Category: Union News

The National Day of Mourning is a time to honour those who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to their work. It’s also an opportunity to reaffirm our collective responsibility to improve workplace safety and prevent future tragedies. Sadly, hundreds of Canadians die each year from workplace incidents, and many more work-related fatalities go unreported. In 2023, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) recorded 1,057 workplace fatalities nationwide, with an additional 274,022 workers taking time off due to work-related injuries or illnesses. These […]

The National Day of Mourning is a time to honour those who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to their work. It’s also an opportunity to reaffirm our collective responsibility to improve workplace safety and prevent future tragedies.

Sadly, hundreds of Canadians die each year from workplace incidents, and many more work-related fatalities go unreported. In 2023, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) recorded 1,057 workplace fatalities nationwide, with an additional 274,022 workers taking time off due to work-related injuries or illnesses. These numbers reflect only the incidents that were officially reported and accepted by compensation boards. The actual toll is likely much higher.

Yet, the statistics are just part of the story. Every workplace tragedy touches more than just the affected worker. It deeply impacts their families, friends, and coworkers, whose lives are changed forever.

Local 793 member Fredrick Slomke of Cochrane is one of three individuals recently added to the IUOE Local 793 Memorial Garden and Monument. Brother Fredrick, who had been a member for 18 years, tragically lost his life on October 8, 2023, due to occupational diseases.

On August 20, 2024, 54-year-old Local 793 member Nicholas D’Amato tragically lost his life in a workplace accident in King City. He was struck by a speeding pedestrian truck that collided with his ramps. Although the area was marked with cones to warn drivers, the driver’s reckless behaviour led to this devastating loss.

Brother Quinn Martyn was struck and killed in a job site accident on January 24, 2025. He was just 20 years old. The Local 793 apprentice was struck while attempting to help a worker who had been injured while using a skid steer at a job site in Tiverton.

The heartbreaking loss of these men again underscores the importance of Local 793’s long fight to make job sites safer for its members – and all workers.

“In the construction industry, we face inherent risks every day. It’s part of the environment we work in,” Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “But the simple truth is, most incidents that lead to workers being killed or injured are preventable. It’s not enough to mourn; we must commit to real, lasting change. Safety should never be an afterthought; it should be the foundation of everything we do. We owe it to every worker to ensure they come home safe.”

IUOE Local 793 President Dave Turple added “I call on all our employers to join with us in a shared commitment to ensuring that every worker who steps onto a jobsite has the highest level of training and qualifications possible. There should never be a shortcut taken that puts a single worker at risk.”

Local 793 proudly represents the safety of thousands of workers and the fight for their right to a safe workplace environment, continuously lobbying for improved training, licensing, and standardization in the construction industry so we can work in a safer, healthier environment and eliminate workplace accidents and fatalities.

The Local 793 Memorial Garden and Monument at head office in Oakville was built to honour members who died as a result of construction site accidents or due to occupational illnesses. Their names – 50 of them – are etched on the columns of this monument. Let us all do everything possible to ensure no more names are added.

LOCAL 793 MEMBERS WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS OR DUE TO OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES:

William Henry Munroe – November 4, 1970
Lambros Kordas – March 21, 1977
Joe Petrik – March 21, 1977
John W. Jr. Hunt – September 2, 1980
Bruce Norman Higgs – February 6, 1981
Roger Michael Sokoloski – November 2, 1984
Gerard Drapeau – August 5, 1987
Robert Jr. Baxter – September 25, 1987
Lynda Baker – September 14, 1989
Marc Roy – July 23, 1992
Elzear Dignard – August 4, 1992
Wallace Culp – November 16, 1993
Charles Barton – December 20, 1994
Robert Gerritsen – September 17, 1995
Donald Crawley – October 6, 1995
Earl Anness – January 17, 1996
Ronald Girard – May 17, 1996
Patrick Kelly – October 20, 1997
Edward Cox – June 14, 2001
Scott Mason – August 8, 2001
James Clement – October 26, 2001
Ryan Clement – October 26, 2001
Kenneth Gardiner – January 11, 2002
John Aarts – February 8, 2002
Allen Manchester – November 3, 2003
Michael Hipson – January 23, 2006
Kent Walker – May 15, 2006
Donald Duncan – October 13, 2007
Major Singh Dhadda – October 29, 2007
Giovanni De Francesco – January 1, 2009
Keith Gudmundson – January 19, 2010
Vince De Paepe – July 3, 2011
Patrick Gartlan – July 15, 2011
Kyle Knox – October 11, 2011
Maurice La Chapelle – March 9, 2012
Lee Antoniak – April 9, 2012
Renato Marchione – July 12, 2012
Jamie Drew Davis – July 12, 2015
Marc Normand – November 2, 2015
Claude Joly – December 15, 2016
Wayne H. McPhail – April 6, 2017
Eric Wheeler – May 6, 2019
Sylvio Paquette – July 10, 2019
Cody Proulx – February 24, 2021
James DiMarco – June 3, 2021
Ernesto Campoli – June 1, 2022
Fredrick Slomke – October 8, 2023
Mike Murphy – November 17, 2023
Nicholas D’Amato – August 20, 2024
Quinn Martyn – January 24, 2025

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.