Tag Archives: Canada

IAM Canada – Flight Attendants at Wasaya Airways Ratify New Deal

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IAM-represented Flight Attendants at Wasaya Airways in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout have ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes significant wage increases, cost-of-living protection, and quality-of-life improvements.

The new contract introduces a new pay scale with Consumer Price Index (CPI) protection, ensuring wages adjust alongside inflation. Members will receive a 4% increase on ratification, followed by 1.5–3% increases in Years 2 and 3, tied to the Ontario CPI.

Other highlights include enhanced pension contributions based on years of service, 10 federal sick days with the option to cash out up to 5 unused days annually, increased per diems and shoe/boot allowances, and a new additional day off in a 28-day block after 5 years of service.

“This agreement recognizes the demanding work our flight attendants do and the challenges they face,” said Chris Greniuk, General Chairperson at IAM Union. “We’re proud to secure not only fair pay increases and inflation protection but also improvements that support their well-being and work-life balance.”

With this agreement, IAM members continue to make progress toward fair compensation and a safer, more supportive workplace.

IAM Canada – Strike Committee Gathers to Prepare for Potential Collective Action

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Members of the Strike Committee recently convened at Local 1751 to discuss the strategic plan ahead and clarify the roles and responsibilities of each participant. This meeting marks the start of essential preparation in anticipation of potential collective action.

Attending the meeting were Nasr Kairouz, Samir Zahabi, Vincent Constantineau, James Murray, Costa Kripouris, Nicolas Piecharski, Jesenia Morales, Perpetua Okpanachi, Benoit Demers, and Léo Giuliani.

The Strike Committee holds a pivotal role within the organization. Its primary mission is to prepare and coordinate members’ efforts in the event of a labour dispute. By fostering unity and ensuring readiness, the committee helps members act together effectively and communicate their collective voice clearly.

To achieve this, the committee establishes necessary structures, organizes resources, supports communication among members, and plans actions both before and during a potential strike. When active job action occurs, the committee functions as the central coordination body — overseeing team organization, communication, logistical support, and maintaining relationships with the community and the media. It may also set up a Strike Headquarters, a space where decisions are made and strategies are adjusted in real time.

This initial meeting laid the foundation for the work ahead, emphasizing the importance of careful preparation. Clear organization, effective communication, and structured mobilization were highlighted as key elements to protect and advance members’ interests with determination and coherence.

In the photo: from left to right — Nasr Kairouz, Jesenia Morales, Benoît Demers, Vincent Constantineau.

IAM Canada – CQF: A Worn-Out and Disconnected Government

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The list of bad decisions and repeated scandals from this government is so long that we can already guarantee it a place in the Hall of Fame of the worst governments in Quebec’s history.

Its inability to manage the crises in health and education, its inaction in the face of the rising cost of living, the housing shortage, the growing number of job losses, and the increase in homelessness all demonstrate that this government is completely disconnected and overwhelmed by events.

To hide its poor record and avoid losing face in the next election, the CQF is trying to divert attention by proposing bad solutions to fake problems. Instead of acting responsibly, owning up to its mistakes, and addressing the concerns of Quebecers, the Legault government prefers to criticize unions and working people.

The dangers of Bill 3

Minister Jean Boulet’s Bill 3 is a direct attack on our autonomy. Under the pretext of wanting to modernize our practices, this reform will jeopardize our independence and freedom of action.

The goal of this bill is not truly to make our organizations more transparent and democratic, but rather to interfere in our affairs and impose costly accountability mechanisms that employers will be able to use against us.

This process will force your union representatives to spend time dealing with paperwork and filling out government forms, require them to give part of your union dues to accounting firms, and make public certain information that could benefit your employer during future negotiations.

This is an attack on union democracy and on your right to freely and collectively decide which issues you want to defend.

We will not allow ourselves to be silenced by an irresponsible government that prefers to take care of its business friends instead of helping the people of Quebec.

That’s why the Quebec Council of Machinists is inviting all its members and the Quebec population to make their voices heard by participating in the Major Inter-Union Rally.

When: November 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Place du Canada (Montreal)

This will be a large march starting from Place du Canada and heading toward the Premier’s Office at the corner of McGill College and Sherbrooke.

For more details: https://ftq.qc.ca/bloquons-le-recul/