Tag Archives: Canada
IAM Canada – Stay United as We Prepare for Negotiations with Air Canada
Dear IAM Member,
As we approach an important negotiation period with Air Canada, I’m reaching out to stress the critical importance of standing united under the IAM banner. Our strength as IAM members comes from our solidarity, collective voice, and shared commitment to supporting one another.
After hearing from our proud members, and to preserve the good and welfare of the membership, we are looking at changes in District 140 to better represent our members.
At this time, some other unions may be encouraging IAM members to sign membership cards with them, but I urge you not to do so. Now more than ever, our solidarity is our strength, and any division could weaken our collective bargaining power.
Our upcoming negotiations with Air Canada are a crucial opportunity to secure industry leading wages, benefits, and working conditions for every one of our members. The IAM has represented airline employees for decades, and we’ve built a strong foundation of support and experience in fighting for industry leading working conditions. Dividing our membership now could disrupt our momentum and undermine the leverage we need to negotiate effectively.
If there are specific issues you want addressed in negotiations, bargaining surveys will be out over the coming months. Your input is essential, and we are here to ensure our collective bargaining team has the tools to deliver a world class agreement.
Let’s remain focused and unified so we can face these negotiations with the full strength of our membership behind us.
Thank you for standing together with us as we work to secure an industry leading contract for all IAM members working at Air Canada.
In Solidarity,
David Chartrand,
IAM Canadian General Vice-President
IAM Canada – Historic Victory for IAM Canada, Activists, and Millions of Canadians: Canada Launches Universal Pharmacare
After decades of campaigning and struggle by IAM Canada members, activists and allies, Canada has finally established a framework for a national single-payer pharmacare program. The law, Bill C-64, is the first phase of a program which provides universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.
The Senate passed the bill in its third reading on October 10th, paving the way for it to receive royal assent on 11 October, 2024. It became law immediately.
Now that the bill has become law, provinces and territories must begin negotiating pharmacare agreements, including details on funding and distribution. These negotiations are crucial for implementing the plan, as the federal government needs to finalize agreements with each province and territory to move forward nationwide.
Thanks to Canada’s New Democrats, the NDP, leveraging their influence over the Liberal government, millions of Canadians will now have access to life-saving medications, such as diabetes treatments and contraceptives, at no cost. This marks a significant victory for all Canadians, but we must remain vigilant.
With a federal election on the horizon, we need to continue our organizing efforts to ensure this benefit reaches those who need it most. It’s crucial that we elect a government that will not only implement pharmacare but also work to expand it.
The Liberals have promised pharmacare for decades, yet they have often succumbed to the pressures of big pharmaceutical companies. It was only through the NDP’s insistence that real progress was made. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have opposed pharmacare at every turn, threatening the program’s future if they gain power.
At this pivotal moment, IAM Canada members will continue to mobilize with our allies—not only to secure this vital victory for Canadians today but also to protect and enhance it for our children, their children and their future.
Full list of diabetes medications covered.
Full list of contraceptive medication.
Derek Ferguson,
IAM Canada Political Action
IAM Canada – IAM represented teams take top spots again in AME Conference Skills Competition
The 2024 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) Conference in Ontario showcased an impressive display of skills and expertise as teams competed in various challenging events, with IAM members proving they are among the best in the industry.
The rigorous competitions again included lock wiring, virtual wheel and brake changes, avionics troubleshooting, a 2D virtual paint challenge, non-destructive testing, and sheet metal repair.
Keith Aiken, IAM Canada Airline Coordinator, expressed his excitement: “It was an amazing event, and it’s thrilling to see the skills on display. We’re proud that our IAM teams took two of the top three spots.” IAM teams from Air Transat and Air Canada claimed the first and third places respectively.
The IAM had a strong presence at the conference, with members from various IAM locals actively participating in the Skills Challenge. David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice-President, remarked, “IAM Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are the best in the business, and we’re proud but not surprised they’ve demonstrated that to the world.”
The IAM Canada booth, staffed by many IAM members and staff, attracted a steady flow of interest from AME students and professionals, who engaged in conversations about the future of the aviation industry, unionism, and IAM’s training programs.
The Ontario AME Conference took place from 1-3 October, 2024, at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
PHOTO: (From left to right: Front – John Golia, retired IAM member who organised and judged the Skills Competition, Lou Pagrach GLR
Back – Dave Flowers, PDGC of IAM District 140; Mark Pozzobon Shop Committee member, L2323; Jason Jiskra, General Chairperson, District 140, Steve Grigoropoulos Tech Ops Shop Chairmen L2323, Keith Aiken, IAM Canadian Airline Co-ordinator, Sam Jabbar, GLR Assigned to Organising.
IAM Canada – Message to District 140 members from David Chartrand, GVP, IAM Canada
Dear IAM District 140 Members,
As you are aware, Transportation District 140 has been placed under supervision by the IAM. We communicated this to the membership last week, and the response has been very positive.
I encourage you to watch the brief message addressed to District 140 members, where I further explain the reasons behind these necessary changes. The membership has made it clear—they want us to stand united as a strong, cohesive team, and we are fully committed to making that a reality.
In solidarity,
David Chartrand,
General Vice-President, IAM Canada