IAM Canada – The message is clear: Solidarity knows no borders

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As tensions between the U.S. and Canada escalate due to the current administration’s policies, it is important to remember that many Americans do not support their government’s actions toward Canadian neighbours. Many Canadians may be unaware of the significant support they have from their American counterparts. At the recent Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) conference in New Orleans, the IAM Union reinforced the idea that unity and solidarity go beyond political divides.

During the event, the International President of the IAM Union, Brian Bryant, delivered a speech in support of Canadian workers. He emphasized that despite the political challenges, we are all united in the fight for workers’ rights. The conference highlighted that our collective strength surpasses any national boundary. Whether in Canada or the U.S., the true power of our union lies in the unity of its members.

At the conference, the Canadian General Vice-President of the IAM Union David Chartrand, was met with a standing ovation by the delegates, in support of Canada, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations in the pursuit of fairness and equality. The International President also took the opportunity to express his support for Canada, particularly in opposition to tariffs that harm not only Canadian workers but the collective strength of workers everywhere.

Supporting these movements is crucial, but we must also remember that the struggles of our brothers and sisters across the border are our struggles too. These challenges don’t stop at the border. They affect all of us.

United as one, we can ensure that the strength of our workforce remains unshaken. The mission of the IAM Union transcends national boundaries, political divides, and party lines.

Now more than ever, solidarity is key.

IAM Canada – IAM Union Rebukes President Trump’s Erratic Tariff Policies as Economic Anxiety for Working Families Continues to Rise

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Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union, and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, issued the following statement rebuking President Trump’s erratic tariff policies, which are creating anxiety for millions of workers across Canada and the United States:

“The Trump administration’s erratic approach to tariffs is wreaking havoc on workers and businesses in the United States and Canada. This reckless trade policy creates unnecessary economic uncertainty, threatens good-paying jobs, and disrupts industries that rely on a stable and cooperative North American supply chain.

“The IAM Union calls for an immediate and permanent end to these damaging tariffs. Canada is not an adversary—it is one of our closest allies and largest trading partners. Instead of using tariffs as a political weapon, the Trump administration should focus on policies reinforcing economic ties between our nations and protecting workers’ livelihoods in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.

“IAM members demand a trade strategy that puts workers first, fosters long-term economic growth, and strengthens our manufacturing base on both sides of the border.

“Now is the time for real leadership. Real lives are at stake. We urge President Trump and his trade advisors to sit down with all the stakeholders—government, business, and labor—to work together on a comprehensive plan that ensures stability, growth, and job security for workers across North America.”

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.

IAM Canada – Janet Andrews honoured with coronation medal

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Vancouver, BC-IAM Local 764 member Janet Andrews was awarded with the King Charles III Coronation medal in a ceremony on February 16th for exemplary service to her community and the labour movement.

The Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada and is awarded to candidates who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. There will be 30,000 medals awarded during the anniversary year.

Andrews, a 27-year member of the Machinists’ Union who started out at YVR with United Airlines in 1998 served as Senior Steward, Political Action and Women’s Committee Chairperson at her local before being acclaimed as Secretary Treasurer for the New Westminster & District Labour Council in 2017. She is currently serving her fifth consecutive term at the NWDLC which is the largest labour council in British Columbia, representing over 65,000 union members from almost 100 different union locals in fourteen cities in Metro Vancouver.

In presenting the medal, Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Kingsway Don Davies noted “Janet is a trailblazing labour leader, women’s rights advocate and social justice champion who has given decades of service to improve the lives of workers in our community.”

A tireless advocate for workers, developing future leaders and fostering solidarity, in addition to her work at the NWDLC Andrews serves on the Executive Council of the BC Federation of Labour, completed 6 years on the Board of the United Way of BC and in 2024 was elected Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Pacific Blue Cross, the number one health benefits provider in BC. She is also politically active supporting candidates for office who will stand up for workers at the local, provincial and federal levels of government.

Davies added her “commitment and efforts to support diversity and inclusion in leadership roles in the labour movement and in local government across the Metro Vancouver region are truly nation-building.”

IAM Canada – Janet Andrew honorée avec la médaille du couronnement

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Vancouver, C.B. – Janet Andrews, membre de la section locale 764 de l’IAM, a reçu la médaille du couronnement du roi Charles III lors d’une cérémonie le 16 février pour son service exemplaire à sa communauté et au mouvement syndical.

La médaille du couronnement commémore le couronnement de sa Majesté le Roi Charles III en tant que roi du Canada et est décernée aux personnes ayant apporté une contribution significative au Canada ou à une province, un territoire, une région ou une communauté particulière, ou ayant réalisé un exploit exceptionnel à l’étranger qui honore le Canada. Un total de 30,000 médailles sera décerné durant l’année anniversaire.

Andrews, membre du syndicat de l’IAM depuis 27 ans, qui a débuté à YVR avec United Airlines en 1998, a été première deleguée syndicale, présidente du comité d’action politique et du comité des femmes de sa section locale avant d’être acclamée en tant que secrétaire-trésorière du Conseil du travail de New Westminster et du district en 2017. Elle est actuellement dans son cinquième mandat consécutif au NWDLC, qui est le plus grand conseil du travail de la Colombie-Britannique, représentant plus de 65,000 membres syndicaux issus de près de 100 sections locales de syndicats dans quatorze villes de la région métropolitaine de Vancouver.

En remettant la médaille, le député de Vancouver-Kingsway, Don Davies, a souligné : “Janet est une dirigeante syndicale, une défenseure des droits des femmes et une championne de la justice sociale qui a consacré des décennies de service pour améliorer la vie des travailleurs et travailleuses de notre communauté.”

En plus de son travail au NWDLC, Andrews siège au Conseil exécutif de la Fédération du travail de la Colombie-Britannique, a complété six ans au conseil d’administration de l’United Way de la C.B. et a été élue en 2024 vice-présidente du conseil d’administration de Pacific Blue Cross, le principal fournisseur de prestations de santé de la Colombie-Britannique. Elle est également politiquement active en soutenant des candidats pour des postes élus qui défendront les travailleurs et travailleuses aux niveaux local, provincial et fédéral.

Davies a ajouté que “son engagement et ses efforts pour soutenir la diversité et l’inclusion dans les rôles de leadership au sein du mouvement syndical et dans les gouvernements locaux de la région du Grand Vancouver sont véritablement en train de forger une nation.”