Kazakhstan: ArcelorMittal debts lead to unpaid wages

22.03.2016 Around 2000 subcontract workers at ArcelorMittal Temirtau in Kazakhstan have not been getting their wages because of the company’s extensive debts to its contractors.   ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the major mining and metallurgical company in Kazakhstan, has been underpaying its 24 contractors for three years, which has resulted in contractors delaying wages to their workers. The average wage of the ArcelorMittal Temirtau contractor worker is around 35-40 thousand tenge (US$100-115)

La liquidation de la raffinerie de pétrole marocaine est “une catastrophe”

23.03.2016   Les affiliés d’IndustriALL au Maroc sont sous le choc alors qu’un tribunal du pays a ordonné la liquidation de la raffinerie de pétrole SAMIR, mettant ainsi en danger les emplois de plus de 1.000 travailleurs et travailleuses ainsi que les moyens d’existence d’environ 5.000 personnes qui dépendent de ce qui est la seule raffinerie du pays.   Tragique ironie du sort, profondément ébranlé à l’annonce du verdict ce

IAM Canada Statement on Attacks in Brussels

March 23, 2016 For Immediate Release TORONTO, ON  – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada are deeply saddened and condemn the attacks in Brussels on 22 March, 2016. Dave Ritchie, Canadian General Vice-President of the IAM, on behalf of the Canadian membership, said, “on behalf of the entire IAM family, we mourn the loss of those who were killed or injured and send our thoughts and

Machinists Ratify with AJW Technique

Tuesday March 22, 2016   For Immediate Release   Montréal, QC – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2309 have ratified a two-year wage re-opener agreement and secured the first year of the next contract with AJW Technique. “The wage re-opener involves the fourth and fifth years of the current five-year agreement while securing a wage increase in the first year of the next collective agreement,” explained IAM Transportation District 140

Machinists Ratify with Lockheed Martin Canada

Monday March 21, 2016   For Immediate Release   Montréal, QC – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2309 have ratified a two-year wage re-opener agreement and secured the first year of the next contract with Lockheed Martin Canada. “The wage re-opener involves the fourth and fifth years of the current five-year agreement while securing a wage increase in the first year of the next collective agreement,” explained IAM Transportation District

Georgia: Union victory after month-long glass strike

TUMMCIWG activists at Ksani glass container factory in Georgia 14.03.2016 A month-long strike of 170 workers that paralyzed operations at the Ksani glass container factory in Georgia ended on 5 March after tough 12-hour negotiations between the union and management.     The employer agreed to increase salaries by 7.5 per cent as of 1 January 2016, to launch collective bargaining negotiations in April 2016 with a goal to make

Top 10 things Canadian unions want to see in the federal budget

Monday, March 14, 2016   Early next week, the federal Liberal government will table their first budget. This is an historic opportunity for our government to respond to the jobs crisis, while also beginning to repair services and programs that Canadians rely on.   Working Canadians and their families are facing a precarious economic picture, but Canada is well-positioned to turn things around. Last October, the Liberals were elected precisely

IAMAW women: The work we do, the value we bring, the rewards we deserve

By Heather Kelley Grand Lodge Representative   We are labourers, assembly fitters, mechanics and machinists; we are hotel attendants and personal support workers; we are drivers and more. We have come a long way in the everyday jobs that people do to earn a living. We are stewards, negotiators, servicing representatives, Presidents and General Vice Presidents in our Unions. We volunteer our time and our service to the IAMAW to

Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul Jobs The QFL Initiates Proceedings in the Superior Court

Montréal, March 11, 2016 – This morning, the Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) filed in the Superior Court of Quebec a motion for a permanent injunction against Air Canada regarding the maintenance and overhaul of the carrier’s aircraft. In its motion, the QFL applies to the Superior Court to issue an order forcing Air Canada to meet its obligations pursuant to the Air Canada Public Participation Act, i.e., to have