Month: December 2022

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 their families a very happy New Year. Over the course of more than a century, we have proved time and again that by standing together this Local can face anything – and 2022 was no exception. From a pandemic to strikes, our members have shown exactly what they are made of. The loosening of health restrictions early in the year meant we […]

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 their families a very happy New Year.

Over the course of more than a century, we have proved time and again that by standing together this Local can face anything – and 2022 was no exception. From a pandemic to strikes, our members have shown exactly what they are made of.

The loosening of health restrictions early in the year meant we could hold an in-person General Membership meeting in March, the first in three years, while members were also able to take part in community events across the province, such as the St Patrick’s Day, Labour Day and Santa Claus parades.

After two years of working through a pandemic and with prices for gas, food and accommodation taking off, members working under the Provincial Formwork Collective Agreement and in various sectors under the Provincial Collective Agreement voted to strike for fairer wages and workers’ rights on May 1 when talks with the employers broke down.

More than 6,000 Local 793 members took to pickets across the province and held the line with remarkable discipline for three turbulent weeks. The action paid off when, on May 20, members in all areas ratified increased settlements of between 13.8% and 16.5% – one of the highest of any trade in the ICI sector. There were also big gains made to travel, parking, room and board, and meal allowance rates.

The news wasn’t as positive for members at Baffinland’s Mary River Mine in Nunavut, who received news in November that the company’s Phase 2 expansion plans had been rejected by the federal government. Despite this setback, your Union will continue the fight to protect the long-term viability of jobs at the mine. Good jobs in the north are worth fighting for.

In May, Local 793 broke with precedent to officially endorse the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ahead of Doug Ford’s eventual re-election as premier in June. I said when the premier visited us at head office that our support was based on his government’s plans to invest $158 billion in infrastructure, as well as its support of the skilled trades – but this support is not unconditional. In November, I rejected the use of the notwithstanding clause to enforce a contract on 55,000 CUPE educational workers. As a clear threat to all workers, I added my voice to those calling for the bill’s immediate withdrawal. This was done within two weeks.

In closing, the last 12 months have filled me with pride and a renewed determination to keep this Union growing in numbers and strength. We currently represent more than 18,200 Brothers and Sisters. With exciting projects and a very busy construction season in 2023, there is plenty to look forward to. I know that together we are ready to face whatever may come our way, whether in 2023 or beyond.

Happy New Year to you all.

Fraternally yours,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager
IUOE Local 793

Please be advised of the following Christmas holiday hours for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793: We will be closed at noon on Friday, December 23, 2022, until Tuesday, January 2, 2023. We will resume regular business hours on January 3, 2023.

Please be advised of the following Christmas holiday hours for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793:

We will be closed at noon on Friday, December 23, 2022, until Tuesday, January 2, 2023. We will resume regular business hours on January 3, 2023.

The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas. The holiday season is a time to relax, spend time with family and friends and recharge the batteries. It’s a time for giving and sharing. It’s a time for enjoying good food and reflecting on what’s important in life. It’s also a time for goodwill and compassion. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily routines that we forget about […]

The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas.

The holiday season is a time to relax, spend time with family and friends and recharge the batteries. It’s a time for giving and sharing. It’s a time for enjoying good food and reflecting on what’s important in life.

It’s also a time for goodwill and compassion. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily routines that we forget about those that are most important to us. The holiday season reminds us of the things in life that we sometimes take for granted – our family, our friends.

As we break for the holiday season, Local 793 encourages all members to embrace the true spirit of this festive time of year. Spending time with family and friends is one of life’s greatest gifts and it’s our wish that together you will make memories that last a lifetime.

Merry Christmas from Local 793 to you and yours!

Please note that all our offices will be closed from December 23rd at noon until January 2, 2023. Regular business hours will resume on January 3, 2023.

Members working under the National Capital Road Builders Association (NCRBA) agreement are digging beneath Richmond Road in Ottawa for the light rail transit expansion project. The project’s stage 2 includes a 44 km LRT extension of the Confederation Line with 24 new stations. Construction and upkeep after the project’s completion forecast creating more than 1,000 full-time jobs. Contractor: Kiewit

Members working under the National Capital Road Builders Association (NCRBA) agreement are digging beneath Richmond Road in Ottawa for the light rail transit expansion project.

The project’s stage 2 includes a 44 km LRT extension of the Confederation Line with 24 new stations. Construction and upkeep after the project’s completion forecast creating more than 1,000 full-time jobs.

Contractor: Kiewit

Welcome to the digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine. In this edition, you’ll read about a Local 793 member’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join an expedition to the wreck site of the Titanic, learn about what OETIO is doing to showcase the benefits of a career in the skilled trades to young people across the province, see photos from the Oakville and Morrisburg Santa Claus parades, and much more. Digital magazines can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, or other digital platforms anywhere and anytime. They enhance the […]

Welcome to the digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine.

In this edition, you’ll read about a Local 793 member’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join an expedition to the wreck site of the Titanic, learn about what OETIO is doing to showcase the benefits of a career in the skilled trades to young people across the province, see photos from the Oakville and Morrisburg Santa Claus parades, and much more.

Digital magazines can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, or other digital platforms anywhere and anytime. They enhance the user experience and offer links to important resources and information for quick access, as well as great video content!

Utilizing current technology is a more environmentally friendly approach to publishing while still keeping Local 793 members informed.

Enjoy this digital edition of Making Tracks!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST EDITION OF MAKING TRACKS: Making Tracks – Issue 43, Winter 2022

Brother Pete Stoyke works on a domestic water line job at Bruce Power as refurbishments continue at the plant. The ongoing construction at Bruce Power keeps many of our members busy and employs skilled trade operators across Canada. Equipment: Kubota Skid Steer SVL75-2 GC: Bird Construction

Brother Pete Stoyke works on a domestic water line job at Bruce Power as refurbishments continue at the plant.

The ongoing construction at Bruce Power keeps many of our members busy and employs skilled trade operators across Canada.

Equipment: Kubota Skid Steer SVL75-2
GC: Bird Construction

You know Christmas is just around the corner when even the grown-ups get to fulfil their childhood dreams. And what Canadian doesn’t grow up wanting to lace up the skates alongside their hockey heroes? Those dreams came true for 30 Local 793 business reps, organizers and staff on Friday, December 2, as they took part in the Brad May Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville. Local 793 entered two teams in the three-game tournament, with Director of Organizing Kyle Schutte’s Smooth […]

You know Christmas is just around the corner when even the grown-ups get to fulfil their childhood dreams. And what Canadian doesn’t grow up wanting to lace up the skates alongside their hockey heroes?

Those dreams came true for 30 Local 793 business reps, organizers and staff on Friday, December 2, as they took part in the Brad May Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville.

Local 793 entered two teams in the three-game tournament, with Director of Organizing Kyle Schutte’s Smooth Operators welcoming Toronto Maple Leaf favourite Darcy Tucker to their ranks, and Simcoe Area Coordinator Shawn McLeary’s Goal Diggers being joined by Tampa Bay Lightning’s 1994 Stanley Cup-winning tough guy André Roy.

Local 793 has been a long-time supporter of Easter Seals Ontario, raising more than $200,000 for the charity since first taking part in the tournament in 2014. This year, members of the two teams raised $62,000. With an additional $10,000 from the Union’s sponsorship for the event, Local 793 donated $72,000 to help the tournament fundraise a total of $335,000.

Easter Seals Ontario provides children and youth with physical disabilities the tools they need to reach their full potential and make their own positive impact on the world. It is a cause that sporting heroes such as Roy are happy to support.

“I meet and play with so many different people doing these events and you get to see former teammates and some guys you played against. It is a good time, but at the end of the day it is really for a great cause, too,” Roy said.

Following the event, Easter Seals Ontario Fundraising Specialist Joey Wilson visited Local 793 head office in Oakville to present Business Manager Mike Gallagher with an autographed Toronto Maple Leafs jersey as a thank you for the Union’s support.

 

Business Manager Mike Gallagher and Northeastern Ontario Area Supervisor Eric Giroux visit busy Local 793 members on-site in Coniston, Ontario. Belanger Construction and Pickard Construction are working on the watermain and sanitary lines. The equipment pictured is a Vactor HXX hydro-vac excavator.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher and Northeastern Ontario Area Supervisor Eric Giroux visit busy Local 793 members on-site in Coniston, Ontario.

Belanger Construction and Pickard Construction are working on the watermain and sanitary lines. The equipment pictured is a Vactor HXX hydro-vac excavator.