Business Manager Mike Gallagher Commends Ontario’s Investment in Upgrading and Building Training Facilities

Premier Doug Ford and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced Ontario’s plan to address the province’s labour shortage by investing $224 million more to upgrade and build training facilities. Nearly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled across Ontario. The Skilled Development Fund capital stream will create opportunities for unions and training providers to improve and expand their facilities crucial in preparing workers for these in-demand careers. “IUOE, Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) commend Minister McNaughton’s commitment to advancing the skilled […]

Premier Doug Ford and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced Ontario’s plan to address the province’s labour shortage by investing $224 million more to upgrade and build training facilities.

Nearly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled across Ontario. The Skilled Development Fund capital stream will create opportunities for unions and training providers to improve and expand their facilities crucial in preparing workers for these in-demand careers.

“IUOE, Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) commend Minister McNaughton’s commitment to advancing the skilled trades,” IUOE, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “Skilled trades workers are at the front line of our economic recovery, with Unions and businesses playing a crucial role in training our next generation of workers through apprenticeship programs. Financially supporting training institutes will help attract more people to the skilled trades, better prepare them for good paying jobs, and address industry needs.”

Read the full news release here.

2023 Ray Goodfellow Scholarship Fund – Deadline Approaching

The deadline for applications for the Ray Goodfellow Scholarship Fund is Friday, March 24, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. The award is sponsored by the Crane Rental Association of Ontario and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793. The award is named after the late Ray Goodfellow, who owned Whiskey Jack Cranes Inc. Ray was president of the Crane Rental Association of Ontario, a 24-year member of Local 793, and a management trustee on the union’s training and life and health benefits trust funds. To be eligible for this scholarship, […]

The deadline for applications for the Ray Goodfellow Scholarship Fund is Friday, March 24, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

The award is sponsored by the Crane Rental Association of Ontario and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793.

The award is named after the late Ray Goodfellow, who owned Whiskey Jack Cranes Inc. Ray was president of the Crane Rental Association of Ontario, a 24-year member of Local 793, and a management trustee on the union’s training and life and health benefits trust funds.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must be the child or grandchild of one of the following:

– A Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) company owner; or
– An Employee of a CRAO company; or
– An IUOE Local 793 member in good standing who is employed by a company that is an active member of the CRAO that works in the crane rental or concrete pump sectors.

The scholarship 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. Eligible persons are able to apply more than once. However, once they have received a bursary they are no longer eligible to receive another award.

Applications must be supported by:

  • Copy of ‘Ontario Student Transcript’ and other evidence of potential ability to succeed in a post-secondary program
  • A detailed letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the candidate, outlining reasons why the bursary should be awarded.
  • Copy of Acceptance Letter
  • A one thousand (1,000) word essay on the subject of either A or B:

A: The reason(s) why the scholarship will be of assistance.

B: The impact of being a dependent or grandchild of an active member of the Crane Rental Association of Ontario working in the crane rental and concrete pump sectors.

Click here to download an application.

Long-Standing Union Member Victor Kulnys Passes Away

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Victor Kulnys, a respected and long-standing member of Local 793. Brother Kulnys passed away peacefully on Friday, March 10, 2023. He was 96 years old. Initiated into Local 793 in 1952, Brother Kulnys was a 71-year member of the Union. In 2022, he was given a 70-year Union ring with a pin and scroll to honour his membership. During his time with the Union, Brother Kulnys worked for Tacc Construction, Teston Pipelines, E.S. Fox, Robert McAlpine […]

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Victor Kulnys, a respected and long-standing member of Local 793. Brother Kulnys passed away peacefully on Friday, March 10, 2023. He was 96 years old.

Portrait of Brother Victor Kulnys

Initiated into Local 793 in 1952, Brother Kulnys was a 71-year member of the Union. In 2022, he was given a 70-year Union ring with a pin and scroll to honour his membership.

During his time with the Union, Brother Kulnys worked for Tacc Construction, Teston Pipelines, E.S. Fox, Robert McAlpine and Elmford Construction.

He retired in March 1991 but continued to work for Condrain from November – May 2002 before officially retiring later that same year.

A lifelong commitment to Local 793 and the labour movement, Brother Kulnys will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

Brother Kulnys family will receive visitors at the Turner & Porter – Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Tuesday, March 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 22, at the Lithuanian Church of the Resurrection, 1 Resurrection Rd., Toronto, at 10:00 a.m.

Please click here for more information.

Local 793 Partners with Industry Group to Keep Workers Safe

IUOE, Local 793 began a new phase in its efforts to ensure the safety of all those who work with, and around, hoisting equipment with the first meeting of the joint Local 793/Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) Provincial Health and Safety Committee. Made up of Local 793 and OETIO staff, as well as representatives from the CRAO and Nations Capital Crane Rental Association, the committee held its first meeting in early February. “While our crane operators are recognized as some of the safest and best trained in the world […]

IUOE, Local 793 began a new phase in its efforts to ensure the safety of all those who work with, and around, hoisting equipment with the first meeting of the joint Local 793/Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) Provincial Health and Safety Committee.

Made up of Local 793 and OETIO staff, as well as representatives from the CRAO and Nations Capital Crane Rental Association, the committee held its first meeting in early February.

“While our crane operators are recognized as some of the safest and best trained in the world due to our over 40 years of apprenticeship training at the OETIO, accidents unfortunately still do occur for a variety of reasons,” said Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher. “We have partnered with our employers to ensure that together we can identity best practices to ensure our industry remains as safe as humanly possible.”

Local 793 and the CRAO have established the Provincial Health and Safety Committee to advance the shared commitment of both parties for safer workplaces and accident prevention, using an industry-driven approach to identify how and where improvements can be made to avoid incidents and tragic fatalities.

The committee will also bring concerns and issues to the forefront to create a clear direction for achieving safer workplaces.

Working as an advisory committee to industry, its mandate covers four key areas:

1. Developing industry recommendations
2. Developing training recommendations
3. Making administrative and regulatory recommendations
4. Sharing information within the industry

“The CRAO is committed to collaborating to improve safety awareness and ensure safer construction workplaces for our employees, the industry and public,” says CRAO President, Jason Hanna.

The committee will meet regularly to work toward improving safety standards within the crane rental and concrete pumping sectors, so that every worker gets to go home to their families at the end of each day.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: General Membership Meeting on March 26

Please be advised that a general membership meeting of the Union is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 2023. The meeting is being held in the OE Banquet & Conference Centre, next to the Union’s head office at 2245 Speers Road in Oakville. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. Click here for directions to the banquet hall.

Please be advised that a general membership meeting of the Union is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 2023.

The meeting is being held in the OE Banquet & Conference Centre, next to the Union’s head office at 2245 Speers Road in Oakville.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m.

Click here for directions to the banquet hall.

Local 793 Joins the Celebrations at Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Local 793 members, staff and their families helped to paint the town green, white and orange on Sunday, as Operating Engineers once again took part in Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Whether of Irish background or not, members jumped at the chance to join the annual celebration of Ireland’s history, culture and heritage. Local 793 marched proudly wearing Union jackets and hoodies, and were cheered all the way from Bloor Street West to Nathan Phillips Square. Despite an afternoon chill that ensured all those jackets were kept zipped up tight, […]

Local 793 members, staff and their families helped to paint the town green, white and orange on Sunday, as Operating Engineers once again took part in Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Whether of Irish background or not, members jumped at the chance to join the annual celebration of Ireland’s history, culture and heritage. Local 793 marched proudly wearing Union jackets and hoodies, and were cheered all the way from Bloor Street West to Nathan Phillips Square.

Despite an afternoon chill that ensured all those jackets were kept zipped up tight, Local 793 participants soon marched their way along the broad downtown streets that generations of Operators had helped build.

With the Irish leading the way, community groups from many other cultures also joined in the fun – with businesses, emergency personnel and sporting associations adding to the mix.

While New York might put on the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, and Montreal has Canada’s oldest, Toronto can proudly lay claim to having the most diverse. On the strength of Sunday’s staging, it might also be the most fun.

See the video and photos from the 2023 Toronto St. Patrick’s Day parade below.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Local 793

Today, millions of people around the world – both Irish and non-Irish – celebrate Ireland’s unique history, culture and heritage. It particularly remembers Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who brought Christianity to Ireland during the fifth century. On Sunday, Local 793 staff, members and their families will once again take to the streets of Toronto to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and show support for the Union. The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all Union […]

Today, millions of people around the world – both Irish and non-Irish – celebrate Ireland’s unique history, culture and heritage. It particularly remembers Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who brought Christianity to Ireland during the fifth century.

On Sunday, Local 793 staff, members and their families will once again take to the streets of Toronto to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and show support for the Union.

The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all Union members and their families a “Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit” (Happy St. Patrick’s Day).

CLICK HERE for parade information and details on Local 793’s meeting location ahead of the march.

793 Operator Magazine, Issue 159: SPRING 2023

Welcome to 793 Operator, the magazine. In this edition, you’ll read the Business Manager’s Report, get important details about the General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 26 at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville at 10 a.m., read about the biggest projects happening in each area and sector, 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 […]

Welcome to 793 Operator, the magazine.

In this edition, you’ll read the Business Manager’s Report, get important details about the General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 26 at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville at 10 a.m., read about the biggest projects happening in each area and sector, 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!
Enjoy this digital edition of 793 Operator!

793 Operator – Issue 158 Fall 2022

Business Manager Mike Gallagher Supports the Ontario Government Requiring Safe, Clean and Inclusive Workplaces

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced improving rules on construction site bathrooms to make them cleaner, safer and provide some for women only. These changes aim to make the skilled trades more accessible to women and provide workers with ‘basic human dignity,’ McNaughton said. Mike Gallagher, Business Manager of IUOE Local 793, ‘applauds’ the Ontario government’s action to secure more workers in the construction industry. “IUOE Local 793 applauds the government’s increased commitment to attracting needed workers to the construction industry given the well-established reality […]

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced improving rules on construction site bathrooms to make them cleaner, safer and provide some for women only. These changes aim to make the skilled trades more accessible to women and provide workers with ‘basic human dignity,’ McNaughton said.

Mike Gallagher, Business Manager of IUOE Local 793, ‘applauds’ the Ontario government’s action to secure more workers in the construction industry.

“IUOE Local 793 applauds the government’s increased commitment to attracting needed workers to the construction industry given the well-established reality of future shortages. Ensuring that women workers have their own safe, clean washrooms on every job site and properly fitted personal protective equipment sends a clear message that the construction industry is serious about recruiting more women into the skilled trades.”

Read the full news release here.

Low perspective shot of a women inside cab of heavy equipment operating