July 2017

Machinists ratify new deal with Badanai Motors

Monday July 17, 2017 For Immediate Release Thunder Bay, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1120 have ratified a new collective agreement with Badanai Motors. The three-year agreement provides average 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. Other agreement high lights include: 5 per cent increase in employer contributions to the

Major Changes in Labour Standards in Ontario: an important Win for Workers!

Following up with the release of The Changing Workplaces Review’s final report, the Liberal Government has recently introduced Bill 148 (Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act), to amend two fundamental Labour laws in Ontario, the Employment Standards Act for all workers, and the Labour Relations Act for unionized workers only. One of the major improvements is the introduction of $15 minimum wage to be phased in on January 1st, 2019. The

WestJet campaign enters phase two!

On June 29th, the IAM announced the second phase of its campaign to organize the Customer Service Representatives and Aircraft Mechanical Engineers at WestJet. Phase one concentrated on Toronto and Calgary and we are expanding our efforts across the entire country. For the uninitiated, joining a union raises a number of questions. Do I have the right to join a union? If I sign a union card will it be

IAM Canadian officers inducted on Canada Day!

Upper Marlboro, MD – Not only was July 1st Canada’s 150th birthday but it was also the day that the IAM Executive Council was inducted, reciting the Oath of Office for their terms in which they were elected. “It was especially significant for me to be sworn into office on Canada’s 150th birthday,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “Our Canadian officers are part of a great team

First contract strike avoided at Sisley Honda

Tuesday July 11, 2017 For Immediate Release Thornhill, ON – “If we hadn’t ratified this deal last night we would have been on the street with picket signs this morning,” explained IAM District Lodge 78 Business Representative Jim Snider. The 55 newest members of IAM Local Lodge 235 ratified their first collective agreement with Sisley Honda which provides significant wage increases over the life of the contract. “Wages were all

Machinists Ratify with Symphony Living

  Thursday July 6, 2017 For Immediate Release Clarington, ON – The latest collective agreement was music to the ears of IAM Local Lodge 1295 employed by Symphony Living Retirement Home. The Multi-year agreement provides wage increases of ten per cent over the life of the contract. Other agreement highlights include: Increase in employer contributions to the IAM Pension plan in the last year of the agreement Increase Life Insurance

IAM ratifies Markham Acura deal

Thursday July 6, 2017 For Immediate Release Markham, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 235 have ratified a new collective agreement with Markham Acura. The two-year agreement provides wage increase of 2 per cent in each year. Other agreement highlights include: A supplementary wage increase of $1.00 per hour based on the Platinum level of the Honda Training Certification Additional sick days Footwear allowance now $125 per year instead

The State of the Unions at Chalk River

On Monday June 5th, Jonathan Fitzpatrick, along with Bob Walker (PWU), Steven Schumann (IUOE), Matt Wayland (IBEW) and Stephen Eadie (Robertson, Eadie and Associates) met with representatives of the Prime Ministers’ Office, Treasury Board, and NRCan to discuss the request for CNL employees to remain in the Public Service Pension Plan beyond 2018 September. This was the second meeting with government officials; the first round of meetings took place the

IAM scholarship award presented at graduation ceremony

Edmonton, AB – Canadian IAM members and their children have been presented with the IAM scholarship award every year but rarely do we capture the presentation at a graduation ceremony. For 2017 IAM scholarship recipient Britney Trieu of Edmonton, her award was presented to her as part of her high school graduation ceremony Friday June 30th. The award is based on academic excellence, test scores, attitude toward study, personal references

Non-Confidence vote brings NDP to power in B.C.

Victoria, BC – Seven weeks after the provincial election, there is a new government in British Columbia and for the first time in 16 years, it is not liberal. The NDP will form a minority government after the Liberals under Christie Clark were defeated June 29th in a non-confidence vote, 44-42 in the legislature. Clark met with Lt. Governor Judith Guichon for ninety minutes June 29th, asking for the dissolution