General Membership Meeting on April 3

Local 793’s general membership meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2016 in the union banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville. Meeting time is 10 a.m. Click here for map.

Local 793’s general membership meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2016 in the union banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville.

Meeting time is 10 a.m.

Click here for map.

Federal Budget Earmarks Money for Infrastructure

The federal budget tabled March 22 by Finance Minister Bill Morneau confirms that the government will make a historic investment of $120 billion over the next decade on infrastructure. As an immediate first step, the government will invest nearly $12 billion over five years in modern and reliable public transit, water and wastewater systems, affordable […]

The federal budget tabled March 22 by Finance Minister Bill Morneau confirms that the government will make a historic investment of $120 billion over the next decade on infrastructure.

As an immediate first step, the government will invest nearly $12 billion over five years in modern and reliable public transit, water and wastewater systems, affordable housing, and in retrofits and repairs to protect existing projects from the effects of climate change.

In the coming months, the government will lay out its longer-term priorities for renewing and modernizing Canada’s infrastructure.

Under the plan:

  • $3.4 billion will be spent over three years to upgrade and improve public transit systems across Canada;
  • $5 billion will be spent over five years for investments in water, wastewater and green infrastructure projects across Canada; and
  • $3.4 billion will be spent over five years for social infrastructure, including affordable housing, early learning and childcare, cultural and recreational infrastructure, and community healthcare facilities on reserves.

The Department of Finance estimates that these and other measures announced in the budget will raise the level of real gross domestic product by 0.5 per cent in the first year and by one per cent in the second year.

In addition to the new funding announced in the budget, the government will:

  • Continue to make available approximately $3 billion each year in dedicated funding for municipal infrastructure projects through the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities;
  • Work with provincial, territorial and municipal partners to get projects underway, by accelerating spending from the $9 billion available under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component and other existing infrastructure programs;
  • Transfer remaining uncommitted funds from older federal infrastructure programs to municipalities through the Gas Tax Fund in 2016–17 in order to ensure funds are directed towards municipal infrastructure priorities in the near term; and
  • Ensure that government institutions are aligned to best support infrastructure innovation, including by transferring responsibility for PPP Canada Inc. to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

The budget also proposes to provide $3.4 billion over the next five years to maintain and upgrade federal infrastructure assets such as national parks, small craft harbours, federal airports and border infrastructure. This funding will also support the cleanup of contaminated sites across the country.

Meanwhile, the government also promised in the budget to strengthen union-based apprenticeship training by providing $85.4 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, to develop a new framework to support union-based apprenticeship training.

As well as improving the quality of training through investments in equipment, the framework will seek to incorporate greater union involvement in apprenticeship training and support innovative approaches and partnerships with other stakeholders, including employers.

General Membership Meeting on April 3

Local 793’s general membership meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2016 in the union banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville. Meeting time is 10 a.m. Click here for map.

Local 793’s general membership meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2016 in the union banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville.

Meeting time is 10 a.m.

Click here for map.

Proposal Meeting for Ontario Formwork Agreement

A meeting is being held Sunday, March 20 to take proposals for the Ontario Formwork Collective Agreement Meeting time is 11 a.m. The meeting is being held in the OE Banquet Hall, 2245 Speers Road, Oakville.

A meeting is being held Sunday, March 20 to take proposals for the Ontario Formwork Collective Agreement

Meeting time is 11 a.m.

The meeting is being held in the OE Banquet Hall, 2245 Speers Road, Oakville.

Local 793 Hosts St. Patrick’s Celebration

Local 793 hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the banquet hall at head office in Oakville on March 13. The event featured a two-hour performance by The High Kings of Dublin, Ireland’s folk band of the year. Irish dancers also entertained the audience. CHIN radio personality Hugo Straney was host and emcee for the […]

Local 793 hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the banquet hall at head office in Oakville on March 13.

The event featured a two-hour performance by The High Kings of Dublin, Ireland’s folk band of the year.

Irish dancers also entertained the audience.

CHIN radio personality Hugo Straney was host and emcee for the evening.

Irish-fare food was served during the event.

The High Kings of Dublin joined Mike Gallagher and members for the St Patrick''s Day event. Irish dancers perform at the Banquet Hall. Irish dancers perform at the Banquet Hall in Oakville. Guests enjoy the Irish dancing.

Local 793 Participates in St. Patrick’s Parade

Local 793 operators, staff and family members participated in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 13, 2016. Business manager Mike Gallagher led the Local 793 group. Union members wore bright green jackets and baseball hats. The union was a sponsor of the parade. The importance of labour was a major theme of this […]

Local 793 operators, staff and family members participated in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 13, 2016.

Business manager Mike Gallagher led the Local 793 group. Union members wore bright green jackets and baseball hats.

The union was a sponsor of the parade. The importance of labour was a major theme of this year’s parade.

The parade began at noon. The procession started at Bloor and St. George and wound its way along Bloor, down Yonge Street and onto Queen Street before finishing at University Avenue.Local 793 members prepare to march in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Toronto.Local 793 members show off their bright green jackets.Business Manager Mike Gallagher leads the Local 793 contingent.Irish tricolours are flown proudly.A thumbs up from Mike Gallagher during the parade.Everyone got into the spirit at the march.Member and their families enjoy the day.Members march together.Local 793 members and their families march on the streets of downtown Toronto.Children joined parents for the march.Tricolour trucks were all part of the fun.

 

Local Participating in St. Patrick’s Parade

If you’re Irish – or just want to be Irish for the day – well, here’s your chance. Local 793 operators and family members are being invited to bust out the green and march in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 13, 2016. The union is a sponsor of the parade and is […]

If you’re Irish – or just want to be Irish for the day – well, here’s your chance.

Local 793 operators and family members are being invited to bust out the green and march in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 13, 2016.

The union is a sponsor of the parade and is encouraging all members, their friends and families to participate and march in the parade.

The importance of labour is a major theme of this year’s parade so it would be great to see as many Local 793 members attend the event as possible.

The parade begins at noon with the procession starting from Bloor and St. George (near old U of T Varsity Stadium).

Local 793 members, friends and families are asked to show up at 11 a.m. at St. George and Hoskin, just south of Bloor.

Limited edition commemorative St. Patrick’s Day jackets will be distributed to Local 793 members at the start of the parade. Baseball hats will also be distributed.

The parade will go along Bloor Street down Yonge and finish on Queen Street at Nathan Philips Square.

The parade is expected to take about 1 1/2 hours to pass any given point.

Easy access to the parade route from the TTC Subway can be made at the St. George, Bloor & Yonge, Wellesley, College, Dundas and Queen stations.

The parade reviewing stand is located on Queen St. West in front of City Hall and is the last place to see the parade in its entirety.

The parade goes off rain or shine.

Below is a map of the parade route.

Patrick Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are some photos from last year’s parade.

Patrick Five Patrick Six Patrick Seven Patrick Three Patrick Two Patrick One

 

Gallagher Speaks at Liberal Fundraiser

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher addressed a number of topics during remarks at a fundraiser for Labour Minister Kevin Flynn in the union banquet hall March 3. He told several hundred in attendance that he appreciates that the government will be investing in infrastructure, but he wants to make sure that building trade unions […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher addressed a number of topics during remarks at a fundraiser for Labour Minister Kevin Flynn in the union banquet hall March 3.

He told several hundred in attendance that he appreciates that the government will be investing in infrastructure, but he wants to make sure that building trade unions get the work.

He noted that having unions do the work will ensure the province gets more for its money.

“These contractors invest in pension and benefit and training funds and non-union contractors do not do that,” he said.

Gallagher noted that a study funded by the Ontario Construction Secretariat shows there is a big advantage to using unionized labour on projects.

Indeed, the study found that unionized construction firms in Ontario are safer than non-union firms.

The study, which examined Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims data between 2006 and 2012 from more than 40,000 construction firms across Ontario, shows that unionized workers reported 23 per cent fewer injuries requiring time off work than non-union workers.

It was the first peer-reviewed Canadian study to examine the occupational health and safety benefits of unions in Ontario’s industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) construction sector.

In light of the study, Gallagher said, the government should ensure unions get the infrastructure work.

“It would be the right thing to do for the government.”

Gallagher also spoke about the importance of the Energy East pipeline project, part of which would run through northern Ontario.

“It’s very important that all of the public in Ontario gets behind the pipeline,” he said, as the amount of jobs involved is substantial and very important to the construction trades.

He said pipelines are proven to be the most environmentally friendly way to move oil from one end of the country to the other.

Presently, he noted, Canada imports 800,000 barrels of oil per day from countries like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and the U.S.

On the issue of the College of Trades, Gallagher also told the fundraiser that in reviewing recommendations made by Tony Dean “he should not throw out the baby with the bathwater.”

He should not lose site of the original purpose of self-regulation of the trades and allow applications to be bogged down by frivolous jurisdiction claims and hearings at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, he said.

Meanwhile, Gallagher said, the Operating Engineers appreciate the recent announcement of new drill rig regulations that was made last December by Labour Minister Flynn at a construction site in downtown Toronto, as it will ensure construction sites are safer.

Operators will now be required to have a mobile crane hoisting licence and 40 hours of specific training approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and six months experience on the ground working as a front-end person to operate a foundation and piling rotary drill rig in Ontario.

The changes were made in response to an accident Oct. 11, 2011 that killed Kyle James Knox, a 24-year-old Local 793 crane apprentice. He was killed when a drill rig collapsed onto a backhoe he was operating at a construction site at York University. The operator of the drill rig was not licensed in Ontario.

Gallagher said the new regulations will ensure that there is not another tragic accident in Ontario.

Labour Minister Flynn said in remarks that the industry and Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities came to the conclusion that the rules needed to be changed.

He noted the new requirements come into effect July 1.

Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said in remarks that for too long governments of all political stripes have under-invested in Ontario’s infrastructure and the government is now playing catch-up.

He noted that the Liberals intend to invest $160 billion over 12 years in infrastructure to build Ontario up, and that includes $16 billion over a decade in the GTA and Hamilton areas, specifically on public transit.

He said the investment will create 110,000 jobs across the province each and every year.

“That’s 110,000 families that are affected.”

At the event, attendees also observed a moment of silence for Ray Goodfellow, a management trustee on the union’s training and life and health benefits trust funds who passed away Feb. 21 at the age of 45.

Gallagher said that Goodfellow was a “fixture in the crane rental industry” and, thanks to his efforts, during the last round of bargaining for the Provincial Collective Agreement, it was settled in three days.

Local 793 Hosting St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 13 at its banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and will feature performances by two Irish schools of dance and music by, direct from Dublin, The High Kings, […]

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 13 at its banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville.

The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and will feature performances by two Irish schools of dance and music by, direct from Dublin, The High Kings, Ireland’s Folk Band of the Year.

CHIN radio personality Hugo Straney will be the host and emcee for the evening.

Irish-fare finger foods will be available at the event, starting at 5 p.m. The High Kings will perform for two hours, beginning at 8 p.m.

The High Kings are a four-man band that has sold out hundreds of shows in Ireland and the U.S., made numerous TV appearances, and recorded four albums.

There are 500 tickets being sold for the event. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and are $40 for the general public and $20 for members. Tickets are limited to two per member.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from Local 793 business reps and area offices by cash or cheque. They can also be purchased by credit card by calling 905-469-9299 or 1-877-793-4863.

Purchasers of tickets will be required to pick them up at the event. No tickets will be sold at the doors at the event.

About The High Kings

Ireland’s Folk Band of the year, The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden.
Coming from accomplished musical pedigrees, The High Kings grew up in households soaked in the Irish musical tradition and each member of the band witnessed first hand the power of well-crafted Irish music on an audience.
The High Kings showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between them, bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to brand new songs as well as some old favourites.

The Band Members

Finbarr Clancy was born in County Waterford. He was plucking the banjo and playing the bodhran at the age of five.
His first professional performance was on stage at the tender age of 10, singing and playing the banjo with his cousin. Finbarr went on to learn the guitar and flute and began writing songs at the age of 17.
Finbarr began touring North America with his father and uncles, The Clancy Brothers, in 1995. Following the passing of his uncle and later his father, Finbarr continued the tradition by touring with Eddie Dillon and Mark Fitzpatrick along the festival route, which included playing at America’s biggest Irish Festival in Milwaukee.
As part of The Clancy Brothers, Finbarr played all over the world and had many TV appearances.
It was when Finbarr decided to move back to Ireland after touring the U.S. that things started moving very quickly. Within a few months of moving home, Finbarr joined The High Kings and spent all his time rehearsing and recording a new album and DVD.

Brian Dunphy was born in Dublin. He realized early on that the musical path would be the one he would follow.
Brian’s biggest break came when he won the lead singer role in “Riverdance The Show,” traveling extensively across America, Canada, China, Australia and Europe.
He spent two years singing at The Gershwin Theatre on Broadway in New York and as lead vocalist in Radio City Music Hall.
Following Riverdance, he joined The Three Irish Tenors and enjoyed huge success stateside. Europe beckoned next as he took on a role performing as his father in a tribute to the Irish Show-Band stars of yesteryear, “Dance Hall Qs And Hucklebuck Shoes.”
Throughout his career, Brian has had the honour of recording with many artists, including world-renowned violinist Vanessa Mae, Celtic Woman, Bill Whelan’s Riverdance-On Broadway and Riverdance – The 10th Anniversary.

Martin Furey is a well-established folk singer and songwriter. He has spent many years touring and performing in his own right.
Born in County Waterford, he has lived and breathed Irish music taught to him by his father and uncles.
Martin began his studies at Dublin’s historical Trinity College and later moved to Prince’s University, Edinburgh, to study Scottish literature and history. It was in Scotland where his band Sam Harlet was formed. The band had a huge following, and played almost every venue in the highlands and lowlands of Scotland.
In 1992 Martin and his sister joined together to form a band called Bohinta and toured the U.K. and Europe.
Martin plays multiple instruments, some of which include banjo, bouzouki, guitar and whistles which feature in The High Kings live shows.

Darren Holden is a prolific songwriter and musician and a master interpreter of lyrics.
He is from Mooncoin County Kilkenny and is comfortable performing all genres of music from pop and jazz to country and Celtic.
Darren starred as The Piano Man (Billy Joel) in the Tony Award-winning hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin’ Out both on Broadway and on tour for four years, receiving critical acclaim throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan.
He was lead singer with Riverdance on Broadway and on tour for more than three years.
A top ten recording artist in Ireland, Darren toured with Boyzone on their first major tour of Ireland and the U.K.
Darren relished the opportunity to join The High Kings, and reach a new audience, singing the songs he had learnt as a child.