Ford government announces the winding down of the Ontario College of Trades

The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) was the first organization in Canada that allowed construction trades to govern themselves, rather than leaving them to be directed by a provincial government ministry. At the time of its creation, the OCOT was also responsible for a much-needed modernizing of apprenticeship and skilled trades training and licensing in […]

The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) was the first organization in Canada that allowed construction trades to govern themselves, rather than leaving them to be directed by a provincial government ministry. At the time of its creation, the OCOT was also responsible for a much-needed modernizing of apprenticeship and skilled trades training and licensing in Ontario. On Tuesday, the Ford government made a sudden announcement that the OCOT is coming to an end.

Before the creation of the OCOT, it had been over 35 years since any government had acted on changes to technology and training needs to declare a new compulsory trade. A compulsory trade is a trade in which registration as an apprentice, journeyperson candidate or certification as a journeyperson is mandatory. At that time, we at the Operating Engineers were the last to be able to make our voice heard. In 1982, Hoisting Engineer was named a compulsory trade. It wasn’t until 2017 that Sprinkler Fitters were named the next compulsory trade. The OCOT provided a clear pathway by which any trade could apply to formally change their status to that of a compulsory trade.

Local 793 supported the creation of the OCOT right from the start. It provided improved safety and training for our members and a clear process to require licensing and training. Local 793 also supported, and continues to support, the concept of trades being regulated by those with the relevant expertise and direct involvement in the construction industry.

With the OCOT in place, many positive changes occurred that benefitted Local 793, OETIO, our members, our signatory contractors and the construction industry as a whole. The OCOT developed for the first time a Provincial Trade Exam for the Concrete Pump. The operators of TLBs, excavators, and bulldozers had their training standards reviewed and updated for the first time in almost 20 years. Appointees to the Heavy Equipment trade board, working with the OCOT, were also able to get Red Seal endorsement for those who wrote the approved Heavy Equipment Trade Exam. This ensures that our members’ skills are recognized anywhere they choose to work in Canada.

Local 793 thanks those 26 members, staff, and members of management of our signatory contractors who have spent many hours working on the OCOT trade boards, the divisional board, the board of governors and the appointments council. Over the last nine years, they have dedicated their time and expertise to make the OCOT all that it could be.

Of course, the OCOT was not perfect and did result in greater costs for fees and regulations. Safety and skills training, and a timely and enforceable means for addressing all industry concerns, remain top priorities of Local 793. We will meet, and where possible, work with the current Ford government to address our concerns and to continue to advance safety and skills training.

Our immediate priority is to meet with all Local 793 staff and with the representatives of our signatory companies, who currently do work at the OCOT, to discuss next steps. Specifically, our focus will be to help ensure the winding down of the OCOT is done responsibly. Most importantly, we must make sure that the development of a replacement model for the regulation of the skilled trades and the apprenticeship system in Ontario continues to promote safety, skills training and licensing.

Government officials visit Local 793 head office

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher welcomed newly elected Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford and Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos to the union’s head office and training campus in Oakville on Friday, Oct. 26. The meeting with the Progressive Conservative Party members was an opportunity to raise issues and to establish a relationship with the new […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher welcomed newly elected Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford and Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos to the union’s head office and training campus in Oakville on Friday, Oct. 26.

The meeting with the Progressive Conservative Party members was an opportunity to raise issues and to establish a relationship with the new government.

Joining Gallagher was Local 793 vice president and government affairs representative Joe Dowdall, Local 793 director of Toronto area Dave Turple and OETIO director of training and apprenticeship Brain Alexander.

Amongst the subjects discussed was safety within the construction industry and the importance of mandatory training and compulsory certification.

Gallagher noted the union fought for mandatory training on the foundation rotary drills since Local 793 apprentice Kyle Knox lost his life when a drill rig collapsed at a subway construction site at York University in Toronto on Oct. 11, 2011. Gallagher said Knox was a young man with a promising career and the accident likely would not have happened if a licensed, qualified operator had been running the rig.

Gallagher gave another example why the province needs compulsory certification and mandatory training. In 2000, a 31-year-old man from Mississauga, Ontario and a 58-year-old man from Winnipeg, Manitoba died in the accident at a waste-water treatment complex in Oakville. North America Construction, the lead contractor, had a non-unionized member operating a crane and were fined $250,000. The operator was fined $25,000.

Gallagher also touched on the recent news about the proposed removal of the Ontario College of Trade (OCoT). Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday that his government plans to remove the regulatory body that governs skilled trades in Ontario. If passed by Ontario’s Legislature, the province will develop a replacement model for the regulation of skilled trades and apprenticeships with a one-to-one journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio for every trade for which ratios apply.

Energy East, the largest oil pipeline project ever proposed in Canada, was brought to the attention of the MPP’s. Abandoned by TransCanada one year ago and opposed by many Quebec municipalities, the project was an example Gallagher used to stress the need for pipelines. Both Crawford and Triantafilopoulos agreed.

Gallagher also pointed out investments OETIO put into pipeline training in anticipation of projects like Energy East. OETIO had purchased two sidebooms and offered courses at the Morrisburg training facility before termination of the project.

The Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario (REAO) was also brought to the table. Renewable energy makes sense for Ontario, Gallagher pointed out, saying that it provides reliable and affordable electricity to ratepayers. Combined with technological innovation, renewable energy can affordably address Ontario’s power needs in the coming years. Gallagher suggested that the Progressive Conservative government take another look at renewable energy.

He added that renewables and nuclear power are the safest, most economical, environmentally-friendly and healthiest way to produce electricity and are a vital part of the province’s energy plan.

The Ring of Fire, a large mineral resource-rich area in northern Ontario that contains potentially billions in nickel, copper and chromite was also discussed. As Gallagher pointed out, it has near limitless potential for future work and will make significant contributions to Ontario’s economy.

Following the informal portion of the meeting, Crawford and Triantafilopoulos had an opportunity to tour the world-class educational and training facility of Oakville’s OETIO. They also had a chance to sit in a simulator seat for first-hand experience on the state-of-the-art equipment. Special thanks to crane apprentice Ryan Tracy for chipping in to guide Triantafilopoulos on the rotary drill simulator and apprentice Tyler Thibault for helping Crawford on the conventional crane.

“We had a very productive meeting with Effie and Stephen,” Dowdall said. “It allowed us to promote our trade, establish a rapport with our local MPP’s and move forward with the new provincial government. With both Effie and Stephen in the Oakville and Oakville-North district, it’s important that they understand what we do at Local 793 and OETIO.”

Gallagher reiterated that Local 793 is prepared to work with the Progressive Conservative government and looks forward to future discussions on helping build Ontario. Both Crawford and Triantafilopoulos expressed an interest in scheduling future meetings on training and infrastructure jobs.

Local 793 can help make a difference

Winter is coming. And it will be cold. Local 793 area offices will be collecting coats and winter wear for kids to keep them warm. Please bring gently used, previously enjoyed winter clothing to your local area office for donation. Collection boxes will be set up at the November and December meeting and the items […]

Winter is coming. And it will be cold. Local 793 area offices will be collecting coats and winter wear for kids to keep them warm.

Please bring gently used, previously enjoyed winter clothing to your local area office for donation. Collection boxes will be set up at the November and December meeting and the items will be distributed to children in need.

We also ask that you bring a non-perishable food item to the November and December monthly meeting. Separate boxes will be set up to accept food donations.

Not sure what to bring? The most needed items are Rice; Oatmeal; Canned fruit; Canned vege-tables; Peanut butter; Pasta; Pasta sauce; Baby food; Baby formula; Canned soup; Canned stew, chili, etc.; Canned fish; Canned and dried beans; 100% fruit juices.

Lets’ make a difference in our communities and ensure that every child is warm and fed this winter.

November Meetings:

November 1
Oshawa: 7:00pm at 1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7
Thunder Bay: 8:00pm at 979 Alloy Drive, Unit 101
London: 7:00pm at 4096 Meadowbrook Drive, Unit 15

November 7
Timmins: 7:30pm at 54 Waterloo Rd., Unit 2

November 13
St. Catharines: 7:30pm at 188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5
Windsor: 7:00pm at 3383 Walker Road

November 14
Sault Ste. Marie: 7:30pm at 432 Great Northern Road, Suite 203
Cambridge: 7:30pm at 100 Sheldon Drive, Unit 10

November 20
Sudbury: 8:00pm at 430 Westmount Avenue, Unit H

November 21
Toronto: 7:30pm at 2245 Speers Road | Oakville

November 22
Barrie: 7:30pm at 240 Bayview Dr., Unit 12
Sarnia: 7:00pm at 1390 Lougar Avenue

November 27
Belleville: 7:00pm at 1 Millennium Parkway, Unit 102

November 28
Hamilton: 7:30pm at 35 Goderich Road, Unit 5
Ottawa: 7:00pm at Best Western Macies Hotel, 1274 Carling Avenue
North Bay: 7:30pm at Voyager Inn, Greenery Room, 123 Delaware Avenue

Visit the Events & Meetings section of the website for December’s dates.

Let’s get Mo-tivated

This November, Local 793 is encouraged to get involved and raise awareness for men’s health. Members are asked to join The Local 793 Smooth Operators Movember team and help stop men dying too young. The Movember Foundation is saving and improving men’s lives through projects focused on prostate cancer, testicular can-cer, mental health and suicide […]

This November, Local 793 is encouraged to get involved and raise awareness for men’s health. Members are asked to join The Local 793 Smooth Operators Movember team and help stop men dying too young.

The Movember Foundation is saving and improving men’s lives through projects focused on prostate cancer, testicular can-cer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Anyone can participate – staff, members, family and loved ones – and EVERYONE can donate. Grow a Mo, run or walk 60 kilometres over the month, or host a get-together and raise funds.

Help The Local 793 Smooth Operators reach our fundraising goal of $10,000.

To participate, JOIN THE TEAM or support your Local brothers and sisters by donating HERE.

And, visit our Instagram page @iuoelocal793official and share your progress using #793smoothoperators and tag us at @iuoelocal793official in your photos as well.

Passing of retired general president Giblin

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing on Monday, October 15, 2018 of former International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 business manager and general president Vincent J. Giblin. A career that began in 1964 as a stationary engineer with IUOE Local 68 in New Jersey, Vincent was elected […]

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing on Monday, October 15, 2018 of former International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 business manager and general president Vincent J. Giblin.

A career that began in 1964 as a stationary engineer with IUOE Local 68 in New Jersey, Vincent was elected business manager in 1975 and served in that position for 29 years.

Elected to serve as an International vice president in 1989, he held the position until his election as general secretary-treasurer in 2002. He also served as president of the Northeast States Conference of Operating Engineers and chaired the IUOE stationary committee.

In 2005, Brother Giblin went on to be the general president of the IUOE and held the position until his retirement in 2012.

Outside of the IUOE, he served as chairman of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and chairman and board member of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

Vincent led the creation of IUOE’s first National Training Fund and transformed the technological infrastructure of his union. He established the Operating Engineers Charity Fund for disaster relief, helping members in distress, and gave generously to Doctors Without Borders for its work after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

A lifelong commitment to Local 68 and the labour movement, Brother Giblin will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

Cannabis and commercial vehicle drivers

RE. Road Safety Measures under the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, 2015 and the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017. Of particular note are the new zero tolerance measures for drivers of commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles are defined as: a vehicle requiring an A, B, C, D, E, or F […]

RE. Road Safety Measures under the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, 2015 and the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017.

Of particular note are the new zero tolerance measures for drivers of commercial vehicles.

Commercial vehicles are defined as:

  • a vehicle requiring an A, B, C, D, E, or F licence to operate;
  • a road building machine;
  • a vehicle that requires a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR).

Drivers of commercial vehicles must have a blood alcohol concentration of zero when driving a commercial vehicle. Zero tolerance sanctions are currently in place, prohibiting drivers of commercial vehicles from having the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in their body, as detected by a federally approved oral fluid screening device or an approved alcohol breath screening device.

If a commercial driver has the presence of alcohol and/or drugs in their system, they will face serious penalties, including licence suspensions and administrative monetary penalties.

The penalties are:

Licence suspension Monetary penalty Other penalties
First occurrence 3 days $250* Other penalties, such as mandatory education or treatment programs may also apply for repeat offenders
Second occurrence 3 days $350*
Third and subsequent occurrences 3 days $450*

* Monetary penalties are expected to take effect by January 2019, and will be in addition to the existing $198 licence reinstatement fee.

PLUS commercial drivers will be subject to mandatory remedial education or treatment programs; and, ignition interlock (II) requirements for repeat occurrences.

  • 45, 90, or 180-day Vehicle Impoundment Program (VIP) rules will apply to all Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) related suspensions. The current appeal ground for impoundments of 45 days or longer will include drivers who were not subject to an II condition at the time of the VIP.
  • There will be a single consistent authority in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) to suspend a driver’s licence for failure to complete a prescribed remedial program and II condition on a licence after reinstatement from a CCC suspension.

Special E-Board Meeting – 22 September 2018

Union is doing well on all fronts The IUOE Local 793 held a special executive board meeting at the union head office in Oakville on Saturday, September 22. The more than 125 attendees included area supervisors, business reps, staff, delegates, officers and special guest and special guests such as honourary lifetime members. Speakers shared that […]

Union is doing well on all fronts

The IUOE Local 793 held a special executive board meeting at the union head office in Oakville on Saturday, September 22. The more than 125 attendees included area supervisors, business reps, staff, delegates, officers and special guest and special guests such as honourary lifetime members.

Special Executive Board Meeting on Saturday, September 22. More than 125 attendees.

Speakers shared that Local 793 now has more than 15,000 members, more companies are being organized and membership support is going high-tech with new web and smart phone access to training records and the pension and benefit plans.

Self-administration
Ronald C. Loucks from NexgenRx
was the first to the podium to present Local 793’s new self-administration tool for the pension and benefit plans.

“It is an exciting time for us to be part of the operating engineers,” said Loucks.

Once NexgenRx is implemented, Local 793 members will have access to real time, online claim submissions. Loucks said that transactions can be processed in 3.4 seconds. He added that NexgenRx will bring fast, simple and useful solutions to the members for health benefit claims and pension status.

Members will be able to submit claims by web, email, and mobile app. The app can be downloaded from iTunes and Google, accessible for both iPhone and Android phone users. Members can even submit claims by sending a photo from their smart phone.

Submissions by mail will remain available and members will still have access to their plans by phone.

Loucks’ presentation included a demo of the online portal, showing a user-friendly access point to submit, follow and manage claims at any time in the process, including accessing one’s history.

Strategic plan
John O’Grady from Prism Economics
, who helped develop the strategic plan for the union, walked members through Local 793’s new direction and updated five-year strategic plan (2018-2023). It was developed after consultation with staff across the province.

This strategic plan will give guidance to the business manager and the executive board as the Local moves forward for the next five years. Copies of the new plan were distributed at the meeting. O’Grady highlighted some elements in the plan including Local 793’s goal of developing and providing highly skilled workers, improving the standard of living for members and realizing a mandate of making safe workplaces.

Over the last five years, O’Grady noted that Local 793 had been a leader in the industry in collective bargaining and in pushing benchmarks for wage settlements and improvements in benefits. He said that the Local has “some of the most complete and rigorous training found anywhere in the building and construction industry.”

The Local will continue to invest in staff training and development, including organizer training and Webinar Wednesdays. O’Grady further commented that “the staff is second to none.”

Business manager’s report
Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher opened his remarks stating that it is a very good time to be an operating engineer. “We are at a pinnacle of our membership and the union is doing well on all fronts,” Gallagher said. “You don’t have to look far to see just where we’re at and how strong we are.”

He also recognized honourary lifetime members, committee members and guest delegates in attendance.

Gallagher spoke of the Local’s history, particularly in the mid-1990s and living through a recession and the turbulent times of existing under international supervision. It was a time he called “soul destroying.”

When Gallagher was first elected business manager in 1996, he found the Local divided. They faced two provincial strikes (in 1998 and 2007) and a number of local strikes. The members came together and continued to come together to work through these times as they organized.

“The shame of that supervision, we had to wash it off,” said Gallagher. “We would show the contractors and the industry that we were a power to be reckoned with.”

They wanted to build a new head office, a new training centre and have a fresh start. The Local presented it to the members as a referendum and more than 80 per cent supported this vision.

In July of this year, Gallagher appointed Joe Dowdall as the first government affairs representative. This was in direct response to feedback from members. This role allows one person to dedicate themselves fulltime political engagement. Dowdall is making inroads in the community and at the provincial and federal levels, which is essential for the Local to mitigate issues.

Noting upcoming opportunities, he mentioned the mining sector and getting those people organized. He also commented on the expansion in Oakville, the residence building for the instructors and students and the potential of lease revenue from the adjacent property.

“All these things will give us the opportunity to do more here and in the outlying areas,” said Gallagher.

He mentioned the Local’s win in a jurisdictional dispute, challenging demolition work against LiUNA, beating the labourers with Delsan AIM at Hydro down at the Nanticoke decommissioned coal generator in Haldimand County. The work in dispute was performed in the electrical power systems sector of the construction industry and was found to be a violation of the Local’s Electrical Power Systems Construction Association (“EPSCA”) agreement.

At the end of his report, Gallagher introduced two videos:

VIDEO pension increase: This was a historic first. Pension meetings with management trustees had never been videotaped. The video shows the moment when the resolution was passed for the 2.5 per cent increase to Local 793’s pension for active members and retirees.

Gallagher shared two examples of what this increase could mean for members.

Active Member Example

  • Benefit earned for contributions remitted up to December 31, 2018
    = $1,200 per month payable at retirement
  • Effective January 1, 2019, 2.5% increase applies to above benefit
    • 2.5% times $ 1,200 = $30 increase
      • Total benefit earned as of January 1, 2019 will then be equal to
    • $1,200 + $30 = $1,230 per month

Pensioner Example

  • Pensioner is currently receiving a pension of $2,400 per month
  • Starting with January 1, 2019 payment, 2.5% increase will apply
    • 2.5% times $2,400 = $60 increase in monthly pension
    • Pension payable starting January 1, 2019
    • $2,400 + $60 = $2,460 per month
    • Pension of $2,460 per month payable for the rest of pensioners lifetime

VIDEO walk through of the building under renovations at 2201 Speers Road in Oakville. It will give Local 793 an additional 27,000 square feet. Some of the space will be used for staff. Gallagher said that after renovations, the building will be worth $14 to $16 per square foot as additional leasing revenue to the Local.

André Chénier, IUOE international representative, shared his experience with Local 904 in Newfoundland coming under international supervision, saying the biggest challenge was winning over the membership.

Chénier spoke of his experiences related to the Supervision of Local 904 and the role business manager, Mike Gallagher played as the appointed chair of the three-member International Panel.  As directed by general president Callahan the panel conducted a two-day hearing in St. John’s, Newfoundland. As prescribed by the International Constitution the panel heard evidence from the membership of Local 904 and International Staff regarding the need for International Supervision. Gallagher was very complementary on the way the members participated in the process and spoke to the proud history of Local 904. At the end of the hearing the membership applauded the efforts of the panel members and the staff.

“That was when the tides started to change in Local 904,” said Chénier. “We were winning the hearts and minds of the members one at a time.”

It was a unique situation. Local 904 is very financially sound, something their 2,400 members had not received reports on in a very long time. Chénier was surprised at the lack of organizing within Local 904, commenting “they had not organized a company from the ground up since 2001 and outside of special projects they had lost market share in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector.” There are only two signatory road building companies for all of Newfoundland and Labrador, he stated. He found that employers, union or non-union had lost all respect for the brand of Operating Engineers. Clearly, good financial resources and plenty of work doesn’t necessarily ensure a strong local. Good governance supported by the membership is key to success and Local 793 is a great example of this.

“When called upon, business manager Gallagher has been very supportive in providing Local 793’s policies, rules and procedures which has assisted Local 904 in establishing a process of accountability and transparency.”

Whether it was at provincial membership information meetings, one on one meetings with members or training new staff, I often told them our story about Local 793 coming out of international supervision in the early nineties and how it grew into the largest Local in Canada. “I always tell them my favorite saying: this is how we do it at Local 793.”

With a team that has grown to 12 organizers, Kyle Schutte, organizer manager, said that this is the largest organizing team that the Local has ever had.

He recognized some new organizers including Aaron Pede in St. Catharines, Scott Langdon in Binbrook and Brock McBride in Oakville. Schutte shared a story of how Langdon, when instructed not to be seen, got stuck in a swamp in a forest and took hours to find his way back out. Schutte suggested (jokingly) that this should be part of all organizer training as it was a good learning experience.

When Schutte and labour relations coordinator Daveen Lidstone visited the new organizers in training in Morrisburg and they found them still awake, studying, working on homework in a classroom at 1 a.m. He was impressed by their dedication.

He went on to list companies for which the Local has filed applications for certification at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). He also mentioned an application for certification filed at the Canada Industrial Relations Board for Baffinland Iron Mines.

Labour relations manager Melissa Atkins-Mahaney gave a timely presentation about cannabis and the operating engineers. As of October 17, people 19-and-over in Canada will legally be able to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. And it will remain legal for people to buy, use and possess cannabis for authorized medical usage.

Atkins-Mahaney’s presentation was titled “Navigating your way through the weeds.” She encouraged members, if they hadn’t already, to read the labour relations report in the last issue of 793 Operator magazine. It discussed cannabis and separating myth from fact.

“We are tasked with providing a safe working environment for our members,” she said.

Consumption of cannabis can lead to impairment and Health Canada has stated for many years that cannabis will impair a user for 24 hours after use.

She added that cannabis can cause consistent impairment that can go on for weeks or months after use and can be amplified in high altitudes. One then immediately thinks of crane operators and the high elevations of some work sites.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), workers in safety sensitive positions are required to report for work FIT FOR DUTY. Atkins-Mahaney explained that this means that they must be free of impairment; free of drugs or alcohol or anything that would cause any level of impairment.

In an effort to provide guidance to Local 793 members out in the field, she announced that business manager Gallagher has instructed her and the legal department to develop an internal policy on drugs and alcohol to be adopted by the members as best practices.

The Local is looking at the policy adopted by the Canadian Armed Forces, which is similar from a safety sensitive work model. Key features of the policy will include

  • standards of conduct, whether it be recreational or medically prescribed,
  • prohibition against the misuse of cannabis,
  • an obligation to advise a supervisor if a member believes he or she is impaired by cannabis or any substance,
  • standards of use including no consumption
    • during the work day or while on shift,
    • during training related to one’s job,
    • during the 24 hours before performing safety sensitive work.

She warned that we should expect employers to engage more and more in random testing and pre-employment testing.

Atkins-Mahaney concluded by saying “Our goals are to ensure that our members are out there operating safely and within the confines of the law. We want people to be responsible and to report for work FIT FOR DUTY.”

Gallagher followed Atkins-Mahaney with a strong statement to members.

“At this point in our history, we are going to be part of the solution. We cannot have sympathy anymore for members that put themselves or other workers at risk out on the job site,” he said. “I, as a business manager, am NOT going to be an enabler.

“Our members need to be responsible. If they need help with alcohol or drugs, we will get them the help they need. But we don’t want them that way on the job, we don’t want them on the highways.”

Local 793 expects their members to be FIT FOR WORK and will put the policy guidelines in place to protect their members, other workers, the public and their union.

Dave Turple, Local 793 director of Toronto area, reported on the 100thanniversary planning for 2019. He unveiled the 100thanniversary logo designed by IT manager Armand Dowdall. Turple reminded attendees that they should email their anniversary slogan ideas to executive@iuoelocal793.org. The contest closes October 31. He shared the area locations that will host picnics and said that the picnic and celebration for the Toronto area will be at the Oakville head office.

The executive director of the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO), Harold McBride, was next to report to members. He spoke of the importance of advancing and training through technology and delivering highly skilled operators to industry.

McBride’s report included a presentation of a newly updated, yet to be released website portal developed internally by the Local and OETIO. It also included a preview of the new website.

IT manager Dowdall demonstrated how members would have direct access to their training records, both upcoming and past. It will be available from the website to view or print and accessible from a smart phone.

This speaks to the flexibility of access for members. Gallagher commented that members could immediately show their certification on their iPhone or Android device. And this could be done anywhere with internet access, even for a request on site from a supervisor or the Ministry of Labour (MOL).

In closing, Local 793 area delegates reported on the work situation in different locations in Ontario including Matt Loree (Cambridge), Normand McLeod (Oshawa), Rob Bowden (St. Catharines), Stephen Bianco (Hamilton), Ottawa area rep Jim Laginski presented on behalf of Duke Bott (Ottawa), Angelo Teti (Windsor), Mike Lavallee (Sudbury), Matthew Maginnis (Toronto), who started his presentation with gratitude to the Helmets to Hardhats program which helps war veterans transition into construction work, Jonathan McMaster (London), Matt Pritchard (Belleville), Mike Reynolds (Barrie), John Miners (Sault Ste. Marie), Rob Stadey (Thunder Bay), Sebastian Sepeta (Toronto) and Gord Vandevenne (Sarnia).