IAM Canada – Supreme Court Ruling Reinforces Need for Fair Trade Policies

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Toronto/ Washington Feb.20, 2026 – The IAM Union is responding to the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, emphasizing the impact on workers on both sides of the border.

David Chartrand, Canadian General Vice-President of the IAM Union, stated: “Workers are not responsible for these arbitrary tariff decisions, yet they are the ones paying the price. The Supreme Court ruling underscores the importance of predictable and fair trade policies, which are essential to protecting jobs and ensuring stability in industries such as aerospace and manufacturing. Canadian workers and businesses need certainty to plan for the future, and measures like these tariffs disrupt that stability.”

Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, added: “Arbitrary, snap tariff decisions—especially those targeting close allies like Canada—create uncertainty that endangers jobs in highly interdependent industries such as aerospace and manufacturing, raises prices for consumers, and makes it harder for businesses and workers to plan for the future. That instability also complicates collective bargaining, where predictability is essential to securing strong contracts and long-term job security.

The Supreme Court decision reinforces the U.S. Constitution’s clear assignment of authority to Congress to impose tariffs on foreign imports. Trade policy must be grounded in that framework and carried out with care.

Trade policy should strengthen manufacturing and workers—not create unnecessary economic chaos.”

The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America, advocating for trade policies that strengthen workers rather than create economic uncertainty.

IAM Canada – IAM Union and Air Canada Begin Contract Negotiations

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February 25, 2026 – The IAM Union has officially launched a new round of contract negotiations with Air Canada, marking the start of discussions following a 10-year agreement and what union leaders describe as a critical moment for members.

The kickoff meeting brought together a broad delegation of IAM representatives from Canada and the United States, including leadership, general chairpersons, coordinators, and experts from legal, strategic resources, communications, Air Transportation, International Representatives, and staff. The goal: to ensure members are fully supported and prepared at every stage of bargaining.

During the meeting, the union sat down with Air Canada’s leadership from Legal, Labour Relations, Cargo, Finance, and Technical Operations, reflecting the scope and importance of the discussions ahead.

International President Brian Bryant opened the meeting by reinforcing the strength and responsibility of the IAM Union at the table.

“We represent thousands of Air Transportation workers across North America,” Bryant said. “Air Canada is one of the best airlines in the world, and that is because of its employees. We are proud of our members, and their contributions must be recognized in this contract.”

Canadian General Vice-President David Chartrand emphasized the sacrifices IAM members made to help the airline through difficult years.

“Our members sacrificed to keep Air Canada afloat for the past 30 years,” said Chartrand. “Now that the company is in a strong position, they expect to share in that success. We shared the pain; now we want to share the gains too. This is about fairness, respect, and recognizing the people who make this airline successful.”

Chartrand also highlighted the union’s unified bargaining approach, ensuring all groups and classifications are represented equally at one table.

“We are here for everyone,” he said. “Our members want the company to succeed, but success comes from a respected and fairly treated workforce. This is an important contract, and we intend to meet the expectations of our members.”

Negotiations Updates

Update 1: Both parties agreed to establish bargaining dates structured around key main items, ensuring each session focuses on specific topics within the contract package.

Update 2: For every scheduled meeting, both the IAM and Air Canada will bring the appropriate subject-matter experts based on the issues being discussed, allowing for informed and efficient negotiations.

Update 3: Both sides expressed a shared interest in maintaining momentum and working as efficiently as possible to move the process forward and reach a fair agreement in a timely manner.

Air Canada representatives acknowledged the significance of the negotiations and expressed their commitment to engaging in a productive process.

Both sides left the meeting aligned on continuing discussions in the weeks ahead.

The IAM bargaining committee remains focused on securing a fair agreement that reflects members’ contributions and strengthens the future of both Air Canada and its workforce.

More updates will be shared as negotiations progress.

Attendees from the IAM Union: Brian Bryant (International President) – David Chartrand (Canadian General Vice-President) – Tom Reagan (Special Assistant to the International President) – Vinny Addeo (Chief of Staff to the International President) – Keith Aiken (Airline Coordinator) – Dave Flowers (President & Directing General Chairperson) – Michel Richer (Quebec Coordinator) – Lou Pagrach (International Representative) – Kevin Timms (International Representative) – Steve Prinz (International Representative) – Peter Tsoukalas (Special Representative) – Craig Chard (General Chairperson)- Chris Lipsit (General Chairperson) – Chris Greniuk (General Chairperson) – Mahmoud Khatib (General Chairperson) – Nasr Kairouz (Interim General Chairperson) – Rene Grenon (General Chairperson) – Matt Pyne (IAM Research Economist) – Ilana Boivie (IAM Assistant Strategic Resources Director) – Aaron Farrant (Mentee) – Roya Rismankar (Senior Research Analyst) – Sean Fitzpatrick (Lawyer at Cavalluzzo) – Lucie Morillon (Communications Representative) – Vanessa Breidy (Communications Representative).

IAM Canada – Quebec Machinists Council Hosts Shop Steward Training

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IAM members of local 2309 from Samsic Unit and Air Transat, gathered at the District 140 offices to attend the shop steward training offered by the Quebec Machinists Council’s (QMC) education department.

On the front lines of union action, these stewards will ensure compliance with the collective agreement and the quality of work life for their fellow members.

Congratulations to each of them for their commitment and their dedication to upholding your rights at work. We also wish to thank our trainers, Stéphane Paré and Michel Richer, for their outstanding work.

Our participants were: André Guilbault, Charles Jean-Ronel, Dany Joubert, Eude Real Charles, Jules Raymond Kwebou, Leonidas Mylonas, and Rui Claro.

Knowledge transfer and learning the various labour relations practices are essential to ensuring effective representation of workers. That is why the QMC, in partnership with affiliated locals, has made it its mission to provide quality training to all IAM union representatives.

IAM Union – IAM Union Statement on U.S. House Vote to Reject Tariffs on Canada

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2026 — Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian Territory General Vice-President, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reject President Trump’s tariffs on Canada:

“Today’s bipartisan vote shows that a majority of Congress understands what’s at stake for working families. Indiscriminate tariffs against allies are bad for both U.S. and Canadian workers. Our industries are connected, and any attack on our partnership only leads to job losses, higher prices, and economic instability across North America.

“These tariffs are already causing serious disruption to the deeply integrated U.S and Canadian aerospace and manufacturing sectors.

“We can’t stress this enough: Workers should not be pawns in this discussion. This vote sent a clear message that Congress stands with workers over short-sighted trade policies that drive up costs for working families and threaten jobs.

“The IAM will continue to speak out against any short-sighted trade war and fight for a comprehensive, long-term strategy that strengthens manufacturing and prioritizes the interests of North American workers.”

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.