Machinists’ News

Same old no more!

A new strategic approach to organizing   Hollywood, MD – For the first time since 1992, the IAM is taking a new strategic approach to organizing. “The fundamental challenge is to grow this organization,” explains IAM Director of Organization Vincent Adeo. “We acknowledged that our previous methods were ineffective so we brought together our Grand Lodge and District staff from every territory down to the William Winpisinger Education Centre to

IAM Members Endorse Incumbent Grand Lodge Officers

Grand Lodge Elections IAM members have completed the endorsement process for the election of Grand Lodge Officers. The results from the U.S. Department of Labour–supervised election are that over 770 IAM Local Lodges endorsed the incumbent slate and 20 or 21 IAM Local Lodges endorsed opponent slate candidates. More than 97 per cent of Lodges nominated the incumbent slate. This only applies to the U.S. GVP’s. Canada in not under

IAM Statement on CLC Solidarity and Support for UNITE HERE

February 12, 2018 – The Unifor decision to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has been consuming a great deal of energy within the Labour movement across Canada. The IAM joins the vast majority of Canadian union members in our criticism of this decision by Unifor’s leadership. As we are all aware, the CLC issued a statement (in French and English) on this topic last week. There has been

February is Black History Month

It is the month in which we bear witness to the progress, richness and diversity of African-Canadian achievement. During the 1920’s an African American named Carter G. Woodson created and promoted Negro History Week. This period in February was chosen because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 the month-long celebration was implemented, and is a time for us all to reflect on both the history

Once again Machinists field largest group in CLC Lobby

Ottawa, ON – Tuesday morning 320 CLC delegates will descend upon MP’s on Parliament Hill for the largest Canadian Labour Congress lobby on record and once again the dominant group will come from the IAM. This time 65 Machinists will lobby parliamentarians on the need for a National Pharmacare plan, pay equity, employment insurance and pension reform to protect worker’s pensions during bankruptcy proceedings. Pension reform is of particular interest

It’s back to Parliament Hill for another CLC lobby!

Ottawa, ON – Once again the IAM delegation will form the largest contingent involved in the Canadian Labour Congress lobby next week on Parliament Hill. “We have more than 65 delegates from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia coming to meet with parliamentarians February 5-6-7,” explained IAM Political Action Grand Lodge Representative Lou Pagrach. “We’re back to urge MP’s to support Bill C-384, introduced last fall by NDP

The race to the bottom is not where we want to be in this country!

Montréal, QC – “The race to the bottom is not where we want to be in this country,” stated Employment Minister Patty Hajdu at the end of a round table consultation with representatives of the IAM, CLC and other unions concerning changes to the federal Labour Code. The Minister spoke of how the Code needed updating to reflect current economics and work place environments. “Our biggest concern is the issue

Bombardier Wins C-Series battle!

Boeing lawsuit grounded by USITC Friday January 26, 2018 For Immediate Release Washington, D.C. – The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has ruled in favour of Bombardier in its dispute with Boeing. “I’m floored,” said a jubilant IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “This is the best news we had in a year and I couldn’t be happier for our Québec members,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall.

Unifor decision serves only to divide the labour movement

Toronto, ON – We have learned that Unifor has elected to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). This decision taken by their National Executive Board will also result in their removal from Federations of Labour and Labour Councils across Canada. “The IAM is extremely alarmed by this decision,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This decision only serves to divide the Canadian Labour movement, the impact will

Aerospace Policy discussions highlight site visit!

Montréal, QC – If you’re going to create an aerospace policy for the IAM in Canada, there’s no better place to start than at Bombardier in Montreal. During his first site visit of 2018, Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall met with the leadership of IAM Local Lodge 712, IAM District Lodge 11, IAM Quebec Coordinator David Chartrand and IAM Aerospace Coordinator Gerald Tremblay, to begin developing a policy. “There’s more to