Category: Union News

Local 793 members employed by J.W. Seward Enterprises are working on a series of integrity digs in Sarnia. Seen in the photo below is Brother Josh Seward operating a Caterpillar 930H wheel loader. Brother Seward is responsible for placing and removing access mats and providing pipeline contractors with safe and efficient ways to access remote locations while also protecting the ground from disturbance and potential soil contamination.

Local 793 members employed by J.W. Seward Enterprises are working on a series of integrity digs in Sarnia. Seen in the photo below is Brother Josh Seward operating a Caterpillar 930H wheel loader.

Brother Seward is responsible for placing and removing access mats and providing pipeline contractors with safe and efficient ways to access remote locations while also protecting the ground from disturbance and potential soil contamination.

Today marks the 127th anniversary of the International Union of Operating Engineers, when eleven determined steam engineers set in motion the formation of what would become, and remains today, one of the strongest labour unions fighting for working men and women in North America. The officers and executive board members of Local 793 congratulate the IUOE in achieving this milestone. On December 7, 1896, eleven men met in Chicago and organized the National Union of Steam Engineers of America. They were tired of the terrible work conditions and the 60-90 […]

Today marks the 127th anniversary of the International Union of Operating Engineers, when eleven determined steam engineers set in motion the formation of what would become, and remains today, one of the strongest labour unions fighting for working men and women in North America.

The officers and executive board members of Local 793 congratulate the IUOE in achieving this milestone.

On December 7, 1896, eleven men met in Chicago and organized the National Union of Steam Engineers of America. They were tired of the terrible work conditions and the 60-90 hour work weeks for very low wages. They knew that joining together in a union was the only way they could improve their work lives.

A year later, the first Canadian workers joined the young union and to reflect this expansion across the border, the name was changed to the International Union of Steam Engineers.

The union dropped the word “steam” in 1928, as both the technology and the scope of labour had moved beyond steam technology.

Today, all IUOE members are reaping the rewards of the sacrifices of their forerunners. Their foresight for safer working condition and fair wages has help thousands of families and will continue to help thousands more in the future.

CLICK HERE to read more on the history of IUOE
CLICK HERE to read about the history of IUOE Local 793

Six female Operating Engineers from IUOE Local 793 had an experience to remember, taking part in the 13th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) Conference – the largest gathering of tradeswomen, leaders and professionals in the world. Held in Washington D.C. from December 1-3, the conference and TWBN movement promotes leadership, mentorship and sisterhood, while addressing key issues facing tradeswomen in the workforce. During the conference, the Local 793 tradeswomen had the opportunity to attend plenaries, breakout sessions and networking events geared to empowering women across North America. Carla St. Louis, […]

Six female Operating Engineers from IUOE Local 793 had an experience to remember, taking part in the 13th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) Conference – the largest gathering of tradeswomen, leaders and professionals in the world.

Held in Washington D.C. from December 1-3, the conference and TWBN movement promotes leadership, mentorship and sisterhood, while addressing key issues facing tradeswomen in the workforce. During the conference, the Local 793 tradeswomen had the opportunity to attend plenaries, breakout sessions and networking events geared to empowering women across North America.

Carla St. Louis, Director of Marketing and Indigenous Affairs, headed the Local 793 delegation, which included members Cheryl Latour (Toronto), Abigail Lagerwerf (London), Shanna Hodgins, Lillian Sabutsch (Windsor), Danielle Laraby-Winter (St Catherines) and Megan Morley (Ottawa).

One of the most memorable features of the conference was taking part in the banner march through the streets of the American capital alongside members of from fellow Canadian Locals, including 115 and 959 (B.C.), 955 (Alberta), 870 (Saskatoon) and 905 (Quebec).

IUOE General President James T. Callahan also lent his support to the sisters, visiting the IUOE booth at the Washington Hilton Hotel and hearing first-hand from members about their experiences as female operators.

Local 793’s St Louis said the event had been a valuable experience for all those who took part.

“Since IUOE Local 793 is the biggest IUOE Local in Canada, I feel that having representation at the world’s largest tradeswomen’s conference in North America is a must. Business Manager Mike Gallagher time after time expresses the importance of our sisterhood attending national conferences, which shows Local 793’s commitment to equity and diversity amongst our membership.

“It is also important for our tradeswomen to engage with fellow sisters from other Locals across the nation, it is very interesting to hear that most of the issues and concerns are common amongst all building trades.”

Sister Morley said she had left the three-day event with a renewed sense of purpose.

“I have often been the only female field worker on site, which can be isolating. Even if you are fortunate to be in a place where you are mostly respected, you are still not understood. Having the privilege of gathering with hundreds who understand fills my soul with a sense of belonging, which fuels my passion and motivation to succeed.”

Sister Laraby-Winter had a message for any women who were thinking of joining the trades.

“Do it! Our numbers are constantly growing in the trades and with the shortage of new skilled workers, there’s never been a better time for women to shine in the trades. Let’s show them what we are capable of!”

Sister Hodgins added “Joining the trades was the best decision I have ever made, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

A full report from the Tradeswomen Build Nations conference will appear in Local 793’s Making Tracks magazine, published and emailed to members later this month.

December 1, 2023 To: Members of IUOE, Local 793 Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on December 1, 2023, to address the vacant position that resulted from the retirement of President Joe Redshaw effective November 30, 2023. In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments: i) Dave Turple has been appointed as President to complete the term vacated by Joe Redshaw As a result of the above, the following appointments were also made: ii) Mike […]

December 1, 2023

To: Members of IUOE, Local 793

Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on December 1, 2023, to address the vacant position that resulted from the retirement of President Joe Redshaw effective November 30, 2023.

In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments:

i) Dave Turple has been appointed as President to complete the term vacated by Joe Redshaw

As a result of the above, the following appointments were also made:

ii) Mike Scott has been appointed as Vice President to fill the vacancy created by Brother Turple’s appointment as President

iii) Jordan Glendenning has been appointed as an Executive Board member to fill the vacancy created by Brother Scott’s appointment as Vice President

iv) Martin Tassé has been appointed as a Trustee to fill the vacancy created by Brother Glendenning’s appointment as an Executive Board member

v) Shawn McLeary has been appointed as Guard to fill the vacancy created by Brother Tassé’s appointment as a Trustee

We are confident that Brothers Turple, Scott, Glendenning, Tassé and McLeary will continue working towards the best interests of Local 793 in their new roles.

Fraternally yours,

Mike Gallagher,
Business Manager – Local 793
International Vice President

Please be advised that a number of monthly district Union meetings have been cancelled in December and January due to their proximity to Christmas and New Year’s Day. Also note that beginning in January, the start time for the Toronto, Oshawa and Barrie district monthly meetings has been changed to 7 p.m. from 7:30 p.m. The following monthly district meetings have been cancelled in December: Toronto Barrie Sarnia North Bay Hamilton Ottawa Belleville London The following monthly district meetings are still scheduled in December: Timmins – Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7:30 […]

Please be advised that a number of monthly district Union meetings have been cancelled in December and January due to their proximity to Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Also note that beginning in January, the start time for the Toronto, Oshawa and Barrie district monthly meetings has been changed to 7 p.m. from 7:30 p.m.

The following monthly district meetings have been cancelled in December:

• Toronto
• Barrie
• Sarnia
• North Bay
• Hamilton
• Ottawa
• Belleville
• London

The following monthly district meetings are still scheduled in December:

Timmins – Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 30 Algonquin Blvd W., Timmins
Oshawa – Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., 1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7, Oshawa
Thunder Bay – Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., 979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101, Thunder Bay
Windsor – Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., 3383 Walker Rd., Windsor
St. Catharines – Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., 188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5, St. Catharines
Sault Ste. Marie – Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., 432 Great Northern Rd., Suite 203, Sault Ste. Marie
Cambridge – Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., Cambridge Hall at 55 Fleming Drive, Unit 26, Cambridge
Sudbury – Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., 430 Westmount Ave., Unit H, Sudbury

The following monthly district meeting has been cancelled in January:

• Timmins

Please contact a local area office HERE if you have any questions.

An emotional Joe Redshaw brought the curtain down on 36 years of service to Local 793 at a special retirement lunch organized by Business Manager Mike Gallagher at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville on Monday, November 27. Business Manager Gallagher opened the occasion by showing a video tribute to Brother Redshaw, before sharing his own personal acknowledgement in front of the large gathering of officers, executive board members and staff of Local 793, OEBAC, and OETIO. Having joined the Union staff just a week before Brother Redshaw […]

An emotional Joe Redshaw brought the curtain down on 36 years of service to Local 793 at a special retirement lunch organized by Business Manager Mike Gallagher at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville on Monday, November 27.

Business Manager Gallagher opened the occasion by showing a video tribute to Brother Redshaw, before sharing his own personal acknowledgement in front of the large gathering of officers, executive board members and staff of Local 793, OEBAC, and OETIO.

Having joined the Union staff just a week before Brother Redshaw in 1987, Business Manager Gallagher highlighted Redshaw’s many achievements with the Union over the following years. He also spoke warmly of the personal bond they had formed.

“As is clear from the video, Joe has always been there at my side. No-one says you must be friends with the people you work with, but I’ll always have a friendship with Joe because it is so easy to be friends with him,” said Gallagher.

“We had so many things in common; both of us sons of labour leaders with big shoes to fill (Jack Redshaw was a labour relations official with Local 793 and has the scholarship fund named in his honour, which Joe will continue to oversee). Joe, I can tell you for sure that your father is looking down very proud of you. You’ve certainly filled those shoes.”

Business Manager Gallagher added, “We are a family and you’ve been part of that. So, thank you Joe, we’re going to miss you and we are going to have to work really hard to make sure we don’t lose the momentum you have helped us build.”

Looking back on his 36 years of service to the Union – which has included roles as Business Rep, Social Services Director, OEBAC Executive Director, Local 793 President and countless committee assignments – an emotional Redshaw thanked Business Manager Gallagher for his kind words, saying, “You start working for the Local for a reason: you come because you want to help people – OETIO does that, OEBAC does that, Local 793 does that. It’s so rewarding to think that every day you get up to go to work you are going in to help somebody.”

A third generation Operating Engineer, making things better for people has always been at the core of Redshaw’s mission with Local 793, whether by ensuring members get the workers’ compensation they deserve as head of the Social Services department, or by encouraging and supporting the staff who worked under him.

Having been asked by Business Manager Gallagher to head the newly formed OEBAC four years ago, Redshaw took a moment to acknowledge all those who had helped him make the organization such a success.

“The accomplishments I’ve had – I didn’t do any of it by myself. That’s the one thing with Local 793 or OEBAC, it’s all a team and everyone works together. I’m very proud of where it is today.”

Brother Redshaw closed by saying that his near four decades of service had been built upon a deep sense of gratitude.

“It’s a career I’ve loved – my dad loved it, my brother was a member, my grandfather was a member. As my dad taught me, Local 793 has been good to my family and so anything I could do to give back has been my goal.”

Brother Redshaw has certainly done that. And so much more.

Happy retirement, Joe!

Oshawa is the next stop for OETIO and the Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs, which is taking place at the Tribute Communities Centre on November 21-22, 2023. The event is part of a series of dynamic, multi-day careers fairs sponsored by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development that allows young people and jobseekers to explore opportunities within the trades. Pictured representing Operating Engineers at the OETIO booth in Oshawa are (from left) Matthew Laws (Business Rep), Justin O’Neil (Toronto Area Supervisor), Torie Coqu (Business Rep), Jason Graff (Business […]

Oshawa is the next stop for OETIO and the Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs, which is taking place at the Tribute Communities Centre on November 21-22, 2023. The event is part of a series of dynamic, multi-day careers fairs sponsored by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development that allows young people and jobseekers to explore opportunities within the trades.

Pictured representing Operating Engineers at the OETIO booth in Oshawa are (from left) Matthew Laws (Business Rep), Justin O’Neil (Toronto Area Supervisor), Torie Coqu (Business Rep), Jason Graff (Business Rep), Jordan Linhares (Business Rep).

OETIO’s next stop will be at the EY Centre in Ottawa from November 28-29.

Visit: https://levelupontario.ca

Holiday spirit was in the air, as Local 793 took part in the Oakville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 18. Large crowds lined the parade route from Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street to watch and wave, as Local 793 marched along with Santa, local community groups and businesses. Local 793 thanks everyone who came out to make this day such a success and wishes everyone a bright and joyous holiday season!

Holiday spirit was in the air, as Local 793 took part in the Oakville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 18.

Large crowds lined the parade route from Lakeshore Road to Stewart Street to watch and wave, as Local 793 marched along with Santa, local community groups and businesses.

Local 793 thanks everyone who came out to make this day such a success and wishes everyone a bright and joyous holiday season!