In 1938, National Steel Car Company arrived in Malton and established its factory on the west side of the 6th Line (Airport Road) and south of Derry Road.
One year later the employees started the process of unionizing. It wasn’t until 1942, however, after the Canadian Government took control of National Steel Car and established Victory Aircraft, that the workers actually penned an agreement with the company.
The union’s handbook, which was given to every employee, outlined job descriptions and wage scales, along with the history of the union. Below is the wording of the union’s history taken from the handbook.
In 1939 organization took place at National Steel Car, Malton, and a charter was taken out in the International Association of Machinists, an A.F. of L. affiliate and we became Aeronautical Lodge 717.
Following our organizational period we met with a series of reverses and it was not until early 1941 that we were able to properly establish ourselves. After the regular election of officers we formed a committee to draft terms of an agreement. This was endorsed by the members and our proposals were presented to the company and a tentative agreement was reached, subject to the approval of the Dept. of Munitions and Supply.
However, in April we found ourselves in the position of having to make application for a Board of Conciliation so that our affairs might be settled. We also dealt directly with the Dept. of Labour but deemed it advisable to wait for the Conciliation Board which was scheduled to sit in June. We found its report and recommendations unacceptable and we once more resumed negotiations with the Dept. of Labour and officials of the Munitions and Supply Dept. In August a final settlement was reached but a collective bargaining agreement was never signed by the company. The results of the settlement were increases in basic wages, payment of transportation allowance and provisions for a Cost of Living Bonus.