June 2021

Farewell from GVP Stan Pickthall

June 30, 2021 Sisters and Brothers of the Machinists Union: Today marks the end of my career as a full time Representative for the IAM. Considering that this constitutes some 27.5 years of my life, I rise on a point of personal privilege, and I ask your indulgence through a few moments of solidarity and sentimentality. I wish we could celebrate one another in person, but circumstances prevent an in-person

Northern flight attendants ratify agreement at Wasaya

Thunder Bay, ON – Wasaya Airways flight attendants, represented by IAM District Lodge 140 and Local Lodge 714, voted to ratify their four-year collective agreement. The members are located throughout Northern Ontario. Improvements in language, sick days, per diems and wages were the main issues on the agenda. “This group has just seen an increase in wages from $15.49 starting wage to $20.10 and an increase at the top end

The World Bank needs a roadmap for sustainable recovery

As governments meet to discuss additional funding for the World Bank, trade unions are calling for the institution to promote quality job creation, universal social protection, debt relief and the international labour standards. The International Development Association (IDA) is the arm of the World Bank that provides loans and grants to low-income countries. It is normally replenished every three years, providing an opportunity to improve policies and operations. Due to

CLC delegates elect Team UniteCLC to Build the Future of labour movement

Friday, 18 June, 2021 For immediate release Toronto, ON – More than four thousand delegates to the Canadian Labour Congress’ first-ever online convention voted in the team of Bea Bruske, Lily Change and Siabhan Vipond, along with incumbent Vice-President Larry Rousseau, were overwhelmingly elected to the top four positions at the Congress and will lead the Canadian labour movement for the next term. “The IAM, and I personally, supported TeamCLC,”

Vaccination rates rising but still no plan for transportation

Canada has made strides in the race to vaccinate the population in an attempt to protect Canadians against COVID-19 and the emerging variants. As of today, 66% of Canadians have at least received one dose to protect against Covid -19. “As our vaccination rates continue to rise and more vaccines are being made available to Canadians, we need to see a plan on the safe restart of the air transportation

Technological Change: Member Experiences

The centerpiece of IAM’s project on automation are member’s experiences we gathered through focus groups. Rank and file members across Canada participated and gave a clear picture of the impact of automation on their jobs and workplaces. More importantly, members have given us a mandate on what needs to be done to protect their jobs and livelihoods. Below are just some of the findings from the focus groups. Over the

Vancouver passenger service agents ramp it up again in Vancouver

15 June, 2021 For immediate release Vancouver, BC – Passenger Service Agents working for Envoy Air Inc. at Vancouver International airport have rallied to the IAM. Servicing American Airlines, they had the opportunity to speak with their co-workers who joined the IAM in October 2019. The 14 new members join the 20 ramp workers in Vancouver and 20 in Montreal who work for Envoy Air and have joined the IAM

Groundbreaking contract for workers at Sky Cafe YYZ, YOW

14 June, 2021 Ottawa, ON – On Friday, 11 June, 2021, members from IAM Local Lodge 2413 ratified a new collective agreement at Sky Café’s operations at the Toronto and Ottawa airports. “Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, this was basically a virtual campaign, from start to finish,” said Michael Corrado, IAM District 140 General Chairperson. This new agreement means that IAM Local 2413 now represents all Sky Café’s warehouse agents

Changes to EI and the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy

In response to the pandemic, the federal government put in place legislation allowing for several emergency response programs. Along with this legislation, temporary changes were also made to EI. This legislation is set to expire as of Sept.25, 2021, ending several programs, and extending others. Below is a summary of the impact of ending legislation on CEWS, and the extension of temporary changes to EI to September 26, 2022. Please

A new 4-year collective agreement for the Siemens unit of IAM Local 869

More than 14 months after the expiry date of their collective agreement, the members of the Siemens unit have accepted their new contract by 81%. “This negotiation was, without a doubt, a long process, as we had been looking for a mutually acceptable agreement since last fall,” said Luc Frigon, District 11 Business Agent, responsible for the Siemens unit of Local 869. André Casavant, Alain Campagna and Antonio Martonara of