To: Airport Screeners, Members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM)- Letter of Support

Re: The value of your union, the IAM

Greetings,

I’m writing to you on behalf of the affiliated unions of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), representing over 3 million unionized workers across the country. This includes you and your union, the IAM, who does a fantastic job representing their members to government, communities and within the whole Canadian labour movement.

Your union brings you the power to improve the conditions in the workplace. The IAM has bargained a collective agreement that provides you employment conditions far better than what an employer is legally obligated to offer and has continued to make steady improvements and build your seniority over the years.

Groups like the CAWU make a lot of promises that never seem to come through. Their established track record is negligible, and they have no standing within the labour movement.

They will put at risk the hard-won benefits and standards the IAM has achieved for you. While legitimate concerns with the operations of a union can occur, every union has internal processes to deal with those concerns and to work towards a positive outcome. This is almost always a far better solution to dealing with individual concerns without putting employment
conditions at risk.

Union members are encouraged to engage with their union at all times. It is also critical that you actively participate in your union in order to achieve the best results for yourself and your coworkers. That includes attending meetings and providing critical feedback as well as participating in union elections.

To keep moving forward, belonging to your union, the IAM, is key. All workers deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and provided with a workplace that is safe and fair. The best way to achieve that fair and balanced workplace, and to increase your wages and benefits is to be represented by the IAM.

On behalf of the CLC and the affiliates, I encourage you to stay strong and with your union.

In solidarity,
Bea Bruske
President
Canadian Labour Congress