Category: Union News

Opportunity is knocking for members of Local 793 in northern Ontario as work officially gets underway on the first segment of the new road network to the Ring of Fire. The $61.8 million Geraldton Main Street Rehabilitation Project will connect Hwy. 11 in the south with Hwy. 584 in the north and prepare the road to handle the heavy traffic expected to come with the opening of new mines in the mineral rich area located 500 km northeast of Thunder Bay. The provincial government estimates the Ring of Fire redevelopment […]

OETIO has been awarded $400,000 by the government of Ontario to renovate the dome at the Morrisburg campus. The money, which was obtained through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG), will be used to replace the dome’s covering, which has been in place since the 400-by-135-foot structure was built in October 2009. The dome, located at the Union training centre south of Ottawa, allows courses to run throughout the winter months. OETIO was one of just six training providers to have its application for funding approved, with the ACG allocating a […]

OETIO has been awarded $400,000 by the government of Ontario to renovate the dome at the Morrisburg campus.

The money, which was obtained through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG), will be used to replace the dome’s covering, which has been in place since the 400-by-135-foot structure was built in October 2009. The dome, located at the Union training centre south of Ottawa, allows courses to run throughout the winter months.

OETIO was one of just six training providers to have its application for funding approved, with the ACG allocating a total of $1.75 million to support apprenticeship training projects.

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said, “We are grateful to Premier Ford and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini for the award of $400,000 for the renovation of the dome in Morrisburg, which will ensure our apprentices continue to learn their trade in a safe and controlled environment whatever the weather.

“Having invested nearly $300 million in training over the past three decades and with a third training centre soon to open its gates near Barrie, Local 793 is pleased to have a partner in government that recognizes the importance of attracting more young people to the skilled trades and giving them the tools they need to build rewarding careers and brighter futures.”

The government’s push to modernize facilities and expand access to training is designed to build a skilled workforce capable of delivering $236 billion in planned infrastructure projects.

  Business Manager Mike Gallagher provides a video update for Local 793 members as the country heads into the Victoria Day long weekend. It has been an incredibly productive spring for the Union, capped by the return visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to Oakville at the end of April. He used the occasion to announce his Team Canada Strong measure, a $6 billion effort aimed at recruiting, training and hiring up to 100,000 Red Seal tradespeople in the next five years. You can read all about the PM’s visit […]

 

Business Manager Mike Gallagher provides a video update for Local 793 members as the country heads into the Victoria Day long weekend.

It has been an incredibly productive spring for the Union, capped by the return visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to Oakville at the end of April. He used the occasion to announce his Team Canada Strong measure, a $6 billion effort aimed at recruiting, training and hiring up to 100,000 Red Seal tradespeople in the next five years. You can read all about the PM’s visit and the details of the government’s investment here.

Brother Gallagher also delivers more good news for members, including:

• the new training centre in Oro-Medonte set to be completed later in the summer
• the purchase of the property next door to our HQ which will help us train more Operators
• the promise of good jobs in the North
• the Union’s expansion into the railroad sector – with 300 new members from A&B Rail coming over from LIUNA 183
• a big jurisdictional dispute win recorded against the Labourers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
• important information on the Pension and Benefits plans

If all that wasn’t enough, it looks like the sun might even be making a comeback!

We wish you and your families a happy Victoria Day long weekend!

Mobile crane apprentice Christian MacInnis has been crowned OETIO’s 2026 Skills Ontario Competition winner. MacInnis (middle) demonstrated a deft touch and keen understanding of cranes during last week’s event at the Toronto Congress Centre in Mississauga, earning him the coveted gold medal ahead of runner-up Michael Tan (left) and third-placed Andrew McCaffrey (right). In addition to the three medallists, the Mobile Crane Level 4 apprentices competing included Kevin Cordeiro, Austin Giblen, Joshua Laur, Laryssa Manders and Joshua Marentette. Retired members Dan Davie and Vince Prout again had the tough task […]

Mobile crane apprentice Christian MacInnis has been crowned OETIO’s 2026 Skills Ontario Competition winner.

MacInnis (middle) demonstrated a deft touch and keen understanding of cranes during last week’s event at the Toronto Congress Centre in Mississauga, earning him the coveted gold medal ahead of runner-up Michael Tan (left) and third-placed Andrew McCaffrey (right).

In addition to the three medallists, the Mobile Crane Level 4 apprentices competing included Kevin Cordeiro, Austin Giblen, Joshua Laur, Laryssa Manders and Joshua Marentette.

Retired members Dan Davie and Vince Prout again had the tough task of selecting OETIO’s top apprentice, judging each apprentice on their pre-operational inspections, control operations, post-operation procedures and overall efficiency during a series of practical tests.

Congratulations Christian!

Four generations of Chénier family Operating Engineers were honoured at the 31st Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in Winnipeg today. The Local 793 dynasty began by Aza Chénier just after the Second World World War has been continued by his son Mike, now retired, grandson André, an IUOE International Representative in Ottawa, and great-grandsons Zachary and Jeremy. The four were featured in a video tribute that was filmed over two days at the family home and at the OETIO training campus in Morrisburg. Highlighting the impact Operating […]

Four generations of Chénier family Operating Engineers were honoured at the 31st Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in Winnipeg today.

The Local 793 dynasty began by Aza Chénier just after the Second World World War has been continued by his son Mike, now retired, grandson André, an IUOE International Representative in Ottawa, and great-grandsons Zachary and Jeremy.

The four were featured in a video tribute that was filmed over two days at the family home and at the OETIO training campus in Morrisburg.

Highlighting the impact Operating Engineers have had on shaping Canada over the decades and the benefits that Unions have on workers and their families, the film received a standing ovation from delegates gathered at the RBC Convention Centre hall.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher is leading the Local 793 delegation in Winnipeg, which includes President Dave Turple, Labour Relations Manager Melissa Atkins-Mahaney and Director of Operations Ken Lew.

The CLC convention has brought together thousands of delegates from across the country to organize, strategize and show the power of workers coming together.

To all the women who build Ontario stronger while raising loving families every single day, Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the women who build Ontario stronger while raising loving families every single day, Happy Mother’s Day!

  Prime Minister Mark Carney returned to Local 793 head office in Oakville on Thursday having fulfilled a pledge made just over a year earlier to strengthen Canada’s workforce and bolster the skilled trades. Having replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberals and as Prime Minister in March 2025, it was Carney’s promised support of working people that convinced Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher to endorse the former Governor of the Bank of Canada in his bid to secure his first mandate at the polls. Among the pledges […]

 

Prime Minister Mark Carney returned to Local 793 head office in Oakville on Thursday having fulfilled a pledge made just over a year earlier to strengthen Canada’s workforce and bolster the skilled trades.

Having replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberals and as Prime Minister in March 2025, it was Carney’s promised support of working people that convinced Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher to endorse the former Governor of the Bank of Canada in his bid to secure his first mandate at the polls.

Among the pledges made that day was to introduce a new apprenticeship grant of $8,000.

Having gone on to secure a come-from-behind election victory just weeks later, Carney returned on Thursday to deliver more good news for workers in the form of his Team Canada Strong measure, a $6 billion effort aimed at recruiting, training and hiring up to 100,000 Red Seal tradespeople in the next five years.

That was music to the ears of Business Manager Gallagher, who addressed the Prime Minister during his remarks made in front of a large audience of Local 793 officers, members, staff, apprentices and special guests gathered in the OETIO shop for the announcement.

He said, “The last time the Prime Minister was here was 390 days ago and at that time we pledged our support to him and he hasn’t let us down one bit. He hit the ground running – in fact he’s got more hits than The Beatles had in their first 390 days!

“He’s taken the world by storm and he’s making Canada respected all over the world in terms of investment coming back into this country, he’s working hard and we appreciate it. So, keep up the good work – I know it’s not an easy job, especially with our friends to the south, but hopefully we can get things back on track. There’s nobody better than you and your team to do that.”

Carney explained that he had gone even further than he suggested he would on his last visit to Oakville, explaining that his Team Canada Strong policy includes $3.4 billion over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $468 million ongoing to address the challenges that can stop apprentices from completing their training and moving into permanent jobs.

That means apprentices will receive a weekly income top up of $400 per week through the Apprenticeship Training Grant while they are attending mandatory in-class training for a total payment of up to $16,000 – double the original pledge.

There will also be a $5,000 one-time bonus paid to apprentices who obtain certification in a Red Seal trade.

Referencing those year-old pledges, Carney said, “What we have announced this week is of a different order of magnitude because we spent more time looking at the scale of the issue, more time with the Unions, more time with the employers, more time with young apprentices.

“As this works, we may have to come back in a few years and do more, we may have to scale even further. That’s the challenge we want because that will show that we are building this country strong.”

The Prime Minister has also introduced further measures of particular interest to Operating Engineers, including $225 million over five years to enable Union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expand capacity and invest in modern equipment. That’s money that could be put to work in helping the Union build our next training centres on Local 793-owned land in Hamilton, Sudbury and Sarnia.

There is also an increase in the annual limit on expenses that can be deducted under the Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople from $4,000 to $10,000.

As Business Manager Gallagher noted, Prime Minister Carney could hardly have made a better start.

Also in attendance were IUOE officials present included IUOE Regional Director Patrick Campbell, IUOE Local 955 Business Manager Chris Flett and IUOE Local 772 Business Manager Greg Hoath, as well as representatives of some of our fellow building trades unions.

Special guests included Anita Anand, MP for Oakville East and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sima Acan, MP for Oakville West, and Karina Gould, MP for Burlington.

Team Canada Strong Key Measures:

• $2 billion over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $262 million ongoing to help recruit more young people into the trades
• $331 million over five years, and $18 million ongoing to modernize apprenticeship training
• $225 million over five years to enable Union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expand capacity, and invest in modern equipment
• Apprenticeship Training Grant will provide apprentices with a $400 per week top-up while in-class for a total payment of up to $16,000 per apprentice, on top of EI
• One-time $5,000 bonus to apprentices obtaining certification in a Red Seal trade
• Increase annual limit on expenses that can be deducted under the Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople from $4,000 to $10,000
• Modify the minimum distance threshold for relocations from 150 km to 120 km