Category: Union News

Ratification Meeting: London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario Dear Member: We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON. Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible that […]

Ratification Meeting: London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement

When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm

Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario

Dear Member:

We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON.

Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible that work or may work under the London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Business Representatives Kelly Burla or Dana Jones at the London office 519-652-2740.

Fraternally,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager

  We are growing, and so are Local 793’s properties! Local 793 is proud to share that 2285 Speers Road in Oakville is now part of our expanding portfolio of Union-owned properties, and we’re not slowing down! We want to inform our members of the following: This purchase does not affect the future plans to build area offices in Sarnia, Hamilton and Sudbury. All property transactions are self-financed by the Union, ensuring the Union continues to operate with zero debt. The closing date for 2285 Speers Road is scheduled for […]

We are growing, and so are Local 793’s properties!

Local 793 is proud to share that 2285 Speers Road in Oakville is now part of our expanding portfolio of Union-owned properties, and we’re not slowing down!

We want to inform our members of the following:

• This purchase does not affect the future plans to build area offices in Sarnia, Hamilton and Sudbury.
• All property transactions are self-financed by the Union, ensuring the Union continues to operate with zero debt.

The closing date for 2285 Speers Road is scheduled for June 2026, marking another milestone in our continued progress for the future of our membership.

  This past weekend, our Brothers and Sisters came together for the Special Executive Board and General Membership meetings, two key gatherings that reflect the strength and unity of our Union where voices are heard and decisions are made to ensure that we are moving forward in the best interest of all members. We want to thank everyone who attended and helped make it a successful weekend! Special Executive Board Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/special-executive-board-meeting-march-21/29403/ General Membership Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/local-793-general-membership-meeting-march-22/29410/

This past weekend, our Brothers and Sisters came together for the Special Executive Board and General Membership meetings, two key gatherings that reflect the strength and unity of our Union where voices are heard and decisions are made to ensure that we are moving forward in the best interest of all members.

We want to thank everyone who attended and helped make it a successful weekend!

Special Executive Board Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/special-executive-board-meeting-march-21/29403/

General Membership Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/local-793-general-membership-meeting-march-22/29410/

Being hailed as a hero for doing what he does best came as something of a shock for Brother James Hamilton, who operates the east tower crane for Synergy Formwork at the Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation project in Ottawa. Early last Friday, Brother Hamilton responded to a call for help to extract an injured worker who had fallen into an inaccessible spot on the high-profile construction site. With a designated emergency platform (DEP) secured at the end of his line, he expertly maneuvered his Comedil 472 crane into position […]

Being hailed as a hero for doing what he does best came as something of a shock for Brother James Hamilton, who operates the east tower crane for Synergy Formwork at the Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation project in Ottawa.

Early last Friday, Brother Hamilton responded to a call for help to extract an injured worker who had fallen into an inaccessible spot on the high-profile construction site. With a designated emergency platform (DEP) secured at the end of his line, he expertly maneuvered his Comedil 472 crane into position to lift in medical gear before lifting the injured man and two rescuers to safe ground.

With that job done, the OE simply got on with the rest of his day, unaware that the story had already been picked up by the media, including CTV and the Ottawa Citizen.

He said, “Once the fire trucks, police and paramedics had cleared the area, I just got back to work – business as usual. It wasn’t until the end of the day that I realized people had got quite excited by what had happened. I suppose I’ll take my 15 seconds of fame, but to me it was just a lift – the real heroes were the paramedic and firefighter who helped get the guy out.”

Having operated cranes since completing his apprenticeship at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario in Oakville nearly 20 years ago, Brother Hamilton had only one real concern during the rescue.

“The DEP was only three feet away from the Peace Tower, so I was a bit nervous about that! I got into position but still had plenty of time to think about what could happen, as I waited for the first responders to safely move the injured guy from where he had fallen and get him secured before I could lift them all out.
“I just went slow and steady and brought the DEP up a bit higher than usual as the wind can pick up off the river and I didn’t want to scare the guys by having it swinging around.”

An impressed Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesperson labelled Brother Hamilton’s skills as “amazing” and reported the injured worker was in stable condition before being taken to the hospital.

Another tough job completed by a member of Local 793!

Proposal Meeting: Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm Where: 1255 Terwillegar Ave #7, Oshawa, L1J 7A4 Dear Member: I.U.O.E. Local 793 will be holding a Proposal Meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m., for all members working under the Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement. Please be sure you attend this important proposal meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and notify as many of your fellow members as possible to join you. With proposals from the membership, Local 793 will move forward with our […]

Proposal Meeting: Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement

When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm

Where: 1255 Terwillegar Ave #7, Oshawa, L1J 7A4

Dear Member:

I.U.O.E. Local 793 will be holding a Proposal Meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m., for all members working under the Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement.

Please be sure you attend this important proposal meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and notify as many of your fellow members as possible to join you. With proposals from the membership, Local 793 will move forward with our negotiating committee to bargain a fair Collective Agreement.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Torie Coqu 437- 227-7652 or Jason Graff 289-937-0985.

Fraternally,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager

The next General Membership Meeting will be on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 10:00 am at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre, next to the Union’s head office at 2245 Speers Road in Oakville.

The next General Membership Meeting will be on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 10:00 am at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre, next to the Union’s head office at 2245 Speers Road in Oakville.

Show us your greenest and best leprechaun outfit this St. Patrick’s Day and take your luck all the way to the ballpark! To have a chance of winning tickets to see the Jays: 1. Put on your best leprechaun attire. 2. Take a photo of you, your family, your children and/or your grandchildren. 3. Send it to communications@iuoelocal793.org along with your name, Union registration number and contact information. You can send us your pictures from March 14th to March 17th at 11:59 PM The raffle is open to all Local […]

Show us your greenest and best leprechaun outfit this St. Patrick’s Day and take your luck all the way to the ballpark!

To have a chance of winning tickets to see the Jays:

1. Put on your best leprechaun attire.
2. Take a photo of you, your family, your children and/or your grandchildren.
3. Send it to communications@iuoelocal793.org along with your name, Union registration number and contact information.

You can send us your pictures from March 14th to March 17th at 11:59 PM

The raffle is open to all Local 793 members in good standing. Winners will be selected via random draw at Local 793 HQ.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Although only recently completed the Heavy Equipment program at OETIO, Joseph Zentena has served a lengthy apprenticeship in the construction industry. He said, “I found out about OETIO and IUOE 793 from a crane operator I was working with when I was a labourer in high-rise forming. “I got into the trades right out of high school, and although I did not particularly like the work, it taught me a lot and put me in contact with the right people who helped me to grow and push myself to pursue […]

Although only recently completed the Heavy Equipment program at OETIO, Joseph Zentena has served a lengthy apprenticeship in the construction industry.

He said, “I found out about OETIO and IUOE 793 from a crane operator I was working with when I was a labourer in high-rise forming.

“I got into the trades right out of high school, and although I did not particularly like the work, it taught me a lot and put me in contact with the right people who helped me to grow and push myself to pursue a Red Seal trade.”

Joseph opted to take the Pre-Apprenticeship program at OETIO before committing to a full apprenticeship.

“I would recommend the apprenticeship course, but I do think the pre-apprenticeship should be taken first to really find out through the work placement if this career is right for you, because it is a whole different animal once you leave OETIO and get out into the industry.”

With his goal of qualifying in a Red Seal trade now in sight, Joseph is grateful for the opportunity to leave his labouring days behind.

“The experience at OETIO has exceeded my expectations. I have learned so much and operated a vast number of machines. I would never have had the opportunity to get that much seat time on so many different pieces of equipment in the field.”

When Local 793 arrived at his non-union worksite years ago, Robert Nurse supported their efforts to improve conditions for workers like him. Before joining the union, Robert had worked across a wide range of industries from hydrant installation, insulation, trucking, earth coal soil mix, and even in Alberta’s oil fields. So, when Local 793 approached his site, he knew firsthand how much workers stood to gain. He supported the union by helping make connections and access the information they needed. As he recalls, “When they came to my non-union job […]

When Local 793 arrived at his non-union worksite years ago, Robert Nurse supported their efforts to improve conditions for workers like him.

Before joining the union, Robert had worked across a wide range of industries from hydrant installation, insulation, trucking, earth coal soil mix, and even in Alberta’s oil fields. So, when Local 793 approached his site, he knew firsthand how much workers stood to gain. He supported the union by helping make connections and access the information they needed.

As he recalls, “When they came to my non-union job site, I shared information, gave sites and people to talk to.”

After he officially joined Local 793, Robert saw a shift in his earnings. He went from making around $30 an hour to what he describes as a “significant pay raise,” finally feeling valued for the work he did.

It has basically made me able to afford life,” Robert says.

With strong union wages and benefits, Robert became the stable provider his household relied on, especially with his wife on disability.

“I’m pretty much the breadwinner. My wife doesn’t work. So, the benefits and everything have been really helpful because she’s been on disability and whatnot. All aspects of 793 have been amazing for me personally.”

Now, after 11 years in the union, Robert is thriving in the heavy civil sector. He operates a range of heavy machinery depending on the needs of each project, work he genuinely enjoys.

“My day consists of possibly being in an excavator, dozer, front-end loader… I enjoy the aspect of making things happen on a project, seeing production.”

Having spent years in non-union workplaces, Robert understands the doubts and worries many workers have. His message to them:

“Don’t believe the rumours. Try and put yourself out there. Any chance you get, bring it to other employees. Let them know it’s a good thing. Union work isn’t a bad thing. Getting the union in your company is not a bad thing. They do work for you. They do help you.”

On International Women’s Day, we honour and salute the remarkable achievements of women in Canada and around the world! Local 793 remains committed to supporting gender equality across our union and our industry. We will continue to champion diversity, promote inclusive workplaces, and take meaningful steps to ensure women have every opportunity to succeed.

On International Women’s Day, we honour and salute the remarkable achievements of women in Canada and around the world!

Local 793 remains committed to supporting gender equality across our union and our industry. We will continue to champion diversity, promote inclusive workplaces, and take meaningful steps to ensure women have every opportunity to succeed.