CME provides rail disruption update as of Aug. 16
Update courtesy of CME An estimated $531M in manufactured goods will be stuck on rail lines each day of a Class I rail shutdown, a process that is already underway. What Manufacturers Need to Know Last week, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) issued a ruling that clears the way for work stoppages at both of Canada’s Class I railways, CN Rail and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) as soon as August 22. Both railways are expected to start suspending service in advance of August 22 to ensure an orderly wind down of rail activity. Working on Your Behalf CME has been
Why it’s important for staff to use vacation time
There are many reasons why it's important for staff to use their vacation time. When you have an employee who approaches new initiatives with enthusiasm, who happily offers support to others, and who seems to move effortlessly through the workplace on a cloud of positive energy, you can bet that’s an employee who uses their vacation time. “Taking a vacation is not just about taking a break from work, it’s about taking a break from the grind—your routine and the inherent stress that comes with it,” said Amanda Gorman, a Health and Safety Consultant with WSPS. “When you take the
UPDATE: CTMA’S efforts to raise awareness around EV supply chain, unfair Chinese trade practices
Representatives of the CTMA recently met with industry and trade representatives from both the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide insights into the challenges facing the MTDM industry, especially those related to imports of Chinese tooling. CTMA photo The CTMA’s executive director, Robert Cattle; president, Louis Jahn; and vice president, Larry Delay, recently met with industry and trade representatives from both the Federal and Provincial Governments to raise awareness and provide insights into the challenges facing the machine, tool, die and mould industry, especially those related to imports of Chinese tooling. The purpose of the meeting was
CTMA submits proposal for EV supply chain, unfair Chinese trade practices
On July 2, 2024, Canada launched a 30-day consultation on potential policy responses to protect Canada’s auto workers and its growing EV industry from unfair trade practices, and prevent trade diversion resulting from recent action taken by Canadian trading partners. The Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) has put a great deal of effort working with the APMA to submit a proposal to the Department of Finance—International Trade Policy Division—EV Consultation, which is something that the government has called for. “We are hoping that this proposal gets us in the door to meet in-person, for it is not only Chinese
Steel Industry Inspection Initiative
Over the last few years, the steel and heavy manufacturing sector in southwestern Ontario has experienced a number of critical workplace injuries and fatalities. Inspections revealed that three major occupational health and safety infractions were involved: material handling, guarding and lockout. To prevent future workplace injuries, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a proactive inspection campaign in the southwestern Ontario region (Hamilton, Niagara areas), focused on workplaces within the steel and heavy manufacturing sectors. Specifically, inspectors will visit: businesses with a high rate of Workplace Safety & Insurance Board lost-time injury claims; companies with
Ontario announces $5.4M investment in CTMA’s Career-Ready program
The Government of Ontario announced on July 22, that the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program will receive $5.4 million to tackle the province’s labour shortage and connect Ontario workers with high-paying jobs in their communities. CTMA photo The Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program has received $5.4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), to tackle the province’s labour shortage and connect Ontario workers with high-paying jobs in their communities. This funding is enabling the CTMA to create 300 more experiential work placements and provide new machinery and tools to an additional 30 high schools throughout