018 For Immediate Release Montréal, QC – AirBaltic Corporation AS’s firm purchase of 30 CS300 aircraft with options and rights to purchase 30 additional aircraft of the same type is good news for the job security of our workers and a demonstration of the strength of program. “This is positive for the security of aerospace jobs in Quebec,” says IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “AirBaltic was