Campaigns

Reforming Ontario Labour Laws

Toronto, ON – Ontario’s labour laws are set for review this year and there is a lot on the line. It has been 20 years since labour laws were re-opened in Ontario and that was under a Mike Harris government, when many of the gains made during the province’s first-ever NDP government were rolled back. This year, the Ontario government appointed two Special Advisors to head up a “Changing Workplaces

NAFTA renegotiation: An opportunity for more fairness

More than 20 years after signing on to the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the ways it has failed working Canadians are very clear. Canadians were told that NAFTA would create good jobs, shared prosperity, and a better future for working people. Instead, far from generating good jobs and prosperity, NAFTA has undermined secure, well-paid employment and devastated manufacturing and processing industries and the communities that depend on them. While

Bill C-27: A step backwards in providing retirement income security for Canadians.

Bill C-27: A step backwards in providing retirement income security for Canadians. Content of Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefit Standards Act (1985) This Bill amends the current Pension Benefit Standards Act (PBSA) to allow for the establishment of target benefit (TB) pension plans in the federal sector. It also permits permit the purchase of life annuities for former members and survivors of currently established defined benefit

New EI Regulations on One Week Waiting Period

December 12, 2016 To: Canadian Council and EI/UI Ad-Hoc Committee   Dear Sisters and Brothers: Re: New EI Regulations on One Week Waiting Period   We’re writing to inform you of a change in Employment Insurance regulations that may affect your members.   In Budget 2016, the federal government announced that the EI waiting period would be reduced from two weeks to one week as of January 1, 2017. This

Canada Pension Plan expansion: What it means to you

By Aurélie Sarrabezolles IAM Research Director for Canada   On June 20, 2016, the Federal Government and the finance ministers of eight provinces agreed to expand the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), starting on January 1, 2019, and to be fully implemented by 2025. The provinces of Quebec and Manitoba did not sign the agreement.  This article in an overview of the reform. Another article with practical examples will follow.  

United Way Campaign

June 6, 2016   TO : Recording Secretaries of IAM Local Lodges in Canada   I am writing to endorse and encourage the support of your Local Lodge membership for the United Way Campaign in your community.   These are difficult times and we must work to assist the less fortunate in our communities to manage their lives with dignity.    Unions represent workers … and do so much more.

Useful Numbers 2016 - by Louis Erlichman

A. PENSIONS: 1.  OLD AGE SECURITY BENEFIT (Monthly, at age 65, January/2016)    $570.52     -adjusted quarterly OAS/GIS can be deferred up to 5 years (to age 70), with an increase of 0.6% for each month of deferral 2.  CANADA/QUEBEC PENSION PLAN (2016)    * Maximum Monthly Retirement Benefit at age 65 $1,092.50 [Reduction of 0.60 per month for retirement 60-64;  Increase of 0.70% per month for retirement 65-70]  

There is a better choice.

  The country’s slow economic recovery has left 2.8 million Canadians unemployed or underemployed. Nearly three quarters of the jobs created in the past six years have been precarious (part-time, temporary or in the self-employed sector). With limited job prospects, household debt is at an all-time high.  Soon, you will get to choose how we overcome these challenges…. Learn more.  

Crown campaign: “Stop a new era of union busting in Canada”

14 May 2015    An on-line campaign at LaborStart was initiated by the Toronto and York Region Labour Council against long-standing lock-out at the Toronto plant of Crown Holding. The campaign delivers messages to Ontario Premier and Labour Minister asking them to take further action on the side of workers and stop a new era of union busting in Canada.   IndustriALL gives a strong support to 120 steelworkers in