IAM Canada – IAM Presents Contract Flipping Issue to Standing Parliamentary Committee

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Imagine not knowing whether you will be working for the same employer, a new employer or whether or not you will even have a job moving forward.

This is what IAM members at TBH Services are facing with their current contract with the GTAA set to expire in 28 days on October 22, 2024. The contract is part of an Request for Proposal Process that would allow the GTAA the ability to provide the contract to another employer. This practice is known as contract flipping.

Dan Janssen, General Chairperson of District 140 travelled to Ottawa on September 24, 2024, to speak with a standing committee of Parliament about the stress and anxiety these members are experiencing due to the lack of proper safeguards and notice requirements as well as to highlight the need for living wages for airport workers.

Janssen urged the committee to fix the loopholes that still exist in the Code. “I am seeking help for my coworkers, Bill C-330 could pass in this session of the house, legislation for RFP notice periods should align with the group termination timelines and the minimum standard should no less than living wages for all airport workers.”

NDP MP Alexander Boulerice’s has introduced a private members Bill C-330 This bill, if passed, would ensure workers maintained the same collective agreement and union despite whether the employer changes during a contract flip.

Following the meeting, Janssen highlighted the IAM’s commitment to political action. “The IAM has always been a strong political advocate for workers rights. I want to thank NDP labour Critic MP Matthew Green and his office for his support for an airport living wage and helping to address contract flipping.”

The committee hearing can viewed here: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/00010101/-1/42268?Embedded=true&globalstreamId=20&viewMode=3

IAM Canada – Record gains for Local 2413 members working at Menzies Cargo

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Last week (Sept 17th) Local 2413 members ratified a new 2-year collective agreement with Menzies Cargo with a 96.9% acceptance. IAM members employed as Warehouse Agents, Office Agents and Lead Agents had a strike deadline scheduled for 17 Sept.

Having soundly rejected the employer’s previous offer and a unanimous strike vote taken, the employer came back to the table with wages the union and its membership were seeking.

This 2-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will run from May 13, 2024 to May 12, 2026. The average increase over the 2 years is close to 20%. Senior members will immediately be receiving a $3/hr to $3.25/hour increase, depending on their classification.

This 2-year CBA provides Living Wages to our IAM Leads, along with more senior members in the Office and Warehouse operations. It further provides a path for new members to easily reach a living wage when we are back at the bargaining table in a mere 14 months,” said Michael Corrado, General Chairperson for IAM District 140. “I’d like to thank the Bargaining Committee, Jorge Vargas and Chris Dunlop for all the work they did to achieve this important agreement for the members.”

2 ½ years ago the workers at Menzies Cargo YYZ joined the IAM so that they could have an established union assist them in improving their wages and working conditions. The IAM is proud to have helped members in the Cargo Office go from making approximately $17.50/hr. to $25.20/hr., or Warehouse employees go from making approximately $17.68/hr to $26.20/hr. It is also truly rewarding having the Lead Hands go from earning $20.00/hr. to $28.20/hr wage in this latest CBA.

It doesn’t cost to belong to a Union, it pays!

For more information:
Michael Corrado, General Chairperson

Membership Letter: District 140 Supervision

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Membership Letter:
District 140 Supervision

Dear IAM District 140 Family,

As a member of Canada’s largest and most powerful airline union, the IAM, you have a right to expect world-class representation. And while our long-standing solidarity and strength have gotten us to this point, it has become clear in my visits with you – our proud membership – that more needs to be done to move us toward a brighter future.

Today, I am proud to announce that we are taking significant steps toward ensuring the good and welfare of our District 140 membership.

Upon approval from the IAM Executive Council and in accordance with the IAM Constitution, we are placing District 140 under supervision. This is an internal process within our union that allows us to assist the District in serving our membership. It does not remove any officers, make any changes to district or local elections, or change any financial operations of the district.

Our goals, which come directly from meetings with our membership, are the following:

Informing Our Membership
Ensure communication is flowing at all levels of our organization and making it to the shop floor. Our members have a right to transparent, consistent communication.

Mobilization for Bargaining
We must be united as we head toward critical bargaining with Air Canada and other employers. We will only succeed if we are together as one.

Structural Improvements
We heard from you that you feel the District structure is not serving the best interests of our membership. We will examine our bargaining committees and District board structure to ensure our members are being heard.

Real Representation
We must ensure that every region and workgroup has a strong voice in our union. This is a union that serves all members.

Top-to-Bottom Review
We will review all District processes, including our bylaws, and make changes that put the members first.

All of these actions are being taken with the good and welfare of you – the membership – at the forefront. We look forward to continuing to keep you informed as we move District 140 into the brighter future that every member deserves.

In solidarity,

David Chartrand
IAM Canadian General Vice President