Constructing Connections

Written by Local 793 Staff

Sister Rosie Parsons operates a Komatsu HM400 rock truck, clearing the site for a bridge replacement at Highway 400 and Highway 89 in Innisfil. The steadfast work of our members on this transportation infrastructure project will help connect communities and lessen the time spent in traffic. General Contractor for this job is Fermar Paving Limited.

Sister Rosie Parsons operates a Komatsu HM400 rock truck, clearing the site for a bridge replacement at Highway 400 and Highway 89 in Innisfil.

The steadfast work of our members on this transportation infrastructure project will help connect communities and lessen the time spent in traffic.

General Contractor for this job is Fermar Paving Limited.

Member standing on the side platform of the rock truck

Building Sustainably

Written by Local 793 Staff

Amid this housing shortage, Berczy Warden Holding Inc. is developing over 800 residential units in North Markham near Elgin Mills and Warden Avenue. In the photo below is Brother Domenic Baldesarra, operating a Volvo rock truck, diligently clears the ground for the foundation of the units. The project is taking a more sustainable and green approach to cultivate healthy and resilient communities throughout the City. General contractor is Condrain.

Amid this housing shortage, Berczy Warden Holding Inc. is developing over 800 residential units in North Markham near Elgin Mills and Warden Avenue.

In the photo below is Brother Domenic Baldesarra, operating a Volvo rock truck, diligently clears the ground for the foundation of the units. The project is taking a more sustainable and green approach to cultivate healthy and resilient communities throughout the City.

General contractor is Condrain.

Local 793 member operates a rock truck on site.

Aiding the Upgrade

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 member Brittany Beard has been actively working on the Highway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road overpass replacement with Fermar Paving Limited. Innisfil’s main interchange is getting this much-needed revamp to accommodate the future 10-lane widening of the main highway, expected to be complete by 2031. Sister Brittany is operating a Volvo EC480E excavator in the second picture.

Local 793 member Brittany Beard has been actively working on the Highway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road overpass replacement with Fermar Paving Limited.

Innisfil’s main interchange is getting this much-needed revamp to accommodate the future 10-lane widening of the main highway, expected to be complete by 2031.

Sister Brittany is operating a Volvo EC480E excavator in the second picture.

Local 793 member Brittany Beard poses on her Volvo EC480E excavator. Member Brittany Beard operating a Volvo excavator at theHighway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road overpass replacement for Fermar Paving Limited.

Paving the Way

Written by Local 793 Staff

Widening and repaving of Highway 401 across the GTA continue, possibly until years-end, keeping Local 793 members busy. The project involves reconstructing and widening approximately 18 km of Highway 401 in the western GTA, including widening the six-lane configuration to 10-lane or 12-lane segments to improve traffic. Seen below are Brothers Mauricio De Assis (operating the roller) and Danny Meneses (operating the shuttle buggy) working on the highway improvements in the Milton area this past Monday.

Widening and repaving of Highway 401 across the GTA continue, possibly until years-end, keeping Local 793 members busy.

The project involves reconstructing and widening approximately 18 km of Highway 401 in the western GTA, including widening the six-lane configuration to 10-lane or 12-lane segments to improve traffic.

Seen below are Brothers Mauricio De Assis (operating the roller) and Danny Meneses (operating the shuttle buggy) working on the highway improvements in the Milton area this past Monday.

Brother Mauricio De Assis operates a roller.
Mauricio De Assis
Member Danny Meneses operates the shuttle buggy.
Danny Meneses

Improving Toronto’s Wastewater Infrastructure

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 members work as a team to construct 445m of tunnels and 153m of shafts near Leslie Street that will carry treated wastewater from the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant back into Lake Ontario. This job involves excavating and lining two shafts, 24m and 30m in diameter, at depths from 26m to 65m below the ground surface for the pumping station. The project, awarded to STRABAG, will help manage downpours, increase capacity and improve the water quality of Toronto’s waterways. Below are Local 793 members (left to right) Marc […]

Local 793 members work as a team to construct 445m of tunnels and 153m of shafts near Leslie Street that will carry treated wastewater from the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant back into Lake Ontario.

This job involves excavating and lining two shafts, 24m and 30m in diameter, at depths from 26m to 65m below the ground surface for the pumping station.

The project, awarded to STRABAG, will help manage downpours, increase capacity and improve the water quality of Toronto’s waterways.

Below are Local 793 members (left to right) Marc Noel, Scott Vedder, Shawn McLeary Sr., Matthew Lorefice, Dan Kelly, Tamas Szabo, Nick Crozier.

Local 793 members Marc Noel, Scott Vedder, Shawn McLeary Sr., Matthew Lorefice, Dan Kelly, Tamas Szabo, Nick Crozier are working on the wastewater project.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Changes to the Retiree Pay Direct

Written by Local 793 Staff

To all participating Retirees, The benefits landscape has changed at a rapid pace. Healthcare costs are continuing to increase and have been for years. The cost of goods and services, as well as health, drugs and dental claims, continue to rise with or above inflation. For more than 10 years, a number of changes were implemented to the Local 793 Life & Health Benefits Plan that increased coverage in areas members require the most. In that time period, the cost of Pay Direct to Retirees was not increased. Pay Direct […]

To all participating Retirees,

The benefits landscape has changed at a rapid pace. Healthcare costs are continuing to increase and have been for years. The cost of goods and services, as well as health, drugs and dental claims, continue to rise with or above inflation.

For more than 10 years, a number of changes were implemented to the Local 793 Life & Health Benefits Plan that increased coverage in areas members require the most. In that time period, the cost of Pay Direct to Retirees was not increased.

Pay Direct costs to Retirees are 2/3 subsidized by Active Members.

Below is a list of those Plan improvements (See Table 1).

[Table 1] BENEFIT PLAN IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS

As a result of rising cost of benefits under the Active and Retiree Plans (See Table 2), our Actuary has advised that in order to maintain the Plan going forward, an increase will be required at this time.

[Table 2] COST DIFFERENTIAL PER QUARTER

To ensure the sustainability of the Plan and to enable the Trustees to maintain the affordability of the excellent benefits coverage provided to members well into the future, changes to the current Pay Direct structure are necessary.

Effective October 1, 2022, the following changes will be made to the Retiree Pay Direct structure and will remain in place over a three-year period (See Table 3), with similar increases in 2023 and 2024 to spread the increase over that three-year period. Annual increases will be made in line with inflation after the third-year period, as it applies to the Local 793 Life & Health Benefits Plan.

[Table 3] MONTHLY PAY DIRECT INCREASE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1st, 2022 (4th QUARTER)

A new Pre-Authorization Payment form (PAP) will be mailed to members in late July prior to the new fourth quarter (Q4) payment coverage for October, November, and December 2022.

The Local 793 Life & Health Benefits Plan has not increased the cost of health benefits for more than 10 years and the Trustees understand this news comes at a time when members are experiencing cost increases elsewhere. Unfortunately, these same increases also directly affect the Life & Health Benefits Plan and the ability to provide meaningful benefits to members well into the future.

If you still have questions, contact the OEBAC Member Call Centre at 1-844-793-1919 or info@oebac.org

Joe Redshaw
Executive Director
Operating Engineers Benefits Administration Corporation (OEBAC)

Heat Stress Signs and Signals

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 operators should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during periods of especially hot weather. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning. Construction workers are especially susceptible because they’re often exposed to direct sunlight and humidity. Heat stress and exhaustion can cause myriad problems from rashes and cramps to exhaustion and full-blown heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stress can include sunburn, fainting, heavy sweating, headaches and dizzy spells. It’s important, then, for operators as well as employers to […]

Local 793 operators should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during periods of especially hot weather.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning. Construction workers are especially susceptible because they’re often exposed to direct sunlight and humidity.

Heat stress and exhaustion can cause myriad problems from rashes and cramps to exhaustion and full-blown heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stress can include sunburn, fainting, heavy sweating, headaches and dizzy spells.

It’s important, then, for operators as well as employers to prepare ahead of time, recognize symptoms of heat stress and know how to treat it when problems arise.

Heat stress occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal temperature. The body’s internal thermostat maintains a constant inner temperature by pumping more blood to the skin and by increasing sweat production. But in very hot environments the body temperature can rise, resulting in heat stress. When the body can no longer cope, a number of illnesses can occur, including:

  • Heat Rash: This is characterized by tiny red spots on the skin that can cause a prickling sensation. It’s a result of inflammation when the ducts of sweat glands become plugged.
  • Heat Cramps: These are sharp pains in the muscles caused by an imbalance resulting from failure to replace salt lost with sweat.
  • Heat Exhaustion: This is caused by loss of body water and salt through excessive sweating. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, intense thirst, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps and diarrhea.
  • Heat Stroke: This condition requires immediate medical attention and is characterized by an elevated body temperature. Signs of heat stroke include dry, hot skin, a high body temperature and complete or partial loss of consciousness.

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause other problems such as sleep disturbances and susceptibility to minor injuries and sicknesses.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour recommends that workers in a hot environment should try to drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and that workers also:

  • avoid working in direct sunlight
  • reduce the pace of work
  • take breaks in a cool or shaded area
  • schedule heavy work for cooler periods
  • wear light-coloured clothing
  • reduce the physical demands of work

Employers have a duty under clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This includes developing policies and procedures to protect workers in environments that are hot because of hot processes and/or weather.

Any Local 793 operators with concerns about employers not taking appropriate steps to help workers avoid heat stroke and exhaustion should contact their business rep.

Click here for more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

Click here for more information from the Ontario government.

Building On Up

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 members Mark Nemchuck (left) and Kevin Michalak (right) are hard at work hoisting various materials to build multiple four and six-storey buildings near Highbury Avenue and Killarney Roads in London. Drewlo Holdings is contracting Forest City Forming for this significant housing development. This project has been ongoing for the past few years and aims to curb the housing shortage in east London.

Local 793 members Mark Nemchuck (left) and Kevin Michalak (right) are hard at work hoisting various materials to build multiple four and six-storey buildings near Highbury Avenue and Killarney Roads in London. Drewlo Holdings is contracting Forest City Forming for this significant housing development.

This project has been ongoing for the past few years and aims to curb the housing shortage in east London.

Members Mark Nemchuck and Kevin Michalak at work in east London.
L to R: Local 793 members Mark Nemchuck and Kevin Michalak

Deadline nearing for Canadian Conference Bursary applications

Written by Local 793 Staff

Deadline for applications for the IUOE Canadian Conference bursaries is August 1, 2022. There are 10 bursaries of $750 each. The bursaries are intended to provide financial assistance to students who are dependents of IUOE members. The bursary recipient must be entering the first or subsequent year of a full-time course of study (at least two years in length) leading to a diploma, certificate or degree from any recognized public Canadian college or university. Applications are considered from four regions: Atlantic Canada Quebec and Ontario Saskatchewan and Manitoba Alberta Applications must […]

Deadline for applications for the IUOE Canadian Conference bursaries is August 1, 2022.

There are 10 bursaries of $750 each. The bursaries are intended to provide financial assistance to students who are dependents of IUOE members.

The bursary recipient must be entering the first or subsequent year of a full-time course of study (at least two years in length) leading to a diploma, certificate or degree from any recognized public Canadian college or university.

Applications are considered from four regions:

  • Atlantic Canada
  • Quebec and Ontario
  • Saskatchewan and Manitoba
  • Alberta

Applications must be supported by transcripts of high school achievement and accompanied by a detailed letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the candidate, outlining reasons why the bursary should be awarded.

In addition, applicants must submit a 1,000-word essay on the reason why the bursary will be of assistance or the impact that being a dependent of a union member has had on the applicant’s life.

An application form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Appointments made to Union Executive Board

Written by Local 793 Staff

Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on July 14, 2022, to address the vacant positions that resulted from the resignation of Executive Board member Craig Agar, as of June 20, 2022 and the retirement of Executive Board member Tony Wark effective July 14, 2022. In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments: i) Justin O’Neill has been appointed as an Executive Board member to complete the term vacated by Craig Agar. ii) Jeff Hewitt has been […]

Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on July 14, 2022, to address the vacant positions that resulted from the resignation of Executive Board member Craig Agar, as of June 20, 2022 and the retirement of Executive Board member Tony Wark effective July 14, 2022.

In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments:

i) Justin O’Neill has been appointed as an Executive Board member to complete the term vacated by Craig Agar.

ii) Jeff Hewitt has been appointed as an Executive Board member to complete the term vacated by Tony Wark.

As a result of the above, the following appointments were also made:

iii) Mike Barons has been appointed as a Trustee to fill the vacancy created by Brother O’Neill’s appointment to the Executive Board.

iv) Jordan Glendenning has been appointed as a Trustee to fill the vacancy created by Brother Hewitt’s appointment to the Executive Board.

We are confident that Brothers O’Neill, Hewitt, Barons, and Glendenning will continue working towards the best interests of Local 793 in their new roles.

Fraternally yours,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager – Local 793
International Vice President