Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Business Manager Mike Gallagher

I’d like to wish all brothers and sisters of Local 793 a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This year has not been an easy one. Last New Years’ when we rang in 2020, we certainly did not expect to face such enormous challenges a short 3 months later. December 2019 was the first time […]

I’d like to wish all brothers and sisters of Local 793 a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This year has not been an easy one. Last New Years’ when we rang in 2020, we certainly did not expect to face such enormous challenges a short 3 months later. December 2019 was the first time we heard the term “coronavirus”. Although, strictly contained to the Wuhan province of China at the time, it was not something we concerned ourselves with. But as we know, by March 2020 that false sense of security was shattered, as we swiftly found ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic.

What we now call “COVID-19”, has impacted us in an unparalleled way. The world as we knew it ground to a halt around mid-March when both the Ontario and Nunavut governments began ordering the closure of non-essential businesses, and we have not resumed a ‘normal state of operation’ since that time. Things we had come to take for granted like visiting with friends and family, going to a restaurant, concert, movie, or even seeing an unobstructed view of someone’s face – these things were all taken from us, seemingly overnight.

Many businesses and organizations like our own were shut down for months. Many families struggled financially as employees, ours included, began being laid off. Yet some people were not given the option of taking shelter at home and were obligated to carry on working due to the essential nature of their job. These people – grocery store staff, healthcare workers, etc. – are our frontline workers and I hope we never forget their enormous contribution to our country, as they kept us fed and cared for during a time of great fear.

As an organization representing more than 17,000 workers in the construction, mining and industrial sectors, we have to count ourselves lucky. When the virus hit Canada there was much uncertainty, and I did not know whether the government was going to allow our members to keep on working. During this extremely stressful time I sat at my kitchen table with a pen and pad of paper, contacting each and every one of our signatory contractors to inquire whether or not they were going to shut their jobs down. This is also when I started my “vlog” style videos in an effort to keep the membership informed on industry news with regards to COVID-19.

After much deliberation, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ultimately announced that a large majority of the construction industry would remain up and running as an essential service, and fortunately, the mining industry in Nunavut remained up and running as well. This was no small thing and has allowed Local 793 to survive the economic devastation of COVID-19. Upon hearing this good news I was able to turn my attention to the COVID-19 Local 793 Safety Protocol for Jobsite Measures which was set up to ensure members were best protected from the virus. After being re-elected to serve my 7th term as business manager in September, I was able to hire back much of our staff, and shortly thereafter our training schools were reopened with strict COVID-19 contingency measures.

Some organizations were not as lucky as ours, and many will not survive this pandemic. As we ring in the New Year and celebrate the end of a very hard one, we should think of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Like the many before, this chapter in Local 793’s story will be one of resilience. Chronicled in the 100th anniversary journal sent out to the membership, is a pattern of hard times followed by big victories. The challenges presented by COVID-19 have seemed insurmountable at times, and they are far from over. Yet as always, this incredible organization will come out on top, all thanks to you – our hard-working members that never quit.

When this is all over, may the things that we could not do bring new meaning and value to us all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021! Remember, the best is yet to come!

Update on COVID-19 Projections – Dec. 21, 2020

Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Modelling Consensus Table as of December 21, 2020. Key Findings • Cases continue to grow and overall case levels are twice the “red” level. Percent positivity is flattening. Our ability to control case growth is still precarious. • Continuing case growth will increase outbreaks in long-term care homes and other […]

Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Modelling Consensus Table as of December 21, 2020.

Key Findings
• Cases continue to grow and overall case levels are twice the “red” level. Percent positivity is flattening. Our ability to control case growth is still precarious.
• Continuing case growth will increase outbreaks in long-term care homes and other congregate settings.
• Under all scenarios, ICU occupancy will be above 300 beds within 10 days. Worst case scenarios show occupancy above 1,500 beds by mid-January.
• Based on experience in France and Australia, “hard lock-downs” of 4–6 weeks can reduce case numbers in Ontario to less than 1,000 per day and possibly much lower with increased testing and support.
• With lower case numbers we can maintain safe ICU care for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients who require it.
• As noted in previous briefings, public health restrictions will require more resources(e.g. testing, isolation/quarantine support) in communities and essential service workplaces where exposure is higher.

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Source: https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Evidence-on-COVID-19-Pandemic_2020.12.18-Final-1.pdf

Making Tracks – Winter 2020 Digital Edition

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Welcome to the first digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine. We are very excited about the advantages of digitizing and enhancing the user experience. Digital magazines are dynamic. They can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, and other digital platforms, anywhere and anytime. They can be digitally stored and shared immediately with […]

Welcome to the first digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine. We are very excited about the advantages of digitizing and enhancing the user experience.

Digital magazines are dynamic. They can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, and other digital platforms, anywhere and anytime. They can be digitally stored and shared immediately with a single click. Digital magazines are interactive, offering links to important resources and information for quick access, as well as video content!

Utilizing current technology is a more-environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to publishing and keeping Local 793 members informed.

Enjoy the digital edition debut of Making Tracks:

CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN MAKING TRACKS, THE MAGAZINE

Time-Lapse Video: Tower crane erections at OETIO campuses

The Terex Peiner SN 86 luffing tower crane at OETIO’s Oakville campus was dismantled on October 9, 2020, in order to make room for a new Liebherr 190 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing tower crane. The Terex Peiner was then transported and erected at OETIO’s Morrisburg campus on December 4, 2020. The new Liebherr 190 HC-L […]

The Terex Peiner SN 86 luffing tower crane at OETIO’s Oakville campus was dismantled on October 9, 2020, in order to make room for a new Liebherr 190 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing tower crane. The Terex Peiner was then transported and erected at OETIO’s Morrisburg campus on December 4, 2020.

The new Liebherr 190 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing tower crane was erected in Oakville throughout the months of November and December.

OETIO now has an increased capacity for tower crane training at both facilities.

Below are time-lapse videos of the Terex Peiner SN 86 luffing tower crane being dismantled in Oakville and erected in Morrisburg. As well, a time-lapse video of the new Liebherr 190 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing tower crane being erected in Oakville.

Dismantling the Terex Peiner SN 86 luffing tower crane at Oakville

Erecting the Terex Peiner SN 86 luffing tower crane at Morrisburg

Erecting the Liebherr 190 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing tower crane at Oakville

Christmas Holiday Hours

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period, December 24 at Noon to December 31, 2020 and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021. Offices will re-open at the regular time on January 4, 2021.

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period, December 24 at Noon to December 31, 2020 and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021.

Offices will re-open at the regular time on January 4, 2021.