Human Rights

IAM condemns killing in Atlanta, Georgia

18 March, 2021 The IAM in Canada strongly condemns the killings in Atlanta, Georgia. The murders of eight people, was a despicable act based on cowardice and hate and clearly targeted women of East Asian origin. The suspect, a 21-year-old white male, has been charged with four counts of murder in Atlanta, GA, as well as four counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault in nearby Cherokee County,

Zero Discrimination Day 2021

With an aim of promoting equality before the law and in practice, the United Nations observes March 1 every year as Zero Discrimination Day. According to a report on the UN’s official website, this day was first observed in 2014 and was launched by UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibe on Feb 27 of that year. Zero Discrimination Day was inaugurated in a UN event which was conducted in Beijing. Here’s

MARIE-JOSEPH ANGELIQUE - Black History Month Posters from IAM Local 2323

In celebration of Black History Month, the Young Machinists at Local 2323 have released a series of six posters – and they’re all focused on black women. Young Machinists from 2323 designed the posters, and one of the members, Shryl Ramsarran did the artwork herself. IAM Canada is proud to be part of the unveiling of the posters. Over the month of February, we will post a new one on

VIOLA DESMOND - Black History Month Posters from IAM Local 2323

In celebration of Black History Month, the Young Machinists at Local 2323 have released a series of six posters – and they’re all focused on black women. Young Machinists from 2323 designed the posters, and one of the members, Shryl Ramsarran did the artwork herself. IAM Canada is proud to be part of the unveiling of the posters. Over the month of February, we will post a new one on

ROSEMARY BROWN - Black History Month Posters from IAM Local 2323

In celebration of Black History Month, the Young Machinists at Local 2323 have released a series of six posters – and they’re all focused on black women. Young Machinists from 2323 designed the posters, and one of the members, Shryl Ramsarran did the artwork herself. IAM Canada is proud to be part of the unveiling of the posters. Over the month of February, we will post a new one on

Canada’s unions mark Black History Month by calling for racial justice in pandemic response and recovery

February 1, 2021 – Canada’s unions are marking Black History Month by calling for an end to systemic anti-Black racism. This includes urging the federal government to disaster-proof Canada’s social safety net to ensure a COVID-19 response and recovery that is rooted in racial justice. “This is a time of reckoning,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “The double crisis of a global pandemic and outcries over

Human Rights Day: equitable COVID-19 recovery requires investment in care

December 10, 2020 Canada’s unions are marking International Human Rights Day by calling for long-term investments in the care sector. “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights” is the United Nations theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day, which is observed December 10. “It is critical that Canada’s COVID-19 recovery efforts tackle the human rights failures that have been exposed by the pandemic. Significant government investments in the

IAM Canada Statement on Anti-Black Racism

Race is not an easy conversation in Canada. It never has been. Racism is embedded within all of us. We were brought up with it – many of us not even knowing we carried it around. I hope we can change that. The COVID-19 pandemic has fanned the flames of racism across Canada and the world. We have seen anti-Asian racism rear its ugly head during this crisis – and

WestJet Workers - Letter to Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. May 29, 2020

Letter to Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. May 29, 2020 May 29, 2020 By Email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I’m writing you on behalf of 36,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), and thousands of our members in the air transportation

Universal Basic Income: The Magic Bullet for a Struggling EI Program?

The economic devastation, and mass unemployment as a result of the pandemic, has highlighted the inadequacies of current policies, programs and legislation. The Employment Insurance program has shown to be especially inadequate in addressing the needs of those who have lost jobs, permanently or temporarily. Only about 39% of applicants are eligible for EI, a number which is even lower for women. In response to the crisis, and in order