Category: Union News

Keep your Union experience at your fingertips with the IUOE Local 793 Members Mobile App. It’s your all-in-one tool to stay connected, informed, and in control, anytime, anywhere. With just a few taps, you can: Stay up to date on the latest union news and events Contact your business or site representative Download your tax forms, certificates, and collective agreement Access and share your qualification card with contractors via a secure QR code Pay your dues quickly and securely Add important dates to your personal calendar Everything you need – […]

Keep your Union experience at your fingertips with the IUOE Local 793 Members Mobile App. It’s your all-in-one tool to stay connected, informed, and in control, anytime, anywhere.

With just a few taps, you can:

• Stay up to date on the latest union news and events
• Contact your business or site representative
• Download your tax forms, certificates, and collective agreement
• Access and share your qualification card with contractors via a secure QR code
• Pay your dues quickly and securely
• Add important dates to your personal calendar

Everything you need – faster, safer, and easier than ever before!

Ready to simplify your Union experience?

Log into the Union website here to access the download link or QR code for the app. You’ll also find a step-by-step guide to help you download and start using the app with ease.

In Canada, struck-by incidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and fatality on construction sites. A significant number of these incidents are linked to distractions, particularly those caused by mobile device usage. Do not use mobile devices on the job site! They are a serious source of distraction that can lead to injury or death. To raise awareness and improve workplace safety, IHSA is leading Struck-By Awareness Week from April 21 to 25, 2025. IUOE Local 793 proudly supports this initiative and remains committed to protecting every worker […]

In Canada, struck-by incidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and fatality on construction sites. A significant number of these incidents are linked to distractions, particularly those caused by mobile device usage. Do not use mobile devices on the job site! They are a serious source of distraction that can lead to injury or death.

To raise awareness and improve workplace safety, IHSA is leading Struck-By Awareness Week from April 21 to 25, 2025. IUOE Local 793 proudly supports this initiative and remains committed to protecting every worker building and maintaining Ontario.

When working on a jobsite with cranes or heavy equipment, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings. Never walk beneath a suspended load or bucket. Simple measures can make all the difference. To raise awareness and improve workplace safety, IHSA is leading Struck-By Awareness Week from April 21 to 25, 2025. IUOE Local 793 proudly supports this initiative and remains committed to protecting every worker building and maintaining Ontario.

When working on a jobsite with cranes or heavy equipment, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings. Never walk beneath a suspended load or bucket. Simple measures can make all the difference.

To raise awareness and improve workplace safety, IHSA is leading Struck-By Awareness Week from April 21 to 25, 2025. IUOE Local 793 proudly supports this initiative and remains committed to protecting every worker building and maintaining Ontario.

Heavy equipment has significant blind spots, especially when reversing. These blind spots increase the risk of accidents, particularly in busy, noisy areas where multiple vehicles are in motion and visibility is limited. To help prevent struck-by incidents when working around reversing vehicles and moving equipment, follow these safety practices: Minimize Reversing Whenever Possible According to Section 104 of the Regulations for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91), vehicles, machines, and equipment should not be operated in reverse unless necessary. Use a Signaller (Spotter) When Reversing If reversing cannot be avoided, Section […]

Heavy equipment has significant blind spots, especially when reversing. These blind spots increase the risk of accidents, particularly in busy, noisy areas where multiple vehicles are in motion and visibility is limited.

To help prevent struck-by incidents when working around reversing vehicles and moving equipment, follow these safety practices:

Minimize Reversing Whenever Possible
According to Section 104 of the Regulations for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91), vehicles, machines, and equipment should not be operated in reverse unless necessary.

Use a Signaller (Spotter) When Reversing
If reversing cannot be avoided, Section 104 also requires that a signaller (spotter) assist the operator.

Stay Clear of Blind Spots
To reduce the risk of being struck, workers should stay out of known blind spots and make eye contact with equipment operators. Remember: if you can see the operator, they should be able to see you.

Watch for Overhead Powerlines
Contact with overhead powerlines is a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in construction. If any part of the equipment or its load could come close to an energized overhead line, a designated signaller (spotter) must be used.

To raise awareness and improve workplace safety, IHSA is leading Struck-By Awareness Week from April 21 to 25, 2025. IUOE Local 793 proudly supports this initiative and remains committed to protecting every worker building and maintaining Ontario.

IUOE Local 793 joins the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His death marks a sad and significant loss, not only for the Catholic Church but for people of all faiths and backgrounds. A humble Argentine Jesuit who lived a vow of poverty, he became the first pope in more than a century from outside Europe, and the first from the Americas. Pope Francis consistently stood with the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. His historic visit to Canada in 2022, where he apologized to First Nations peoples […]

IUOE Local 793 joins the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His death marks a sad and significant loss, not only for the Catholic Church but for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

A humble Argentine Jesuit who lived a vow of poverty, he became the first pope in more than a century from outside Europe, and the first from the Americas.

Pope Francis consistently stood with the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. His historic visit to Canada in 2022, where he apologized to First Nations peoples for the Church’s role in colonialism and the abuses of the residential school system, was a courageous step toward reconciliation and healing.

He was also deeply committed to protecting our planet. In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, he called for urgent action on climate change and environmental stewardship, framing care for the Earth as a moral and spiritual imperative.

Pope Francis will also be remembered for his inclusive stance toward LGBTQ people. In 2013, he famously said, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” A decade later, he reaffirmed his support by stating that “being homosexual isn’t a crime,” and condemned laws that criminalize LGBTQ individuals as “unjust.”

Pope Francis was a progressive voice of unity and mercy in a time of division. He leaves behind a legacy of justice, humility, and hope.

On behalf of Local 793, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all those mourning this loss around the world. May his example continue to inspire leaders and citizens alike to walk the path of service, peace, and solidarity.

On behalf of myself, the Officers, Executive Board and Staff of IUOE, Local 793, I extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a Happy Easter. Easter offers the opportunity to share goodwill and gratitude with family and friends and the hopeful feeling of new beginnings that come with the longer days and warmer spring weather. As the construction season ramps up, I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication you continue to show in building the homes, hospitals, roads, and transit systems that support and […]

On behalf of myself, the Officers, Executive Board and Staff of IUOE, Local 793, I extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a Happy Easter.

Easter offers the opportunity to share goodwill and gratitude with family and friends and the hopeful feeling of new beginnings that come with the longer days and warmer spring weather.

As the construction season ramps up, I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication you continue to show in building the homes, hospitals, roads, and transit systems that support and improve communities across our province. Take pride in your work, watch out for one another, and always make safety your top priority wherever the job takes you.

Please be advised that all Local 793 offices will be closed for the Easter holiday on Friday, April 18, 2025. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Have a safe and enjoyable Easter weekend.

Sincerely,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE Local 793

Brothers Brandon Ross, Antonio Mininni, Brandon Trimble, and Mitchell Gerrits are working for Anchor Shoring Ltd. on the Ontario Line project in Toronto. The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometre stand-alone rapid transit line that will connect the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place. Over half of the route is planned to run underground through new tunnels, with the remainder running along elevated and at-grade rail corridor sections of track.

Brothers Brandon Ross, Antonio Mininni, Brandon Trimble, and Mitchell Gerrits are working for Anchor Shoring Ltd. on the Ontario Line project in Toronto.

The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometre stand-alone rapid transit line that will connect the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place. Over half of the route is planned to run underground through new tunnels, with the remainder running along elevated and at-grade rail corridor sections of track.

As the federal election campaign intensifies, IUOE Local 793 has officially endorsed Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada for the April 28 election. Carney personally accepted the endorsement during a campaign visit to Local 793’s training centre on Saturday. With more than three weeks before polling day, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said there is tremendous support for the Liberal Leader and his candidates from operating engineers and the building trades across Canada. “Families and workers need a champion who will protect their homes and ensure they […]

As the federal election campaign intensifies, IUOE Local 793 has officially endorsed Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada for the April 28 election. Carney personally accepted the endorsement during a campaign visit to Local 793’s training centre on Saturday.

With more than three weeks before polling day, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said there is tremendous support for the Liberal Leader and his candidates from operating engineers and the building trades across Canada.

“Families and workers need a champion who will protect their homes and ensure they have access to the skilled trades training that is crucial to building Canada’s future,” Gallagher stated.

Gallagher added: “Mark Carney brings invaluable economic experience from his leadership roles at both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, where his experience gives him a unique ability to handle complex international issues – including those with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. He is working to ensure that Canada remained steadfast in defending its economic interests and global trade relationships.”

During the event, Carney unveiled a plan to strengthen Canada’s skilled trades workforce, announcing that a Liberal government would provide a new apprenticeship grant of up to $8,000 for registered apprentices, enabling more Canadians to join these professions and secure better-paying careers.

“Investing in the skilled trades is at the heart of our strategy” Carney said. “Our task as a nation over the coming weeks and months and years is to think bigger, and to act bigger, to build Canada strong. That starts right here. That starts by investing in our workers – crane operators, bricklayers, welders and those in the specialized trades that are essential to the future of Canada.”

The Liberal plan would also:

• Increase access to union-led training initiatives by doubling the funding of the Union Training and Innovation Program from $25 million to $50 million annually.
• Establish a new $20 million capital funding stream for colleges to support new training spaces for apprenticeships.
• Uphold the Apprenticeship Service program to support employers in hiring new apprentices in Red Seal trades, with up to $10,000 for eligible employers for each new apprentice hired.
• Increase labour mobility for skilled trades people between provinces and territories through the vital work of breaking down internal trade barriers.
• Expand the Labour Mobility Tax Deduction to ensure workers who travel more than 120 km from their home to a job site can deduct more of their expenses and commit to significantly increasing the per-year tax deduction limit.

The announcement comes after a week of Carney reassuring Canadians of his dedication to strengthening the economy amid threats from the White House. Carney cautioned that without prompt action, Canada will face a shortage of tens of thousands of skilled workers.

“The next decades are going to be very busy for those in the skilled trades in Canada. We are not just going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the skilled trades – we’re creating hundreds of thousands of careers,” he said.

Among the attendees were Patrick Campbell, (IUOE Canadian Regional Director), IUOE Business Managers Joseph MacLellan (Local 721, Nova Scotia), Gilles Larivière (Local 905, Quebec), Greg Hoath (Local 772, Hamilton), and Haemant Sawh (Local 882, British Columbia), Mark O’Brien (Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Baffinland), and Tom Cardinal (Chief of Staff, Carpenters’ Regional Council).

Liberal candidates Anita Anand (Oakville East), Sima Acan (Oakville West), Adam van Koeverden (Burlington North Milton West), Kristina Tesser (Milton East Halton Hills South), and Karina Gould (Burlington) were also in attendance.

In a significant ruling on a long-outstanding issue, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has sided with Local 793 in its grievance against Mammoet for failing to pay the correct weekly board allowance. This follows a dispute that began with the All Canada Crane case in 2022, where the OLRB ruled that the weekly board allowance still existed and accepted the Union’s calculation of the weekly board allowance amount (daily rate x 7). All Canada Crane initially argued that the weekly allowance no longer existed but did not contest the […]

In a significant ruling on a long-outstanding issue, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has sided with Local 793 in its grievance against Mammoet for failing to pay the correct weekly board allowance.

This follows a dispute that began with the All Canada Crane case in 2022, where the OLRB ruled that the weekly board allowance still existed and accepted the Union’s calculation of the weekly board allowance amount (daily rate x 7). All Canada Crane initially argued that the weekly allowance no longer existed but did not contest the Union’s proposed calculation. After losing on judicial review, All Canada Crane agreed to a consent award and paid the weekly board amount as per Local 793’s calculation.

Mammoet, however, challenged the decision, claiming that the All Canada Crane ruling only addressed the existence of the board allowance, not the specific amount. Local 793 argued that the All Canada Crane decision bound Mammoet due to principles like issue estoppel and res judicata, collateral attack and abuse of process and Mammoet should not be allowed to relitigate the same issue.

The OLRB sided with Local 793, stating that Mammoet could not revisit the calculation since the All Canada Crane case had already addressed it without any employer, association or employer bargaining agency objections. The Board emphasized the importance of finality in legal decisions and noted that allowing Mammoet to relitigate the issue would undermine labour relations.

As a result, the grievance was upheld, and Mammoet was ordered to pay the board allowance as calculated by the Union in the All Canada Crane case (the daily rate multiplied by 7).

“It’s unfortunate that the contractors did not view the whole issue from the perspective of an operator working on their behalf out of town and away from their families to benefit the employer and business,” Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “There should never be any doubt that Local 793 fights for our members and defends and enforces our collective agreements.”

This decision brings clarity to a longstanding issue and ensures that the correct amount will be paid going forward. It also helps resolve grievances that have been filed and have been put on hold pending the outcome of this case. Any unresolved grievances will either now be settled on the basis of this decision or will be relisted at the OLRB, if required.

This ruling is significant as it finalizes the board allowance issue that has been lingering since the 2022 negotiations. This allows the Union and employers to focus on upcoming provincial negotiations without this issue hanging over them. For members, it clarifies that if they are entitled to the weekly board allowance, and it will be calculated at the daily rate times 7. Impacted members are encouraged to ensure going forward that when they are entitled to a weekly board allowance, it is calculated in accordance with this decision. For clarity, as of May 1, 2024, the weekly board allowance for members working under Schedule A of the Provincial Collective Agreement is $1,375.99. The daily rate is $196.57.