June 2017

United Way Centraide Canada thanks IAM

Toronto, ON – In 2016, United Way Centraide Canada raised more than $522 million to support United Way’s 6,200 programs across the country. Each year the United Way says ‘Thanks a Million’ to leading Canadian corporations, employers and labour organizations that – together with their employees and members – raised $1 million or more in support of United Way Centraide. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – IAM

IAM campaign to organize WestJet takes off!

Thursday June 29, 2017 For Immediate Release Toronto, ON – The IAM campaign to organize WestJet Customer Service Agents and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers across Canada has entered its next phase. “The culture at WestJet has changed,” said IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 Organizer Sam Jabbar. “WestJet employees are telling us that the days of a family atmosphere in their workplace have gone, replaced by a corporate attitude that’s only interested

Machinists ratify new agreement with Purewood Inc.

Wednesday June 28, 2017   For Immediate Release   Brampton, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1922 have ratified a new multi-year agreement with Purewood Inc. The deal provides wage increases totaling 11.5 per cent over the life of the agreement. The most significant component of the agreement is the inclusion of the IAM pension plan with increased employer contributions in each year. The agreement also features improved vacation

CAE-Machinists ink new contract!

Monday June 26, 2017 For Immediate Release   Moose Jaw, SASK – The members of IAM Local Lodge 32 have ratified a multi-year agreement with CAE in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and Cold Lake, Alberta. The multi-year deal, ratified by a margin of 68 per cent, provides wage increases totaling 13 per cent over the life of the agreement including pay retro-active to last year. Other agreement highlights include; Per diems

Labour sponsored leadership debate produces no champion!

  Toronto, ON – The evening was called Labour, Justice, Our Future. It was the first opportunity for union members and labour activists to put their issues before the five hopefuls vying for the leadership of the federal NDP. The five candidates were Manitoba MP Niki Ashton, Ontario MP Charlie Angus, Quebec MP Guy Caron, British Columbia MP Peter Julian and Ontario NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh. ‘This was our night,

IAM witness to history in Canada’s Senate

Ottawa, On – IAM Grand Lodge Representative in charge of Political Action – Lou Pagrach – was a witness to history being made in Canada’s Senate last week with the passing of Bill C-4. Bill C-4, which eliminated anti-union legislation brought in by the former Harper Conservative government, received Royal Assent in the Canadian Senate on Monday June 19, 2017. The old legislation, both created by the Harper Conservatives through

Fit To Fly

By Carlos DaCosta – IAM Air Transport Coordinator Recently, I attended a Fit to Fly workshop put on by Transport Canada in Quebec. This workshop was centred on supporting aviation personnel (pilots) with mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders in the interest of aviation safety. The IAM proudly represents pilots at Keewatin Air and Air Labrador, and information gathered at this workshop will be helpful for our pilots at

Global aerospace industry is at a crossroads

Paris, France – “How do we build union power in the Global Aerospace Industry?” asked IAM International President Bob Martinez, speaking to delegates attending the IndustriALL aerospace conference this week in Paris. He told delegates, including IAM members from Canada and the US that the global aerospace industry is at a crossroads and it must choose between two paths. “The first is a path that views unions as the enemy,”

St John’s Swissport membership embraces new deal

Tuesday June 20, 2017   For Immediate Release   St. John’s, NL – The negotiations began with an 85 per cent rejection of the final and global offer by the employer and ended with an 84 per cent acceptance by the membership. “In between we rejected lump sum payments in lieu of retro pay and refused wage offers that were insulting,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Ken

Machinists ratify new deal with Country Inn

Friday June 16, 2017   For Immediate Release   Oakville, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1295 have ratified a new collective agreement with Country Inn of Oakville. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 4 per cent in the first year, 3 per cent in the second year and 3.2 per cent in the third year. The agreement also adds vision care of $250.00 every 24 months to