May 2017

Fair Trade versus Free Trade: an Update on Free Trade Agreements

By Aurélie Sarrabezolles, Research Director We thought the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) had been withdrawn, since the U.S., following the presidential election, decided to walk away from it. This is no longer the case. Canada, Japan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are the countries still negotiating this harmful deal. Japan is the biggest player and has decided to go ahead without the U.S. As for

Tug of War between the House and the Senate continues over Bill C-4

Ottawa, ON – On May 5th, the House of Commons considered the Senate amended Bill C-4. This       Bill was introduced in the House to repeal the shameful Conservative government Bills C-377 and C-525. When this Bill went to the Senate for deliberation and approval, the unelected Senators found it necessary to flex some muscle and proceeded to negatively amend the House Bill by including some of the ill-conceived previous Conservative

The fight for 15 gains ground and the new CLC executive is elected by electronic vote!

Toronto, ON – There were many highlights at the 28th Canadian Labour Congress held in Toronto May 8-12th but two really stood out. More than 3,000 delegates took the message of the need for a $15.00 minimum wage to the financial district of Toronto on Thursday May 11th. It was a two pronged march through the streets of Toronto at noon hour culminating with a massive block party in front

CLC goes electronic to vote in new executive!

Toronto, ON – The fourth day of the 28th Canadian Labour Congress here was highlighted on two fronts. More than 3,000 delegates took the message of the need for a $15.00 minimum wage to the financial district of Toronto with a noon hour march and block party. That was followed by the election of new executive officers and the voting was done electronically. Each delegate was given an electronic voting

CLC Convention - Day 4

Toronto, ON – The 28th Constitutional Convention of the CLC is meeting in Toronto May 8-12th. The IAM has 65 delegates from across the country attending who will introduce no fewer than 17 resolutions on matters such as airport privatization, contract flipping, pay equity, health and safety, workers’ rights and free trade agreements.              

Final BC election results may take two weeks!

Vancouver, BC – The ruling Liberals under Premier Christy Clark entered this election with a 49 seat majority and left with the first minority government since 1952. The NDP under the leadership of John Horgan won 41 seats, the Liberals retained 43 and the Green Party won three and hold the balance of power in this minority government. There were several close results that will require a recount which could

Canadian Labour Congress meets in Toronto

Toronto, ON – The 28th Constitutional Convention of the CLC is meeting in Toronto May 8-12th. The IAM has 65 delegates from across the country attending who will introduce no fewer than 17 resolutions on matters such as airport privatization, contract flipping, pay equity, health and safety, workers’ rights and free trade agreements. The convention will be highlighted on Thursday with the elections of a new Secretary Treasurer and two

IAM celebrates May Day with airport demo against privatization

Toronto, ON – The rain was constant, the wind was biting and so was the IAM response to privatization of Canada’s airports. IAM members were the most prominent of the airport unions attending the 2017 May Day demo along the departure level at Pearson Airport’s Terminal One. The idea was to bring public attention to the trial balloon floated recently by the Trudeau Liberals. The government has calculated it can

Machinists vote gaining momentum in BC election!

Vancouver, BC – During the day, IAM members are knocking door-to-door in target ridings and in the evening they’re manning phone banks drumming up support for the NDP as the B C provincial Election Day of May 9th draws closer. “People are happy to see unions getting involved in this election,” said volunteer Rick Singh, President of IAM Local Lodge 16. “We’re calling this a Machinist Vote and we’re trying

Site visits continue with positive results

“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