It’s been awhile since I have updated this site and for that I apologize. I will do my best to keep the site updated with current and relevant information. If anyone has suggestions/ideas on how to improve the site let me know. Please keep in mind this is a Union oriented site, so any content of a personal nature will not be posted.
Thank you
Terry
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Bombardier announces 2,500 layoffs in Québec
Montréal, QC – “This comes as a complete shock and surprise to the IAM, we had no prior knowledge of this action,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall regarding Bombardier announcement today of 5,000 layoffs worldwide including 2,500 in Québec.
“The biggest frustration is that once again Bombardier has announced major cuts just before Christmas with very few details,” explained IAM Québec Coordinator David Chartrand. “Just who is impacted by these layoffs, we have almost 20,000 people in Québec working for Bombardier and that’s 20,000 people with question marks in their mind. This is unfortunate and distressing. This is not the way to improve relations between employer and employee.”
The layoffs are part of restructuring by Bombardier which includes selling their Q 400 Turboprop aircraft program, and its business aircraft flight and technical training unit to Montréal based CAE. Bombardier says the measures will result in $250 million in annual savings.
With little in the way of exact details regarding the layoffs, IAM members can take solace in a reciprocal agreement between Bombardier and C-Series/Airbus consortium. “The IAM had great foresight in negotiating this agreement which permits our members with bargaining rights to transfer their employment between Bombardier and Airbus where we represent the workers,” explained IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “While this announcement comes as a complete surprise, this agreement provides our members with better protection than others impacted by the layoffs.”
“The move is mystifying because Bombardier is hiring in some programs and the aerospace industry is suffering a lack of manpower,” explained Chartrand. With forecasts of 30,000 jobs needed in the next seven years in the aerospace industry Chartrand is not too worried but he has questions. “Where is Bombardier going with their commercial program? They seem to be getting rid of their commercial series. Given the massive subsidies Bombardier gets from the provincial and federal governments, certain guarantees to maintain jobs for a certain number of years should have been included.”
It is not known what impact this announcement will have on the next round of collective bargaining between the IAM and Bombardier which is slated to begin within a few weeks. “We will be pushing hard on the Union’s agenda and will be working with our members to preserve employment and build strong middle class careers in this sector,” said Pickthall.
On Saturday, a Political Action Meeting was held at IAM District 78 offices. The meeting was well attended, with several Locals and Districts represented. Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall and several staff from the Canadian Office ensured the meeting had an Ontario-wide perspective. The primary objective of the PAC meeting was to define an ongoing and consistent strategy of communicating with the IAM membership and their communities in the political process.
Attendees went away feeling that they had made some great movement in developing that strategy. Hopefully, if the IAM can deliver a consistent, to the point message, our members will have a better understanding of issues that could affect the working lives of themselves, and/or their families. We hope that everyone who attended this meeting, can reach out and talk to some other potential political activists, and bring those members out to our next PAC meeting on Saturday, January 12, 2019
For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have attended Henry’s class at the WWW center, we know how deserving he is of this award. His class is never boring and always keeps you engaged with his unique style of teaching. Congrats Henry!
October 16, 2018
IAM Education Representative Henry Bagwell was recently presented with the prestigious Chico McGill Award by the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department.
The award recognizes trade unionists who exhibit the strength, fortitude and commitment of the late Chico McGill, a former IBEW member and officer who was known as an outspoken advocate for working people.
“This is a great honor for me,” said Bagwell, who met McGill after being introduced by IAM Government Employees Director Jim Price several years ago. “There are many people in this room who have mentored me. If you can pay it forward and mentor somebody, I think that’s one of the greatest gifts we have as trade unionists.”
Bagwell, a 33-year IAM member, served previously as president of the Amarillo, TX Metal Trades Council. He helped develop and implement training for the Metal Trades Department while working at the Winpisinger Center and serving as a personal mentor to many members.
“Henry’s influence on this union, our membership and the labor movement as a whole cannot be overstated,” said IAM International President Bob Martinez. “We are so grateful for what he does for Machinists Union members every day and I congratulate him on this high honor.”
Bagwell initiated into IAM Local 1255 in Amarillo, TX in 1985. There he served in multiple roles, including steward, alternative steward and chief steward. He also served as an associate instructor for the Center for Workers Health and Safety for more than 15 years. Since 2006, Bagwell has been a member-favorite instructor at the IAM’s Winpisinger Center.
“If you pass through one of Henry’s classes, you are now better prepared to represent your workers,” said Jimmy Hart, President of the Metal Trades Department. “Henry is one those guys who will feel your pain, but won’t just pat you on the back. He’ll help you solve your problems.”
Bagwell holds an associate’s degree in radiologic technology from Amarillo College and a bachelor’s degree in occupational education from Wayland University.
