Members of our Women’s Committee volunteered at Feed Nova Scotia yesterday over their lunch hour on Tuesday, October 1st. They sorted onions that will be delivered around the province.
If anyone is interested in donating to Feed NS, some of the items that are in need of most are baby food, canned meat, canned vegetables and soup.
Thanks to all of the members who turned up to lend a hand! 🚺✊
Fundraising is an essential part of preparing for the 40th IAM Grand Lodge Convention September 7-11, 2020 in San Diego. You can help by entering our gold raffle, with all proceeds going to support the convention.
Click here to find out how to purchase tickets.
First prize is a collection of American Eagle gold coins currently valued at $20,000.
Second prize is a collection of American Eagle silver coins currently valued at $1,000.
Third prize is a $500 Visa gift card.
Support the IAM 2020 Grand Lodge Convention by going for the gold.
Food insecurity is a real issue in Nova Scotia. According to Feed Nova Scotia, more than 41,000 Nova Scotians were supported by food banks in 2017, and 1/3 of these recipients are children.
It’s a sad reality that 15.4 per cent of Nova Scotian households are considered “food insecure,” which means they lack reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food.
This is why IAMAW Local Lodge 2797’s Women’s Committee decided to support Feed Nova Scotia.
“It’s important that we look at all issues that have to do with family dynamics within the home,” explained Sarah Covey, Chair of our Women’s Committee.
“And we try and focus on local organizations that benefit all of our communities.”
1,970,623 kilograms of food was distributed through Feed Nova Scotia in the 2017/2018 year: this includes non-perishable goods, perishables, pet food, and even menstrual supplies, which are provided through a partnership with Dignity Period. All of the items that are donated or purchased by the organization need to be checked to ensure they are fresh/undamaged, then sorted and packaged to be distributed throughout the province.
It’s a task that requires a lot of helping hands.
Enter the volunteers: more than 30,000 volunteer hours were donated last year to the organization to help make sure food gets to people who need it. Our local lodge is just one of 123 volunteer groups that are trying to help with the task. So far, our Women’s Committee has visited Feed Nova Scotia on three separate occasions to sort and package donations.
On Tuesday, June 11th, they repackaged 250 ml milk containers, checking their expiry dates, making sure the cartons weren’t damaged, sorting them into 15 kilogram groups and moving them onto pallets to be distributed throughout the province. On past visits, our group has helped sort imperfect produce that has been donated by farmers (approximately 15 per cent of Feed Nova Scotia’s donations come directly from farmers).
Our Women’s Committee plans to meet again in September and will probably hold another volunteer date with Feed Nova Scotia after that meeting. Anyone interested in joining the committee or volunteering with any of their events should contact Sarah Covey at scovey@nsgeu.ca.
For more information on food banks in Canada, please visit https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/
You still have time to make your voice heard in IAM CREST’s second annual workplace violence survey. The survey is available in English, French, and Spanish.
The survey will close on March 31, 2019. Results will be published in April 2019.
The survey will help IAM CREST work toward solutions to improve workplace safety. The survey is completely anonymous and data will be shared with other partners to develop broad strategies.
Help us make work safer by taking the IAM CREST Workplace Violence Survey.
The survey is also available in French and Spanish.
You can also text IAMSAFETY to 55-000 to complete the survey on your mobile device. Workplace violence can take the form of a physical or emotional attack.
Nearly 17,000 workers experienced trauma from nonfatal workplace violence in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Five-hundred Americans were victims of workplace homicide victims in 2016.
Click here to see results of IAM CREST’s first workplace violence survey.
Questions or concerns about the survey can be directed to IAM CREST Project Coordinator/Instructor Michael Oathout at 301-967-4707 or moathout@iamaw.org.
Sisters & Brothers of IAM Lodge 2797:
We would like to communicate directly with our members to make sure you are up-to-date on important union news and events.
In order to keep you informed, we need you to send us your current contact information.
Please fill out the following form and you will be entered into a draw to win a $50 and $100 gift card for Atlantic Superstore or an IAMAW t-shirt.
https://fs2.formsite.com/nsgeu/yxqiuebf3e/index.html
Thank you!
Before the holidays, members of IAMAW Local 2797 got together on their lunch break to put together 18 shoeboxes full of goodies for The Halifax Shoebox Project. Such a great initiative, and one we were proud to take part in during the holiday season!
Members of IAMAW Acadia Lodge Local 2797 Women’s Committee spent their lunch hour volunteering at Feed Nova Scotia in November. Thank you for your contributions! 💪✊🚺
IAMAW Lodge 2797 is wishing you, your family & friends a very happy and safe holiday season! All the best for the year ahead!
On Sunday, November 11th, we pause to remember those who fought and sacrificed for our freedoms.
Armistice Day, now known as Remembrance Day, was first marked in Canada on Nov. 11, 1919. That date marked the one-year anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the end of the war.
If you’re able to attend, the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Provincial Command of the Royal Canadian Legion will be holding a Remembrance Day service at Halifax Grand Parade, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Part of being a union member is knowing that your union family is here for you when you need it most. The time is now to help Machinists Union members in the path of Hurricane Michael.
If you can, please consider donating to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund.
The IAM is doing everything we can to help our members recovering from this destructive hurricane. Every dollar you give to the IAM Disaster Relief Fund goes directly to IAM members and their families in need.
If you have been affected by Hurricane Michael and need financial assistance, click here for information on how to apply for help from the IAM.
IAM members can also receive confidential help through the IAM Employee/Member Assistance Program. Services include assistance with addictions, mental health, stress, depression and financial hardship. You can reach the confidential IAM Assistance Helpline by calling 301-335-0735 or emailing iameap@iamaw.org.
If you participate in certain Union Plus programs, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.
