Burnaby, BC – Janet Andrews of IAM Local Lodge 764 has been acclaimed as the new Secretary Treasurer of the New Westminster and District Labour Council, effective February 22, 2017. This marks the first time an IAM member has been appointed to a full-time position with the council. She replaces Carolyn Rice who has been the Secretary Treasurer of Council for 26 years and a member for since 1973. “This
The 28th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress will be held from Monday, May 8 to Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Stay tuned for details. The Canadian Labour Congress holds a Convention every 3 years. Local unions send delegates to the Convention with proposed resolutions they present to the floor. The resolutions are debated and policies are adopted. At the end of the Convention
More than 20 years after signing on to the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the ways it has failed working Canadians are very clear. Canadians were told that NAFTA would create good jobs, shared prosperity, and a better future for working people. Instead, far from generating good jobs and prosperity, NAFTA has undermined secure, well-paid employment and devastated manufacturing and processing industries and the communities that depend on them. While
34 cities, towns and villages from coast to coast to coast in Canada held rallies this past weekend in support of women’s rights and other important causes. In Toronto, where the largest Canadian march was held, more than 60,000 women and their allies converged on Queen’s Park, the Ontario legislature as part of the worldwide movement. The marches were held on 21 January, 2017 and millions of women across the
IAM Québec Machinists turned out in force to participate in the Québec Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign. The main demands in this grassroots and labour movement are a fair minimum wage ($15 an hour), decent hours for decent incomes, paid sick days, workers’ right to organise and unionise, respect at work and rules that protect everyone. IAM members pictured below are local, district and Grand Lodge staff and
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 By Barb Byers and Marie Clarke Walker On Saturday, January 21, 2017, people of all genders, ages, races, abilities, backgrounds, and orientations will take part in the Women’s March on Washington and solidarity marches in more than 380 cities around the world. Barb will be marching in Vancouver, Marie will be in Toronto, and we wanted to tell you more about why we’re
Ottawa, ON – As part of the Cabinet shuffle by the Prime Minister last week, Patricia Hajdu was appointed Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. She was previously the Minister of Status of Women. The IAM congratulates Ms. Hajdu on her new appointment. The Labour movement is an important voice for working people. Therefore, it is vital for the federal government to engage and have ongoing discussions with Canadian
Toronto, ON – With more than 50 participants, the Machinist delegation will be the largest contingent involved in the Canadian Labour Congress stop Bill C-27 lobby on Parliament Hill, February 6-7, 2017. “Bill C-27 proposes to amend Pensions Benefits Standards Act to allow federal employers to amend existing Defined Benefit Pension Plans to create target benefit plans in their place,” explained IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This allows
The Ontario Liberal government took a page from the former Tory government of Stephen Harper by hiding significant law amendments inside a huge Omnibus Bill known as C 70, which received Royal Assent on December 8, 2016. In this case amendments to the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act (the Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These amendments have diluted the enforcement powers of the College and
