frank

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

Taking our message to the Hill

Ottawa, ON – More than 350 union and political activists, including 72 IAM members, roamed the offices of 200 MP’s and Senators on Parliament Hill this week lobbying for a national Pharmacare Plan, Pension Reform, and Labour Law Reform. The IAM members also lobbied the politicians to support the call for a National Aerospace Strategy. IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall and IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand were front

Singh defies critics – Wins Burnaby South by-election!

  Burnaby, BC – Despite repeated negative coverage by the mainstream media, Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, (NDP), won the federal by-election in Burnaby South on Monday February 25th by a comfortable margin, proving critics wrong – again. In his acceptance speech, Singh thanked all those who believed in him and worked hard to help him win the by-election. He also promised to visit Quebec the following

Meeting of Quebec Aerospace Industry  Key players with Minister Fitzgibbon - One more step in the right direction

For immediate release Meeting of Quebec Aerospace Industry Key players with Minister Fitzgibbon – One more step in the right direction Montreal, February 22 – Significant progress has been made in helping to relocate workers who will be affected by the abolition of 2500 positions announced by Bombardier last November. At the November 12 meeting, the machinists ‘ union had suggested to deploy ways to facilitate reclassification and provide training

The Machinists ' union meets the AIAC and Jean Charest - The future of the aerospace industry in Canada is in the hands of Ottawa

Montreal, February 21, 2019 – As part of the IAMAW’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness on the state of the aerospace industry in Canada and the urgency required to maintain Canada’s global competitiveness, IAMAW representatives met with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), Jim Quick and the former premier of Quebec, Jean Charest. They were able to discuss their concerns and

A feature article on Local Lodge 1751 member Henry J. Langdon: An RCAF, industry and union pioneer

Local Lodge 1751 member Henry J. Langdon “Henry Langdon, recording secretary and secretary of workers education committee, speaks to members of Local Lodge 1751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in 1968 in Montreal, QC. IAMAW Photo” “February is Black History Month. This Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) article examines the challenges that several Black Canadians conquered to become members of the RCAF, their contributions to the

MTU graduates eleven GTE Mechanic Apprentices

Richmond, BC – For the first time in over five years, MTU Maintenance Canada has graduated new apprentices. “I am very pleased to announce we had eleven GTE (GAS TURBINE ENGINES) mechanics successfully complete their 18 month term of training at the end of January,” explained IAM Local Lodge 764 Senior Steward Jim Mathieson. “The timing couldn’t be better now that we’re fully committed to the V2500 Engine Program and

CPP + Good workplace Pension Plans = A more secure retirement!

Toronto, ON – At a time when income is stagnating and most household budgets are stretched to the limit, saving for retirement is incredibly challenging. Without a secure and decent public pension system to rely on, many Canadians are in a precarious situation when it comes to planning for retirement. Common Wealth, an organization that advocates for strengthening the public pension system, and offering the first collective retirement plan for

An anniversary worth noting!

Toronto, ON – IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2018. Founded on July 1, 1998 with the merger of Districts 148 and 721, District 140 has survived the merger of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International, CCAA at Air Canada in 2003, Air Canada Pension amendments in 2008, the collapse of Aveos in 2012, defeated successive raids by the CAWU and enjoyed unprecedented growth in