Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we anticipate a number of members to be affected by the lay-offs due to COVID-19, an EI information document was put together to help members navigate the EI application process, and the program itself. There is also a link to the BCFED COVID-19 resource page.
Stay safe and when possible, stay home.
In solidarity
About the Coronavirus Outbreak
“COVID-19,” a new coronavirus, has been identified as the cause of a cluster of severe pneumonia cases that emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019.
Thousands of contacts are under observation and hundreds of cases have been confirmed in Wuhan. Additional cases have been identified in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the United States.
About “COVID-19”
The virus is a coronavirus, which is a large family of viruses that can infect animals and/or humans. COVID-19 is similar to the viruses that cause SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
Symptoms include fever and/or symptoms of lower respiratory illness such as coughing or difficulty breathing.
Based on guidance concerning social distancing to slow and limit the rate of infection of COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, the IAM is temporarily suspending programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks, beginning on Saturday, March 14.
The decision was made after reviewing updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and state and local health agencies.
Programming is currently slated to resume on Saturday, March 28, but IAM and W3 officials are closely monitoring the situation and will extend the programming suspension if necessary.
The IAM’s paramount concern is that members and staff who attend W3 Center programs can learn, study and work in a safe and healthy environment. The decision was not made lightly, since education is critical to the IAM’s future as a powerful labor organization.
Participants in affected programs have been contacted directly. Any updates to the status of the W3 Center’s operations will be communicated on goIAM.org and winpisinger.iamaw.org.
All IAM members and staff are encouraged to heed advice of health officials.
Please read the attached post for information regarding bargaining with Finning Canada.
See the attached Company Proposal and the Union Proposals.
See the attached meeting notice for information on the March general meeting in Prince George.
The new Community Service Committee is looking for members. If you are interested or have suggestions please contact Craig Reimer.
The IAM 692 Website committee has been sent to the IAMAW’s William W. Winpisinger Center for the Website Development training. Your committee consists of VP Pete Konrad, Craig Reimer, David Tudor and Gord Veller. Stay tuned for our new, updated website.
The Women and Young Workers Committee is looking for new members! 
The Women and Young Workers Committee meets to discuss many topics – history of unions and women in the workplace, current issues women and young workers face in the workplace, political involvement, mentorship and much more. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of please email wyw@iamaw692.ca for meeting details.
July 27 Bargaining Update
The company has responded to your Committee’s counter offer, it was accepted. Please see the memorandum file below.
Your Bargaining Committee is recommending this offer.
Questions? Clarity? Contact your Regional Committee Representative or Business Representative
The voting schedule will be posted shortly, and absentee ballots will be available for those unable to vote in person.
In Solidarity
Your Bargaining Committee
Your Bargaining Committee has been to the table over a dozen times since bargaining began in April, here is a brief description.
We have been able to gain some small improvements in benefits and allowances and achieved an improvement to travel time. We have been able to retain the language regarding seniority over skill and ability.
The company has been telling the employees, through their town hall meetings/all employee calls, that this year has been better than forecasts. The parts and service revenue numbers for all regions are in the black and are expected to continue in that direction. Some areas are experiencing difficulty in recruiting new employees and retaining current employees. Overtime is the norm, some employees are told to work as much overtime as they want.
We have concluded the majority of the language terms and we’re working to get to a monetary package that will satisfy all members. This is a difficult stage with the company wanting to contain costs and the committee trying to make amends for previous years of no increase and low percentages. Your bargaining committee feels that with the current economic conditions, this year is our best opportunity to recover for those lean years.
It was brought to the committee this morning that the company has leaked their wage proposal to the membership. This has been expressed as their best offer. The tradition of dealing with the issues at the bargaining table until we have a package that can be taken to the members has been lost. Your committee feels that this information has again weakened the fragile trust between the members and employer. Your committee will be discussing this turn of the events with the company.
Details will be shared shortly.
Your bargaining committee