Despite the economic warfare being waged upon Canada by our neighbours to the south, the overriding theme of the IUOE 66th Annual Canadian Conference in Alberta remained one of unity. From the singing of both “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” that opened the conference in Kananaskis, to Washington-based IUOE General President John Downey’s stirring defence of free trade and a promise to strengthen the bonds between Canada and the US, a sense of togetherness shone through the three-day gathering of locals. As President Downey neatly put it: solidarity […]
Despite the economic warfare being waged upon Canada by our neighbours to the south, the overriding theme of the IUOE 66th Annual Canadian Conference in Alberta remained one of unity.
From the singing of both “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” that opened the conference in Kananaskis, to Washington-based IUOE General President John Downey’s stirring defence of free trade and a promise to strengthen the bonds between Canada and the US, a sense of togetherness shone through the three-day gathering of locals. As President Downey neatly put it: solidarity doesn’t end at the border.
Capturing that spirit, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher told conference he was optimistic that a new rail line from the Baffinland iron ore mine to Steensby Port in Nunavut would be built and that union members would secure the work.
“That will employ a lot of our members and we won’t be able to do it alone, we’ll be looking to the locals around the room here to help us man that project,” he said.
Brother Gallagher also highlighted Local 793’s ongoing campaign to get the Ontario government to mandate proper training for operators of rotating telehandlers. After showing two videos on the subject, he asked that locals across the country join him in the task.
He said, “They are our apprentices and our workers out there and if we’re not trying to actively make improvements in training then we do bear some of the responsibility [if accidents were to happen].
“We’re going to make some noise about this. This is very important and we need to coordinate our actions right across the country. We need to put our heads together on this one.”
President Downey had earlier stressed the importance of training programs that evolve with the technology and that investing in training was the most important investment the organization could make.
Conference delegates also heard from Canadian Regional Director Patrick Cambell, who spoke of the importance of new organizing structures and some big regional organizing wins – including Local 793’s signing of more than 300 new members with A&B Rail Services earlier this year. He also backs pursuing national standards for rotating telehandlers and rigging.
President of the Conference, Local 987 Business Manager Marc Lafond, also introduced speakers ranging from Federal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu – whose own son qualified as a Local 793 journeyman after completing his apprenticeship – former Federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan, Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
After Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi finished his speech, Brother Gallagher pressed him on why his party struggles to agree on clear national policies in support of big infrastructure projects, including pipelines – suggesting that doing so would win over many working people.
There was one more special moment for Brother Gallagher when he was presented with a road sign bearing his name and signed on the back by all conference delegates. Local 955, the host local, made the gesture as Brother Gallagher had travelled to Alberta when he was a young OE to help build the local highway.
It was a gesture typical of the warmth generated by Local 955 Business Manager Chris Flett and his staff, who have set a high bar ahead of next year’s conference in Montreal.
