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

Canada’s unions celebrate federal asbestos ban

The Canadian Labour Congress is celebrating today’s announcement that the federal government is banning the manufacture, import, export and use of asbestos.. “We can all breathe easier,” said CLC president Hassan Yussuff. “This is good public health policy that will, without question, save lives for generations to come.” “Canada’s unions, along with survivors and health advocates, have been working hard for this ban for decades. We know this will strengthen

Thorncliffe IAM Members have First Agreement

Wednesday December 14, 2016 For Immediate Release   Nepean, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 1295, employed by the Thorncliffe Retirement Home, have ratified their first collective agreement. The three-year collective agreement provides wage increases of 2.5 per cent in each year for the majority of the memberships, others who have reached the top of the wage scale receive a lump sum payment of 1.75 per cent in each

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

IAM Ratifies New Agreement with Bearskin Airlines

Monday December 12, 2016 For Immediate Release Thunder Bay, ON – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2413 have ratified a new collective agreement with Bearskin Airlines. The 30 mechanics, parts personnel and general maintenance workers ratified the agreement by a margin of 85 per cent. The new three-year agreement provides wage increases of 1 per cent in the first year and 1.5 per cent in the second and third year respectively.

2017 IAM Photo Contest is here!

Each year IAM members are encouraged to enter their best pictures in the IAM Photography contest, which is open to all IAM members in good standing. Entries should catch IAM members at work in unposed photos. First, Second, Third Place and Honourable Mention photos will win a cash prize and will appear in the 2018 IAM Calendar. Each month of the calendar will feature a winning entry. Two dollars from

Strike Averted at Vancouver International with New Agreement

Sunday November 27, 2016 For Immediate Release   Vancouver, BC – A strike has been averted at Vancouver International after a new agreement has been reached between the IAM and Swissport Canada. ‘We came to an agreement with the employer late Saturday evening with the exception of the Baggage Service Operations wages which will proceed to binding arbitration,” explained IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Todd Haverstock. “This was

Weekend Strike Notice for Vancouver Swissport

Wednesday November 23, 2016 For Immediate Release   Vancouver, BC – Flights in and out of Vancouver International Airport could be disrupted this weekend after a strike deadline was issued today by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) to Swissport Canada for 1 pm Saturday November 26TH. The 855 members of IAM Local Lodge 16 are seeking better wages, wage parity, benefits, pensions, and overall fairness to

Hobart Agreement provides significant increase to starting wage

Wednesday November 16, 2016   For Immediate Release   Owen Sound, ON – A significant increase in the starting wage rate and to RRSP contributions highlight a new collective agreement for the members of IAM Local Lodge 386 with Hobart Canada. “The starting wage rate goes up immediately by $4.50 per hour, “explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ralph Martin. Other agreement highlights include : Wage increases and one lump sum payment

Fall Economic Statement: Privatization of Public Infrastructure on the Horizon

By Aurélie Sarrabezolles Research Director for Canada   On November 1, Finance Minister Morneau gave an economic and fiscal update. The main highlight is the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Development Bank (CIDB) in order to finance major infrastructure projects. The problem is that the Liberal government is going to fund the bank $15 billion, money which was supposed to be used to finance "socially useful, non-commercial projects like child