Disaster Relief for IAM Members
A Message from GVP Dave Chartrand

Dear IAM members,

We have all been following the terrible fortunes of residents of British Columbia and Atlantic Canada lately – and our hearts go out to all those affected. Losing our houses, vehicles, possessions and many other intangibles affects our lives and how we look at the world.

If you are an IAM Member who has been affected, or you know of an IAM members in a similar situation, you should know that some help is available.

The IAM Disaster Relief Fund is available to all members affected by disasters.
Click here for information on how to apply for help from the IAM

As a member, you can also donate to the fund, which will help those in desperate need. Every dollar donated to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund goes directly to IAM members and their families who need the help from their sisters and brothers.
Please consider donating to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund

In solidarity

Dave Chartrand,
IAM Canadian General Vice-President

By Email: Omar.Alghabra@parl.gc.ca

Honorable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transportation
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0A6

Re: Canadian Airports – Mandatory Vaccination Policies

Dear Honourable Minister Alghabra,

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) represent twenty two thousand workers in air transportation and aerospace in Canada. We represent a majority of workers at Canadian airports.

I am writing you today asking your help with a troubling issue about mandatory vaccination policies by Canadian Airports authorities, which are arm’s length from government. A number of Canadian airports are implementing vaccination policies, taking any possibility of consultation and negotiation on this critical health and safety issue away from unions. Any policy put forward without consultation with recognized bargaining agents could potentially be an infringement on our members’ rights, but more importantly, we are concerned about workers whose legitimate accommodation needs may be unrecognized.

If the federal government is going to mandate vaccinations in the federal sector, consultations are essential to ensure there are mechanisms for accommodation. The IAMAW believes that, your government presented this and has shed responsibility to involve individual union/employers and bargaining agents.

I am therefore requesting a meeting, as soon as possible, to discuss airport authorities mandating vaccine policies.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and assistance in this regard.

Yours Truly,

David Chartrand

GENERAL VICE-PRESIDENT 

C.c.       The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
              The Honourable Minister of Labour Filomena Tassi