Machinists file for Union Certification at Toyota!

Thursday March 13, 2008
For Immediate Release

Cambridge, ON – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has filed for certification of 3,100 workers at the Toyota Canada assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario.

Papers were filed with the Ontario Ministry of Labour this afternoon in Toronto. The Ministry will conduct a certification vote in Cambridge on Thursday March 20, 2008.

“We welcome the opportunity to act as the representatives for the Toyota Canada assembly plant workers, in order to ensure that fairness and equity will always be a part of their daily lives in the work place,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie. “The IAM is proud to have been asked to represent these workers,” said IAM District 140 Organizer Ian Morland. “These workers have faced a wage reduction, mandatory overtime on weekends, promotion favouritism and vacation blackout periods. The Machinists have been in Canada for more than 100 years with a reputation for providing the best representation and service to its members. We think we can help the Toyota workers in Cambridge.” Added Morland, “Since we began this organizing drive in late October 2007, the response from the workers here has been overwhelming.”

The IAM represents thousands of members in the Canadian automotive transportation sector at assembly and parts manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. The IAM represents more than 700,000 active and retired members in North America and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense-related industries.

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For further information:
Ian Morland – IAM District 140 Organizer
905-671-3192 ext 222/416-875-8140

Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765