December 2017

A Rubber Stamp – Canadian Machinists disappointed by latest US Dept. of Commerce ruling against Bombardier

Thursday December 20, 2017   For Immediate Release     Toronto, ON – Canadian Machinists are not surprised that the US Department of Commerce has announced a ruling that simply “rubber stamps” their previous decision. But they are certainly disappointed. Canadian General Vice-President Stan Pickthall expanded further on this viewpoint: “Today’s ruling is one more in a series of bad decisions: it’s bad for Canadian Aerospace workers and for Aerospace

Machinists ratify with HudBay Mining

Thursday December 14, 2017 For Immediate Release Flin Flon, MB – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 have ratified a new collective agreement with HudBay Mining. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in each year plus a one-time $1,000.00 signing bonus. The agreement also provides an increase of 1.2 per cent to pension contributions. “We negotiated an additional $1.00 bridging increase to the pension contributions to

Machinists look on with pride as Sir John Franklin is launched

Vancouver, BC – Members of IAM Local Lodge 692 proudly watched the launch of the first ship built under Canada’s new national shipbuilding strategy – the Sir John Franklin. The 64.3 metre vessel, designed and built at the Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver, is the first of three to be built for the Canadian Coastguard under the national strategy. “Our members are extremely proud of their contribution to this ship,

Two Countries – One Union

By Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications for Canada Toronto, ON – Canada and the United States share the world’s longest undefended border between two countries, some 8,891 kilometers or 5,525 miles touching four Great Lakes, eight provinces and 13 states. We speak the same language, English, although Canada’s second official language is French. We have a similar currency although the American dollar is worth a little more than

Machinists ratify new agreement with Hobart

Friday December 8, 2017 For Immediate Release Toronto, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 235 employed as service technicians, have ratified a new collective agreement with Hobart Canada. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year retroactive to June 28, 2017, 2 per cent in the second year and 2.5 per cent in the third year. Other agreement highlights include; Increased dental benefit

Spreading the word about fairness and precarious work

Barrie, ON – It’s not often a political activist gets to witness the fruits of their labour achieving their intended goal but Dan Janssen not only saw it, he also had the opportunity to speak about it. When the Barrie and District Labour Council was invited to an event where Ontario’s Labour Minister Kevin Flynn would be making announcements regarding how Ontario Bill 148 – The Fair Workplaces/Better Jobs Act

December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Canada remembers the 14 female engineering students who were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989 by an act of gender-based violence. We also commemorate the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, the trans-women and each and every woman in Ontario and across the world whose lives have been harmed or lost to gender-based violence. The 14 women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal, were killed in a gender-based

Canadian Territory makes biggest Guide Dogs donation ever!

Las Vegas, NV – The Canadian Territory made its largest contribution ever to the Guide Dogs at the recent annual Guide Dogs Convention here. The $100,000.00 plus donation to the IAM’s official charity was made possible through funds raised at the 21st Annual Dave Ritchie Guide Dogs Golf Tournament and the 2nd Annual IAM District Lodge 250 Golf Tournament. The theme of the conference was team and attendees were encouraged

Machinists ratify new deal with Lifetimer Boats

Monday December 4, 2017 For Immediate Release Duncan, BC – Members of IAM Local Lodge 456 have ratified a new collective agreement with Lifetimer Boats on Vancouver Island. The five-year agreement provides wage increases of 2 per cent in each year. Other agreement highlights include: Option to replace RRSP contributions with the IAM pension plan or IAM Local Lodge 692 plan Out of town premium increased to $1.00/hour Introduction of

Vacation entitlements key to new deal with Inland Kenworth

Friday December 1, 2017 For Immediate Release Penticton, BC – Significant vacation entitlement improvements including extra vacation days were the key ingredients to a new collective agreement for members of IAM Local Lodge 692 employed at Inland Kenworth. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.25 per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in the second and third year respectively. “Vacation entitlements with extra vacation days sealed