Month: November 2022

It’s taking a lot of heavy lifting to build the massive new international bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, in the U.S., and Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. Although two tall Comansa tower cranes have been the most visible rigs throughout most of the project, it’s no surprise that many other cranes of various descriptions are playing key […]

It’s taking a lot of heavy lifting to build the massive new international bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, in the U.S., and Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. Although two tall Comansa tower cranes have been the most visible rigs throughout most of the project, it’s no surprise that many other cranes of various descriptions are playing key roles in building the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Labour on the bridge project is all unionized. IUOE Local 793 has 50 to 65 of its members working on the project at any given time. They include 11 journeymen crane operators and six apprentices.

“A lot of times, the members like to recall the projects that they worked on because they know that it’s a contribution to society to do that,” Mike Gallagher, Business Manager for Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers said. “I think that there’s going to be a lot of members proud to say they worked on that project.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article in Crane Hot Line magazine.

Local 793 member Travis Frayser operates a Cat 323 excavator on top of a barge in the Ottawa River, backfilling an intake pipe that is underwater. The project is part of the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP), where the Government of Canada is transforming how it heats 80 buildings and cools 67 buildings in the […]

Local 793 member Travis Frayser operates a Cat 323 excavator on top of a barge in the Ottawa River, backfilling an intake pipe that is underwater.

The project is part of the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP), where the Government of Canada is transforming how it heats 80 buildings and cools 67 buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR). The project will see the heating system converted to a more energy-efficient, low-temperature hot water network and the Ottawa River helping to chill water for cooling.

Local 793 members Paul Slat and Ryan Shaughnessy are busy working on the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) small modular reactor parking lot at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington, Ontario. Brother Slat is operating a John Deere 650 dozer and Brother Shaughnessy is operating a Komatsu 238 excavator.

Local 793 members Paul Slat and Ryan Shaughnessy are busy working on the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) small modular reactor parking lot at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington, Ontario.

Brother Slat is operating a John Deere 650 dozer and Brother Shaughnessy is operating a Komatsu 238 excavator.

Holiday spirit was back in the air, as Local 793 took part in the Oakville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 19. Large crowds braved the cold to line the parade route from Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street, with Operating Engineers joining Santa, local community groups and businesses for the first in-person parade since 2019 […]

Holiday spirit was back in the air, as Local 793 took part in the Oakville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 19.

Large crowds braved the cold to line the parade route from Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street, with Operating Engineers joining Santa, local community groups and businesses for the first in-person parade since 2019 due to the pandemic.

With a nod to this year’s theme of ‘Christmas Around the World,’ OETIO’s National boom truck was decked out as Santa’s sled on a rooftop heaving with presents, with German Nutcrackers and stockings bearing various world flags completing the look.

IUOE Local 793 thanks everyone who came out to make this day such a success and wishes everyone a bright and joyous holiday season!

Please note, you can still help bring some cheer to those in need this Christmas as our South Central offices are still accepting non-perishable food items for the food drive until December 21. Click here for details.

Following is a press release issued by Local 793 regarding Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal’s decision to reject Baffinland Iron Mines’ Phase 2 expansion proposal. HOW DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S REJECTION OF BAFFINLAND’S MINING EXPANSION PROJECT HELP CANADA’S SHRINKING ECONOMY? OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 18, 2022 – The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 […]

Following is a press release issued by Local 793 regarding Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal’s decision to reject Baffinland Iron Mines’ Phase 2 expansion proposal.

HOW DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S REJECTION OF BAFFINLAND’S MINING EXPANSION PROJECT HELP CANADA’S SHRINKING ECONOMY?

OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 18, 2022 – The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 (“Local 793”) is deeply disappointed with Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal’s decision to reject Baffinland Iron Mines’ Phase 2 expansion proposal and his clear failure to recognize the significant economic consequences of this decision to many Canadian families.

Representing approximately 1,000 production employees who come from across the country to work at Baffinland’s Mary River Mine on Baffin Island, Nunavut, including approximately 200 who are Inuit residing in the Qikiqtani Region, Local 793 believes the Minister’s decision is not adequately considering the socio-economic impact of Phase 2 for workers.

“Following the decision by Minister Vandal, we’re left questioning where Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s comments about the global economy being at a turning point applies,” Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “Currently, it doesn’t look like it applies to Baffinland Iron Mines, where the future of more than 1,000 unionized jobs is now uncertain, let alone the 2,600 plus workers who rely on Baffinland Iron Mines for work.”

Freeland’s remarks were made in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, where the federal government highlighted its plan to continue its sound stewardship of the economy and to be there for Canadians; to help families cope with increasing costs and delivering targeted support to the Canadians who need it the most.

In her statement, Freeland said:

“From critical minerals, to ports, to energy, we will continue to make it easier for businesses to invest in major projects in Canada—projects with meaningful Indigenous participation; projects that meet the highest environmental standards; projects that will create good jobs; and projects that will allow Canadian workers to drive our economy forward.”

and

“That is why our Minister of Natural Resources is pitching Canada’s critical minerals to the world, and working hard with provinces and territories to get them out of the ground and to global markets.”

“How is it that on one hand the federal government says they are in favour of resource development and good paying jobs but on the other hand, reject the expansion of an already existing mine that has significant Inuit participation and employs workers from across Canada,” questioned Business Manager Gallagher. “Losing well-paid skilled jobs when the cost of living has skyrocketed right across the country makes this news even harder to accept.

“Where can we relocate all these lost jobs if the mine cannot sustain its operation without growth?” Gallagher continued. “Loss of employment for hundreds of Canadians will cause hardship that cannot be undone.”

Since its inception, the Mary River Mine has provided thousands of good paying jobs for highly trained and skilled workers from across Canada, including the North Baffin Region. The Mine contributes about 23% of Nunavut’s GDP and is the Territory’s largest private sector employer.

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents more than 18,000 highly skilled crane and heavy equipment operators and other skilled workers employed in all sectors of the construction industry, industrial and mining sectors across the province of Ontario and the territory of Nunavut. Members of Local 793 operate mobile cranes, tower cranes, concrete pumps, bulldozers, excavators, graders, tractor loader backhoes and many other types of heavy equipment.

For further information: Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher, 905-469-9299, ext. 2202

Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal rejected Baffinland’s Phase 2 expansion proposal on Wednesday evening, deciding to accept the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s (NIRB) recommendation that the project should not proceed at this time. A full copy of the Minister’s decision can be found HERE. Following the verdict, IUOE Local 793 emailed working members at Baffinland […]

Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal rejected Baffinland’s Phase 2 expansion proposal on Wednesday evening, deciding to accept the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s (NIRB) recommendation that the project should not proceed at this time.

A full copy of the Minister’s decision can be found HERE.

Following the verdict, IUOE Local 793 emailed working members at Baffinland to say that the Union is very disappointed with the government’s decision and their clear failure to recognize the significant economic consequences of rejecting Phase 2. The email also inform members that the Union will continue to work hard on their behalf and meet with Baffinland to ensure long-term job security and prosperity at the mine.

During the last critical days before the federal government issued its decision, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher sent a letter to the federal government emphasizing the key point that “[Workers] value their good jobs and the immense opportunity that exists with your approval of Baffinland’s Phase 2 Expansion Project.”

A Local 793 produced video was also sent to the government, emphasizing the important message that “Good Jobs Matter” at the mine, especially during times of high inflation and challenging economic times as Canada is currently experiencing.

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

Members Frans Vereyken and Marc Trepanier are operating two tower cranes on the site of the significant ongoing renovation of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Parliament Hill Centre Block Rehabilitation Project will completely renovate and update the Parliament Hill Centre Block and build a new underground welcome center. Officials have coined this the most extensive […]

Members Frans Vereyken and Marc Trepanier are operating two tower cranes on the site of the significant ongoing renovation of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The Parliament Hill Centre Block Rehabilitation Project will completely renovate and update the Parliament Hill Centre Block and build a new underground welcome center.

Officials have coined this the most extensive heritage rehabilitation ever seen in Canada, with an estimated cost of $5 billion.

With a prospective 2030 completion date, the project will keep our members working throughout the rest of the decade.

Thank you Brother Frans Vereyken for the photos!

The government will decide on Baffinland’s Phase 2 Expansion by November 16. During these last critical days before the federal government issues its final decision on Phase 2, the video emphasizes the important message that “Good Jobs Matter” at the mine especially during times of high inflation and challenging economic times as Canada is currently experiencing. […]

The government will decide on Baffinland’s Phase 2 Expansion by November 16.

During these last critical days before the federal government issues its final decision on Phase 2, the video emphasizes the important message that “Good Jobs Matter” at the mine especially during times of high inflation and challenging economic times as Canada is currently experiencing.

Watch the latest IUOE Local 793 produced video below:

Remembrance Day, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, is customary to pause for a moment of silence. With this act of silence, we honour the courage, bravery and sacrifice of the heroes who have served and continue to serve Canada. Join Local 793 in honouring our Canadian armed forces and […]

Remembrance Day, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, is customary to pause for a moment of silence. With this act of silence, we honour the courage, bravery and sacrifice of the heroes who have served and continue to serve Canada.

Join Local 793 in honouring our Canadian armed forces and recognizing their courage and sacrifices.

Lest we forget.

In Solidarity and Remembrance.

Several construction unions, including the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), added their voices to protesting the Doug Ford government passing back-to-work legislation abrogating the education workers’ right to bargain and strike. Stakeholders in the sector stated after Ford’s announcement Nov. 7 that they hoped the Premier and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce had learned a […]

Several construction unions, including the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), added their voices to protesting the Doug Ford government passing back-to-work legislation abrogating the education workers’ right to bargain and strike.

Stakeholders in the sector stated after Ford’s announcement Nov. 7 that they hoped the Premier and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce had learned a lesson.

“It’s a message to all of the governments across Canada that if you’re going to interfere with fundamental rights of workers, you’re going to have a reaction,” said International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher. “Workers were coming together and we were going to fight like hell to make sure that nobody lost their right to fair, free collective bargaining and their rights to strike.”

CLICK HERE to read more.