Category: Union News

Baffinland Iron Mines will “immediately … be rescinding all termination notices” issued to 1,100 employees after federal Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal approved its request to increase its shipping limit this year, a company spokesperson said Tuesday. Read the full article here. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier. Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal speaks at a press event at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., in June 2022).

Baffinland Iron Mines will “immediately … be rescinding all termination notices” issued to 1,100 employees after federal Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal approved its request to increase its shipping limit this year, a company spokesperson said Tuesday.

Read the full article here.

(Photo by Jeff Pelletier. Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal speaks at a press event at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., in June 2022).

IUOE Local 793 is again proud to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The statutory holiday, which coincides with the Indigenous-led Orange Shirt Day, was established last year to allow all Canadians to publicly acknowledge and remember the lost children and survivors of the residential school system. It is a vital component of the healing process and is one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Local 793 has used Truth and Reconciliation Week to acknowledge the generational injustice of the residential school system, while […]

IUOE Local 793 is again proud to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The statutory holiday, which coincides with the Indigenous-led Orange Shirt Day, was established last year to allow all Canadians to publicly acknowledge and remember the lost children and survivors of the residential school system. It is a vital component of the healing process and is one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

Local 793 has used Truth and Reconciliation Week to acknowledge the generational injustice of the residential school system, while also exploring ways we can all better support our Indigenous neighbours and raise their voices. We do this not just to recognize past trauma, but to rebuild broken relationships in the hope of forging a brighter, more equitable future.

To mark this important day, Local 793 encourages members to wear an orange shirt in solidarity with the Indigenous community and to echo their call that all people are equal and that “every child matters.”

A 24-hour National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support to survivors and can be accessed at 1-866-925-4419.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday first declared in 2021. It is a day to remember the Indigenous children who didn’t return from attending residential schools, honouring the healing journey of the survivors, their families and communities while committing to the ongoing process of reconciliation. September 30 was chosen as the date for the holiday as it coincides with Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemoration that began in B.C. in 2013. The story springs from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, founder, and ambassador […]

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday first declared in 2021. It is a day to remember the Indigenous children who didn’t return from attending residential schools, honouring the healing journey of the survivors, their families and communities while committing to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

September 30 was chosen as the date for the holiday as it coincides with Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemoration that began in B.C. in 2013.

The story springs from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, founder, and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society.

When Phyllis was six years old, she wore a new orange shirt gifted to her by her grandmother for her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C. However, when she arrived at the school, she was stripped of her clothes and never got to wear her beloved orange shirt again.

Phyllis’s orange shirt has come to symbolize everything that was stripped from the children who attended residential schools across the country.

“I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years,” she explains.

A Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band), Phyllis has published two books – the Orange Shirt Story and Phyllis’s Orange Shirt for younger children – and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of residential schools.

IUOE Local 793 stands with Indigenous people, both across Canada and within our Union membership, as they continue to call upon everyone to listen to the stories of survivors and their families and to remember those children who never returned home from school.

To learn more please visit: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html

Today marks the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week. IUOE Local 793 will use this week as an opportunity to educate ourselves about the suffering caused by residential schools, amplify Indigenous voices and promote the concept of healing. We stand with our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters by echoing their call that “Every Child Matters.” Due to the heaviness of this week, please know there is a 24-hour National Residential School Crisis Line set up to provide support to survivors and can be accessed at 1-866-925-4419. Sources: National Centre for Truth […]

Today marks the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week. IUOE Local 793 will use this week as an opportunity to educate ourselves about the suffering caused by residential schools, amplify Indigenous voices and promote the concept of healing.

We stand with our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters by echoing their call that “Every Child Matters.”

Due to the heaviness of this week, please know there is a 24-hour National Residential School Crisis Line set up to provide support to survivors and can be accessed at 1-866-925-4419.

Sources: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: https://nctr.ca

Union of Ontario Indians: https://www.anishinabek.ca/

As uncomfortable as the topic of suicide may be to talk about, it is crucial that we do. September 10 is a day to shed light on the importance of mental health and let those struggling know we are here to help. Those working in the construction industry may be at higher risk for mental illness and suicide. But there is hope. By raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging action, we can all help prevent suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please visit www.members-health.com for mental health […]

As uncomfortable as the topic of suicide may be to talk about, it is crucial that we do. September 10 is a day to shed light on the importance of mental health and let those struggling know we are here to help.

Those working in the construction industry may be at higher risk for mental illness and suicide. But there is hope. By raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging action, we can all help prevent suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please visit www.members-health.com for mental health support. Receive same-day mental health support from medical doctors and mental health professionals who are available 24/7/365.