Winnipeg, MB – One hundred years ago today the labour movement in Canada had learned clearly: it had to move into direct political action, if workers’ rights were to be protected. Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of The Winnipeg General Strike.
The Immediate post-World War 1 period in Canada was not a time of peace. Soldiers returned home wanting jobs and a normal lifestyle again, only to find factories shutting down and soaring unemployment. Corporate profiteering fed inflation and a high cost of living. Poor factory working conditions caused worker unrest. Social tensions grew.
Nowhere was this more evident than in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There, workers in the construction and metal industries attempted to strengthen their bargaining ability by creating umbrella unions – the Building Trade Council and the Metal Trade Council.
Workers from both industrial groupings went on strike to gain union recognition and to compel employers to respect collective bargaining rights.
The Building and Metal Trade Councils appealed for support from the Trades and Labour Union, the central union body representing the interests of many more of Winnipeg’s workers for support. The Trades and Labour Union voted in favour of a sympathetic strike. “Every organization but one has voted in favour of the general strike,” said Ernest Robinson – Secretary of the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Union.
The spark that ignited the Winnipeg General Strike was provided by Machinists from IAM Local Lodge 122 under the leadership of R.B. Russell and Peter Henrenchuk at Dominion Bridge.

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.