Tag Archives: Canada

IAM Canada – Stay United as We Prepare for Negotiations with Air Canada

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Dear IAM Member,

As we approach an important negotiation period with Air Canada, I’m reaching out to stress the critical importance of standing united under the IAM banner. Our strength as IAM members comes from our solidarity, collective voice, and shared commitment to supporting one another.

After hearing from our proud members, and to preserve the good and welfare of the membership, we are looking at changes in District 140 to better represent our members.

At this time, some other unions may be encouraging IAM members to sign membership cards with them, but I urge you not to do so. Now more than ever, our solidarity is our strength, and any division could weaken our collective bargaining power.

Our upcoming negotiations with Air Canada are a crucial opportunity to secure industry leading wages, benefits, and working conditions for every one of our members. The IAM has represented airline employees for decades, and we’ve built a strong foundation of support and experience in fighting for industry leading working conditions. Dividing our membership now could disrupt our momentum and undermine the leverage we need to negotiate effectively.

If there are specific issues you want addressed in negotiations, bargaining surveys will be out over the coming months. Your input is essential, and we are here to ensure our collective bargaining team has the tools to deliver a world class agreement.

Let’s remain focused and unified so we can face these negotiations with the full strength of our membership behind us.

Thank you for standing together with us as we work to secure an industry leading contract for all IAM members working at Air Canada.

In Solidarity,
David Chartrand,
IAM Canadian General Vice-President

https://iamaw.ca/amfa/

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IAM Canada – Historic Victory for IAM Canada, Activists, and Millions of Canadians: Canada Launches Universal Pharmacare

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After decades of campaigning and struggle by IAM Canada members, activists and allies, Canada has finally established a framework for a national single-payer pharmacare program. The law, Bill C-64, is the first phase of a program which provides universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.

The Senate passed the bill in its third reading on October 10th, paving the way for it to receive royal assent on 11 October, 2024. It became law immediately.

Now that the bill has become law, provinces and territories must begin negotiating pharmacare agreements, including details on funding and distribution. These negotiations are crucial for implementing the plan, as the federal government needs to finalize agreements with each province and territory to move forward nationwide.

Thanks to Canada’s New Democrats, the NDP, leveraging their influence over the Liberal government, millions of Canadians will now have access to life-saving medications, such as diabetes treatments and contraceptives, at no cost. This marks a significant victory for all Canadians, but we must remain vigilant.

With a federal election on the horizon, we need to continue our organizing efforts to ensure this benefit reaches those who need it most. It’s crucial that we elect a government that will not only implement pharmacare but also work to expand it.

The Liberals have promised pharmacare for decades, yet they have often succumbed to the pressures of big pharmaceutical companies. It was only through the NDP’s insistence that real progress was made. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have opposed pharmacare at every turn, threatening the program’s future if they gain power.

At this pivotal moment, IAM Canada members will continue to mobilize with our allies—not only to secure this vital victory for Canadians today but also to protect and enhance it for our children, their children and their future.

Full list of diabetes medications covered.
Full list of contraceptive medication.

Derek Ferguson,
IAM Canada Political Action