Category: Union News

These elite emergency responders are honing their skills to better protect our community! We were proud to welcome the Peel Regional Police Tactical and Rescue Unit to OETIO Oakville, where they trained on our cranes as part of their Tactical Structure Climbing course. Thank you for trusting OETIO to support your mission. Together, we’re building a safer future for everyone!

These elite emergency responders are honing their skills to better protect our community!

We were proud to welcome the Peel Regional Police Tactical and Rescue Unit to OETIO Oakville, where they trained on our cranes as part of their Tactical Structure Climbing course.

Thank you for trusting OETIO to support your mission. Together, we’re building a safer future for everyone!

2025 Scholarships and bursaries are now open for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of Local 793 members! The available scholarships and bursaries are: Canadian Conference Bursary Jack Redshaw Scholarship Ray Goodfellow Scholarship Fund GPMC | NMC Educational Bursary Scholarships from the Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada Check our website for more info: https://iuoelocal793.org/why-join/awards/

2025 Scholarships and bursaries are now open for the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of Local 793 members!

The available scholarships and bursaries are:

Canadian Conference Bursary
Jack Redshaw Scholarship
Ray Goodfellow Scholarship Fund
GPMC | NMC Educational Bursary
Scholarships from the Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada

Check our website for more info: https://iuoelocal793.org/why-join/awards/

Meet the members driving progress at the Ontario Line Pape and Danforth site! Brothers Carlos Ganhao (Steward), Japheteh Tesfagiorgis (Apprentice), Daniel Sahadeo (Mobile Crane Operator), with Business Rep Brendan Ryan. Brother Andreas Tsangaris is also at the site operating the excavator. Thank you for all that you do! This subway project will have 15 stations connecting to the other transit lines across the city and is expected to be completed by 2031.

Meet the members driving progress at the Ontario Line Pape and Danforth site! Brothers Carlos Ganhao (Steward), Japheteh Tesfagiorgis (Apprentice), Daniel Sahadeo (Mobile Crane Operator), with Business Rep Brendan Ryan. Brother Andreas Tsangaris is also at the site operating the excavator. Thank you for all that you do!

This subway project will have 15 stations connecting to the other transit lines across the city and is expected to be completed by 2031.

Local 793 is proud to stand in solidarity with the striking members of IUOE Local 772. The stationary engineers represented by Local 772 play a vital role in providing safe drinking water for the people of Hamilton and have been on strike since May 14 seeking a fair wage deal. They are responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical systems at water and wastewater treatment plants. This includes the purification process, wastewater discharge, and ensuring the overall safe and reliable operation of the plants. They also handle maintenance […]

Local 793 is proud to stand in solidarity with the striking members of IUOE Local 772.

The stationary engineers represented by Local 772 play a vital role in providing safe drinking water for the people of Hamilton and have been on strike since May 14 seeking a fair wage deal.

They are responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical systems at water and wastewater treatment plants. This includes the purification process, wastewater discharge, and ensuring the overall safe and reliable operation of the plants. They also handle maintenance at city reservoirs and pumping stations.

Today’s rally outside Hamilton City Hall was attended by about 200 workers from different unions keen to back our Brothers and Sisters who are standing firm in their fight to achieve a fair agreement.

Local 772 Business Manager Greg Hoath addressed the crowd before thanking Local 793’s South Central Ontario Area Supervisor Andrew Saunders, the staff and members of Local 793 for their support.

Local 793 members in the Hamilton area who are available from noon today are asked to join our striking Brothers and Sisters of IUOE Local 772 in Hamilton as they stage a rally at City Hall. About 60 City of Hamilton water and wastewater operators have been on strike since May 14. Local 772 is seeking a 6% raise over four years to help close a pay gap that leaves some of its members earning less than workers in similar roles. Please join your Union for the rally at City […]

Local 793 members in the Hamilton area who are available from noon today are asked to join our striking Brothers and Sisters of IUOE Local 772 in Hamilton as they stage a rally at City Hall.

About 60 City of Hamilton water and wastewater operators have been on strike since May 14. Local 772 is seeking a 6% raise over four years to help close a pay gap that leaves some of its members earning less than workers in similar roles.

Please join your Union for the rally at City Hall at noon to stand in solidarity with Local 772 workers as they fight for a fair and equitable agreement.

Canada Day feels different when you’re helping build the country you’re proud to call home. Wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day feels different when you’re helping build the country you’re proud to call home. Wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day!

Please be advised that offices will be closed from Monday, June 30, 2025, until Tuesday, July 1, 2025, for Canada Day long weekend.

Please be advised that offices will be closed from Monday, June 30, 2025, until Tuesday, July 1^, 2025, for Canada Day long weekend.

New requirements regarding jobsite washroom standards are due to come into effect across Ontario on July 1. The amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990 focus on improving hygiene, sanitation and overall working conditions and are being implemented as part of the provincial government’s Bill 190 (Working for Workers Five Act, 2024). Sections of the Act will be amended placing new requirements on constructors and employers to ensure washroom facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Constructors and employers will now also be required to […]

New requirements regarding jobsite washroom standards are due to come into effect across Ontario on July 1.

The amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990 focus on improving hygiene, sanitation and overall working conditions and are being implemented as part of the provincial government’s Bill 190 (Working for Workers Five Act, 2024).

Sections of the Act will be amended placing new requirements on constructors and employers to ensure washroom facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Constructors and employers will now also be required to keep and maintain records of cleaning schedules that must be made available to workers. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors will conduct regular inspections of facilities, and non-compliance can result in penalties.

Local 793’s Health and Safety department is optimistic constructors and employers will comply with the new requirements but, as the eyes and ears of the Union, members are urged to bring any concerns they may have over jobsite washroom facilities to their business rep or to Director of Health and Safety Brian Alexander.

You have a right to safe and sanitary washrooms while at work.

The amendments coming into force on July 1 are:

Definition

A “washroom facility” will now be defined as a washroom, toilet facility, clean-up facility, urinal, shower or other similar facility, but does not include an eye wash station or emergency shower; (“salle de toilette”). 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 1 (4).

Washroom Facilities
23.1 (1) A constructor shall ensure, on a project, that the washroom facilities, if any, that are provided by the constructor for the use of workers are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 5.

Records
(2) The constructor shall keep, maintain and make available records of the cleaning of washroom facilities as prescribed. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 5.

Regulations
(3) The regulations may modify or supplement this section and may establish new or modified requirements with respect to washroom facilities. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 5.

Washroom facilities
25.3 (1) An employer shall ensure that the washroom facilities, if any, that are provided by the employer for the use of workers are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 7.

Same, Exception
(2) For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not apply if the washroom facilities are provided by a constructor on a project and subsection 23.1 (1) applies instead with respect to those facilities. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 7.

Records
(3) The employer shall keep, maintain and make available records of the cleaning of washroom facilities as prescribed. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 7.

Regulations
(4) The regulations may modify or supplement this section and may establish new or modified requirements with respect to washroom facilities. 2024, c. 19, Sched. 4, s. 7.

Wow, what an incredible turnout at the Hamilton Golf Tournament! It was fantastic to see everyone having a blast and bonding with their Brothers and Sisters! A special shoutout to Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for joining us and generously donating his jersey and four tickets to watch their game against the Montreal Alouettes this Friday. Thank you to our sponsors, attendees, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this event a smashing success! The proceeds from the Hamilton Golf Tournament will benefit Easter Seals Ontario, The FoodBank […]

Wow, what an incredible turnout at the Hamilton Golf Tournament! It was fantastic to see everyone having a blast and bonding with their Brothers and Sisters! A special shoutout to Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for joining us and generously donating his jersey and four tickets to watch their game against the Montreal Alouettes this Friday.

Thank you to our sponsors, attendees, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this event a smashing success! The proceeds from the Hamilton Golf Tournament will benefit Easter Seals Ontario, The FoodBank Waterloo, Feed Niagara, and Hamilton Food Share.

Thank you all for your support!

Environment Canada has issued a warning about the first significant heat event of the season, with dangerously hot and humid conditions expected to persist throughout the week. Daytime temperatures in some areas are forecasted to reach between 29 and 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity making it feel closer to 40 degrees. Officials urge everyone to take action to protect themselves and others, as extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. They recommend assessing if you or those around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Construction workers are particularly vulnerable […]

Environment Canada has issued a warning about the first significant heat event of the season, with dangerously hot and humid conditions expected to persist throughout the week.

Daytime temperatures in some areas are forecasted to reach between 29 and 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity making it feel closer to 40 degrees.

Officials urge everyone to take action to protect themselves and others, as extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. They recommend assessing if you or those around you are at greater risk of heat illness.

Construction workers are particularly vulnerable to direct sunlight and humidity exposure. Early warning signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, and intense fatigue.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and wear light-colored clothing when working in such conditions.

If you are concerned that employers are not taking appropriate steps to help workers avoid heat stroke and exhaustion, contact your business representative.

For more information on how to prepare for and recognize heat-related symptoms, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-heat-stress-work

For the latest Heat Warning Alert from Environment Canada, visit https://weather.gc.ca