Recipients Receive Long-Service Awards

Raymond Crandall was honoured for 60 years of service at the long-service awards ceremony. Local 793 is the strong union it is today because of its dedicated members, business manager Mike Gallagher told a long-service awards ceremony in the union banquet hall Nov. 16. “Without the support of the members, especially the long-service members, all […]

Raymond Crandall was honoured for 60 years of service at the long-service awards ceremony.

Local 793 is the strong union it is today because of its dedicated members, business manager Mike Gallagher told a long-service awards ceremony in the union banquet hall Nov. 16.

“Without the support of the members, especially the long-service members, all of you who are being recognized today, really absolutely nothing could’ve been accomplished,” he said.

More than 250 long-service members received an award this year for 30, 40, 50, 55 and 60 years of service. Raymond Crandall of Alliston, Ont. was lone recipient of the 60-year award.

Gallagher spoke at the beginning of the awards ceremony and told the audience that a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making the union what it is today.

“There was no magic formula about it,” he remarked.

He said the union’s $1.6-billion pension fund and the benefit plan which has a $23-million surplus were only achieved as a result of the battles fought by union members.

Gallagher said he’s traveled to many different parts of Canada and the U.S. and there aren’t any locals that compare to Local 793 in terms of what the union has accomplished, and in keeping the province unionized and fair so operators get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

That has occurred, he said, because operators stood up for their rights over the years on picket lines and because they went out like the professionals they are and put their skills to work making the contractors successful.

He noted that a lot of new contractors are now coming into Ontario from Italy, Spain and Germany and they’re bringing their own ideas on how to do the work.

But, “we know a little thing or two ourselves about building this great province,” he added. “That is something I feel very, very strongly about.”

On the issue of pensions, Gallagher said in spite of the challenges of the past – notably in 2008 when Canadian markets dipped 30 per cent – the plan is in good shape.

As of the end of October, the plan was up 11.6 per cent from the beginning of the year, “so we’re having a very good year in our pension plan.”

On the issue of benefits, he said the plan is in great shape and trustees have decided to make a number of improvements starting in January.

“To me, the most important thing is looking after our own, our families, and those benefits become more and more important as we get on.

“When we’re able to make the benefit plan better and able to have pensions that members retire on – that’s what it’s all about as far as I’m concerned.”

 

Hundreds Attend Annual Dinner Dance

More than 400 people attended Local 793’s annual dinner dance held in the union’s banquet hall in Oakville on Nov. 16. Business manager Mike Gallagher welcomed guests, dignitaries and long-service members to the event and spoke about some of the union’s future plans – and challenges. He said the union is looking at making major […]

(L to R) Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher and president Joe Redshaw presented a cheque for $104,114 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.

More than 400 people attended Local 793’s annual dinner dance held in the union’s banquet hall in Oakville on Nov. 16.

Business manager Mike Gallagher welcomed guests, dignitaries and long-service members to the event and spoke about some of the union’s future plans – and challenges.

He said the union is looking at making major improvements to the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario campus in Morrisburg and will be investing money into that facility.

He said the union has to invest money if it wants its training facilities to remain world-class.

He also said that the union is moving ahead with plans for a monument to honour members who have been killed in construction accidents or died due to occupational diseases.

“We as an organization must remember their contribution and make sure what happened to them doesn’t happen again,” he noted.

As for future challenges, Gallagher said unions like the Operating Engineers are facing a right-wing movement that’s sweeping across North America.

He said unions must fight back because “that’s not the type of vision we have for our province.

“We know the value of working and having safe worksites but unfortunately mean-spirited Conservatism is sweeping across North America.”

The movement, he said, is threatening trade unions.

The Conservatives are “peddling” this vision of Utopia without unions and a system that would allow free riders, Gallagher said.

“We can’t let that happen – not on our watch. We have to fight that tooth and nail.”

Gallagher said the U.S., which has 23 right-to-work states, has been going backwards and unions in Canada must make sure that this country does not follow suit.

“Be vigilant,” he told the audience. “Pay attention and don’t listen to nice-sounding slogans like right-to-work.”

Assistant business manager John W. Anderson spoke briefly at the event. He introduced the winners of the Douglas H. Campbell Awards for top crane apprentices in 2012. Winners were:

  • Sean Caveney – top mobile crane apprentice
  • Ryan Leyten – top tower crane apprentice

Dignitaries at the event included Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn.

Scotty Newlands, who often sings O’Canada at Toronto Maple Leaf home games, sang the anthem. He later performed the ballad Danny Boy.

Also at the meeting:

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Local 793 operator Cedric LeBlanc was presented with the Kyle James Knox Memorial Award.

The award is named after Knox, a 24-year-old apprentice who was killed when a rotary drill rig collapsed in Toronto on Oct. 11, 2011. It is given to operators who go above and beyond the call of duty.

On Nov. 27, 2012, LeBlanc came to the rescue of crane operator Jean Marc Legault who was working in a crane at a jobsite in Ottawa.

Legault had accidentally sliced his wrist while cutting a grease tube, leading to a serious arterial bleed. He was in the cab of a crane 60 metres tall.

LeBlanc provided first-aid and helped bring Legault to ground level.

Legault recovered in hospital.

Business manager Mike Gallagher told those at the dinner dance that LeBlanc is to be commended for his actions.

If LeBlanc had not acted as quickly as he did, another member might have lost his life, Gallagher noted.

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Local 793 donated $104,114 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation cancer program.

The funds were raised at the 2013 Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton.

In 2012, the tournament raised $102,000.

Proceeds are used to fund research into esophageal cancer.

Amber Bernard and Josh Lai of Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation accepted the award on behalf of the foundation.

 

Defence Assessment Reminder

Local 793 members are being reminded to make sure their defence assessments are up to date. The annual assessment is $30. Payments for 2014 are due by the end of 2013. Members can make payments in several ways. For example: Members can pay business reps in person Members can make payments in person at head […]

Local 793 members are being reminded to make sure their defence assessments are up to date.

The annual assessment is $30.

Payments for 2014 are due by the end of 2013.

Members can make payments in several ways. For example:

  • Members can pay business reps in person
  • Members can make payments in person at head office or any district office
  • Members can mail payments to head office at 2245 Speers Road, Oakville, Ont., L6L 6X8

When mailing a payment, please ensure it is marked as a defence assessment payment.

The fund provides money for the “defence of actions commenced in labour disputes against the local, its officers or members,” according to the bylaws.

The fund is administered by a committee comprised of the business manager, president, recording-corresponding secretary, one officer selected by the executive board, and five other members who represent different regions of the province as determined by the executive board.

Money in the fund is used to help defray costs incurred by the union as a result of a labour dispute, including strikes or lockouts, and any legal and other fees and expenses incurred in the defence of interests of Local 793.

NDP’s Keystone XL Opposition Fails Canadian Construction Workers

The International Union of Operating Engineers has issued a press release, objecting to a New Democratic Party Opposition Day motion on the Keystone XL pipeline. Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher, who is an IUOE International Vice President, and IUOE General President James T. Callahan are disappointed with the NDP’s motion. IUOE Canadian Regional Director James […]

The International Union of Operating Engineers has issued a press release, objecting to a New Democratic Party Opposition Day motion on the Keystone XL pipeline. Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher, who is an IUOE International Vice President, and IUOE General President James T. Callahan are disappointed with the NDP’s motion. IUOE Canadian Regional Director James Murphy has also sent a strongly worded letter to all the members of the NDP Caucus.

The NDP motion states that:

“In the opinion of the House, the Keystone XL pipeline would intensify the export of unprocessed raw bitumen and would export more than 40,000 well-paying Canadian jobs, and is therefore not in Canada’s best interest.”

Click here to read the IUOE press release.
Click here to read the letter of IUOE Canadian Regional Director James Murphy.