July 2017

Machinists win lengthy arbitration at Flin Flon

Flin Flon, MB – An arbitration concerning a job evaluation case for some members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 employed by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company Limited (HUDBay) at Flin Flon, has been awarded in favour of the union. Under the terms of the collective agreement, if the employer and the Union fail to reach agreement upon any job descriptions, classification or assignment to job classifications through the procedure

Machinists ratify new deal with Pinewood Ford

Monday July 31, 2017 For Immediate Release Thunder Bay, ON – The largest auto dealership in Thunder Bay, Pinewood Ford, has ratified a new collective agreement with IAM Local Lodge 1120. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second year and 3 per cent in the third year for all Schedule A classification employees including Technicians, body men

Renegotiating NAFTA – a second chance to get it right!

Much noise has been made of the Trump administration’s “buy America” agenda. The noise on the Canadian side of the border is more of a whisper, but it is time we made our voices heard. It is time for transparency from the Canadian government on their negotiating agenda and strategy, and to ensure Canadian interests are advocated and represented. Renegotiating NAFTA gives Canadians an opportunity to aggressively pursue an agenda

Second annual DL250 Guide Dogs tournament a huge success!

Vancouver, B.C. – The IAM District Lodge 250 Guide Dogs Golf Tournament is only in its second year but the growth is remarkable the bench mark for next year will be a challenge. “We had 118 participants this year, almost double the inaugural tournament’s totals,” explained organizer DL 250 Business Representative Al Cyr. “We had tremendous response for sponsorship from the employers we represent and this helped us raise in

OFL makes final appeal to Ontario government on card check!

Toronto, ON – The Ontario government has wrapped up its public consultations on Bill 148 which will make major changes to labour standards in the province. Following public hearings in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Windsor, London and Kitchener-Waterloo, no fewer than 35 delegations made presentations to the Steering Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at Queens Park. The IAM made its presentation in London earlier in the week. The Bill

GVP Pickthall updates LL 2921 Executive on Airport Privatization

Mississauga, ON – IAM Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall met with the Executive Board of IAM Local Lodge 2921 on July 20th to talk about Political Action and the issue of airport privatization that is looming over Canadian airports. “Many of our Locals are rallying against the privatization of airports and Local Lodge 2921 is working hard to get signatures on our petition to stop the Liberal government from moving

Colombia: Trade Unionists Murdered As Peace Process at Risk

An explosion of violence against trade unionists in Colombia, including the murders of six union representatives since mid-May, is putting the peace and reconstruction process in the country at severe risk. Four trade unionists from the education sector – Washington Cedeno Otero, Johanna Alarcon, Juan Artunduaga and Mauicio Velez, along with two from the agriculture sector, Mario Calle Correa and Alberto Acosta Gonzalez, who was murdered while watching his young

Corporate Greed Takes Hold in Brazil

The decision by Brazil’s corruption-riddled parliament to eliminate a swathe of protections in the country’s labour laws will impoverish millions of people and leave workers completely at the mercy of employers who will have unilateral power to set wages, holiday entitlements, working hours and bonuses. The hugely unpopular changes, forced through Brazil’s Senate on 12 July, will also make it harder for workers to join unions, and will reduce health

Machinists on hand as Horgan sworn in as new BC Premier

Victoria, B.C. – After the historic provincial election which took almost two months to resolve, the NDP has officially taken power in British Columbia. John Horgan was sworn in as British Columbia’s 36th Premier along with his cabinet at Government House on Tuesday and the IAM was honoured to be there. “We’re excited, this marks the first day of a new BC government that will work hard for all working

Machinists ratify new deal with Alternative Belting Enterprises

Monday July 17, 2017 For Immediate Release   Langley, B.C. – Members of IAM Local Lodge 692 have ratified a new collective agreement with Alternative Belting Enterprises in British Columbia. The one-year agreement provides wage increases of 9.37 per cent bringing the members wage rate to $41.69 per hour. Other agreement high lights include: An additional $1.38 per hour into their IAM Labour-Management Pension bringing the company contribution to $4.05