Long-Standing Union Member Dale Housh Passes Away

Written by Local 793 Staff

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dale Housh, a respected and long-standing member of Local 793. He passed away peacefully on Saturday December 30, 2023, at the age of 87. Initiated into Local 793 in 1956, Brother Housh was a 67-year member of the Union. In 2022, […]

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dale Housh, a respected and long-standing member of Local 793. He passed away peacefully on Saturday December 30, 2023, at the age of 87.

Initiated into Local 793 in 1956, Brother Housh was a 67-year member of the Union. In 2022, he was recognized for his 65 years of service.

The family will receive visitors at the Opatovsky Funeral Home-Dempster Chapel, 210 Ontario Street in Burk’s Falls on Tuesday January 2, 2024, from 6 pm to 9 pm.

A service to celebrate Dale’s life will be conducted in the chapel commencing at 1:00 pm on Wednesday January 3, 2024, with Pastor Don Nicholson officiating.

A graveside will be held in Morningside Cemetery, 384 Pine Avenue in Caledon on Thursday January 4, 2024 at 2pm.

Season’s Greetings from Business Manager Gallagher

Written by Local 793 Staff

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 members and their families a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Spending time with the people we love is what makes this time of the year so […]

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 members and their families a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Spending time with the people we love is what makes this time of the year so special, while providing the perfect opportunity to rest and recharge the batteries. You have worked hard and deserve to enjoy everything the holidays offer.

I also want to thank you for your unwavering commitment and invaluable support to the Union. Your collective efforts have led to significant accomplishments, of which you should be very proud of. I remain confident that united, we will continue to surpass expectations and achieve even greater milestones in 2024.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Fraternally Yours,

Mike Gallagher
Local 793 Business Manager

Christmas Holiday Office Hours

Written by Local 793 Staff

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period December 25 to 29, 2023, and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024. The Sault Ste. Marie office will be closed December 15 to 29, 2023, and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024. Members in […]

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices across the province will be closed over the Christmas holiday period December 25 to 29, 2023, and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024.

The Sault Ste. Marie office will be closed December 15 to 29, 2023, and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024. Members in the area who need assistance during the holiday hours can call Northeastern Ontario Area Supervisor, Eric Giroux, at 705-665-1237.

All offices will re-open at the regular time on January 2, 2024.

Monthly Pension Payment 2024 Notification to Retirees

Written by Local 793 Staff

Please note that your Monthly Pension Payments, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), will be processed on the 1st of every month which correlates with your official retirement date. However, if the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or on a statutory holiday, the banks will process payment into your respective bank accounts on […]

Please note that your Monthly Pension Payments, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), will be processed on the 1st of every month which correlates with your official retirement date.

However, if the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or on a statutory holiday, the banks will process payment into your respective bank accounts on the first business day before the 1st of the month.

For example, January 1, 2024, falls on a statutory holiday, therefore, your Monthly Pension Payment will be in your bank account on Friday, December 29, 2023, which represents the regular January 2024 pension payment.

Please see the following payment dates affected by statutory holidays and weekends:

  • January 1, 2024 falls on a statutory holiday, therefore date of payment is Friday, December 29, 2023
  • June 1, 2024 falls on a Saturday, therefore date of payment is Friday, May 31, 2024
  • July 1, 2024 falls on a statutory holiday, therefore the payment is Friday, June 28, 2024
  • September 1, 2024 falls on a Sunday, therefore the payment is Friday, August 30, 2024
  • December 1, 2024 falls on a Sunday, therefore the payment date is Friday, November 29, 2024

Local 793’s Skilled Operators Work on Complex Bridge Project

Written by Local 793 Staff

With more than eight decades of experience between them, there isn’t much that can phase mobile crane operators Kevin Cadieux and Keith Mortimer. Cadieux and Mortimer, both 42-year members, are working for Amherst Crane Rentals on twin 280m three-span segmental concrete box girder bridges over the Sixteen Mile Creek valley in north Oakville using cast-in-place […]

With more than eight decades of experience between them, there isn’t much that can phase mobile crane operators Kevin Cadieux and Keith Mortimer.

Cadieux and Mortimer, both 42-year members, are working for Amherst Crane Rentals on twin 280m three-span segmental concrete box girder bridges over the Sixteen Mile Creek valley in north Oakville using cast-in-place segmental construction techniques with a moveable form traveller system.

To complete construction, leading international engineering consulting group COWI and general contractor BOT will use a uniquely adapted unbalanced cantilever construction method.

BOT’s $80 million build is part of the ongoing William Halton Parkway Extension project that will reduce traffic congestion in the fast-growing north Oakville area by creating a new east-west corridor from Bronte Road to Ninth Line.

Work on the section connecting Third Line to Neyagawa Boulevard, which includes the bridge construction, is due to be completed in late 2024.

The complex multi-stage project once again shows that there’s no such thing as a bridge too far for Local 793’s skilled Operating Engineers.

Local 793 Promotes Trades at Aboriginal Apprenticeship Conference

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793’s commitment to providing more apprenticeship and training opportunities for Indigenous people continues. Jim Jacobs, the Union’s Indigenous Relations Coordinator, attended the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board (formerly the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario) annual conference in Niagara Falls along with St Catherines Business Rep Aaron Pede, where he joined a panel discussion on Indigenous Tradespeople […]

Local 793’s commitment to providing more apprenticeship and training opportunities for Indigenous people continues.

Jim Jacobs, the Union’s Indigenous Relations Coordinator, attended the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board (formerly the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario) annual conference in Niagara Falls along with St Catherines Business Rep Aaron Pede, where he joined a panel discussion on Indigenous Tradespeople Success Stories.

AAB is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to increase the number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people working in the trades through improved access and opportunity to apprenticeship and long-term gainful employment.

Brother Jacobs spoke about his own journey from growing up on the Six Nations Reservation near Brantford, his struggles in the trades and the life-changing experiences of becoming a Local 793 member working for signatory employer A6N, including his work as an organizer and in Indigenous outreach.

Local 793 provides an Indigenous pre-apprenticeship program through the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). Visit oetio.com for more information.

Conference room scene
Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator Jim Jacobs (left) speaks at the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board Conference in Niagara Falls.

Local 793’s Gallagher Condemns Poilievre’s Anti-Worker ‘Games’

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers has condemned Pierre Poilievre and his federal Conservative Party of Canada for playing politics with the futures of working people by blocking key employment legislation. Bill-C-50, which offers protection to workers as the country moves towards a low-carbon future, and Bill C-58, which bans employers from […]

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers has condemned Pierre Poilievre and his federal Conservative Party of Canada for playing politics with the futures of working people by blocking key employment legislation.

Bill-C-50, which offers protection to workers as the country moves towards a low-carbon future, and Bill C-58, which bans employers from using scab labour during a contract dispute, would go some way towards levelling the playing field for workers after years of attacks on jobs and wages. The passage of both bills has been held up as part of a wider Conservative attempt to block the government’s agenda.

Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher, said, “I warned our members months ago that Pierre Poilievre was no friend of workers and his antics in Parliament are now making that crystal clear.

“We have been fighting long and hard for legislation that would stop employers from using scabs to undermine workers who have a democratic right to demand better paying jobs in construction all over the country.

“Poilievre’s willingness to play silly games with the futures of our members is sickening and we will continue to call him out and make sure his attempt to stand in the way of stronger protections for all Canadian workers ends in failure.”

Read a statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, here.

OETIO Morrisburg Impresses TARBA’s Chakarova

Written by Local 793 Staff

A visit to OETIO’s Morrisburg training campus left a big impression on Raly Chakarova, the executive director of the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA). Chakarova, who took up her position with the employers’ representative group in September, tried her hand at the controls of a mechanical simulator and watched Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) […]

A visit to OETIO’s Morrisburg training campus left a big impression on Raly Chakarova, the executive director of the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA).

Chakarova, who took up her position with the employers’ representative group in September, tried her hand at the controls of a mechanical simulator and watched Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) apprentices being put through their paces in the field during a tour of the facilities on Wednesday.

OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr, who accompanied Chakarova on her tour alongside Rod McKenzie, Director of Training (OETIO Morrisburg), said, “She was very impressed with the facility and the whole training program. After trying out the mechanical simulator she said she certainly had a greater appreciation for what our operators do!

“It’s so important that industry has a chance to come along and see what we do here and the excellent level of training we offer at OETIO first-hand. It also makes clear Local 793’s commitment to and investment in that training.”

TARBA is the accredited employer bargaining agent representing unionized road building contractors in Board Area 8 (Toronto GTA) and Simcoe County.

Three members of the tour.
(L to R) OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr, TARBA executive director Raly Chakarova, and Director of Training (OETIO Morrisburg) Rod McKenzie.

Local 793 Shares Trades Message with Indigenous Students

Written by Local 793 Staff

To reach Indigenous communities in every corner of Ontario, Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator Jim Jacobs joined the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP) on its tour of communities and high schools. APSIP is a collective of Indigenous recruitment representatives from colleges, universities, and learning institutes in Ontario and Quebec that visits students in their own […]

To reach Indigenous communities in every corner of Ontario, Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator Jim Jacobs joined the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP) on its tour of communities and high schools.

APSIP is a collective of Indigenous recruitment representatives from colleges, universities, and learning institutes in Ontario and Quebec that visits students in their own communities to provide information and practical advice on their options after high school.

“A lot of the schools we visit don’t have the resources to attend some of the large trade shows in the province, so attending and letting the students know about our apprenticeship opportunities and life working in the Union has been well received by the students, teachers, guidance councillors, principals and Indigenous community members,” Brother Jacobs said.

APSIP provides support and assistance to Indigenous learners – from outreach and information through to application, enrolment, and registration.

Visit the APSIP website for more information.

Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator Jim Jacobs gives a student some pointers on the excavator simulator.
Young Indigenous students gather round Jim Jacobs to learn about the pre-apprenticeship and training programs offered by OETIO.

New Crane Safety Regulations Begin January 1

Written by Local 793 Staff

Ontario has completed the amendments to O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) and O. Reg. 420/21 (Notices and Reports under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), to be implemented on January 1st 2024. Many of these changes come […]

Ontario has completed the amendments to O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) and O. Reg. 420/21 (Notices and Reports under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), to be implemented on January 1st 2024. Many of these changes come from the recommendations of the tower crane regulation review working group, which IUOE Local 793 and OETIO took part in.

  • Beginning January 2024, tower and mobile cranes are required to meet the CSA-Z248 and CAS-Z150 standards, which is the highest standard for Crane Safety in Canada.

Some of these changes include clarifying or adding new design, installation, maintenance, inspection, and record-keeping requirements; requiring comprehensive inspections of tower cranes.

Changes to O. Reg. 420/21 (Notices and Reports under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents) under the OHSA have also been approved. The amendments will add a new requirement for the ministry to be notified of a failure to control a crane or a load, including any rigging failure, and for an engineer’s report on the cause of the incident.

Most of these changes will come into force on January 1, 2024. Other requirements, including those involving equipment upgrades, will come into force on January 1, 2025.

For more information on the OHSA amendments, please watch the full webinar HERE