News Releases

First agreement at Wasaya Airways is a Gem!

Thunder Bay, On – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 714 were all smiles Wednesday night following the ratification of their first collective agreement with Wasaya Airways. “The membership endorsed their new agreement by a 100 per cent majority,” explained a proud IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson and Organizer Ian Morland. “For some of the members it means an increase of four dollars an hour. Yes you could say they’re

Machinists Donate $50,000 for Haitian Quake Relief!

Toronto, On – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers stepped up to the ‘Humanitarian Plate’ today with a $50,000 donation to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. “We’ve answered the call by our federal government to dig deep and contribute generously to the plight of this poverty-stricken nation as a result of this disaster,” said IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie. “This is the poorest nation in the

Significant Layoffs ahead at Air Canada

Toronto, ON – There will be significant temporary and permanent job losses for IAMAW members at Air Canada in 2010. This is a direct result of Transport Canada’s approval of an Air Canada request to lengthen the period between aircraft heavy maintenance checks for theA319 and A320 fleet types. This information was revealed at a recent meeting between representatives of IAMAW District 140 and Technical Operations Shop Committee and Air

Sault Auto Dealers Lock Out Machinists at Christmas!

Sault Ste. Marie, On – The Christmas GRINCH is alive and well and owns three auto dealerships in Sault Ste. Marie! Superior Dodge Chrysler, Highland Ford and Prouse Motors have locked out 39 mechanics, paint shop workers, body men, parts department staff, apprentices, general helpers and clerical staff, members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2332, for refusing to sign a new collective agreement. “These employers don’t want to negotiate, they want

Strike Avoided at Vancouver Airport!

Vancouver, BC – Christmas came early for the members of IAMAW Local Lodge 16 employed by Swissport Limited at Vancouver International Airport. “We got the job security language we were after and a significant improvement on wages from the employer’s final offer,” said IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Todd Haverstock. “Armed with a 94 per cent strike mandate from the membership, the employer agreed to resume bargaining in an

Machinists ratify deal with Servisair Vancouver!

Vancouver BC – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 16 have ratified a new collective agreement with Servisair Ltd by a margin of 70 per cent. “It’s a one-year deal that has a significant impact on the future of our members here during these tough economic times,” said IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative Ron Fontaine. “We were able to provide a new pension plan for these workers as well as gain job

Machinists ratify with Scmoltz-Bickenbach!

Mississauga, ON – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1922 have ratified a new three-year agreement with Scmoltz-Bickenbach Limited. The agreement provides no wage increase in the first year, a 1.25 per cent wage increase in the second year and a 1.5 per cent wage increase in the third year as well as a .5 per cent increase in pension contributions in the third year. “This agreement is a reflection of

Magellan Avoids Strike with New Deal!

Winnipeg, MB – The threat of strike action against Magellan Aerospace in Stony Mountain has produced a new four-year agreement for members of IAMAW Local Lodge 741. “This wasn’t the deal we wanted but the bargaining committee has to be commended for its hard work in bringing back a package the membership could accept,” said IAMAW District Lodge 181 Directing Business Representative Wayne Relf. The membership had given its bargaining

CanJet Workers Join the Machinists!

Halifax, NS – Dispatch workers at CanJet Limited in Halifax have joined the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The six new members provide all flight planning, routing and weather forecasts for the pilots of the Charter Airline. “This is a foot in the door for us with this airline,” said IAMAW District 140 General Chairperson and Organizer Ian Morland. “This department is expanding and other workers with this

We Must End the Violence Against Women Now!

Toronto, ON – “We must stop the violence against women now,” said IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie. ‘We have to put into practice the words we have been saying about this issue for far too long.” Ritchie urged all of his members to take part in community, national and international campaigns on December 6th to end the violence against women. Local vigils as well as other events are