Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator, Jim Jacobs, continues to assist in the Union’s mission to make more Indigenous youth aware of the life-changing opportunities open to them as an Operating Engineer. Brother Jacobs, a member of the Mohawk/Bear Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River, took part in the Annual Aboriginal Youth Career Awareness Fair at the Aamjiwnaang First Nation (pronounced am-JIN-nun) in Sarnia on March 7. He chatted with students from seven southwestern Ontario First Nations communities about his own career path and made them aware of […]
Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator, Jim Jacobs, continues to assist in the Union’s mission to make more Indigenous youth aware of the life-changing opportunities open to them as an Operating Engineer.
Brother Jacobs, a member of the Mohawk/Bear Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River, took part in the Annual Aboriginal Youth Career Awareness Fair at the Aamjiwnaang First Nation (pronounced am-JIN-nun) in Sarnia on March 7. He chatted with students from seven southwestern Ontario First Nations communities about his own career path and made them aware of the fee-free pre-apprenticeship training available to Indigenous youth through the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO).
Brother Jacobs will also be manning the OETIO information booth when Aecon-Six Nations (A6N) stages an open house to celebrate its new location east of the Oneida Business Park in Caledonia on March 22, before attending the Georgina Island First Nations Trades Fair at Chippewas of Georgina Island Community Hall on March 27.
Local 793 provides an Indigenous pre-apprenticeship program through the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). Visit oetio.com for more information.
Local 793 Indigenous Relations Coordinator Jim Jacobs (left) is greeted by Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Chris Plain at the recent careers fair in Sarnia.Brother Jacobs discusses the OETIO pre-apprenticeship application process with First Nations students in Sarnia.
Following a blockbuster 2023, Local 793 members can look forward to another busy year, with a $200 billion project pipeline helping to fuel positivity among contractors. That was the main message to come out of the Ontario Construction Secretariat’s (OCS) annual State of the Industry and Outlook Conference, which took place at the International Centre in Mississauga on March 7. The OCS represents the collective interests of the unionized construction industry in Ontario’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sector. Local 793 President and Assistant Business Manager, Dave Turple, is […]
Following a blockbuster 2023, Local 793 members can look forward to another busy year, with a $200 billion project pipeline helping to fuel positivity among contractors.
That was the main message to come out of the Ontario Construction Secretariat’s (OCS) annual State of the Industry and Outlook Conference, which took place at the International Centre in Mississauga on March 7.
The OCS represents the collective interests of the unionized construction industry in Ontario’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sector. Local 793 President and Assistant Business Manager, Dave Turple, is one of seven labour representatives on the OCS board. Local 793 Executive Board member and ICI, Heavy Civil and Landscaping Sector Coordinator Jordan Glendenning represented Local 793 at the event.
A host of industry experts spoke at the event, including BMO Canada senior economist Robert Kavcic and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) president and CEO Michael Lindsay.
Lindsay reported that IO is overseeing $42 billion worth of projects currently under construction across the province, with a further 31 projects in pre or active procurement, valued at $35 billion.
“No jurisdiction is doing more building than we are here in Ontario,” he said.
That claim was backed up by the findings of the OCS’s 2024 Contractor Survey, which was released alongside the conference and showed that 71% of unionized contractors reported having a positive outlook for the year ahead. That figure fell to 64% among non-union contractors.
However, given the strength of 2023, it is not surprising that the report also found expectations for this year have cooled slightly when compared to 12 months earlier, with employers pointing to higher interest rates and material costs and a shortage of skilled labour as being of particular concern.
When broken down by region, contractors working in northern Ontario proved to be the most optimistic about the year ahead, with 31% saying they expect to handle more work this year. This compares to a province-wide average of 26%.
Operating Engineers can expect to be in high demand in 2024, with 34% of contractors intending to increase hiring. There was good news, too, for those members starting their careers with Local 793, with 78% of unionized contractors employing apprentices, compared to just 50% of non-union firms.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the 2024 Contractor Survey.
OCS conference attendees heard how a $200 billion project pipeline points to more growth in the ICI construction sector.Infrastructure Ontario CEO Michael Lindsay addresses the OCS conference.
On behalf of the officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, I am proud to mark Women in Construction Week, as well as today’s International Women’s Day. As the Business Manager of a Union with more than 19,000 members, I have been aware for many years the need to attract more women to the skilled trades if Ontario is to keep growing, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the increasing presence of women in the construction industry, especially within our specific trade. […]
On behalf of the officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, I am proud to mark Women in Construction Week, as well as today’s International Women’s Day.
As the Business Manager of a Union with more than 19,000 members, I have been aware for many years the need to attract more women to the skilled trades if Ontario is to keep growing, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the increasing presence of women in the construction industry, especially within our specific trade. This trend is particularly significant as we anticipate potential shortages moving forward.
According to a report by PRISM Economics and Analysis, IUOE retirements are projected to rise by 13% over the next 5 years, exceeding 280 retirements per year by 2027. Approximately one-fifth (21%) of active members are age 55 and over and are eligible or will be eligible to retire in the next ten years.
With approximately 18.4 million women and girls comprising half (50.6%) of Canada’s population, tapping into this demographic presents a clear opportunity for recruiting future Operating Engineers.
In December, I sent a delegation of six female members to Washington, D.C. to join more than 4,000 other tradeswomen at the annual Trades Women Build Nations (TWBN) Conference. It was an opportunity for them to meet women from other regions of North America, share their experiences, be inspired and return home with a renewed sense of determination to build their careers and become mentors for other women who wish to follow in their footsteps.
Despite all the progress that has been made by the construction industry in recent years, we recognize that much more needs to be done to secure full equality for women and a future where everyone – regardless of gender, race or class – has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
I urge you to take a moment to watch the Local 793 video below and hear directly from some of our female members on how becoming a member of Local 793 has helped transform their lives.
Sincerely,
Mike Gallagher
IUOE Local 793 Business Manager
Welcome to 793 Operator, the magazine. In this edition, you’ll read the Business Manager’s Report, find out everything you need to know about the 2024 IUOE Local 793 Election, get important details about the General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 24 at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville at 10 a.m., read about the biggest projects happening in each area and sector, and much more. Digital magazines can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, or other digital platforms anywhere and anytime. They enhance the user experience […]
Welcome to 793 Operator, the magazine.
In this edition, you’ll read the Business Manager’s Report, find out everything you need to know about the 2024 IUOE Local 793 Election, get important details about the General Membership meeting on Sunday, March 24 at the OE Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville at 10 a.m., read about the biggest projects happening in each area and sector, and much more.
Digital magazines can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, or other digital platforms anywhere and anytime. They enhance the user experience and offer links to important resources and information for quick access, as well as great video content!
New Local 793 signatory company, Pine Valley Property Development, is hard at work as a subcontractor for Valard on Hydro One’s 115kv transmission line refurbishment near Sault Ste. Marie. Pine Valley operators Nick Kudlac (centre) and Brock Hilderley are pictured onsite with Local 793 Energy Sector Rep Charlie Peters (left) alongside a Link-Belt 210 excavator. The project is part of a major upgrade of transmission lines in the area as industry continues to switch from fossil fuels to electricity to meet emissions targets, including Algoma Steel’s ongoing $703 million project […]
New Local 793 signatory company, Pine Valley Property Development, is hard at work as a subcontractor for Valard on Hydro One’s 115kv transmission line refurbishment near Sault Ste. Marie.
Pine Valley operators Nick Kudlac (centre) and Brock Hilderley are pictured onsite with Local 793 Energy Sector Rep Charlie Peters (left) alongside a Link-Belt 210 excavator.
The project is part of a major upgrade of transmission lines in the area as industry continues to switch from fossil fuels to electricity to meet emissions targets, including Algoma Steel’s ongoing $703 million project to replace its coke-fired blast furnaces with two state-of-the-art electric arc furnaces.
Local 793 Energy Sector Rep Charlie Peters (left) with Pine Valley Property Development operators Nick Kudlac (centre) and Brock Hilderley.
All income tax receipts representing Union and working dues for the 2023 taxation year, as well as other taxable benefit receipts from OEBAC (T4A’s), will be mailed out to members’ home addresses by Friday, February 23, 2024. Starting Wednesday, February 28, 2024, members can also go online and download or print a copy of their Union tax receipts and/or T4A slips. This can easily be done by going into your member profile on the Union’s website (See step-by-step instructions below). If you did not receive your Union dues tax receipts […]
All income tax receipts representing Union and working dues for the 2023 taxation year, as well as other taxable benefit receipts from OEBAC (T4A’s), will be mailed out to members’ home addresses by Friday, February 23, 2024.
Starting Wednesday, February 28, 2024, members can also go online and download or print a copy of their Union tax receipts and/or T4A slips. This can easily be done by going into your member profile on the Union’s website (See step-by-step instructions below).
If you did not receive your Union dues tax receipts and/or T4A slips in the mail, please contact the OEBAC Member Call Centre at 1-844-793-1919.
The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) is taking part in the sixth annual Canadian Concrete Expo at the International Centre in Mississauga. The Expo is an opportunity for OETIO to showcase the concrete pump and crane training/apprenticeship program offered at its world-class campus in Oakville. The event features more than 350 exhibiting companies from across Canada, the United States and around the globe and is expected to attract more than 8,000 industry attendees. Seen in the photo are: (Back Row L-R) Dave Viggiani (OETIO Instructor), Mike Chianello (Local […]
The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) is taking part in the sixth annual Canadian Concrete Expo at the International Centre in Mississauga. The Expo is an opportunity for OETIO to showcase the concrete pump and crane training/apprenticeship program offered at its world-class campus in Oakville.
The event features more than 350 exhibiting companies from across Canada, the United States and around the globe and is expected to attract more than 8,000 industry attendees.
Seen in the photo are:
(Back Row L-R) Dave Viggiani (OETIO Instructor), Mike Chianello (Local 793 Business Representative), Lee Charlebois (Senior IT Specialist), Rick Kerr (OETIO Executive Director and Local 793 Treasurer), Justin O’Neill (Toronto Area Supervisor and Executive Board member), Joao Gregorio (OETIO Training Supervisor) and Jim Gleadall (OETIO Instructor).
(Front Row L-R) Carla St. Louis (OETIO Director of Marketing and Indigenous Affairs), Jenny Wong (OETIO Junior Executive Assistant), Jeff Hewitt (OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship and Executive Board member) and Jordan Glendenning (Local 793 Business Representative and Executive Board member).
OETIO is an approved Training Delivery Agent for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) providing world-class training and apprenticeship in concrete pump, tower crane, and mobile crane since 1982.
Back Row L-R: Dave Viggiani (OETIO Instructor), Mike Chianello (Local 793 Business Representative), Lee Charlebois (Senior IT Specialist), Rick Kerr (OETIO Executive Director and Local 793 Treasurer), Justin O’Neill (Toronto Area Supervisor and Executive Board member), Joao Gregorio (OETIO Training Supervisor) and Jim Gleadall (OETIO Instructor). Front Row L-R: Carla St. Louis (OETIO Director of Marketing and Indigenous Affairs), Jenny Wong (OETIO Junior Executive Assistant), Jeff Hewitt (OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship and Executive Board member) and Jordan Glendenning (Local 793 Business Representative and Executive Board member).Local 793 Business Representative and Executive Board member, Jordan Glendenning, overlooking an industry attendee trying out the simulator.
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, for a tour of the Union’s world-class training centre in Oakville. It was the MPP’s first visit to the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) since taking over the ministerial portfolio from Monte McNaughton in September. Business Manager Gallagher, alongside President Dave Turple, OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr and Director of Training and Apprenticeship, OETIO Oakville, Jeff Hewitt, was on hand to greet the minister. Other invited guests included Oakville MPP Stephen […]
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, for a tour of the Union’s world-class training centre in Oakville. It was the MPP’s first visit to the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) since taking over the ministerial portfolio from Monte McNaughton in September.
Business Manager Gallagher, alongside President Dave Turple, OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr and Director of Training and Apprenticeship, OETIO Oakville, Jeff Hewitt, was on hand to greet the minister. Other invited guests included Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford, Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario Business Manager Marc Arsenault and a host of representatives from every area of the construction industry.
Business Manager Gallagher took the opportunity to stress the importance of rigorous training in making jobsites safer across Ontario, while also expressing his gratitude for the provincial government’s ongoing support for the trades.
“Ontario is one of the safest places in the world to operate a crane and that’s because of training and investment in the trades. Our members have put their hands in their own pockets to support training,” Gallagher said.
“Now we are investing another $25 million to build a training centre to increase capacity. We want to make sure that a lack of investment doesn’t slow the economy by not having the Operating Engineers available to do that work in the future.”
Minister Piccini visited the state-of-the-art simulation room, where OETIO lead instructor Alden Paradise guided him on the mobile crane simulator. The minister then spent time chatting with apprentices in the training yard, where he also tried his hand at operating OETIO’s state-of-the-art concrete pump. The concrete pump was purchased in part with funds made available through the provincial government’s Skills Development Fund.
After being shown the railroad crane brought in by Van-Elle Canada for a new training program launching at OETIO Oakville in the spring, the minister addressed the audience at a reception held in the OE Banquet and Conference Centre.
“Mike and the team here are such strong advocates for you all, so thank you for your leadership and that only makes us better public servants,” Minister Piccini said. “Under this premier and this government, we’re building, and we recognize the important role organized labour plays in building a better Ontario.
“I know that we don’t have an infinite money tree, but I do know that every dollar we spend with you in partnership is taxpayer money well spent.
“Supporting you means we can get the Gordie Howe Bridge built and it means we can build our transit up, which communities like mine need so badly. So, I just want to say thank you because we do need you and we need you to keep challenging us as you have been.”
Before departing, the minister was presented with a model Putzmeister concrete pump to mark his first visit to Local 793 and OETIO.
For more information on OETIO and becoming an apprentice, visit oetio.com
Local 793 Business Manager and Stephen Crawford, MPP-Oakville, watch as OETIO Lead Instructor Alden Paradise puts Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini through his paces on the mobile crane simulator.Minister of Labour David Piccini (right) took the chance to meet Local 793 apprentices on his visit to OETIO in Oakville.Hon. David Piccini tries his hand at operating the concrete pump under the watchful eye of OETIO Instructor Jim Gleadall (right).Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher (right) presents Minister of Labour David Piccini with a model concrete pump to mark his visit.Local 793 officers and staff join OETIO apprentices and staff to pose with invited guests in front of the Putzmeister concrete pump.Hon. David Piccini talked to the team from Van Elle about the railroad tracked crane that recently arrived at OETIO.Local 793 President Dave Turple and Business Manager Mike Gallagher present Minister David Paccini with a model Putzmeister concrete pump alongside special guests Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP-Oakville North-Burlington, and Stephen Crawford, MPP-Oakville, at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville.
Work zone signs are crucial for maintaining safety in areas where construction or maintenance activities are taking place on or near the road. These signs alert drivers to the presence of a work zone and provide important information, such as speed limits, lane closures, and detour instructions. You have a role to play in keeping workers and yourself safe when you drive through work zones – including slowing down, paying attention, and following signs and instructions. IUOE Local 793 stands as a dedicated advocate for the protection of all workers […]
Work zone signs are crucial for maintaining safety in areas where construction or maintenance activities are taking place on or near the road. These signs alert drivers to the presence of a work zone and provide important information, such as speed limits, lane closures, and detour instructions.
You have a role to play in keeping workers and yourself safe when you drive through work zones – including slowing down, paying attention, and following signs and instructions.
IUOE Local 793 stands as a dedicated advocate for the protection of all workers involved in building and maintaining Ontario. The importance of this mission cannot be overstated, emphasizing that safety is not a matter of chance – it’s a deliberate choice that each person must make.
James Cole, Local 793 Energy Sector Business Rep., checked in with new member Sacha David as he worked on the Hydro One 115kv transmission line refurbishment project in Sault Ste. Marie. Brother David, who works for Skagen and Son Forestry, was busy in his CAT 545C Grapple Skidder moving hydro poles on the right of way for main contractor, Valard. The project is part of Hydro One’s push to increase capacity to cope with the expected rise in demand for electricity from industry and communities throughout the east and north-east […]
James Cole, Local 793 Energy Sector Business Rep., checked in with new member Sacha David as he worked on the Hydro One 115kv transmission line refurbishment project in Sault Ste. Marie.
Brother David, who works for Skagen and Son Forestry, was busy in his CAT 545C Grapple Skidder moving hydro poles on the right of way for main contractor, Valard.
The project is part of Hydro One’s push to increase capacity to cope with the expected rise in demand for electricity from industry and communities throughout the east and north-east of Ontario.
New member of Local 793 Sacha David (right) poses with Energy Sector Rep James Cole in front of the CAT Grapple Skidder with tire chains installed.
