Author Archives: Glenn Buchanan

IAM Local Lodge 1120 Celebrates Successful Contract Renewal for Members at Half-Way Motors Mazda

Thunder Bay, ON, September 2023 — IAM Local Lodge 1120 in Thunder Bay is pleased to announce the ratification of a renewed contract for our members at Half-Way Motors Mazda. The agreement, ratified on June 21, 2023, represents a significant milestone in securing fair wages and benefits for our members.

The renewed contract spans a three-year term, effective from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026, and focuses on enhancing wages and benefits. Year one will see a substantial 7% wage increase, followed by 5% increments in both the second and third years. Importantly, pension contributions will remain unchanged during the contract term, ensuring financial security for our members.

In a meaningful step towards recognizing the importance of Truth & Reconciliation Day (September 30), our members will now enjoy this day as a paid floater day each year. Additionally, a boot allowance of $200 per year has been introduced to prioritize the safety and well-being of our members.

We are proud to report that this renewal received unanimous support from our membership, with a 100% acceptance rate, emphasizing the strength and unity within our union.

IAM Local Lodge 1120 remains committed to championing the rights and well-being of our members. This contract renewal is a testament to our dedication to fair compensation, job security, and the continued support of our members at Half-Way Motors Mazda.

The IAM represents workers at seven auto dealerships in Thunder Bay. They are among more than 1,500 members at auto and truck dealerships on Vancouver Island, the lower mainland of British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Frances, Sault Ste. Marie, Markham, Toronto, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Glenn Buchanan
gbuchanan@iamaw.org

Goverment needs to act now!

Government needs to pass strong anti-scab legislation now.

Ban the use of “replacement workers” (Scabs)

When unionized workers are on strike or locked out, no one should be able to perform their work – not new or temporary hires, not management, not workers in other bargaining units, not students, or other workers.

We know that free and fair collective bargaining – without the threat of scabs taking workers’ jobs or imposing back-to-work legislation – is the best way to reach good agreements and stable workplaces.

The use of scabs pits working people against each other and takes advantage of non-unionized workers who are desperate for work.

In 2022, as part of the confidence-and-supply agreement with the NDP, the Liberal government committed to table legislation to ban the use of so-called “replacement workers” for both lockouts and strikes by the end of 2023.

The NDP and the Bloc Québécois have committed to passing anti-scab legislation quickly.

There is no justification for this Liberal minority government waiting to the end of the year to pass this legislation.

They need to pass strong meaningful anti-scab legislation now.

IAM anti-scab message.

2023 Negotiations

Negotiations with Badanai, Doninion, Pinewood and Mascarins have began.

May 16, 17 and 18 are now confirmed with Pinewood, Badanai and Dominion for our first round of negotiations. Mascarins has not responded as of today!

Public Meeting to stop the Privatization of Hydro One at 7 P.M. Tuesday Feb 9th, Finlandia Hall

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Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal MPPs have started to privatize
Hydro One. 80% of Ontarians oppose this privatization because they
know it will drive our rates even higher. And the Financial Accountability
Officer says it will cost Ontario hundreds of millions of dollars in lost
revenue every year. Forever. Only the wealthiest citizens benefit from
hydro privatization; everybody else suffers
higher hydro rates and eroded public services.
The good news is that these privatizations can still be
stopped, and even reversed. But we need your help.
Please join us for this important meeting:
Tues., Feb. 9 at 7 pm
Finlandia Hall
314 Bay St., Thunder Bay

CUPE Local 87-Pre Strike Rally-Monday Oct. 24th

Greetings,
CUPE Local 87 (700) Inside and Outside workers could be on strike by November 1st.
These workers have been without a contract for 2 years and have been in negotiations for over a year.
Their employer (The City of Thunder Bay) is demanding concessions on benefits, plus a number of other provisions previously negotiated.
CUPE 87 workers deliver valuable quality public services to our community and deserve our support.

All Labour Council activists are asked to attend the CUPE Local 87 Rally-City Hall-Monday Oct. 24th-4:30 P.M.
Bring your flags and send a message to our City that these workers need a fair deal.
In solidarity,
Marg Arnone
Recording Secretary
Thunder Bay & District Labour Council