Cambridge, ON – It has had three corporate employers and merged with other IAM Local Lodges but one thing has remained constant, only one Union – The IAM. Last week, Local 2330, now part of IAM Local Lodge 103 turned to its past to celebrate its first collective agreement signed 50 years ago.

It began on May 5, 1968 when IAM Local Lodge 2330 signed its first collective agreement with Cello Products, then located on Bishop Street in the town of Preston, Ontario. Wages then were $1.15 an hour and things were pretty good for the members who worked there. Within a year, Cello became part of the Long Manufacturing Division of Borg Warner Canada, four years later Preston was amalgamated with neighbours Galt and Hespeler to form the new City of Cambridge. Over the years, the number of members at the local rose and fell with the state of the local and provincial economy and in 2003 the employer changed names again, this time to the current Dana Canada Corporation. As often is the case with a declining membership, other local lodges with similar problems were merged into Local Lodge 2330. In 2007, LL 863 at Ball Packaging in Burlington was the first, followed by Local Lodge 1547 at Anvil and Norfolk Volunteer Firefighters in Simcoe as well as Local Lodge 1673 at Flowserve in Brantford, both in 2011. Finally in 2013 Local Lodge 2330 merged with the oldest and the first IAM Local Lodge in Canada, 103 of Stratford.

IAM District 78 representatives and delegates, along with more than 300 other IAM participants are on hand for the 2018 IAM Aerospace Conference this week in Fort Worth, TX, the hometown of IAM International President Bob Martinez.
Delegates are participating in breakout sessions, learning about and discussing new technology in the industry, healthcare issues, negotiations, organizing and many other issues affecting members.
The IAM is the largest aerospace Union in Canada and North America.

Fort Worth, TX – “Companies must realize that they are profitable not in spite of this union but because of this union,” said IAM International President Bob Martinez to 300 delegates attending the 2018 IAM Aerospace Conference here.

In his opening remarks, Martinez laid down the gauntlet to aerospace companies destined to bargain with the IAM in the next few years. “It is your actions not your word that will determine if you stand with us or against us,” he told delegates. “This conference comes at a pivotal time in our union’s history and you are the people who make aerospace one of the most important industries in our countries. Just look at the impact,” said Martinez. “The airlines? They wouldn’t get off the ground without Machinists. The fighter jets and missiles keeping us safe, they would not exist if it weren’t for us. The spacecraft leading us to new frontiers? They are built and launched by Machinist Union members. We have a lot to be proud of Brothers and Sisters.”

Edmonton, AB – Fifty Business Representatives and office staff from United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 are the newest members of the IAM.

“IAM District Lodge 14 Directing Business Representative Kevin Clark and myself, held several meetings with both the staff and the Business Representatives before they decided to join us,” explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative and Organizer Scott Jackson. “One of our strong points was that we already represent UFCW National Business Representatives.”

UFCW Local 401 covers all of Alberta and represents more than 30,000 UFCW members. The IAM also represents Business Representatives from IBEW Local 1687, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, the Canadian Labour Congress and the Nova Scotia Government Employees staff representatives.

New executive officers and stewards ink Newest Charter!

Hollywood, MD – Four interim executive officers and 23 stewards representing homecare workers at Spectrum Healthcare signed a new charter for IAM Local Lodge 1231 during leadership training this week at the IAM W3 Education Centre.

IAM International President Bob Martinez, General Secretary Treasurer Dora Cervantes, IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall and IAM Grand Lodge Representatives Ralph Martin and Scott Jackson witnessed the signing

“We are pleased and privileged to have these new members at our training centre,” said a proud IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “They’re here to learn how to do their best to represent their membership and our training centre provides the best Union education in the world.”

IAM International President Bob Martinez also took the opportunity to administer the Oath of Office to the new interim executive officers of Local Lodge 1231 and all of the Stewards attending this week.

A small group of Local 1863 Retiree Club members and spouses visited the Canadian Trailer Company for a tour of the assembly line in the old Champion/Volvo building.

The IAM and five other unions have joined forces on a public awareness campaign to show their members (and voters) the way forward in the next Québec elections.

Approximately 1,600 placards were distributed in the Taschereau constituency in the Quebec City area, Pointe-aux-Trembles in the Montreal area, Roberval in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Jérôme in the Laurentians.

The union coalition installed large signs on utility poles with the message, “It’s the same thing” and “We deserve better” accompanied by a merged photo of the two leaders of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and the Québec Liberal Party (QLP).

IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand believes that significant failures in education, health and social services have tainted the Liberals government under Premier Philippe Couillard and the threats to workers presented by the CAQ leave them no choice but to engage with the public and their members in a broad-based campaign. Continue reading →

he IAM is investing in your health and wellness

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!

Register for your GoodLife Fitness Corporate Membership today at: https://corporate.goodlifefitness.com Continue reading →

Vancouver, BC – A British Columbia arbitrator has ordered Finning Canada pay 10 IAM members in excess of $130,000.00 plus interest in severance following a layoff dating back to March 2016.

“These workers were entitled to enhanced severance under the terms of the collective agreement agreed to by the company,” explained IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative Paul Pelletreau. “When the company declined to follow the terms of the agreement we filed a grievance and it subsequently went to arbitration and has taken this long to get our members the money they deserved. We proved our case and I’m very pleased with the outcome.” Continue reading →

IAM District 78 representatives attended a retirees breakfast in Goderich on July 11for members of , (now Local 1975, St. Thomas). The group enjoyed breakfast at a nearby restaurant, followed by their regular monthly meeting at the Canadian Legion. At the meeting, members shared their condolences for past members Howie Gottschalk, and Brian Brindley. In addition, the group listened to an audio recording describing member’s recollections of their time at Champion/Volvo Graders in Goderich for the IAM history project. The recordings were an insightful description of the positive memories and impact the group had on Goderich, and the greater community. The group also announced they will be holding a 10 year celebration barbecue next July, and all were encouraged to attend. Following the meeting the group was invited to tour the Champion Antique Grader Club facilities. The group observed past and present projects, and heard stories of the progression of road grader technology from those who built the graders at the Goderich production facility.

http://www.championantiquegraderclub.ca