Canada invokes Chapter 19 to reverse US penalties on C-Series and softwood lumber
News Releases

The Machinists’ Union applauds the decision For Immediate release Sunday January 21, 2018 Montréal, QC – The Machinists Union (IAM) is pleased to see Canada using Chapter 19 to try to break the protectionist measures of the US government. “We have been calling for this initiative publicly since October 13, 2017,” said IAM Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand. “So it is a great relief to see the Canadian government use this

Unifor decision serves only to divide the labour movement
Machinists' News

Toronto, ON – We have learned that Unifor has elected to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). This decision taken by their National Executive Board will also result in their removal from Federations of Labour and Labour Councils across Canada. “The IAM is extremely alarmed by this decision,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This decision only serves to divide the Canadian Labour movement, the impact will

Aerospace Policy discussions highlight site visit!
Machinists' News

Montréal, QC – If you’re going to create an aerospace policy for the IAM in Canada, there’s no better place to start than at Bombardier in Montreal. During his first site visit of 2018, Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall met with the leadership of IAM Local Lodge 712, IAM District Lodge 11, IAM Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand and IAM Aerospace Coordinator Gerald Tremblay, to begin developing a policy. “There’s more to

Tim Horton’s rolls up the grim!
Campaigns

Toronto, On – Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee retailer, is in the throes of a public relations disaster in Ontario. On January 1st, the Ontario government raised the minimum wage to $14.00 an hour and numerous Tim Horton outlets including two owned by heirs to the donut empire, Ron Joyce Jr and Jeri Lyn Horton-Joyce, immediately took punitive measures against their employees. They began to eliminate workers paid breaks,

It’s that time of year again for a Federal Lobby!!
Campaigns

Over the last few years, the IAM has been the major participant in the CLC Parliament Hill Lobby Days. Let’s continue to hit above our weight and make Lobby Days 2018 even more successful! Four topics are being considered for inclusion in the lobby day; including pharmacare, pay equity, pension and bankruptcy reform, and employment insurance. The registration is now open for the CLC lobby day on February 6, 2018.

Bill 148 Update: a long overdue Reform for Ontario Workers!
Campaigns

With the adoption and Royal Assent of Bill 148, changes to the Employment Standard Act (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act (LRA), workers in Ontario will enjoy many work related improvements and see their working conditions improve significantly. These major changes came about due to a lot of pressure on the current Liberal government by organized labour. Although some of our suggested changes did not make it to the final

There has never been a better time to join a union!
Machinists' News

Progress provokes pushback, always has always will – Columnist Michael Coren Toronto, ON – January 1st marked an increase in the minimum wage in Ontario, it rose from $11.60 an hour to $14.00 an hour and it will increase January 1, 2019 to $15.00 an hour. Not surprisingly, the reaction from business was immediate and predictable. The Bank of Canada reported that this increase will cost 60,000 jobs. The surprise

No respect on the job sends Cariboo workers to IAM
News Releases

Wednesday January 3, 2018 For Immediate Release Prince George, BC – “It’s a familiar situation,” explains IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative Al Cyr. “The employer treats his employees unfairly, doesn’t respect them and then is surprised when they vote to join a union.” This is the case for workers at Cariboo Chrome & Hydraulics in Prince George, BC. “Management ignored safety issues raised by the employees. Fed up with

A Rubber Stamp – Canadian Machinists disappointed by latest US Dept. of Commerce ruling against Bombardier
News Releases

Thursday December 20, 2017   For Immediate Release     Toronto, ON – Canadian Machinists are not surprised that the US Department of Commerce has announced a ruling that simply “rubber stamps” their previous decision. But they are certainly disappointed. Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall expanded further on this viewpoint: “Today’s ruling is one more in a series of bad decisions: it’s bad for Canadian Aerospace workers and for Aerospace

Machinists ratify with HudBay Mining
News Releases

Thursday December 14, 2017 For Immediate Release Flin Flon, MB – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 have ratified a new collective agreement with HudBay Mining. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in each year plus a one-time $1,000.00 signing bonus. The agreement also provides an increase of 1.2 per cent to pension contributions. “We negotiated an additional $1.00 bridging increase to the pension contributions to