Pagrach, Sarrabezolles Join IAM Canadian Staff

IAM International President Bob Martinez announced that District 140 General Chair Lou Pagrach has been appointed Special Representative for Canadian Political Action and Aurélie Sarrabezolles has been appointed Canadian Research Director. The appointments were effective June 1, 2016.

“Lou has been a very active representative for IAM Transportation District 140 and has a reputation for spending considerable time in face-to-face communications with our members,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “This direct approach in dealing with IAM member issues will be invaluable in his new role for the Canadian office.”

An IAM member since he joined Air Canada as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in 1987, Pagrach served as a shop steward for 11 years, two terms as Vice President of IAM Local 2323, and one term as president. He was elected as District 140 General Chairperson in January 2012 and re-elected in January 2016. As Special Representative in charge of Canadian Political Action, Pagrach replaces Gord Falconer, who was promoted to Canadian Chief of Staff on May 1, 2016.

IAM Grand Lodge Representative-Organizer Scott Jackson and IAM District 78 Directing Business Representative Derek Ferguson referred Aurélie Sarrabezolles to the IAM Canadian office after her work in the organizing victory of the Thorncliffe Retirement Home in Orleans, outside of Ottawa.

“Aurélie previously worked for the federal New Democratic Party where she was a highly recommended researcher,” said Pickthall. “Being fully bilingual, Aurélie has worked on numerous political campaigns and numerous legislative matters in Ottawa.”

Born in France, Sarrabezolles moved to Canada 12 years ago. She began her political career in 2011 as a Legislative Assistant to NDP Québec MP Pierre Jacob. She joined the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in 2013 as an Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary to leader Tom Mulcair. In 2015, Sarrabezolles became a researcher for the NDP. She replaces Louis Erlichman, who retired after 38 years as Research Director for Canada.