Category: Union News

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher and IUOE General President John Downey cut the ribbon on the stunning new regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte on Friday, September 18. The magnitude of the occasion was underlined by the attendance list, which as well as the General President, included IUOE Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Trevor Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey, Skilled Trades Ontario CEO Candice White and Ontario Federation of Labour president Laura Walton. Brother Downey, who […]

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher and IUOE General President John Downey cut the ribbon on the stunning new regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte on Friday, September 18.

The magnitude of the occasion was underlined by the attendance list, which as well as the General President, included IUOE Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Trevor Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey, Skilled Trades Ontario CEO Candice White and Ontario Federation of Labour president Laura Walton.

Brother Downey, who made a special trip from Washington to be present, said, “We all know the importance of these types of investments. It demonstrates that we are training on the most up to date, state-of-the-art machines there are – the stuff that is being used out there on jobsites today.

“Congratulations to the membership of Local 793, who should be very proud of this accomplishment, and congratulations to Brother Gallagher for all your hard work on behalf of this membership – they’re lucky to have you and all the officers here working hard on their behalf.”

Premier Ford, who was present at the groundbreaking almost two years ago, was delighted to be back to see the finished building, which received $4.9 billion through the provincial government’s Skills Development Fund. He promised, “We’re never going to stop investing in workers!”

Brother Gallagher was understandably proud of the new facility, which will not only train future generations of OEs but serve as a permanent home for members in the Barrie area.

He said, “Here’s the vision realized. It feels almost like a dream. I remember when I was first elected back in 1996, the picture was somewhat different. Now it feels like we’re just hitting our stride. We’ve got more to do!”

First on the Business Manager’s to-do list is to build a new office for members in the Hamilton area, work on which has already begun.

 

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher’s message for members ahead of the Labour Day weekend celebrations.

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher’s message for members ahead of the Labour Day weekend celebrations.

Despite the economic warfare being waged upon Canada by our neighbours to the south, the overriding theme of the IUOE 66th Annual Canadian Conference in Alberta remained one of unity. From the singing of both “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” that opened the conference in Kananaskis, to Washington-based IUOE General President John Downey’s stirring defence of free trade and a promise to strengthen the bonds between Canada and the US, a sense of togetherness shone through the three-day gathering of locals. As President Downey neatly put it: solidarity […]

Despite the economic warfare being waged upon Canada by our neighbours to the south, the overriding theme of the IUOE 66^th Annual Canadian Conference in Alberta remained one of unity.

From the singing of both “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” that opened the conference in Kananaskis, to Washington-based IUOE General President John Downey’s stirring defence of free trade and a promise to strengthen the bonds between Canada and the US, a sense of togetherness shone through the three-day gathering of locals. As President Downey neatly put it: solidarity doesn’t end at the border.

Capturing that spirit, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher told conference he was optimistic that a new rail line from the Baffinland iron ore mine to Steensby Port in Nunavut would be built and that union members would secure the work.

“That will employ a lot of our members and we won’t be able to do it alone, we’ll be looking to the locals around the room here to help us man that project,” he said.

Brother Gallagher also highlighted Local 793’s ongoing campaign to get the Ontario government to mandate proper training for operators of rotating telehandlers. After showing two videos on the subject, he asked that locals across the country join him in the task.

He said, “They are our apprentices and our workers out there and if we’re not trying to actively make improvements in training then we do bear some of the responsibility [if accidents were to happen].

“We’re going to make some noise about this. This is very important and we need to coordinate our actions right across the country. We need to put our heads together on this one.”

President Downey had earlier stressed the importance of training programs that evolve with the technology and that investing in training was the most important investment the organization could make.

Conference delegates also heard from Canadian Regional Director Patrick Cambell, who spoke of the importance of new organizing structures and some big regional organizing wins – including Local 793’s signing of more than 300 new members with A&B Rail Services earlier this year. He also backs pursuing national standards for rotating telehandlers and rigging.

President of the Conference, Local 987 Business Manager Marc Lafond, also introduced speakers ranging from Federal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu – whose own son qualified as a Local 793 journeyman after completing his apprenticeship – former Federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan, Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

After Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi finished his speech, Brother Gallagher pressed him on why his party struggles to agree on clear national policies in support of big infrastructure projects, including pipelines – suggesting that doing so would win over many working people.

There was one more special moment for Brother Gallagher when he was presented with a road sign bearing his name and signed on the back by all conference delegates. Local 955, the host local, made the gesture as Brother Gallagher had travelled to Alberta when he was a young OE to help build the local highway.

It was a gesture typical of the warmth generated by Local 955 Business Manager Chris Flett and his staff, who have set a high bar ahead of next year’s conference in Montreal.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher.

Mike Gallagher is joined by NHL alumni Craig MacTavish and President Dave Turple.

OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr (left) and Director of Training and Apprenticeship Jeff Hewitt (centre) chat with conference guest speaker Patty Hajdu MP.

Pipers get the conference off to a pitch perfect start.

Local 955 staff pack up after a successful conference.

Kananaskis provided a picture perfect backdrop to the IUOE 66th Annual Conference.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed Barhale Canada CEO Martin Brown to IUOE Local 793 head office in Oakville recently to mark the company becoming the union’s latest signatory contractor. Barhale Canada is the newly established Toronto-based subsidiary of Barhale Ltd., a large civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist headquartered in the UK. The agreement will lead to new work opportunities for members of Local 793 across the province as the company continues to grow. Business Manager Gallagher said, “Through this partnership, the company has shown that it shares our belief […]

Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed Barhale Canada CEO Martin Brown to IUOE Local 793 head office in Oakville recently to mark the company becoming the union’s latest signatory contractor.

Barhale Canada is the newly established Toronto-based subsidiary of Barhale Ltd., a large civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist headquartered in the UK. The agreement will lead to new work opportunities for members of Local 793 across the province as the company continues to grow.

Business Manager Gallagher said, “Through this partnership, the company has shown that it shares our belief that the foundation of any world-class construction project begins with a well-trained, highly skilled and motivated workforce.

“When responsible contractors engage with unions, everybody wins. Workers gain access to the fair wages, benefits and pensions they and their families deserve, while employers can be confident projects are delivered quickly, safely and with the highest standards of professionalism.

“By supporting skilled labour, Barhale Canada has demonstrated that it is not just coming to Ontario to build infrastructure, but good-paying careers and thriving communities too.”

Barhale CEO Brown said, “Our business has always been built on the strength of our people and our partnerships, and this agreement reflects our commitment to investing in local skills, supporting union labour and delivering infrastructure projects safely and to the highest standards.

“We look forward to building a long and successful relationship with Local 793 as we continue to grow our Canadian business.”

Business Manager Mike Gallagher (third right) and Toronto Area Supervisor Justin O’Neill (right) were joined at the Oakville head office by (L-R) Barhale Canada Contract Administrator Janice Christie, Construction Manager Phil Wilkinson, Head of Business Development & Communications Devan Zdrenka and CEO Martin Brown.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher spoke at the Local 793 Oakville staff summer BBQ on Monday, expressing his gratitude for the work they do every day on behalf of our union and our members.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher spoke at the Local 793 Oakville staff summer BBQ on Monday, expressing his gratitude for the work they do every day on behalf of our union and our members.

There was a fantastic turnout for our 28th Annual IUOE Local 793 Toronto Member Golf Classic at the Lionhead Golf Club on Saturday. Members and guests battled it out on two spectacular courses and also enjoyed a delicious lunch, BBQ snacks and an ice cream truck. The day was capped off with a prize raffle, with some lucky attendees leaving the event with large screen TVs, Blue Jays tickets, a VIP car experience, golf club sets, BBQs and much more! Thank you to all our golfers, sponsors and volunteers who […]

There was a fantastic turnout for our 28th Annual IUOE Local 793 Toronto Member Golf Classic at the Lionhead Golf Club on Saturday.

Members and guests battled it out on two spectacular courses and also enjoyed a delicious lunch, BBQ snacks and an ice cream truck. The day was capped off with a prize raffle, with some lucky attendees leaving the event with large screen TVs, Blue Jays tickets, a VIP car experience, golf club sets, BBQs and much more!

Thank you to all our golfers, sponsors and volunteers who made the day such a success!

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher reacts to the latest of a string of victories against the Labourers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. In its decision released on Wednesday, the Board sided with Local 793 and declared that EllisDon should have assigned the operation of inside elevators at the Sanofi Project in Toronto to members of the Operating Engineers and not the Labourers. The verdict brings to an end the long-running jurisdictional dispute which was first grieved in August 2024.

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher reacts to the latest of a string of victories against the Labourers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. In its decision released on Wednesday, the Board sided with Local 793 and declared that EllisDon should have assigned the operation of inside elevators at the Sanofi Project in Toronto to members of the Operating Engineers and not the Labourers. The verdict brings to an end the long-running jurisdictional dispute which was first grieved in August 2024.

Please note, due to the closure of the Hamilton office, a new venue has been secured for monthly district meetings. Beginning September 23, meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the C Hotel, 1530 Stone Church Rd. E., Hamilton, ON.  

Please note, due to the closure of the Hamilton office, a new venue has been secured for monthly district meetings. Beginning September 23, meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the C Hotel, 1530 Stone Church Rd. E., Hamilton, ON.