Ottawa, ON – “They save money while we try to save lives with fewer people,” says a frustrated Tania Canniff, IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson. Canniff was reacting to the layoff of 120 of her members employed as security screeners at Vancouver International Airport. Despite a sizeable increase in their operating budget, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has forced its service providers to lay off hundreds of

Flin Flon, Manitoba — The heads of the unions representing the seven individual local unions at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting (HBMS) met on May 11, 2011 during the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) convention. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how we can collectively advance the interests of the members at HBMS through coordinated structures and strategies. All the unions agree that there is a need for all

Vancouver, BC – At a time when security around the world is being improved, Canada is going in the opposite direction. “Canadian airport screening security standards are being eroded to meet the recent federal government budget cuts,” said Tania Canniff, District Lodge 140 General Chairperson for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). “This will have a devastating impact on the security of the flying public in this

Brampton, ON – “Management threw everything but the kitchen sink at these people trying to convince them not to join the Machinists and it didn’t work,” explained a happy IAMAW District Lodge 140 Organizer Ian Morland. Morland was referring to the successful organizing campaign of 50 workers at Colortech Incorporated in Brampton. Prior to the vote, the company hired union-busting lawyers who gave management instruction on how to implement a

Montréal, QC – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1758 have ratified a new collective agreement with BOMBARDIER CTM. The six-year agreement provides wage increases of 2 per cent in each year from 2012 to 2015 respectively, 2.5 per cent in 2016 and 2.75 per cent in 2017. Other agreement high lights include : • Increased vacation time beginning in 2014 • Implementation of Flexible Time • Creation of a position for

Toronto, ON – “It’s taken 144 years, but for the first time since Confederation, working Canadians will have the voice of the official opposition in the House of Commons,” said IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie. Jack Layton and his New Democratic Party made Canadian history when they elected 102 members of Parliament in the May 2, 2011 federal election. When the last Parliament dissolved, the NDP had 36

Burnaby, BC – Machinists members employed by Westminster Auto Lease are now part of the IAM Pension Plan after ratifying a new collective agreement. “Given that the medium-light truck business in this province is down by 70 percent, our members are very happy knowing their future is secure by joining the IAM Pension Plan, “explained IAMAW District 250 Business Representative Walter Gerlach. The three-year agreement provides for wage increase of

Richmond, BC – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1857 employed by Richmond Chrysler are now part of the IAM pension plan thanks to their newly ratified collective agreement. “This is my second group this year to join the IAM Pension Plan,” said IAMAW District Lodge 250 Business Representative Walter Gerlach. “There’s a growing sentiment amongst our members that security of their future is vitally important and the best way to