November 2018

CSALP bargaining begins!

Montréal, QC – The IAM opened its first round of bargaining with CSALP- C-series Airbus Limited Partnership this week. “I’m encouraged by the goals the employer placed before us in our first meeting,” explained IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “They know they have a fine product in the A220-100/300 and they want to increase their rate of production which is good news for our members.” To date, 407 aircraft of

Two strike mandates produced mediated settlement at Seaspan

Thursday November 22, 2018   For Immediate Release   Vancouver, BC – It took two strike mandates and two agreement rejections but members of IAM Local Lodge 692 have ratified the five-union poly-party contract agreement with Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards. “This employer wanted to remove seniority provisions of our current collective agreement,” explained IAM District Lodge 250 Directing Business Representative Walter Gerlach. “We have dispatch rights in the shipyards and the

What has Ontario gained with its government for the people?

Toronto, ON – He has been in office less than six months and already Premier Doug Ford has turned the province Ontario on its ear and managed to create a political fur ball for his federal counterparts. Last Thursday, Ford decided to cut French services in Ontario seemingly oblivious of the impact the decision has on the fortunes of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer in the upcoming federal election. Moves like

Open letter from David Chartrand, Quebec coordinator of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)

Bombardier must survive despite the mistakes of its leaders Since Bombardier announced the abolition of 5 000 jobs, including 2 500 in Quebec, a strong anti-Bombardier sentiment is rapidly spreading across the province. The absence of Bombardier’s CEO, Alain Bellemare, at the emergency summit convened by the Minister of Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and his statements to investors gathered in Bay Street, raised the anger of many Quebeckers towards The company

Machinists ratify first contract with Cambridge Shelter

Thursday November 15, 2018   For Immediate release   Cambridge, ON – The members of IAM Local Lodge 103 have ratified their first collective agreement with Cambridge Shelter Corporation. “They fought us hard getting unionized earlier this year and again during negotiations, this was a long and tough battle,” said IAM Grand Lodge Organizer Scott Jackson. “The members and the negotiations committee of Joyann Robbins, Eric Johnson and Dean Hislop

IAM organizes another dealership in the steel city!

Tuesday November 13, 2018 For Immediate Release Sault Ste. Marie, ON – The IAM has organized another auto dealership in the Steel City. In a Ministry of Labour authorized vote, workers at NorthSide Toyota voted to join the IAM. The IAM now represents workers at six auto dealerships in Sault Ste. Marie. “The workers here saw how we represented their counterparts at the other dealerships,” explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative

A good start, it is now necessary that we continue!

Montreal, QC – When the Québec Government called a meeting on the morning of November 12, 2018 to discuss the ramifications of the recent Bombardier layoffs, all the major Québec aerospace players including the IAM were there. “The Legault government and business representatives have demonstrated their willingness to tackle the problem,” said IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “It’s a good starting point. This is an important and encouraging sign. It

Machinists negotiate ground breaking first contract at ATS

Friday November 9, 2018   For Immediate Release   Edmonton, AB – “As first contracts go, this one is a beauty,” said an elated IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Keith Aiken, referring to the recently endorsed first agreement with Airport Terminal Services (ATS). “Any time you can negotiate significant pay increases in a first contract, you have to be happy,” said Aiken. “This is a solid group and

Time to evaluate the possible solutions at Bombardier

Montreal, QC – More than 24 hours after the release of the news, the conclusion drawn by the Machinists’ Union remains. This announcement and the way it was communicated are disappointing and irrelevant to the workers.      “Since this morning we have been meeting with workers at the Dorval plant and they are disappointed with Bombardier’s way of doing things. It is they, the manufacturers of products that allow

Machinists ratify new agreement with Ecojustice

Friday November 9, 2018   For Immediate Release   Toronto, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1922 have ratified a new collective agreement with Ecojustice. The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, and 2 per cent in the second and third year respectively. Other agreement highlights include: Improved benefits package Improved vacation time Improved holidays Improved contract language “I want to express