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

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

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

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 – IAM Union Urges End to All U.S. Tariffs on Canada, Cooperation Amongst Both Countries to Grow Worker Prosperity

Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union, and David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, issued the following statement calling for an end to all Canadian tariffs:

“The IAM Union strongly urges President Trump to end all tariff actions against Canada, one of our closest allies, without delay. Instead of escalating tensions, the President should embrace trade policies that strengthen the economic bond between the U.S. and Canada. This is a critical moment in history that can bring together workers and unions from both nations to craft solutions for the future. “The IAM Union represents 600,000 workers, including tens of thousands in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing—industries that depend on strong U.S.-Canada cooperation. These tariffs destabilize those sectors, putting livelihoods and our nations’ economies at risk.

“Now is the time for all stakeholders – government, business, and labor – to unite in developing a comprehensive strategy that strengthens and grows critical manufacturing in both the U.S. and Canada. Workers on both sides of the border deserve a seat at the table in shaping policies that affect their jobs, our shared economic prosperity, and national security.” 

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.