March 2019

International Women’s Month – volunteer and get involved!

Toronto, ON – March is International Women’s month and Friday March 8th is International Women’s Day. Since the first International Women’s Day in 1911, the idea has become a global phenomenon, IWD is not a country, group or organization, rather it’s a collective effort of all of those who care about human rights. One of the strongest supporters of human rights is organized labour. The female members of the IAM

The IAM Federal Fight for $15 & Fairness wins in Ottawa again!

Wednesday March 6, 2019 For Immediate Release   Ottawa, ON – For the second time in less than a week, the IAM has won starting wage rates of $15.00 from a service company at Ottawa International Airport. The members of IAM Local Lodge 2413 have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with Menzies Aviation Canada Ltd. “This raises the floor of wages at the Ottawa Airport period,” said an elated

Balance for real change – It’s everyone’s business #BalanceforBetter

Balance for real change – It’s everyone’s business The first International Women’s Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of

Safran on board with IAM National Aerospace Strategy

Peterborough, ON – “This employer is on board with the IAM Report on a National Aerospace Strategy, they will endorse it,” said a satisfied IAM Canada Chief of Staff Gord Falconer. He made the comment after touring Safran Electronics and Defense facility in Peterborough and Safran Landing Systems plant in Ajax. The tour by Falconer, IAM Research Director Ivana Saula – author of the report – IAM Grand Lodge Representative

Pension Cap Increase is key element as Air Canada bargaining begins

Tuesday March 5, 2019 For Immediate Release Toronto, ON – Contract proposals were exchanged between the IAM Technical Maintenance & Operational Support (TMOS) Bargaining Unit and Air Canada today. “Make no mistake, the pension cap increase is a key element that needs to be resolved during these negotiations,” explained IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This is a priority as the current pension cap is an encroachment on their

Swissport starting wage surpasses Air Canada with new agreement!

Tuesday March 5, 2019 For Immediate Release Ottawa, ON – “It’s very difficult to ask a service company to pay a starting wage that’s greater than the wage offered by the industry leader, but we did and we were successful,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Michael Corrado. “Our Ottawa Swissport members now have a starting wage that’s $1.25 an hour greater than the starting wage at Air

Ottawa invests over $2 billion in our space program

Ottawa, ON – Hot on the heels of the CLC and IAM lobby on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the Liberal government announced an historic $2 billion funding plan for Canadian partnership in the NASA-led Lunar Gateway program (known as the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway (LOP-G). While the IAM can’t take credit for the surprise announcement, we know that having a strong and consistent presence in Ottawa brings results in interesting ways.

Pickthall unveils IAM National Aerospace Strategy in B.C.

Richmond, BC – IAM Canada continued with its campaign to create a national aerospace strategy.  On consecutive days beginning February 20th, the IAM toured two aerospace plants where we represent workers to discuss the IAM Strategy document, “Grounded Potential’, with members and management of those companies. Stan Pickthall, Ron Fontaine, Fred Hospes, Tania Canniff, and Steward Jim Mathieson met with over 300 IAM members in their MTU workplace to discuss