Tag Archives: Union

TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT 140 – IAM Local 16 Executive Board Visit at YLW Kelowna Base: Empowering Members and Addressing Key Challenges

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The IAM Local 16 Executive Board embarked on a comprehensive site visit to the YLW Kelowna base, marking a milestone in our ongoing commitment to transparency and member engagement—a dedication that resonates deeply throughout IAM District 140. Leading the delegation was IAM L16 President Brother Rick Singh (who also serves as a trustee for District 140 from the Western Region), alongside Secretary Treasurer Brother Neil Chia (serving as District 140 Auditor); Conductor Sentinel and Brother John Vincent (who is also the District 140 Communicator); and Line Trustee Brother Matt Sergent from the YYJ Victoria base, with IAM International Representative Steve Prinz rounding out the team.

We extend special thanks to YLW Kelowna base’s Chief Shop Steward Brother Patrick McCoy and YLW Shop Steward Brother Gary Fauvelle. Their support and meticulous coordination not only enriched our Local 16 initiative but also helped amplify the collective voice of District 140 throughout the base.

Throughout the day, our team connected with a diverse group of union members, engaging in robust discussions focused on the union’s structure, operational levels, and internal processes. Members candidly shared their insights and concerns—from workplace challenges and safety protocols to the clarity of union representation—providing a transparent view into the issues that matter most on the ground. These real-life experiences underscore our shared duty to address both immediate and long-term challenges, a commitment that unites Local 16 and District 140.

This visit was far more than a routine check-in; it was a vibrant exchange of ideas that served as a catalyst for change. Every conversation reinforced our commitment to ensuring that every member’s voice—whether from Local 16 or across District 140—is not only heard but also transformed into tangible action. By addressing topics such as improved safety standards, refined union processes, and enhanced member support systems, we are forging a path toward a more responsive and inclusive future. The valuable feedback has already paved the way for follow-up initiatives that align with our shared vision within District 140.

The insights gained from this visit are proving invaluable as we work to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity. Moving forward, the Executive Board remains dedicated to developing strategies that reflect the diverse perspectives of our membership, ensuring a safer, fairer, and more promising future for all members within Local 16 and across District 140.

In closing, we express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who engaged with us. Your candid feedback, personal experiences, and unwavering commitment to our union’s values are the cornerstone of our resilience and progress as we continue to build a united future for IAM District 140.

IAM Canada – A day with IAM Cares: How a Montreal non-profit is transforming lives, one job at a time

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When the IAM Union communications team visited IAM Cares – AIM CROIT in Montreal, they expected to learn about employment services. What they discovered was something far more powerful; a vibrant community working every day to restore confidence, dignity, and purpose to people living with sensory and physical disabilities.

At first glance, the office looks like any other: staff gathered in morning huddles, employees focused on computer screens, quiet one-on-one coaching sessions in progress. But behind the scenes is a team dedicated to one mission: breaking isolation and helping Montrealers with physical and sensory disabilities find their way back into the workforce.

Patronized by IAM Union and funded 100% by Service Québec, IAM Cares – AIM CROIT offers free, personalized support to citizens, permanent residents and refugees of Montreal aged 16 and up.

Clients live with a wide range of sensory, physical and invisible disabilities: from amputations and diabetes to chronic pain. For many, isolation is a bigger barrier than any resume gap.

That’s where AIM CROIT steps in.

Led primarily by women, the staff includes employment counsellors, partnership coordinators, trainers, and admin support who guide clients through every step of their journey. Services include personalized coaching, resume building, career planning, and access to a fully equipped computer lab. In their multiservice training rooms, clients not only build skills, they build confidence.

“People often come to us feeling disconnected,” said Executive Director Christina Cobein during the IAM Union team’s visit. “We’re here to help them reconnect: with work, with routine, and with their own sense of purpose.“

This year, IAM Cares – AIM CROIT celebrates its 35th anniversary! A milestone marking decades of dedication. Over the years, they’ve helped thousands of individuals find meaningful employment. But their true impact goes far beyond job placement: by providing structure, community and quite often, mental support, IAM Cares – AIM CROIT empowers people to regain their independence and envision a brighter future.

IAM Cares – AIM CROIT isn’t just helping people find work, it’s transforming lives, creating opportunities, and proving every day that inclusion works.

IAM Canada – IAM Union: Workers Ready to Have Voice During Tariff Pause

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Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement on pausing most tariffs for 90 days:  

“As the largest aerospace and defense labor union in the United States and Canada, the IAM Union believes that we should take the next 90 days to help chart a path forward that will benefit workers. We must put an end to the constant anxiety of job losses due to tariff threats between allies. We continue to offer a space for all stakeholders – government, business and labor – to come together to forge a real, comprehensive strategy to protect and grow critical manufacturing here in the United States and Canada while punishing the bad actors across the globe. Workers deserve the right to drive policy conversations about their livelihoods. Working people should be at the table, not on the menu.”   

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.