“The things that continually impress me with every site visit is the pride our members take in their jobs, the expertise they possess and the variety of products they provide,” explained IAM Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall. “We toured the Autoliv plant in Markham, north of Toronto, and the members of IAM Local Lodge 2113 were so proud to show me just what they build. A lot of the electronic components installed behind the dash of your car or truck come from the Markham plant and the quality of the work is amazing.”
Over the last few weeks, GVP Pickthall has made a point to visit with members at Menzies who perform ground handling at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, the technicians at Field Aviation who repair and overhaul commuter and transport aircraft as well as the members at Magellan Aerospace who maintain and overhaul jet engines for Canada’s military and others.
“I was fascinated by the work done by our members at GKN Sinter Metals in St. Thomas,” said Pickthall. “The variety of products produced through the powered metal process by our Local Lodge 1975 members is impressive. Gears, sprockets and oil pump components used in so many industrial applications come from here and our members are proud of their work.”
The site visits are a continuation of the effort started last year by Pickthall to get out and meet the members. “I get a chance to hear their views and concerns not only about their workplace but their union as well,” explained Pickthall. “I don’t want to be just a picture on a website and the best way for me to find out what our members think is to meet with them face-to-face. The reaction has been very positive.”
Picture one – left to right – Derek Ferguson – IAM District Lodge 78 Directing Business Representative, Jim Snider – IAM District Lodge 78 Business Representative, Audley Gosling – President IAM Local Lodge 2113, Stan Pickthall – IAM Canadian GVP, Aknath Ramoutar – IAM Local Lodge 2113 Shop Committee Chairperson
Picture Two – Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall confers with a member of IAM Local Lodge 2413 at Field Aviation in Toronto
Picture Three – It’s all about sprockets and gears at GKN Sinter Metals in St Thomas. Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall learns from members of IAM Local Lodge 1975.
