As a new year begins, the eyes of the world are rightly focused on the twin threats of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating climate change. A similar level of attention is required to the threats to peace on virtually every continent. People in many parts of the world are living in conflict or are on the brink. Autocrats, populists and warlords are facing off across borders and oceans. Expenditure on
As the deadline looms for compliance with mandatory workplace vaccination policies, many workers are left wondering what happens if they’re placed on an unpaid leave of absence. Earlier this week, the EI program notified stakeholders that workers placed on unpaid leaves of absence due to non-compliance with a mandated vaccination policy in their workplace, will not be eligible for EI benefits. In exceptional cases, the EI program may contact a
With more than 200 million jobs lost to the pandemic, another hundred million still at risk and large numbers of unemployed people – the vast majority of whom are women – simply dropping out of the labour market, the World Day for Decent Work on 7 October will call on every government to develop jobs plans. ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said : “Governments must have one overriding priority, and that
In a race against the fourth wave of the Coronavirus, the government, public health units and employers have moved from encouraging vaccination to mandating it. In recent weeks, many employers have issued mandatory vaccination policies, giving rise to multiple concerns, from individual rights to rights of the collective to work in safe environments. Some are raising practical concerns, like worker’s compensation, and whether employers who mandate vaccines are liable for
A message from newly-elected General Vice-President Dave Chartrand to the membership of the IAM.
Last week, the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel released recommendations concerning land and border measures and a gradual reopening of air travel. The IAM has been monitoring the situation very closely and expects an announcement based on the recommendations from the Federal Government within days. “We are cautiously optimistic that the government will follow the recommendations of their Expert Advisory Panel and slowly reopen the borders when it’s
To all Canadian members of the IAM The Machinists Union is proud to announce the return of in-person learning at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3 Center) in Hollywood, MD beginning August 1, 2021. All education was suspended since March 2020 for the safety of members and for staff. “Education of officers, members and staff has always been an imperative focus of the Machinists Union, and nowhere
The Machinists Union is proud to announce the return of in-person learning at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W3 Center) in Hollywood, MD beginning August 1, 2021. For the safety of the membership and staff, the flagship union training facility was forced to suspend classes in March 2020. “Education of officers, members and staff has always been an imperative focus of the Machinists Union, and nowhere does
Sisters and Brothers, I hope this finds you well. April 28th is our National Day of Mourning. It’s a day when we remember those who lost their lives or were injured as the result of a workplace tragedy. This is particularly painful at this time for IAM members of Local Lodge 99 and District 14 in Alberta, who recently saw a member lose his life in a workplace accident. In
In March 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its digital passport – an app that will link a traveller’s passport with records of their pre-flight coronavirus tests and vaccinations to help revive air travel. IATA has been working globally with industry trade groups, airlines, governments and the World Health Organization to streamline the tool to ensure it meets the minimum standards set forth by the regulating bodies in
