Author: Roswita Hildebrandt
I am the Communicator for Local Lodge 2797
Federal Election Checklist
IAMAW members need to be very active in this upcoming Federal Election.
The Canada Elections Act, amended in 2018, sets out the rules on union activities and communications during Federal elections. Below are the main points to remember.
Third Party Advertising: During Pre-election and the Election.
- Any IAMAW District or Local that spends any money on advertising or partisan activities after June 30, 2019 must keep a record of such expenditures.
- Spending limits apply to partisan activities, advertising and election surveys.
- The IAMAW does not consider member-to-member communications, which are not directed at the general public to be advertising or partisan activities.
Member-to-member activity.
- While there are limits on communicating with the general public, or helping candidates and political parties, the Canadian Office, Districts, and Locals are free to engage in any political communications, or engagement with our IAMAW members.
Newsletters, leaflets, emails, social media and text messaging.
- There are no restrictions on the use of email, newsletters, leaflets, social media, and text messages as long as we are communicating directly with our IAMAW members and not the public.
Working on Campaigns.
- IAMAW members can work on campaigns as volunteers after work hours by using unpaid leave, or vacation.
- Unions cannot release staff to work on campaigns.
Individual IAMAW members can donate.
- Unions are not permitted to make any financial contributions to candidates, or federal parties.
Websites, Facebook and social Media
- Union websites, Facebook and social media channels used to promote political action is permitted as long as the content posted is organic; in other words, no payments are made to sponsor or boost the content.
For further information visit: www.elections.ca
Derek Ferguson
GLR, Political Action
Congratulations, Deedee!
We recently learned that NSGEU Unit member Deedee Slye won second place for the design she entered in the IAMAW Women’s Conference design contest! Her award-winning design earned her a $300.00 US prize! Well done, Deedee! Here’s her entry:
Canadian Political Action Symposium
Paul Gaudet and Susan Sutherland are representing LL 2797 at the
Canadian Political Action Symposium this week at the Winpisinger Education Centre. Here’s what’s happening:
Two IAM Canadian Sisters honoured at the 2019 IAM Women’s Conference
copied from The Dispatch, April 10, 2019
The 2019 Women’s Conference, titled Women Rising Unite the Fight, featured t-shirts bearing the winning design of IAM Local Lodge 2797 President, Roswita Hildebrandt. The design, featuring words of empowerment within a solidarity fist, was selected by a panel of independent judges.
Roswita has been a union activist for 20 years. She began her union career as a member of the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU), Local 77 while working for Dalhousie University as an administrative secretary in the Centre for Learning and Teaching. Roswita held positions on various committees and spent three two-year terms as president of the local. Currently, Roswita works for NSGEU and holds the position of communications secretary. The staff at the NSGEU joined the IAM in 2016. That same year Roswita was appointed Communicator of Local Lodge 2797. Roswita was elected Vice President of her local in 2017 and after the resignation of the President in January 2018, Roswita assumed the role. Her first action as president was to establish a women’s committee. The committee has been outstanding in their service to the local and the community.
“Roswita is a strong leader for Sisters in the IAM as well as her membership at large,” said IAM Canadian General Vice President Stan Pickthall. “As a Union advocate in her workplace at the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU), as well as the President of her IAM Local Lodge, Roswita brings a great deal of experience and background in representing Canadian workers.”
Tania Cannif, IAM Transportation District Lodge 140 General Chairperson, is the recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Leadership Award. Tania is a 30-year member of IAM Local Lodge 764 in Vancouver, and has been active within our Union for 29 of those years. Tania began her career with Canadian Airlines in 1988. She was elected shop steward the following year, and rose to the challenge of many leadership positions in the ensuing years.
She has served as chief shop steward, bargaining committee representative, Local 764 president, and District 140 vice-president. In her current role as a general chairperson of District 140, Tania is a strong and well-respected leader who is dedicated to the work of the IAM and to improving the lives of our members within her jurisdiction and across Canada. Tania serves as the IAM’s elected delegate to the Canadian Labour Congress, a position she has held for the past eight years. Tania is a highly skilled negotiator and proudly dedicated trade unionist and advocate for human rights, equity, and equality. She is an inspiration for many of the Sisters who are now rising to follow her leadership.
“Tania is a true Journeyperson… I am proud to call her my Sister!,” said Pickthall. “On behalf of all Canadian IAM members, we can think of no-one better to be presented with this honour!”
February Local Meeting
Because the second Thursday in February falls on Valentine’s Day this year, we have decided to hold our meeting on February 7th instead. See you at the Quality Inn at 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 7th!
