Local 793 Lauds Long Term Energy Plan

Written by Local 793 Staff

The province released its 2017 Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP) Oct. 26. It’s the first energy blueprint released since 2013 and is a road map that sets out the direction for Ontario’s energy future. Thousands of people from across Ontario were engaged in the development of the LTEP during a consultation and engagement process took […]

The province released its 2017 Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP) Oct. 26. It’s the first energy blueprint released since 2013 and is a road map that sets out the direction for Ontario’s energy future.

Thousands of people from across Ontario were engaged in the development of the LTEP during a consultation and engagement process took place from October 2016 to January 2017.

The Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario (REAO) provided input during the consultation process. Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher had spearheaded formation of the REAO, bringing together a broad coalition of employers, labour and industry groups, to ensure that renewable energy continues to play a vital role in Ontario’s energy mix.

The REAO presented a brief to the Minister of Energy that made five recommendations for the LTEP.

Members of the union and coalition also attended the consultation sessions across the province.

The involvement of Local 793 and the REAO was acknowledged in the new LTEP.

The report stated:

“The tremendous growth of Ontario’s clean tech and renewable energy sectors has attracted billions of dollars in investment to Ontario and led to the creation of thousands of new jobs across many trades and professions. That explains why a broad coalition of employers, labour and industry groups, including the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) and the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, support Ontario’s investment in renewable energy.”

Following is a statement on the LTEP from Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher:

For Immediate Release
Oct. 26, 2017

CONSTRUCTION UNION LAUDS LONG TERM ENERGY PLAN

OAKVILLE — Mike Gallagher, business manager of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says the Long Term Energy Plan released today by the province is a step in the right direction because it ensures nuclear and renewable energy projects remain part of the mix.

“On behalf of the more than than 14,500 IUOE Local 793 members, I applaud Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal government for showing a continued commitment to both nuclear and renewable energy projects because they provide reliable, near-endless sources of clean, low-cost electricity for families and businesses as well as long-term employment for Operating Engineers.”

Gallagher said the plan reaffirms that renewables are increasingly competitive with conventional energy sources and will continue to play a key role in helping Ontario meet its climate change goals, and that Ontario will move forward refurbishing six nuclear units at the Bruce Power plant and four units at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station between 2016 and 2033.

“This plan ensures the province will be able to generate the affordable power it needs for current and future demand while reducing greenhouse gases and protecting the health of Ontarians.”

In addition to his role as union leader, Gallagher is a director on the Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario (REAO), which is a broad coalition of employers, labour and industry groups dedicated to ensuring renewable energy continues to play a vital role in Ontario’s energy mix. The REAO presented a brief to the Minister of Energy that made five recommendations for the LTEP.

Gallagher said nuclear and renewables are the safest, most economical, environmentally-friendly and healthiest way to produce electricity and are a vital part of the province’s energy plan.

“In the plan, the provincial government has committed to supporting the renewable energy sector. By transitioning to renewables, we are improving our air quality and addressing global warming.”

Gallagher noted that investments in clean energy are benefitting the economy, as projects like wind and solar have invested more than $14 billion in Ontario’s economy, creating more than 200,000 good-paying jobs. The renewables sector is forecast to contribute nearly $5.4 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product and create 56,500 jobs between 2017 and 2021.

“Ontarians need and want renewable energy and the infrastructure that supports it. I am glad that the government has listened to groups like REAO and indicated that renewables are part of the energy plan going forward.”

Gallagher also said Ontario’s commitment to refurbishment projects at Bruce Power and Darlington Nuclear Generating Sation will ensure that families in Ontario have a stable supply of energy for years to come.

The refurbishment at the Bruce is expected to create 22,000 direct and indirect jobs each year over the term of the project while Darlington is expected to create 11,800 jobs each year over the term of the project.

“Ontario’s nuclear industry contributes more than $5 billion annually to Canada’s economy and supports about 50,000 Ontario jobs,” he said. “I am hopeful that the Long Term Energy Plan released today helps Ontario move to a lower carbon economy.”

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents more than 14,500 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. 202

Business manager Gallagher was also quoted in a statement on the Bruce Power website. Click here for the statement.

The Renewable Energy Alliance of Ontario also issued a statement on the LTEP. Click here for the statement.

Gallagher Urges Trades to Support OCOT Boards

Written by Local 793 Staff

Following is a story from a recent Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario convention that was published Oct. 25 in Daily Commercial News. Gallagher, Cunningham urge Building Trades convention attendees to support OCOT boards Construction stakeholders and new members of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) Appointments Council Mike Gallagher and Ian Cunningham […]

Following is a story from a recent Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario convention that was published Oct. 25 in Daily Commercial News.

Gallagher, Cunningham urge Building Trades convention attendees to support OCOT boards

Construction stakeholders and new members of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) Appointments Council Mike Gallagher and Ian Cunningham teamed up to urge delegates attending the recent convention of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario to get on board with OCOT and start nominating trades representatives to various boards.

Gallagher, business manager with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, and Cunningham, president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), said in their addresses to delegates there is an urgency to recruit new board members.

There are already openings on various boards and, in the next year, numerous terms will expire, requiring a major influx of new appointees.

“We need strong, committed, connected people to fill these vacant positions on the trade boards, the division boards and on the board of governors if the College is going to work for the best interests of the industry,” said Cunningham in an interview following his address to the delegates in Niagara Falls.

Gallagher explained in his interview, “There are some 40 vacancies that are coming up in the next year on the employer and the employee sides on the various trade boards at different levels, and people should be thinking who should be on those boards.

“And the Appointments Council, we have a pool of applications that are presented to us, and if it’s not a very big pool, we have to pick the best. So the idea is to encourage more applications so we have better options in terms of people that are there for the right reason.”

Click here for the full story.

Building Trades Amends Constitution

Written by Local 793 Staff

As a result of efforts by Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher over the last four years, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) voted unanimously at its 60th annual convention recently to amend its Constitution and Bylaws to promote mutual respect for the core jurisdiction of each other’s trade. In light […]

As a result of efforts by Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher over the last four years, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) voted unanimously at its 60th annual convention recently to amend its Constitution and Bylaws to promote mutual respect for the core jurisdiction of each other’s trade.

In light of the resolution, the executive board of Local 793 passed a motion on Oct. 16 in favour of Gallagher meeting with PBCTCO business manager and secretary-treasurer Pat Dillon to discuss the possibility of the union re-joining the organization.

Local 793 had left the PBCTCO in September 2013 because it was faced with 10 jurisdictional disputes (JDs) at various stages of the process with affiliates of the Building Trades regarding work done by Operating Engineers. In other words, many of the other trades weren’t respecting the core jurisdiction of Local 793 members.

The disputes were with the Carpenters, Pipefitters, Labourers, Ironworkers and Electrical Workers. All these disputes have now been settled.

Gallagher sent a letter to Dillon on Sept. 4, 2013 clearly explaining why Local 793 would not longer be attending building trades meetings.

In the letter, he stated that the unity required at the PBCTCO to face challenges is non-existent.

“We are currently faced with a large number of jurisdictional disputes regarding our work, with some of our affiliates to the building trades,” he stated. “We therefore feel that our time is best spent representing our members and protecting our jobs rather than listening to reports at the building trades meetings.”

In the letter, he said the decision was not made lightly but was the right decision at the time, as there did not seem to be any resolve to the matter.

Gallagher noted it is interesting that at a time when construction unions faced a number of challenges, such as CLAC and right-to-work challenges, some affiliates seemed more interested in doing work other than their own.

PBCTCO business manager Dillon responded with a letter on Sept. 9, 2013, stating that he agreed that JDs are completely counter-productive to the overall mission of the building trades.

He noted that the Operating Engineers were a key part of the establishment of the PBCTCO and fragmentation has the potential to negatively impact the lives of construction workers and their families in a number of ways.

Since leaving the PBCTCO, Gallagher has had informal discussions with Dillon about the issue and actions by the Building Trades on Local 793’s request. Throughout, he made it clear on a number of occasions Local 793 would not re-join the Building Trades until there was an amendment to the organization’s Constitution, requiring trades to have mutual respect for each other’s core jurisdiction.

Gallagher and Local 793 president Joe Redshaw were invited as guests to the PBCTCO annual convention in Niagara Falls on Oct. 12.

At the meeting, the executive board of the PBCTCO presented the resolution to amend the organization’s Constitution and Bylaws.

The purpose, as stated in the resolution, is to “promote industrial peace among building and construction trades through mutual respect of each other’s core jurisdiction.”

The resolution states that solidarity among the Building Trades is a core principle of organized labour in Ontario’s construction industry and that JDs between PBCTCO unions cost members millions of dollars per year in legal and other fees, in addition to incalculable reputational damage.

If those same resources were devoted to organizing and growing the number of represented workers in the construction industry, the resolution states, the collective voice of all construction workers would be much more formidable in the province’s political and economic life.

The resolution states that a working committee of Building Trades representatives from each affiliated union, engaging an industry-respected mediator/facilitator, will determine the precise language of respect for each other’s core jurisdiction.

In light of the resolution, Gallagher will now meet with Dillon to talk about how the union and PBCTCO might re-affiliate.

If the terms are acceptable, Gallagher will present a recommendation to Local 793’s executive board for approval.

While the precise language must still be determined, Gallagher said the resolution passed by the PBCTCO is a step in the right direction.

“This will mark the beginning of discussions, but the Building Trades appear to have stepped up and made good on their commitment to address our concerns.”

Gallagher said he looks forward to working with the PBCTCO working committee, and perhaps re-joining the organization, as a provincial election looms next year.

“We are obviously much stronger when the building trades are united,” he said. “There will be a provincial election next spring and it makes sense for us to come together as a cohesive group.”

Pipeline Proposal Meetings Scheduled in October

Written by Local 793 Staff

Proposals for upcoming Pipeline Maintenance & Service Agreement for Canada negotiations will be taken at all district monthly meetings throughout the month of October 2017. Following are the dates for the October monthly meetings across the province. TIMMINS October 4 54 Waterloo Rd., Unit 2, Timmins, 7:30 p.m. OSHAWA October 5 1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit […]

Proposals for upcoming Pipeline Maintenance & Service Agreement for Canada negotiations will be taken at all district monthly meetings throughout the month of October 2017. Following are the dates for the October monthly meetings across the province.

TIMMINS
October 4
54 Waterloo Rd., Unit 2, Timmins,
7:30 p.m.

OSHAWA
October 5
1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7,
Oshawa, 7 p.m.

THUNDER BAY*
October 5
979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101,
Thunder Bay, 8 p.m.

ST. CATHARINES*
October 10
188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5,
St. Catharines, 7:30 p.m.

WINDSOR*
October 10
3383 Walker Rd., Windsor
7 p.m.

SAULT STE. MARIE*
October 11
432 Great Northern Rd.,
Suite 203, Sault Ste. Marie,
7:30 p.m.

CAMBRIDGE*
October 11
100 Sheldon Dr., Unit 10,
Cambridge, 7:30 p.m.

SUDBURY*
October 17
430 Westmount Ave., Unit H,
Sudbury, 8 p.m.

TORONTO*
October 18
2245 Speers Rd., Oakville,
7:30 p.m.

BELLEVILLE*
October 24
1 Millennium Parkway, Suite 102,
Belleville, 7 p.m.

LONDON*
October 24
523 First St., London, 7 p.m.

HAMILTON*
October 25
35 Goderich Rd., Unit 5,
Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.

OTTAWA*
October 25
Best Western Plus,
1274 Carling Ave., 7 p.m.

NORTH BAY
October 25
Voyager Inn, Greenery Room,
123 Delaware Ave., North Bay,
7:30 p.m.

BARRIE*
October 26
240 Bayview Drive, Unit 12,
Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

SARNIA*
October 26
1390A Lougar Ave., Sarnia, 7 p.m.

* District hiring hall present

 

Appointments Made to Union Board

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 director of Toronto area and organizing Ron Hillis retired June 30. Ron was on staff for 20 years and has been in the union for 28. He started his career with the union in 1988 and learned how to operate different pieces of heavy equipment while working at a small company in Collingwood. […]

Local 793 director of Toronto area and organizing Ron Hillis retired June 30.

Ron was on staff for 20 years and has been in the union for 28. He started his career with the union in 1988 and learned how to operate different pieces of heavy equipment while working at a small company in Collingwood.

Ron became a Local 793 staff member in 1997 when he was hired as a business rep for the Toronto area by business manager Mike Gallagher.

He’s held a number of positions over the years.

In 2005, he was appointed as supervisor for Toronto and vicinity and in 2013 he became director of organizing. In 2016, he was appointed director of Toronto area and organizing.

Ron was elected as a trustee in 2000. He was a trustee for 12 years and in 2012 was elected to the executive board. He was re-elected to the executive board in the last election in 2016.

Ron was also a trustee on the union’s life and health benefits plan and served as recording secretary, treasurer and then president of Local 793’s non-profit housing board.

Ron’s daughter, Amanda, and son, Jason, are both Operating Engineers.

With Ron’s departure, business manager Gallagher announced that:

  • Assistant labour relations manager Dave Turple has been appointed as director of Toronto area.
  • Assistant director of Toronto area Mike Scott has been appointed as the provincial pipeline/distribution rep.

Meanwhile, the union’s officers met July 4 and:

  • Dave Turple tendered his resignation as a Local 793 trustee effective July 4.
  • Andrew Patton tendered his resignation as Local 793 guard effective July 4.

In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, the following appointments were made:

  • Dave Turple was appointed as a Local 793 executive board member.
  • Andrew Patton was appointed as a Local 793 trustee.
  • Justin O’Neill was appointed as Local 793 guard.

Joe Kennedy Granted Honorary Lifetime Membership

Written by Local 793 Staff

Retired Local 793 business manager Joe Kennedy has been granted honorary lifetime membership in the union. The union’s insurance committee voted on the honour March 24 and business manager Mike Gallagher made the announcement at a special e-board meeting in Oakville the next day. Kennedy attended the e-board meeting with his grandson, Simon. “It’s a […]

Retired Local 793 business manager Joe Kennedy has been granted honorary lifetime membership in the union.

The union’s insurance committee voted on the honour March 24 and business manager Mike Gallagher made the announcement at a special e-board meeting in Oakville the next day.

Kennedy attended the e-board meeting with his grandson, Simon.

“It’s a great privilege to announce that the insurance committee has unanimously afforded you this great honour of being made an honorary lifetime member of Local 793,” Gallagher said at the meeting.

“I certainly believe Joe is deserving of this honour. He built a pretty important foundation for us to build on. This is the right thing for us to do.”

Gallagher had recommended in a letter to the insurance committee that Kennedy be approved.

Kennedy was at the helm of the union for 18 years. He was elected business manager of the local in 1974 and held the post until his retirement in 1992.

A crane operator by trade, Kennedy joined the union while working in Mattawa, Ont. with his father. He used to fire up the boilers for his father’s steam-powered crane.

Kennedy was initiated Oct. 17, 1951 and is a 66-year member of Local 793.

As an operator, he worked on projects across Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, including the Angus MacDonald Bridge in Halifax, the Burlington Skyway, the mines of Elliot Lake and the Bruce Generating Station. He was frequently appointed union steward on many of the jobs.

At the e-board meeting, Gallagher said he learned from Kennedy what it takes to be a good leader and business manager.

He also noted that Kennedy oversaw the introduction of Local 793’s pension and life and health benefits plans and it was through his persistent efforts that the long-sought-after compulsory indentured apprenticeship for the trade of hoisting engineer became reality.

“What we have as far as our pension was started by Joe,” said Gallagher. “Before Joe Kennedy there was no mandatory training for the hoisting trade and it was because of him that came about.”

General Membership Meeting on March 26

Written by Local 793 Staff

Mark your calendars. A general membership meeting of the union is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the OE Banquet Hall next to head office at 2245 Speers Road, Oakville. Click here for map.

Mark your calendars. A general membership meeting of the union is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the OE Banquet Hall next to head office at 2245 Speers Road, Oakville.

Click here for map.

Building Trades Holding Contest

Written by Local 793 Staff

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) is seeking an original union song or poem that celebrates Canadian tradesmen and women. The creator of the selected submission will receive $5,000 and will be invited to present the song or poem in Ottawa at the unveiling ceremony of the Canadian Building Trades Monument on May 17, 2017. All […]

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) is seeking an original union song or poem that celebrates Canadian tradesmen and women.

The creator of the selected submission will receive $5,000 and will be invited to present the song or poem in Ottawa at the unveiling ceremony of the Canadian Building Trades Monument on May 17, 2017.

All members of affiliated unions are invited to submit entries.

The deadline is April 25, 2017.

All submitted songs and poems must:

  • Celebrate the experiences and contributions of members of the Canadian building trades
  • Be no longer than 5 minutes
  • Be suitable for live performance by a small ensemble or a solo artist
  • Be an original composition
  • Include the title of the monument: “Standing Together”/“Solidaires”
  • Be in either official language or bilingual/multilingual
  • Be inclusive

Those participating in the contest must be:

For more info, or to submit online, please click here.

 

Offices Closed on Family Day

Written by Local 793 Staff

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices will be closed for the Family Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017.

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices will be closed for the Family Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017.

Local 793/183 Agreement Subject of Article

Written by Local 793 Staff

The following article regarding the Mutual Co-operation Agreement between Local 793 and Local 183 was posted in Daily Commercial News. LIUNA, IUOE locals reach deal on jurisdictional disputes Two heavyweight construction unions have agreed to set aside years of differences, reaching an agreement to co-operate on a range of issues including establishing a mechanism to […]

The following article regarding the Mutual Co-operation Agreement between Local 793 and Local 183 was posted in Daily Commercial News.

LIUNA, IUOE locals reach deal on jurisdictional disputes

Two heavyweight construction unions have agreed to set aside years of differences, reaching an agreement to co-operate on a range of issues including establishing a mechanism to avoid jurisdictional disputes.

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 183 (LIUNA) had negotiated since last fall until an understanding was reached. Their 2017 Mutual Co-operation Agreement was signed in Toronto on Jan. 27 by Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher and Local 183 business manager Jack Oliveira.

“Over the past few years we have been fighting each other rather than working collaboratively,” said Oliveira in a statement announcing the deal. “I am happy we were able to put that behind us, and that we are moving forward to level the playing field. This level of co-operation will be good for our members and for members of Local 793.”

Elements of the pact include a framework for resolving outstanding jurisdictional disputes and avoiding future ones, commitments to work together in organizing and collective agreement enforcement and an agreement on strategies for greater co-operation in utilities work as well as the sewer and watermain, roads and heavy engineering sectors in the Greater Toronto Area, parts of south central Ontario and parts of eastern Ontario.

Click here for rest of story