Category: Union News

Sean Stevens has been a proud member of Local 793 for six years. Before joining the Union, he worked in a completely different field until a family member encouraged him to take a new path, one that ultimately transformed his career. “I was in the environmental industry, where I was doing garbage,” Sean recalls. “And my family member told me to join 793. And that’s how I got into the union.” That decision opened the door to new opportunities. Through the Union, Brother Stevens was introduced to water distribution. Although […]

Sean Stevens has been a proud member of Local 793 for six years. Before joining the Union, he worked in a completely different field until a family member encouraged him to take a new path, one that ultimately transformed his career.

“I was in the environmental industry, where I was doing garbage,” Sean recalls. “And my family member told me to join 793. And that’s how I got into the union.”

That decision opened the door to new opportunities. Through the Union, Brother Stevens was introduced to water distribution. Although he had little experience at the start, he embraced the challenge and quickly discovered that he enjoyed the work.

Over the years, that decision has brought stability to his life. Today, he’s able to better support his family and be there for others when they need it.

“It has made a difference because now I have stability,” he says. “I’m able to take care of my family and assist any friends that may need help.”

For Brother Stevens, the most rewarding part of the job goes beyond daily tasks.

“The best part of the work is just knowing that you’re helping the community achieve its goals.”

To him, the Union is a strong support system for its members.

“The Union is like a big family; they try to take care of their members. And yeah, it’s been good so far.”

When asked whether he would encourage others to join a union, his response is immediate:

“I would recommend that anybody who’s not in the union try to get themselves into one because the benefits are way more than anything else.”

Sean believes the skilled trades offer something invaluable: a future you can rely on. He also highlights the sense of security that comes with being part of a strong, unionized trade.

“You could go to a lot of places and be able to afford your life and just afford to live. You don’t want to be out there, and your future is not really secure. Once you’re in your union, I would say that you’re more secure than not being in one.”

Members planning to watch the Leafs take on the Capitals tomorrow night should aim to settle into their comfy chairs a little early if they want to see their Union featured during the pre-game program. Sportsnet will be broadcasting a short film from 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday about the recent Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) inaugural Nunavut Northern Alumni Classic, which was held in Iqaluit, Nunavut, from March 19-22. Local 793 provided one of the largest sponsorships in its history to help ensure the success of the HHTH event. With […]

Members planning to watch the Leafs take on the Capitals tomorrow night should aim to settle into their comfy chairs a little early if they want to see their Union featured during the pre-game program.

Sportsnet will be broadcasting a short film from 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday about the recent Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) inaugural Nunavut Northern Alumni Classic, which was held in Iqaluit, Nunavut, from March 19-22.

Local 793 provided one of the largest sponsorships in its history to help ensure the success of the HHTH event. With a new office opened in the capital and a growing membership across Nunavut, our support for such a worthy cause helped raise our profile and underline the values we stand for.

The video will feature former NHL stars such as Jordin Tootoo, Terry Ryan, Brad May and Joe Thornton on and off the ice as they take in the sights and sounds of Nunavut. Sharp-eyed members should also try to spot Local 793 staff members Kyle Schutte, Mike Schutte and our own hockey legend Zenon “The Destroyer” Konopka, who all made the trip North.

Where to watch: Sportsnet from 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday (ahead of the Leafs game at 7:30 p.m.)

Ratification Meeting: London Roadbuilders/South Western Ontario Road Builders Association (SWORBA) Agreement When: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario Dear Member: We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre, located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON. Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible who work or may […]

Ratification Meeting: London Roadbuilders/South Western Ontario Road Builders Association (SWORBA) Agreement

When: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm

Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario

Dear Member:

We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre, located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON.

Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible who work or may work under the London Roadbuilders/South Western Ontario Road Builders Association (SWORBA) Agreement.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Business Representatives Dana Jones or Kelly Burla at the London office 519-652-2740.

Fraternally,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager

Please be advised that all IUOE Local 793 offices will close early today at 1:00 p.m. in observance of the Easter long weekend. Our offices will remain closed on Friday, April 3, 2026, through Monday, April 6, 2026. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. We wish all our Brothers and Sisters, and your loved ones, a safe and happy Easter weekend!

Please be advised that all IUOE Local 793 offices will close early today at 1:00 p.m. in observance of the Easter long weekend.

Our offices will remain closed on Friday, April 3, 2026, through Monday, April 6, 2026. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

We wish all our Brothers and Sisters, and your loved ones, a safe and happy Easter weekend!

IUOE Local 793 was proud to meet with Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini to discuss the important role Operating Engineers play in building and maintaining Ontario’s infrastructure. The meeting provided an opportunity to share our priorities and reinforce the value unionized skilled workers bring to Ontario’s economy and communities. Business Manager Mike Gallagher, President Dave Turple, Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) Director of Training and Apprenticeship Jeff Hewitt, and Labour Relations Manager and Counsel Melissa Atkins‑Mahaney engaged in meaningful […]

IUOE Local 793 was proud to meet with Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini to discuss the important role Operating Engineers play in building and maintaining Ontario’s infrastructure. The meeting provided an opportunity to share our priorities and reinforce the value unionized skilled workers bring to Ontario’s economy and communities.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher, President Dave Turple, Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) Director of Training and Apprenticeship Jeff Hewitt, and Labour Relations Manager and Counsel Melissa Atkins‑Mahaney engaged in meaningful dialogue to ensure decision‑makers understand the requirements of our work, as well as the ongoing need for continuous training, strong apprenticeship programs, safety standards, and workforce development.

IUOE Local 793 remains committed to advocating for our members and strengthening the future of skilled trades across Ontario.

Ratification Meeting: London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario Dear Member: We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON. Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible that […]

Ratification Meeting: London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement

When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm

Where: Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, Ontario

Dear Member:

We will be holding a Ratification Meeting on Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Best Western PLUS Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre located at 6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON.

Be sure you attend this important Ratification Meeting and please notify as many of your fellow members as possible that work or may work under the London Sewer and Watermain, Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Contractors Association Agreement.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Business Representatives Kelly Burla or Dana Jones at the London office 519-652-2740.

Fraternally,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager

  We are growing, and so are Local 793’s properties! Local 793 is proud to share that 2285 Speers Road in Oakville is now part of our expanding portfolio of Union-owned properties, and we’re not slowing down! We want to inform our members of the following: This purchase does not affect the future plans to build area offices in Sarnia, Hamilton and Sudbury. All property transactions are self-financed by the Union, ensuring the Union continues to operate with zero debt. The closing date for 2285 Speers Road is scheduled for […]

We are growing, and so are Local 793’s properties!

Local 793 is proud to share that 2285 Speers Road in Oakville is now part of our expanding portfolio of Union-owned properties, and we’re not slowing down!

We want to inform our members of the following:

• This purchase does not affect the future plans to build area offices in Sarnia, Hamilton and Sudbury.
• All property transactions are self-financed by the Union, ensuring the Union continues to operate with zero debt.

The closing date for 2285 Speers Road is scheduled for June 2026, marking another milestone in our continued progress for the future of our membership.

  This past weekend, our Brothers and Sisters came together for the Special Executive Board and General Membership meetings, two key gatherings that reflect the strength and unity of our Union where voices are heard and decisions are made to ensure that we are moving forward in the best interest of all members. We want to thank everyone who attended and helped make it a successful weekend! Special Executive Board Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/special-executive-board-meeting-march-21/29403/ General Membership Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/local-793-general-membership-meeting-march-22/29410/

This past weekend, our Brothers and Sisters came together for the Special Executive Board and General Membership meetings, two key gatherings that reflect the strength and unity of our Union where voices are heard and decisions are made to ensure that we are moving forward in the best interest of all members.

We want to thank everyone who attended and helped make it a successful weekend!

Special Executive Board Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/special-executive-board-meeting-march-21/29403/

General Membership Meeting – https://iuoelocal793.org/news/members/local-793-general-membership-meeting-march-22/29410/

Being hailed as a hero for doing what he does best came as something of a shock for Brother James Hamilton, who operates the east tower crane for Synergy Formwork at the Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation project in Ottawa. Early last Friday, Brother Hamilton responded to a call for help to extract an injured worker who had fallen into an inaccessible spot on the high-profile construction site. With a designated emergency platform (DEP) secured at the end of his line, he expertly maneuvered his Comedil 472 crane into position […]

Being hailed as a hero for doing what he does best came as something of a shock for Brother James Hamilton, who operates the east tower crane for Synergy Formwork at the Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation project in Ottawa.

Early last Friday, Brother Hamilton responded to a call for help to extract an injured worker who had fallen into an inaccessible spot on the high-profile construction site. With a designated emergency platform (DEP) secured at the end of his line, he expertly maneuvered his Comedil 472 crane into position to lift in medical gear before lifting the injured man and two rescuers to safe ground.

With that job done, the OE simply got on with the rest of his day, unaware that the story had already been picked up by the media, including CTV and the Ottawa Citizen.

He said, “Once the fire trucks, police and paramedics had cleared the area, I just got back to work – business as usual. It wasn’t until the end of the day that I realized people had got quite excited by what had happened. I suppose I’ll take my 15 seconds of fame, but to me it was just a lift – the real heroes were the paramedic and firefighter who helped get the guy out.”

Having operated cranes since completing his apprenticeship at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario in Oakville nearly 20 years ago, Brother Hamilton had only one real concern during the rescue.

“The DEP was only three feet away from the Peace Tower, so I was a bit nervous about that! I got into position but still had plenty of time to think about what could happen, as I waited for the first responders to safely move the injured guy from where he had fallen and get him secured before I could lift them all out.
“I just went slow and steady and brought the DEP up a bit higher than usual as the wind can pick up off the river and I didn’t want to scare the guys by having it swinging around.”

An impressed Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesperson labelled Brother Hamilton’s skills as “amazing” and reported the injured worker was in stable condition before being taken to the hospital.

Another tough job completed by a member of Local 793!

Proposal Meeting: Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm Where: 1255 Terwillegar Ave #7, Oshawa, L1J 7A4 Dear Member: I.U.O.E. Local 793 will be holding a Proposal Meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m., for all members working under the Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement. Please be sure you attend this important proposal meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and notify as many of your fellow members as possible to join you. With proposals from the membership, Local 793 will move forward with our […]

Proposal Meeting: Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement

When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm

Where: 1255 Terwillegar Ave #7, Oshawa, L1J 7A4

Dear Member:

I.U.O.E. Local 793 will be holding a Proposal Meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m., for all members working under the Oshawa Signatory Collective Agreement.

Please be sure you attend this important proposal meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and notify as many of your fellow members as possible to join you. With proposals from the membership, Local 793 will move forward with our negotiating committee to bargain a fair Collective Agreement.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Torie Coqu 437- 227-7652 or Jason Graff 289-937-0985.

Fraternally,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager