IAMAW Local 1863 Retirees Club in Goderich, ON gathered to celebrate their working life, their retirement, and their IAM Union. More than 300 people attended the celebratory event, including Mayor Trevor Bazinet.
Several IAM District 78 and Grand Lodge staff attended along, with Eric Johnson, DL78 DBR and Ralph Martin, IAM Canadian Chief-of-Staff (including Mona Burke, Kim Valliere, Ken Atterbury and Derek Ferguson).
An interesting feature of the gathering was when two signed doors of the last grader ever manufactured there was put on display. When the doors were produced, they were signed by all the members at the time.
“It truly took a team to pull this off. A great big ‘Thank you’ to all those who worked so hard to make this day a success,” said DBR Johnston. “A special mention and thanks go to John and John, who are true Union Brothers and BBQ masters.”
Chief-of-Staff Martin appreciated the dedication and solidarity of the retirees.
In 2010, LL1863 was merged into IAM Local 1975 and remained affiliated to IAM District 78.