January 2021

The Future of Canada’s Air Transportation Sector - Letter to the new Transportation Minister
Machinists' News

January 12, 2021 The Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Re: The Future of Canada’s Air Transportation Sector Dear Minister Alghabra: The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your recent appointment as Federal Transport Minister. You are assuming this portfolio at a time of unprecedented crisis in the air transportation industry

Not In This Together: Pandemic Widening Gap between the Rich and Poor
COV IAM Fights Back

By Ivana Saula Canadian Research Director We’ve heard about and seen the direct impact of the financial fallout as a result of the pandemic, but it’s not widely reported that some businesses have profited from this disaster. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) issued a study that puts the effect of the pandemic on workers and top paid CEOs in sharp contrast. The report found that a top Canadian

Useful Numbers 2021 - by Ivana Saula
Machinists' News

OLD AGE SECURITY BENEFIT (Monthly, at age 65, January 2021) $ 615.37 (regardless of marital status) Adjusted quarterly to CPI (in January, April, July and October) OAS/GIS can be deferred up to 5 years (to age 70), with an increase of 0.60% for each month of deferral Pension indexation rate for 2021 is 1% Following increases to CPI, OAS benefit will increase by 0.2% for the January to March 2021 quarter

Members at Local 235 Markham Acura ratify agreement
Machinists' News

11 January, 2021 For immediate release Markham, ON – Members at Markham Acura Local 235 ratified a new 2-year agreement. Highlights include annual wages increases, increases to certification premiums, language improvements to paid sick leave language allowing for greater flexibility, and the introduction of a pension plan. The committee consisting James Kerr and Muhittin Ciplak did an excellent job conveying the needs of the membership specifically regarding competitive wages and the

LL 2418 members at Lounsbury GM ratify deal
Machinists' News

08 January, 2021 For immediate release Bathurst, NB – Thirteen members at IAM Local Lodge 2418 working at Lounsbury GM ratified a 3-year agreement which saw an improvement of a 2% wage increase for each year go to the members. Because of COVID-19, the talks started out to extend the current agreement by one year, but through email and telephone calls, both parties agreed to the 3-year deal which takes

Local Lodge 1120 and Thunder Bay dealership reach 3-year agreement
Machinists' News

Monday 11 January, 2021 For Immediate Release Thunder Bay, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1120 have ratified a new collective agreement with Dominion Motors GMC & Buick. The agreement was ratified on 23 December, 2020. The three-year agreement provides Mechanics, Body men and Painters under Schedule A classification with wage increases of 2.0 per cent in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second year and 2.5

IAM recognises excellence in organising
Machinists' News

The IAM held its second International President’s Excellence in Organising Awards on 7 January, 2021. The awards were presented by Vinny Addeo, Director of Organising for the Grand Lodge and International President, Robert Martinez Jr. Winners were awarded via videoconferencing platform. Addeo opened by saying, “Under normal circumstances, we would have been proud to hold this presentation at our Grand Lodge Convention last September in front of our entire body

“Beyond Disappointed”
COV IAM Fights Back

“I am far beyond disappointed to hear that the Canadian government has been providing wage subsidies (CEWS) to foreign-owned airlines who continue to fly into Canada!” That was the reaction of Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall, when news dropped that a dozen foreign-owned airlines have been granted CEWS relief despite having already received billions of dollars in relief from their own governments. The CEWS database shows precisely which corporations

New agreement at RAD Technologies
News Releases

Thetford Mines, QC – 81% of the 200 members of the Rad Technology unit (IAMAW Local 922) accepted their new employment contract. For the first year of the 5-year employment contract, the salary increases will be from 2.75% to 3%. The overall average of the increases will be 3.15% per year for the duration of the contract. This progression will allow for wage parity with other factory workers in the