Last week women from throughout the IAM got together to discuss issues of importance to women both inside and outside the Union. IAM District 78 sisters attended and took an active role in the presentations and deliberations. By the conclusion of the conference, with the motto “Unite to Fight”, our Canadian sisters, (pictured above with GVP Stan Pickthall)) seemed both united and ready to fight.
Well done sisters!

Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association).

The three-year agreement provides wage increases of 1.75 per cent in the first year, 1.5 per cent in the second year and 1.75 per cent in the third year. Other agreement highlights include:
• Members now provided with four personal days
• Increased vacation days
• Probation period for new employees reduced from five months to three
• New employees with less than one year of service now receive ten vacation days
• Improved bereavement leave Continue reading →

Union Brother Keith Good passed away March 18, 2019 in his 81st year.

Keith was hired at Champion/Volvo Motor Graders in Goderich Ontario, Canada in the Warehouse/Shipping Dept. as a stock Controller on November 13, 1972, and at that time became a member of IAM&AW LL 1863 (now LL 1975).

Keith retired December 1, 2003. There will be a celebration of Keith’s life on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Goderich Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 109.

Ottawa, ON – More than 350 union and political activists, including 72 IAM members, roamed the offices of 200 MP’s and Senators on Parliament Hill this week lobbying for a national Pharmacare Plan, Pension Reform, and Labour Law Reform. The IAM members also lobbied the politicians to support the call for a National Aerospace Strategy.

IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall and IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand were front and center with the NDP and the Bloc Québecois at news conference calling on the government to support a national aerospace strategy.

Montréal, QC – IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall and IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand will unveil the IAM’s Aerospace report in Montreal on Monday February 4th. This major report emphasizes the urgency of addressing challenges in the Canadian Aerospace sector.

“This industry employs 208,000 Canadians in well-paid stable middle class and family supporting jobs,” said Pickthall. “However up to one third of those workers are eligible to retire by 2025 and there’s no comprehensive training plan in place for new hires. Funding and support for this industry that generates $28 billion in revenues for this country, is needed from all levels of government.”

Toronto, ON – On Saturday January 19, 2019, activists around the world will march on behalf of women and IAM Grand Lodge Representative for Women’s Issues – Heather Kelley is encouraging IAM members to join in.

“We are asking our members to find a March close to them and join in to continue to commit to advancing our Sister’s Rights,” explained Kelley. “We’re marching to end violence against women, we’re marching to end discriminatory pay and employment practices against women and we’re marching to push for social justice for the most marginalized and oppressed among us. On Saturday January 19th, show you care and join us.”

PENSIONS
OLD AGE SECURITY BENEFIT (Monthly, at age 65, January 2019)
$ 601.45 (regardless of marital status)
Adjusted quarterly to CPI (in January, April, July and October)
OAS/GIS can be deferred up to 5 years (to age 70), with an increase of 0.60% for each month of deferral
Following increases to CPI, OAS benefit will increase by 0.1% for the January to March 2019 quarter Continue reading →

Toronto, ON – Effective January 1, 2019, the new Directing Business Representative of IAM District Lodge 78, is Sister Kim Valliere. She replaces Derek Ferguson who was appointed as Grand Lodge Special Representative for Political Action.

Kim became a member of IAM Local Lodge 2230 in 1990, when she was hired as production worker at Long Manufacturing (Dana Canada) in Cambridge, Ontario. She became a steward in 1991, then served in positions of Health and Safety Co-chair, Workers Health and Safety Center certified instructor, and Vice President before becoming Local Lodge President in 2005.

Valliere has served on the executive of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists (OPCM) becoming President in 2010 through 2016.

In 2013, Kim was selected for the mentoring program at District Lodge 78 becoming a Business Representative/Organizer in January 2014.

A 29 year IAM member, Kim has served as executive board member on several community organizations such as; The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Region, United Way of Waterloo, Waterloo Regional Labour Council, and the Cambridge NDP Provincial and Federal Riding Association.

Toronto, ON – IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall is pleased to announce that Derek Ferguson has
been appointed Special Representative assigned to Political Action, effective January 1, 2019.

“Derek is being acknowledged for his hard work on behalf of his members, and his dedication to the New Democratic
Party on both the Provincial and Federal levels,” said Pickthall. He replaces Grand Lodge Representative Lou
Pagrach who has been assigned to field servicing in Cambridge, Owen Sound, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay.

Ferguson became a member of IAM Local Lodge 2330 in 1984, when he began work as a Tool and Die Maker at
Dana Canada formerly Long Manufacturing in Cambridge, He served as he Secretary Treasurer of the Local Lodge
for nearly two decades, some of the positions he has held include Steward, Health and Safety Committee Co-Chair,
Shop Committee, and Negotiations Committee member.

He joined IAM District Lodge 78 as an organizer in 2009, becoming a Business Representative in 2010. Ferguson
became Directing Business Representative in 2014, a position he held until this appointment. He has also served as
Vice President of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council and Vice President of the Ontario Provincial Council of
Machinists.

His political ties to the New Democratic Party go back more than 30 years as a member of both the Provincial and
Federal Riding Associations. “My political involvement is well established,” I look forward to working with IAM
members and staff across the country to help overcome the challenges we will face in this ever changing political
climate ….”