Liberals Would Repeal Bill C-377

Written by Local 793 Staff

The following press release was issued by the federal Liberal Party. It confirms that the Liberals would repeal Bill C-525 and Bill C-377, and that they would work collaboratively to develop a made-in-Canada solution to Canada’s skills shortage. For Immediate Release August 15, 2015. Trudeau: Labour movement essential to middle class growth TORONTO – A Liberal government will work with Canada’s labour movement to create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the middle class, said the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today at the 2015 LiUNA […]

The following press release was issued by the federal Liberal Party. It confirms that the Liberals would repeal Bill C-525 and Bill C-377, and that they would work collaboratively to develop a made-in-Canada solution to Canada’s skills shortage.

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2015.

Trudeau: Labour movement essential to middle class growth

TORONTO – A Liberal government will work with Canada’s labour movement to create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the middle class, said the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today at the 2015 LiUNA Local 183 Family Day Event in Toronto.

“As one of the leading forces fighting for well-paying, good quality jobs, unions are vital to promoting and protecting Canada’s middle class,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Hard-working Canadians deserve a government that, instead of attacking unions, works with them to ensure that everyone has a real and fair chance at success.”

A Liberal government will ensure respect, fairness, and inclusion for Canada’s labour movement. Liberals will repeal the Conservatives’ unfair Bills C-377 and C-525. We will work with provinces and territories, workers, and employers to enhance the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), to ensure that all Canadians can retire with dignity. We will work collaboratively to develop a “made in Canada” solution to solve the skills shortage in our country, by investing directly in skills development and by assisting training centres with the costs of investing in trades training. Furthermore, Liberals will be presenting a real plan to update Canada’s roads, bridges, transit, and other infrastructure, which will create jobs and prepare us for the changing global economy.

“While the middle class is struggling to make ends meet, Stephen Harper’s plan has failed to help Canadians get ahead. Instead, he gives billions in benefits to the wealthiest few – a plan irresponsibly supported by Thomas Mulcair,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Only Liberals have the team and the plan to support and protect hard-working Canadians and their families.”

Operating Engineers Union Believes Harper’s Campaign Call Will Backfire

Written by Local 793 Staff

OTTAWA—The following statement was issued today by the International Union of Operating Engineers following Prime Minister Harper’s decision to call an 11-week campaign: “Once again, the Harper Conservatives have thumbed their nose at the working people of Canada,” said Michael Gallagher, IUOE Canadian Conference Chairperson and Ontario-based Local 793 Business Manager. “They have rigged the system and will spend tens of millions in taxpayer money in an attempt to drown out the voices of working families who are suffering in the Harper economy. But weeks of negative ads can’t change […]

OTTAWA—The following statement was issued today by the International Union of Operating Engineers following Prime Minister Harper’s decision to call an 11-week campaign:

“Once again, the Harper Conservatives have thumbed their nose at the working people of Canada,” said Michael Gallagher, IUOE Canadian Conference Chairperson and Ontario-based Local 793 Business Manager. “They have rigged the system and will spend tens of millions in taxpayer money in an attempt to drown out the voices of working families who are suffering in the Harper economy. But weeks of negative ads can’t change the years of failed policies under the Conservatives. It’s time for a change.”

From Washington, DC, General President James T. Callahan said, “Stephen Harper is employing the worst of U.S.-style campaign tactics. Canadians must brace themselves for eleven weeks of half-truths and double-speak. Members of the Operating Engineers—the men and women who build and maintain Canada every day—are ready to change the government. No amount of attack ads can paper over the Conservatives’ failed record.”

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Click here to see the original press release

 

 

 

Local 793 Donates to Cancer Program

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 recently donated $106,048 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation cancer program. A presentation was made at Local 793’s 95th anniversary dinner dance held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 6, 2014. The funds were raised at the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont. The tournament is named after the union’s late president. The tournaments have now raised more than $312,000. Proceeds are used to fund research into esophageal cancer. Local […]

Local 793 recently donated $106,048 to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation cancer program.

A presentation was made at Local 793’s 95th anniversary dinner dance held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 6, 2014.

The funds were raised at the third annual Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament held this past summer at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont. The tournament is named after the union’s late president.

The tournaments have now raised more than $312,000. Proceeds are used to fund research into esophageal cancer.

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher and president Joe Redshaw presented a cheque to Dr. Gail Darling, director of thoracic surgery clinical research at Toronto General Hospital, at the dinner dance.

“The money raised from the Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament is being put to good use in caring for patients and conducting scientific research into treatments for esophageal cancer,” said Gallagher. I would like to thank all the contractors who participated in the golf tournament and helped raise funds for this truly worthy cause.

“Funds raised from the golf tournament have helped doctors make significant strides in research and clinical programs to detect and prevent esophageal cancer. We are proud to be part of that effort.”

Dr. Darling said past donations by Local 793 have enabled the foundation to buy a generator to treat patients who have Barrett’s esophagus, an abnormal change in the cells of the lower portion of the esophagus, which is a pre-cursor to esophageal cancer.

The doctor said the next step is to bring on board a device that can be used to screen patients who are at risk of esophageal cancer without having to have them undergo an endoscopic procedure.

Meanwhile, the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation presented business manager Gallagher with a bronze medal for the union’s fund-raising efforts.

The local had earlier been the recipient of a copper medal.

The union received the bronze because of the more than $100,000 that was raised at the 2014 golf tournament.

Gallagher said he accepted the bronze medal on behalf of the union.

“We’re going to keep on raising money until we get a cure,” he said.

$400,000 Fine in Accident is Not Enough: Gallagher

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 has issued a press release in response to a company being fined $400,000 in connection with a drill rig accident that killed 24-year-old union apprentice Kyle James Knox at a construction site in Toronto three years ago. For Immediate Release November 28, 2014 $400,000 FINE IN DRILL RIG ACCIDENT IS NOT ENOUGH: LOCAL 793 BUSINESS MANAGER OAKVILLE — Mike Gallagher, business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says the $400,000 fine levied against a company involved in a fatal drill rig accident three […]

Local 793 has issued a press release in response to a company being fined $400,000 in connection with a drill rig accident that killed 24-year-old union apprentice Kyle James Knox at a construction site in Toronto three years ago.

For Immediate Release
November 28, 2014

$400,000 FINE IN DRILL RIG ACCIDENT IS NOT ENOUGH: LOCAL 793 BUSINESS MANAGER

OAKVILLE — Mike Gallagher, business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says the $400,000 fine levied against a company involved in a fatal drill rig accident three years ago is not nearly enough to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in future.

“This disastrous accident was much more deserving of the maximum fine of $500,000 that can be imposed on a corporation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for such a fatality. In fact, the maximum fine should also be increased where gross negligence is involved so that it might act as a greater deterrent to companies that are intent on disregarding proper safety practices.”

Gallagher said authorities must not lose sight of the fact that 24-year-old Kyle James Knox, a promising young apprentice with Local 793, lost his life Oct. 11, 2011 when the drill rig collapsed and toppled onto the backhoe he was operating at a construction site at York University in Toronto. Dan DeLuca, another union member, was also seriously injured and is permanently disabled.

The company, OHL-FCC GP Canada Inc., pleaded guilty to a charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined in court Nov. 28.

Gallagher said such a fine will not provide any comfort or solace to the family of the young operator who was killed. He called on the government to adopt training standards that have been developed by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and an industry committee of contractors, manufacturers and labour representatives, and also to make training mandatory for drill rig operators. Local 793 and the foundation and piling industry were instrumental in drawing attention to the issue and lobbying for the industry committee to be formed.

“We can prevent future disasters like this if we quickly legislate that only licensed, fully-trained operators be permitted to operate this equipment, changes which the industry committee of experts has proposed. We must move much more quickly when lives are endangered.”

During the sentencing hearing, the Crown prosecutor noted that the site preparations were a significant factor in causing the accident and that site preparations on the day of the accident were inadequate.

An investigation determined that major factors in the tipping of the drill rig were inadequate site preparation, a soil base unable to withstand the weight and pressure created by the drill rig combined with a procedure of digging dispersal holes filled with wet material, and the fact the drill rig was operating on a slope greater than allowed within safe parameters.

Gallagher said he is encouraging industry stakeholders and the public to participate in the Ministry of Labour consultation process and support new training requirements that would better protect drill rig operators.

“Imposing mandatory training for drill rig operators would help to make construction sites safer and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.”

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents thousands of highly-skilled crane and heavy equipment operators across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.

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