Category: Latest Industry News

The Washington Post recently ran an opinion piece on what America would look like without a union movement. The piece was penned by Harold Meyerson, an opinion writer at The Post. The article notes that the economic effects of a union-free America are already glaringly apparent: an economically stagnant or downwardly mobile middle class, a steady clawing-back of job-related health and retirement benefits; and ever-rising economic inequality. Meyerson concludes that if Big Labour dies, America’s middle class will die with it. Click here to view the article.

The Washington Post recently ran an opinion piece on what America would look like without a union movement. The piece was penned by Harold Meyerson, an opinion writer at The Post. The article notes that the economic effects of a union-free America are already glaringly apparent: an economically stagnant or downwardly mobile middle class, a steady clawing-back of job-related health and retirement benefits; and ever-rising economic inequality. Meyerson concludes that if Big Labour dies, America’s middle class will die with it.

Click here to view the article.

Phil Bertrand of Orleans, a 45-year-member of Local 793 and former International representative, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1. He was 65. Phil was hired as a business representative for the Ottawa area in July 1981. He became an International representative in May 1989 and held that position until his retirement in January 2005. He recently served as co-chair of the 2012 election committee. Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher said Phil will be greatly missed by himself and the union. “Phil was a staunch supporter of our union and its […]

Phil Bertrand of Orleans, a 45-year-member of Local 793 and former International representative, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1.

He was 65.

Phil was hired as a business representative for the Ottawa area in July 1981. He became an International representative in May 1989 and held that position until his retirement in January 2005.

He recently served as co-chair of the 2012 election committee.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher said Phil will be greatly missed by himself and the union.

“Phil was a staunch supporter of our union and its ideals and was always ready to help out,” said Gallagher. “He was a man of integrity with a quick wit and a keen sense of humour.

“Phil was always ready to lend a helping hand to the union.”

Local 793 president Joe Redshaw said Phil may have been retired but he was still very much involved with the union.

“As co-chair of the 2012 election committee, Phil worked tirelessly to ensure that the election process went smoothly and according to the union constitution and bylaws,” said Redshaw. “He had a great work ethic. We will miss him greatly.”

Union vice president Rick Kerr, area supervisor for Eastern Ontario, said Phil was a warm-hearted person and a true union man.

“He was not a man of big stature but once he believed in a cause he wouldn’t let it go,” said Kerr.

When Kerr started as a business rep with Local 793, Phil took him under his wing and trained him.

One night, Kerr recalls, an operator from Cornwall working on a roadbuilding project in Ottawa let Phil know his vehicle had broken down and he couldn’t get home. Phil drove the member home to Cornwall, then picked him up the next day and drove him back to the jobsite.

“That’s the kind of guy he was,” said Kerr.

Phil, a licensed journeyman crane operator, was initiated into the union on Jan. 16, 1967.

He was originally from Sudbury and moved to Ottawa in the 1970s. He worked for Dulepka Crane Rental in Ottawa.

In 1994 and 1995, Phil, then an International rep, was instrumental in helping Local 793 emerge from supervision under the IUOE. He worked under International supervisor and Canadian regional director Edgar Doull.

As assistant International supervisor, Phil essentially took on the duties of assistant business manager of Local 793 and was very involved in running the union.

During that period, Doull and Bertrand were given the authority in the name of the IUOE to conduct the business, finances, affairs and government of Local 793.

As an operator, Phil spent 14 years on jobsites and had plenty of stories to tell.

In one incident, he was left atop a 1,200-foot-tall smoke stack at a smelter in Sudbury during bad weather.

It was the early 70s and Phil and a crew were working at the top of the stack. The weather was bad. Strong winds had knocked the hoist operator against a wall at ground level. The operator had broken his hip and couldn’t operate the hoist, leaving Phil and other workers stranded atop the stack.

“We just happened to be working up there at the time,” Phil recalled in Local 793’s 90th anniversary publication published in 2009. “That’s the day a big tornado went through Sudbury.”

It was a good three and a half hours before Phil and the workers could be brought down to safety.

“We were up there yelling to get us down,” he recalled in the publication, “but the operator couldn’t get back to the hoist because he had a broken hip, so he couldn’t bring the guys down.

“There were two or three operators stuck up there along with people from other trades. We were just sitting there on the fresh cement.”

A memorial service for Phil was held in Orleans on Sept. 8.

Phil was the beloved husband of Denise; father of Michel (2000) and Angele (Pierre); Papi of Sophie and Nicholas; and brother of Colette (Bill) and Micheline (Wib). He was predeceased by parents Gregoire and Francoise.

Local 793 operators, retirees and their families participated in six Labour Day parades across the province on Sept. 3. Business manager Mike Gallagher led the parade in Sarnia. President Joe Redshaw led the parade in Toronto, financial secretary John W. Anderson and treasurer Alex Law led the parade in Hamilton, and vice-president Rick Kerr led the parade in Ottawa. Local 793 participants who marched in the parades wore union hats and golf shirts. The Toronto parade featured the largest contingent of Local 793 members. The parade started at University Avenue […]

All members of Local 793 and their families are encouraged to participate in Labour Day parades being held across the province on Monday Sept. 3. Union apparel will be supplied upon identification of being a Local 793 member. Please support your union by participating in one of the parades. Following is a schedule of parades that Local 793 is participating in around the province this Labour Day. Toronto & Vicinity Meeting Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: West side of University Avenue north of Queen Street in Toronto. The parade winds its […]

All members of Local 793 and their families are encouraged to participate in Labour Day parades being held across the province on Monday Sept. 3.

Union apparel will be supplied upon identification of being a Local 793 member.

Please support your union by participating in one of the parades.

Following is a schedule of parades that Local 793 is participating in around the province this Labour Day.

Toronto & Vicinity
Meeting Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: West side of University Avenue north of Queen Street in Toronto.
The parade winds its way to the CNE at Exhibition Place.
Click here for brochure.

Ottawa
Meeting Time: Noon
Location: Ottawa City Hall at Elgin and Lisgar streets.
A picnic will be held at McNabb Park following the parade.
Click here for brochure.

Hamilton
Meeting Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Parking lot at the corner of Strathcona and York in Hamilton, across from Dundurn Park.
The parade starts at 11 a.m.

Belleville District/Kingston
Meeting Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Skeleton Park at Ordinance, Alma and Balaclava streets in Kingston.
The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by a picnic at noon.
Click here for brochure.

Sarnia
Meeting Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Behind the Sarnia Public Library at 124 Christina Street South.
The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. There will be a float for retirees. Following the parade, there will be a BBQ at the Sarnia hall.

Sault Ste. Marie
Meeting Time: 11:15 a.m.
Location: Roberta Bondar Pavilion
The parade will be followed by a BBQ, fun carnival and motorcycle show and shine event.

Sudbury
There is no parade in Sudbury but members can attend a Labour Day celebration from noon to 4 p.m. at Mine-Mill CAW Campgrounds at Richard Lake. The event, sponsored by the Sudbury and District Labour Council, will feature a BBQ, music and events.
Click here for brochure.

 

The deadline for applications for the 2012 Jack Redshaw Scholarship Fund is fast approaching. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. This year, six scholarships are being awarded at $2,000 each. The awards are available to all the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Local 793 members who are in good standing at the time of selection of the awards. 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 […]

The deadline for applications for the 2012 Jack Redshaw Scholarship Fund is fast approaching.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 7, 2012.

This year, six scholarships are being awarded at $2,000 each.

The awards are available to all the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Local 793 members who are in good standing at the time of selection of the awards.

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.

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 an essay of not more than one thousand (1,000) words on either of the following:

• Reasons why the scholarship will be of assistance.
• What the impact that being a dependent or grandchild of a Local 793 union member has had on the applicant’s life.

A committee will be appointed by the business manager to review and determine the successful candidates for the award.

To avoid any conflict of interest, any personal information of the applicant will be removed and replaced with an identification code.

The fund is named in honour of the late Jack Redshaw, who was a Local 793 member for 42 years. He was a business rep for 20 years and also served as labour relations manager and recording-corresponding secretary of the union. From 1986 onwards, he was labour side officer at the OLRB.

To obtain an application form for the Jack Redshaw Scholarship, contact any Local 793 area office, or click here.

The application forms can be mailed to:

Stephanie Whaley
IUOE Local 793
2245 Speers Road
Oakville, ON
L6L 6X8

Mike Gallagher has been re-elected to a fifth term as business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Gallagher, who has led the local for 16 years now, was re-elected to another four-year term when ballots were counted on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. “I am grateful that Local 793 members across the province have once again put their faith in myself and the rest of the executive team,” he said. “The union once again has a strong and dedicated leadership team in place and we are […]

Mike Gallagher has been re-elected to a fifth term as business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Gallagher, who has led the local for 16 years now, was re-elected to another four-year term when ballots were counted on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012.

“I am grateful that Local 793 members across the province have once again put their faith in myself and the rest of the executive team,” he said. “The union once again has a strong and dedicated leadership team in place and we are looking forward to working on behalf of the members.

“Union members gave us a strong mandate and we will continue to work on the issues that are important to Local 793, such as health and safety, organizing and negotiating good settlements.

“We will make sure that this union continues to progress and remains healthy and on stable financial footing well into the future.”

Gallagher has been in the construction industry for more than 30 years.

He first became business manager of Local 793 on Dec. 17, 1996. Prior to that, he was a business rep and then labour relations manager with the union.

He is active on numerous industry committees and boards, and is also a general vice president with the International Union of Operating Engineers in Washington, D.C.

The following were also elected, re-elected or acclaimed to Local 793 executive positions:

• President – Joe Redshaw
• Vice-President Rick Kerr
• Recording-Corresponding Secretary – Joe Dowdall
• Financial Secretary – John W. Anderson
• Treasurer – Alex Law
• Executive Board – William Boyle, Joel Collens, Brian Alexander, Ron Hillis, Bob McQueen, Bob Turpin
• Auditors – Steve Deady, John Monti, Robbie Hierons
• Trustees – Jonathan Sprung, Andre Chenier, Robert Taddei
• Guard – Shane McComb
• Conductor – Brad Sisler

The OE Banquet Hall & Conference Centre at Local 793’s head office in Oakville has won a second prestigious award. The facility has been selected as a Diamond Medal Winner for placing first in the banquet facilities category of the 18th Annual Readers’ Selection Awards sponsored by The Oakville Beaver newspaper. The award is the second in four months for the banquet hall. Local 793 received a congratulatory email from the newspaper, confirming the win. The newspaper established the awards to show its clients how important they are to the […]

The OE Banquet Hall & Conference Centre at Local 793’s head office in Oakville has won a second prestigious award.

The facility has been selected as a Diamond Medal Winner for placing first in the banquet facilities category of the 18th Annual Readers’ Selection Awards sponsored by The Oakville Beaver newspaper.

The award is the second in four months for the banquet hall.

Local 793 received a congratulatory email from the newspaper, confirming the win.

The newspaper established the awards to show its clients how important they are to the community.

A list of winning businesses will be published in the newspaper on Aug. 23.

Local 793 will receive a plaque in honour of the win.

In May, the facility won a Platinum Award for taking first place in the banquet facilities category of the Sixth Annual Readers Choice Awards sponsored by the Oakville Today newspaper.

Both awards are important as readers of the newspapers cast votes in the contests. The readers had several banquet facilities to choose from in each contest.

The following article appeared in the opinion section on The Toronto Star website. It was written by Local 793 law student Josh Mandryk. Ontario College of Trades a win for skilled tradespeople and consumers Published on Tuesday August 07, 2012 The yet-to-launch Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) has been under intense fire from construction employers who are calling for it to be abolished or overhauled before it even gets off the ground. Most recently, the Ontario Construction Employer Coalition has decried the OCOT’s proposed fee structure, characterizing it as little more than […]

The following article appeared in the opinion section on The Toronto Star website. It was written by Local 793 law student Josh Mandryk.

Ontario College of Trades a win for skilled tradespeople and consumers
Published on Tuesday August 07, 2012

The yet-to-launch Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) has been under intense fire from construction employers who are calling for it to be abolished or overhauled before it even gets off the ground. Most recently, the Ontario Construction Employer Coalition has decried the OCOT’s proposed fee structure, characterizing it as little more than a “tax grab.”

Reasonable people can disagree on how and by whom the OCOT should be funded — this is precisely why there’s been an open consultation process on such matters from the get-go — but the important role it will play should hardly be in dispute.

Simply put, the OCOT is a North American first that will benefit skilled tradespeople and the general public as consumers.

The OCOT is the professional college for Ontario’s 500,000 skilled tradespeople. When operational, it will be the first College of Trades in North America and the largest professional college in Ontario. It will put Ontario’s skilled tradespeople on an equal footing with doctors, nurses and teachers by giving them a professional college of their own. It will give Ontario’s skilled tradespeople a voice in important public policy debates and empower them to shape the future paths of their industries.

Perhaps equally important, the OCOT will also benefit consumers. Part of its mandate is an investigatory and disciplinary function for complaints. As such, it will serve as a means for consumers to hold unscrupulous contractors to account for shoddy craftsmanship, whereas they might currently be prevented from doing so through more costly and cumbersome legal alternatives.

In light of this function, it becomes easier to understand why certain construction contractors might be opposed to the OCOT.

The OCOT will also be charged with the crucially important task of attracting and recruiting the next generation of Ontario’s skilled tradespeople.

As is well known and oft cited, Ontario faces a looming worker shortage in the skilled trades. The Construction Sector Council estimates that in the construction trades alone 100,000 new skilled tradespeople will be required between 2011 and 2019 to meet Ontario’s growing construction needs. Part of the OCOT’s mandate is to be a champion of the trades, to raise their profile and to reach out to young Ontarians to encourage them to pursue a career in the skilled trades. Just as important, it will help ensure these future tradespeople reflect Ontario’s full diversity.

Industry has thus far woefully failed to attract and, more importantly, retain, the apprentices required to meet our future needs. Fortunately, the OCOT will help give the trades the status and organizational capacity to face these challenges.

Another major source of construction employer resistance to the OCOT seems to be the fact that it is charged with the responsibility for reviewing apprenticeship and certification requirements, which they fear will be maintained and raised. Currently, an impartial panel of expert adjudicators is hearing submissions on apprenticeship ratios, and a similar process will be undertaken in the future with respect to certification requirements. Employers have little to be concerned about regarding this process. Whatever the result, all sides can be satisfied that the outcome will take into account all submissions and will be made in the industry’s and the public’s best interest.

Many tradespeople might feel frustrated by the fact that they will have to pay more for certification under the new OCOT. This sentiment is understandable, but these fees ought to be seen as an investment in their careers. The OCOT will raise the profile of the trades — and ultimately the earning potential of current and future tradespeople.

Barring a reversal of globalization and free trade agreements with low-wage jurisdictions, traditional postwar manufacturing seems unlikely to return to Ontario in any meaningful way. Such a shift does not appear on the horizon, so the skilled trades are likely to remain the primary place where Ontarians will be able to create, produce and work with their hands to earn a good living. The OCOT will serve as a mechanism to help ensure such a lifestyle is maintained for Ontario’s skilled tradespeople.

In 1928 Ontario led the way as the first Canadian province to introduce a statutory-based apprentice system. In the same vein, Ontario is now leading the way with North America’s first College of Trades.

The OCOT is a bold step, but it’s one which should be celebrated.

Josh Mandryk is a law student for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793.

To see the article, click here.

 

 

Canada’s building trades unions are very concerned about the unintended, negative consequences of Bill C-377. A statement issued by the Canadian office of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) states that the legislation would endanger the ability of Canadian workers to participate in large-scale nation-building energy and resource projects. Bob Blakely, director of Canadian affairs for the BCTD, said the legislation is intended to fix a problem that does not exist. “A delicate balance has been reached in labour relations in the private sector, especially as it relates […]

Canada’s building trades unions are very concerned about the unintended, negative consequences of Bill C-377.

A statement issued by the Canadian office of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) states that the legislation would endanger the ability of Canadian workers to participate in large-scale nation-building energy and resource projects.

Bob Blakely, director of Canadian affairs for the BCTD, said the legislation is intended to fix a problem that does not exist.

“A delicate balance has been reached in labour relations in the private sector, especially as it relates to the construction of large energy projects. Unions, contractors and energy producers have already found solutions to problems which plague many other sectors – and the cost implications created by Bill 377 will upset that balance.”

The BCTD maintains that Bill C-377 would actually duplicate process that are already in place to provide accountability and transparency for workers and would create an expanded, expensive and redundant bureaucracy.

The department states that costs of compliance will be extraordinary and beyond that required of any other tax entity and will add considerable costs to the bottom line of large-scale energy projects.

“We are private sector unions,” Blakely said. “Unlike charities and political parties, we receive no public subsidies or public monies.
“The Harper government is taking many right steps to help create and protect jobs for Canadian workers. Bill C-377 will undermine all of the positive results that the Harper government is delivering for Canadian workers.”

Blakely added that it would be a shame to take a step backwards when what the country needs is every foot going forward.

The AFL-CIO BCTD co-ordinates activities and provides resources to 15 affiliated trade unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries. In Canada, the BCTD represents 500,000 skilled trades workers.

Provincial economic growth is expected to hover around two per cent both this year and next, according to a report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS). That figure is essentially in line with average growth since 2000. The report looks at economic data and building permit values in each region of the province. It suggests that interest rates will likely remain low for some time and that there will be increased industrial investment. The report also sums up comments made by speakers at a recent state of the […]

Provincial economic growth is expected to hover around two per cent both this year and next, according to a report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS).

That figure is essentially in line with average growth since 2000.

The report looks at economic data and building permit values in each region of the province. It suggests that interest rates will likely remain low for some time and that there will be increased industrial investment.

The report also sums up comments made by speakers at a recent state of the industry and outlook conference sponsored by the OCS.

Katherine Jacobs, director of research and analysis at the OCS, is forecasting that 2012 will turn out to be a positive year for commercial and industrial construction while it will likely be a lower year for the institutional sector because stimulus programs have ended.

Doug Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO, indicated that Ontario’s economy will grow at a moderate pace over the next few years, there will be a soft landing for Canada’s housing markets, interest rates will remain low and the dollar will stay strong.

Christine Kaszycki, assistant deputy minister for the Ring of Fire Secretariat, said the area northeast of Thunder Bay has the potential to become one of the most significant mineral developments in Ontario in over a century.

She said huge opportunities exist for the trades in mining-related and infrastructure work as mining developments in the Ring of Fire come on stream.

Mike McCann, general manager of strategic projects at Vale, noted that the company plans to invest $3.4 billion at its Ontario operations over the next few years. He said there would be heavy demand for the skilled trades this year, peaking at close to 2,000 workers in 2013/2014.

The OCS report lists the top 10 construction projects started this year. They are:

• $1.75 billion – Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto
• $1.45 billion – Detour Lake Gold Mine Restart and Mill Addition in Cochrane
• $305 million – Erieau Windfarm in Blenheim
• $250 million – Durham York Waste-to-Energy Centre in Durham
• $238 million – Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility in Toronto
• $189 million – Go Transit Weston Tunnel Upgrade Separation in York Region
• $150 million – Port Hope Solid Waste Management Facility in Clarington
• $119 million – Fraser Morgan Nickel/Copper Mine in Onaping Falls
• $107 million – Burlington Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant in Burlington
• $80 million – Ivaco Rolling Mills Steel Mill Expansion in L’Orignal