Happy New Year from Business Manager Gallagher

On behalf of the officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, I would like to wish all union members and families a Happy New Year. As one year draws to a close and another begins, it’s time to take stock, reflect and plan for the future. Looking […]

On behalf of the officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, I would like to wish all union members and families a Happy New Year.

As one year draws to a close and another begins, it’s time to take stock, reflect and plan for the future.

Looking back, 2017 was a very successful year for our local. We continue to grow and now have more than 14,500 members, making us the biggest Operating Engineers local in Canada.

Financially, the union is doing well. Our pension plan continues to grow and now has assets of more than $2.6 billion. The year-to-date unaudited gross return to Nov. 30, 2017 was about 8.8 per cent – well ahead of the six-per-cent needed for the plan to stay healthy.

The life and health benefits plan remains on solid footing and we introduced a health spending account of $400 which members can use to top-up current benefits.

Our organizers, meanwhile, were busy in 2017. As of Dec. 12, we’d signed 98 voluntary recognition agreements, bringing in 233 new bargaining unit employees. We also received 13 certificates from the Ontario Labour Relations Board, representing another 92 workers.

We continue to make organizing inroads with Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. in Nunavut. Our organizers have been meeting with employees of Baffinland and officials from the company have requested that some of their workers be trained at the OETIO in Morrisburg.

We signed a couple of important agreements in 2017 – one being a Mutual Co-operation Agreement with Local 183 of the Labourers’ International Union of North America. Based on reports from our business reps and area supervisors, the agreement has been working and our unions are working collaboratively on organizing and other activities.

We also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Aecon Group Inc., which is being purchased by CCCC International (CCCCI) Holding Ltd. of China. The agreement confirms that our collective agreements will be honoured and our relationship with Aecon will not change.

Like all good organizations, however, we are not content to rest on our laurels and are looking to the future. 2018 will be an equally exciting year for us, as we have a lot of irons in the fire.

We’re discussing plans for the 6.14 acres of property next to head office in Oakville that we purchased in the summer, and in the spring will begin expansion of the OE Banquet Hall in Oakville. When completed, it will be 70 per cent larger with capacity for 1,000 people.

We also intend build a student residence on our property in Oakville to accommodate apprentices and members who train at the OETIO. Presently, they must stay at area hotels.

In an effort to provide better service to our members, trustees of the Pension and Life & Health Benefits trust funds have agreed to move forward on an ambitious plan to self-administer the funds. This isn’t a reflection in any way on the staff at Global Benefits whom we have worked with, and received excellent service from, for so many years. Rather, it is reflective of our growth and the desire to have all the services of pension and benefits at our head office property in Oakville. I expect it will take about two years to implement this ambitious changeover and details will be provided as they become available.

On the political front, a provincial election will be held in the spring. We have worked co-operatively with the Liberals on issues like mandatory training for drill rig operators and ensuring renewable energy projects remain part of the plan going forward. In the run-up to the election, we will be working to make Local 793 members aware of the facts so they are not swayed by misinformation.

In the coming year, we will also be preparing for the 100th anniversary of our union in 2019. We intend to hold picnics and events in various districts and will be selling special anniversary items such as pocket watches, rings, key chains, lapel pins and belt buckles on our website.

So yes, 2018 should be an exciting year.

I would like to thank all members for their support over the last year and wish you all the best in the New Year.

The officers and I intend to keep Local 793 growing so that we can continue to better the lives of our members and their families

I look forward to reporting on the progress of our union and plans at future monthly and general membership meetings.

Fraternally Yours,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager
IUOE Local 793

Season’s Greetings from Business Manager Gallagher

On behalf of the officers, executive and staff of IUOE Local 793, I would like to wish our union members and families across the province the very best during this joyful holiday season. I hope that your holidays are filled with festivities and plenty of merry enjoyment. The yuletide season comes but once a year […]

On behalf of the officers, executive and staff of IUOE Local 793, I would like to wish our union members and families across the province the very best during this joyful holiday season.

I hope that your holidays are filled with festivities and plenty of merry enjoyment.

The yuletide season comes but once a year and I would encourage all members to embrace the true spirit of Christmas.

It is a time for giving, remembering the past and hoping for the future.

It is a time for enjoying good food and reflecting on what’s important in life.

It is also a time for goodwill and compassion.

Often, we get so wrapped up in our daily routines and work lives that we forget about those who are most important to us – our families, our parents, our children. Christmas is a time to reconnect with loved ones, recharge the batteries and perhaps enjoy some holiday cheer.

I hope that your holidays are filled with festivities and plenty of merry enjoyment. I hope that the Christmas season fills your home with the warmth and joyfulness that you and your family deserve.

Thank you for your support throughout the year. Again, please accept my best wishes for the holiday season.

Fraternally Yours,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager
IUOE Local 793

 
 

Christmas Holiday Hours

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period Dec. 25 to 29, 2017 and on New Year’s Day, Jan.1, 2018. All offices will re-open at the regular time on Jan. 2, 2018.      

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period Dec. 25 to 29, 2017 and on New Year’s Day, Jan.1, 2018.

All offices will re-open at the regular time on Jan. 2, 2018.

 
 
 

Union Moving to Self-administration Model

On behalf of the Local 793 trustees, officers and executive board, we’re pleased to announce that we are moving to a self-administration model for our Pension, Life & Health Benefits and Pre-Paid Legal Services starting January 1, 2020. As of that date, all plan administration services currently provided by Global Benefits will be managed by […]

On behalf of the Local 793 trustees, officers and executive board, we’re pleased to announce that we are moving to a self-administration model for our Pension, Life & Health Benefits and Pre-Paid Legal Services starting January 1, 2020.

As of that date, all plan administration services currently provided by Global Benefits will be managed by a separate administration company, established by the union solely for that purpose.

“The trustees, officers and executive board of Local 793 are always looking for ways to improve services and better the lives of our members and their families,” said Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher. “This will allow us to better serve both active members and retirees.”

Why we’re making this change

In June 2017, a Benefits Administration Sub-Committee (BAC) was established to conduct a detailed review of the services provided by Global Benefits and report back to the trustees.

Based on the review, the BAC concluded that moving to self-administration offers many advantages for our plan members, including:

  • Full control over all aspects of plan administration;
  • Better and faster member service, including online submission of health and dental claims;
  • Ability to invest in up-to-date technology and practices; and
  • Potential for significant long-term cost savings.

“There is a potential for significant cost-savings to the union by self-administering the Pension, Life & Health Benefits and Legal Services plans,” noted Gallagher. “It will also enable us to keep pace with technological advances and speed up the reimbursement process by enabling members to go online to submit medical or dental claims – something members have demanded.”

Next steps

To help ensure a smooth transition, the trustees will be engaging a consultant to advise on implementing the new structure – including setting up the administration company, hiring a chief executive officer and staff for the company, and developing an administration system to integrate with the union’s current member reporting database.

The existing arrangement with Global Benefits will continue until the January 1, 2020 transition date. We’ll provide more details on the change process and implications on member claims processes in upcoming editions of 793 Operator.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction for our union and our members,” added Gallagher. “By self-administering the plans, we will be able to save the union money, keep pace with technological advances and better serve our members.”

 
 

Supervisor Recognized for Work with Indigenous Peoples

Northeastern Ontario area supervisor Robert Turpin was recently recognized for his work with Indigenous peoples. He received a framed Statement of Partnership between Local 793 and the Chiefs of Ontario from the Métis Nation of Ontario and artisan Kathryn Malo in recognition of his work in helping to foster strong relations between the First Nations, […]

Northeastern Ontario area supervisor Robert Turpin was recently recognized for his work with Indigenous peoples.

He received a framed Statement of Partnership between Local 793 and the Chiefs of Ontario from the Métis Nation of Ontario and artisan Kathryn Malo in recognition of his work in helping to foster strong relations between the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

Robert is a registered Métis citizen with the Métis Nation of Ontario.

The frame incorporates the Métis sash, which surrounds the agreement. A blue Infinity Flag is at the bottom as a universal symbol of the Métis culture, along with a medicine wheel, which is a visual representation used by many First Nations and incorporates colours representing the houses of man, and animals representing First Nations clans – the turtle, buffalo, eagle and bear.

In the middle at the bottom is Local 793’s logo, which includes an inuksuk.

The agreement is lined with blue to represent the union.

From L to R in the photo are EPSCA business rep Larry Richard, Northeastern Ontario area supervisor Robert Turpin, Timmins business rep and former Métis Nation of Ontario employee Kirk Fournier, and Sault Ste. Marie business rep and Garden River First Nations member Rob Catling.

 
 
 
 
 

IUOE Training Centre to Open in Spring 2018

The following article on the IUOE Training and Conference Center outside of Houston, Texas, was posted Dec. 14, 2017 on the Association of Equipment Manufacturers website.  Manufacturers Sought as Partners on Equipment Operator Training Complex The union that represents 400,000 North American equipment operators, mechanics, welders, surveyors and stationary engineers wants to revolutionize how the […]

The following article on the IUOE Training and Conference Center outside of Houston, Texas, was posted Dec. 14, 2017 on the Association of Equipment Manufacturers website. 

Manufacturers Sought as Partners on Equipment Operator Training Complex

The union that represents 400,000 North American equipment operators, mechanics, welders, surveyors and stationary engineers wants to revolutionize how the workforce gets trained on new technology, and is forming creative partnerships with equipment manufacturers as they prepare to open a massive training complex outside of Houston.

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) is launching the training center and entering into partnership agreements with several prominent members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Brands like Tadano, Manitowoc, Grove, Potain, Link-Belt, Terex AWP and Genie will provide heavy equipment on which workers will receive training at the center. Discussions are also underway with other prominent manufacturers.

“It’s to everyone’s benefit to expand the pool of highly-trained, technologically-savvy equipment operators,” says IUOE President James T. Callahan. “We have heard the appeals of employers all around the country who are having a hard time getting enough qualified workers on their job sites, and the only way to meet that demand is by creating new, cutting edge opportunities to receive training.”

Scheduled for completion early in 2018 and a grand opening in the spring, the IUOE Training and Conference Center is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive training complex. It features 235 acres of rugged Texas back country as a venue for IUOE members to learn how to operate the latest technology in the heavy equipment, crane, pipeline, surveying and stationary plant domains.

Click here to read rest of article

 

Pension Calculator Updated on Union Website

An updated pension calculator is now active on the members’ section of the union website. The updated calculator can now be used by mobile phones and tablets as well as traditional computers. The calculator will now function on computers, iPad’s, iPhones, Androids and other mobile platforms.  Once you log in to the members’ section via […]

An updated pension calculator is now active on the members’ section of the union website.

The updated calculator can now be used by mobile phones and tablets as well as traditional computers.

The calculator will now function on computers, iPad’s, iPhones, Androids and other mobile platforms. 

Once you log in to the members’ section via the tab at the top right of this screen, click on the button ‘Calculate Pension’ and follow the prompts to launch the pension calculator.

 

Legislative Changes will Benefit Local 793 Members

Legislation known as Bill 142, which updates and modernizes the province’s Construction Lien Act, was passed with a unanimous vote by the Ontario government on Dec. 5. Local 793 was very active in lobbying for the amendments over a two-year period and in October 2016 the union’s director of operations Ken Lew and delinquency control […]

Legislation known as Bill 142, which updates and modernizes the province’s Construction Lien Act, was passed with a unanimous vote by the Ontario government on Dec. 5.

Local 793 was very active in lobbying for the amendments over a two-year period and in October 2016 the union’s director of operations Ken Lew and delinquency control officer Jeff Smith met with Attorney General Yasir Naqvi to discuss the matter. In November 2017, the union filed a submission to a government legislative committee that considered the Bill.

The union was also part of Prompt Payment Ontario, a broad coalition of contractor associations, unions, suppliers, general contractors, pension trust funds and other groups that joined together to persuade government that legislation should be enacted in Ontario to ensure that money flows as it is intended down the contractor supply chain.

Bill 142, officially called the Construction Lien Amendment Act, ensures that the rights and securities of Ontario’s construction workers will now be held to a much higher standard.

“This is the biggest change to our construction laws in over 34 years,” said Attorney General Naqvi. “These changes will have a real impact on people’s lives, giving workers assurance they will be paid on time and in full, and help to ensure disputes are resolved quickly.”

The legislation includes new prompt payment rules to ensure that Ontario construction businesses and workers will get paid on time for the work that they do. Basically, it should help payments flow down the construction pyramid faster and reduce delays, costs, and equally important, prevent workers going home without the payments that they’ve earned.

The changes will also modernize the lien and holdback process, and set out a new adjudication process to resolve payment disputes faster.

From Local 793’s perspective, passage of the legislation is good news.

In 2016 alone, Local 793 collected about $22 million in late trust fund payments from delinquent contractors on behalf of members. Contractors often articulated that delays in payment from the general contractor were the reasons for late payments to the union.

There are several components to the new legislation.

Prompt Payment:

The legislation creates new prompt payment rules to give contractors and subcontractors certainty about when to expect payment.

Local 793 believes this new section will be one of the most vital tools to help reduce the number of delinquent contractors and late payments of trust fund monies to the union for members’ health and welfare and pension benefits. The amendments will ensure funds move through the construction pyramid quicker and therefore result in a benefit to workers, as wages and benefit payments to employees are often at the bottom of the pyramid.

Often, a contractor is delinquent because the contractor’s invoices haven’t been paid in a timely manner and the contractor doesn’t have the necessary funds to pay wages and remittances.

Local 793 believes that a robust and well-executed prompt payment section in the legislation will reduce these types of delinquencies.

Liens:

Amendments relating to the preservation, perfection and expiry of liens is a crucial improvement.

The legislation extends the timelines to file liens and start court actions from 90 days to 150 days.

Increasing the number of days for the preservation and protection period for liens will give contractors and subcontractors more time to hopefully resolve matters outside of court, before making it necessary to register or start a lien action. Local 793 will also have more time to file a lien.

Local 793 is also pleased that the legislation clarifies the expiry date of a lien period for amounts owing for a workers’ trust fund. This change makes is clear that the lien rights for all trust fund amounts only expire 60 days after the final worker leaves the jobsite, as opposed to expiring on a worker-by-worker basis.

Holdback Funds:

The legislation requires holdback funds to be paid as soon as the deadline to file liens has passed, so contractors and subcontractors know when to expect full payment.

Local 793 supports this because it will help get funds down the construction pyramid faster.

Work typically done by Local 793 subcontractors, such as earthmoving, excavation and crane rental, often occurs in the early stages of a project. Under the old rules, general contractors could maintain the holdback for years until the project is completed.

Such a long delay in the holdback period could affect contractors and subcontractors and ultimately payments to their workers.

Construction Trusts:

The legislation introduces a new section related to the handling of construction trusts. This had been an area of great concern.

It imposes duties on contractors and subcontractors to have funds by project deposited in a specific manner and for records to be kept by project.

This ultimately protects and strengthens the statutory holdback funds for those it was created to look after.

Monetary Supplement Benefits:

The legislation also adds a definition of “monetary supplementary benefits” to make it more understandable that health and welfare benefit payments, pension payments or other similar amounts constitute the “wages” on behalf of an employee.

The amounts have always been included as “wages” in prior liens filed by Local 793 but the definition will help to provide clarity to an ongoing and common practice.

Again, the legislation further provides that Local 793 operators will get paid on time for the work that they do and that monies for trust funds are protected. It also provides for a better and faster adjudication process for payment disputes.

 

 
 

Members Honoured for Years of Service

Local 793 has grown into a large and respected union because of the skills and professionalism of its long-service members. That was the message delivered by business manager Mike Gallagher in remarks at a long-service awards ceremony Dec. 2 at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre at head office in Oakville. He said union […]

Local 793 has grown into a large and respected union because of the skills and professionalism of its long-service members.

That was the message delivered by business manager Mike Gallagher in remarks at a long-service awards ceremony Dec. 2 at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre at head office in Oakville.

He said union members have built the biggest Operating Engineers local in Canada, with close to 15,000 members, and have, without question, the best reputation of any other construction union.

“And, it’s not just because of the money that we’ve spent on facilities or the equipment that we have out in the yard which looks so impressive,” he said. “It’s because of the record that you have in performing work out in the field safely and efficiently and that is known throughout North America.”

More than 150 members received awards at the ceremony for 60, 55, 50, 40 and 30 years of service to the union. Many of the honourees were accompanied by their spouses or family members.

In remarks at the beginning of the ceremony, Gallagher said he is proud of what the officers and the members have been able to accomplish over the years.

“I’m proud of the growth of the local, but the thing I’m most proud of is to be the business manager of this group of members that I hold in such very high regard. I understand what a privilege that is.”

He noted that Local 793 crane operators are in great demand and those who work in the pipeline industry can find work almost anywhere because of the reputation set by long-service members.

Over the years, he said, the union has faced a number of challenges, like when Premier Mike Harris and his government tried to undermine unions, but members fought back and continued to organize.

Gallagher, who has been business manager for 22 years, said he’s honoured to be at the helm of the union.

He said he’s seen a lot of changes over that time, one being that the membership has doubled to close to 15,000.

The Territory of Nunavut was also added to Local 793’s charter, he said, after the union requested and IUOE general president James T. Callahan approved the move.

The addition of Nunavut is important to the future of the local, Gallagher said, because there are a dozen large mines in the territory, including one on Baffin Island operated by a company called Baffinland that has more than 900 employees.

“We’re busy organizing that group right now and have been very well received,” he said, “not only by the employees but by the employer.”

Gallagher said the contractor has agreed to contract training with Local 793 for Inuit that live in the area “so that’s a very exciting challenge for the future.”

In his remarks, he said the union is doing well financially and the pension and benefit plans are in good shape.

“I’m very proud of the benefit plan, I’m proud of the pension plan. I’m proud of the union growth and the fact that our membership has grown.”

The pension plan, he said, now has assets of just under $2.7 billion and is almost 100 per cent funded on a going-concern basis.

The plan has recovered from the recession of 2008, he said, and the reductions that were put in place then have been rolled back and trustees recently, on the advice of the actuary, were able to improve the plan by making unreduced retirement at age 60 a permanent feature. Previously, trustees granted consent for unreduced retirement at age 60 on a year-by-year basis.

“A major priority for us is to make sure the pension remains there for not only you but the active members and members coming up,” Gallagher said. “I would say it’s one of the best pension plans if you look at the average amount of money that members take out of the plan on a monthly basis once they retire, compared to any of the other building trades, and that’s exactly the way we want it.

“We want it to continue to be strong and we want it to continue to provide income for you into your twilight years after you retire from the local. It’s a major, major focus for us.”

The benefit plan, meanwhile, is also in good shape and is solvent, Gallagher told the long-service members.

He said trustees have put a subcommittee together to consider improvements to the plan and members and retirees are welcome to put forward suggestions.

“We want to keep improving the plan and making it stronger and better for the members. It has to stay healthy, it has to stay solvent, but we’re not there to build a mountain of money, we’re there to provide benefits for our membership and we’re going to continue to do that.”

At the end of his remarks, Gallagher thanked long-service members for their years of service to the union.

“I appreciate every one of you in here. I appreciate you and your families and I understand how important the union is to you, how important the pension plan is to you, and how important the benefit plan is to you. I know how important all these investments have been to you. The union belongs to you and, since I’ve been there, I’ve wanted to make sure we never ever forget that you’re number one.”

During the ceremony, Gallagher read out a letter sent to him by Robert McKay, a 40-year member who was unable to make the event due to an illness. His daughter accepted the award on his behalf.

At the ceremony, winners of the Douglas H. Campbell Awards were also announced. The winners were:

  • Top Tower Crane Apprentice – Dave Geno of Barrie who works for Verdi Alliance Equipment
  • Top Mobile Crane Apprentice – Bruce Cringan of Stouffville who works for Thomkess Crane Rental
 

Annual Dinner Dance Held at OE Banquet Hall

Local 793’s annual dinner dance was held at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre at head office in Oakville on Dec. 2. About 500 people, many of them long-service members, attended the event. Speakers included business manager Mike Gallagher, Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Dr. Gail Darling of Toronto General […]

Local 793’s annual dinner dance was held at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre at head office in Oakville on Dec. 2.

About 500 people, many of them long-service members, attended the event.

Speakers included business manager Mike Gallagher, Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Dr. Gail Darling of Toronto General Hospital.

In his remarks, business manager Gallagher talked about the importance of the union’s long-time members and the contributions they have made over the years.

“Our members have a terrific reputation for the work that they do and we certainly enjoy, at this time of the holiday season, to be able to come out here and recognize all of our long-service members.”

Earlier in the day, the union held its annual long-service awards ceremony to honour members who’ve been in the union for 60, 55, 50, 40 and 30 years.

Gallagher noted that he read a letter at the ceremony from 40-year member Robert McKay who was unable to be there due to ill health. His daughter accepted the award on his behalf.

“We really should, at this time of year, remember people, including within our own families, that are not feeling well or have recently suffered a loss in their family,” he said.

“Certainly our hearts go out to everybody that’s in that situation, including members across the province that couldn’t be here tonight.”

Gallagher also talked about Bill 148, known as the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, which was brought in by Labour Minister Flynn and the Liberal government, which raises the minimum wage to $14 an hour on Jan. 1, 2018 and to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2019.

He said some employers are not happy with raising the minimum wage but it’s the right thing to do for lower-earning workers.

Some of the workers who will benefit are the sons and daughters of Local 793 members who are earning minimum wage and trying to get a start in life, he noted.

“It’s about time that the minimum wage was raised and I give credit to the government for doing that.”

The minimum wage in Ontario has been subject to periods of freezes and ad hoc increases over the last two decades. Presently, the minimum wage is $11.40 an hour.

In his remarks, Gallagher gave credit to the provincial Liberals and, in particular, Labour Minister Flynn, who is MPP for Oakville, for the work he’s doing on behalf of Ontario’s workers.

“Kevin has done a terrific job as the minister of labour,” he said. “I know him personally to be a very, very passionate person who absolutely cares.”

Gallagher said Flynn listens to the concerns of unions and he understands the building trades because his father was a tradesman and union member.

He said that Flynn led the charge on mandatory training for rotary drill rig operators after the death of Local 793 apprentice Kyle Knox at a subway construction site at York University in Toronto on Oct. 11, 2011, and made sure legislation was passed to correct the situation.

“Kevin Flynn pushed it through and did the right thing and made sure that we can prevent an operator error accident from ever happening again with rotary drill equipment by requiring the operator to have a crane licence before they operate a rotary drill.”

Flynn repaid the comment, noting in his remarks that when he needs to discuss an issue regarding the construction industry he goes to Gallagher.

“You’re so lucky to have Mike as your business manager in this organization,” he said. “Your organization is held in such high esteem by the Province of Ontario and I think you’re an example to the rest of the province as to how an organization should conduct itself.”

He said Gallagher has provided advice on the College of Trades, apprenticeships, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and more.

“When I look at the executive and the other people that assist Mike on a daily basis, I know that, as the minister of labour, I’m getting some of the best advice that I can possibly get and that only means good things for business in Ontario and it means good things for the working people of Ontario as well.”

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton noted in his remarks that a number of projects have been built or are about to get started in Oakville, and that the town has an exemplary safety record.

At the dinner dance, business manager Gallagher and Local 793 president Joe Redshaw presented a cheque for $131,485 to Dr. Darling, director of thoracic surgery clinical research at Toronto General Hospital, for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network in Toronto.

The funds were raised at the sixth annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer in Milton. So far, the tournament has raised $612,912 for research.

In her remarks, Dr. Darling said researchers are working on a breath test analyzer that will detect signs of esophageal cancer.

“You’ve probably heard about that in the press and it’s actually coming,” she said. “We’re hoping that we’ll be able to do a breathalyzer test to see if they are at a risk for the cancer.”