Category: Union News

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.

The Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople is a tax deduction that allows skilled trades workers tax recognition on up to $4,000 annually for eligible out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by an employer when temporarily relocating for work. For eligible tradespeople and eligible expenses, this new tax deduction enables workers to claim eligible expenses which will lower your taxable income and therefore reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on your income. All eligible expenses retroactive to January 1st, 2022 can be claimed through the Labour Mobility Deduction. […]

The Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople is a tax deduction that allows skilled trades workers tax recognition on up to $4,000 annually for eligible out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by an employer when temporarily relocating for work.

For eligible tradespeople and eligible expenses, this new tax deduction enables workers to claim eligible expenses which will lower your taxable income and therefore reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on your income.

All eligible expenses retroactive to January 1st, 2022 can be claimed through the Labour Mobility Deduction.

Who is eligible?
Skilled tradespersons and apprentices who relocate for at least 36 hours to a temporary lodging that is located at least 150 kilometres away from their primary residence to work on a construction site are eligible to use this deduction. The particular work location must be in Canada.

What are eligible expenses?
Eligible expenses would be reasonable amounts associated with expenses incurred for:
• Temporary lodging for the eligible individual near the particular work location
• Transportation for the individual for one round trip from the location where the individual ordinarily resides to the temporary lodging
• Meals for the individual in the course of travel while making one round trip to and from the temporary lodging.

How do I use the deduction?
If you are eligible, save your travel receipts and file the claims – or have your accountant file the claims – along with the rest of your tax return at the end of the fiscal year.

Hundreds of Local 793 operators and family members participated in Labour Day parades across the province on Monday (Sunday in Oshawa) for the first time since the pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in its in-person form two years ago. Parades took place in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, London, Windsor, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay. In Toronto, members and families marched from University Avenue and Queen Street to the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition. Watch the video below from the Toronto Labour Day […]

Hundreds of Local 793 operators and family members participated in Labour Day parades across the province on Monday (Sunday in Oshawa) for the first time since the pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in its in-person form two years ago. Parades took place in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, London, Windsor, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay.

In Toronto, members and families marched from University Avenue and Queen Street to the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition. Watch the video below from the Toronto Labour Day parade.

The deadline for applications for the Jack Redshaw Scholarships is Friday, September 9, 2022. The scholarships are available to all the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Local 793 members who are in good standing at the time of selection of the awards. The award is named in honour of the late Jack Redshaw, who was a Local 793 member for 42 years. He was a business representative for 20 years and also served as labour relations manager and recording-corresponding secretary of the union. Each year, the business manager of Local 793 […]

The deadline for applications for the Jack Redshaw Scholarships is Friday, September 9, 2022.

The scholarships are available to all the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Local 793 members who are in good standing at the time of selection of the awards.

The award is named in honour of the late Jack Redshaw, who was a Local 793 member for 42 years. He was a business representative for 20 years and also served as labour relations manager and recording-corresponding secretary of the union.

Each year, the business manager of Local 793 determines the amount and number of scholarships to be awarded.

Applications must be supported by:

• Transcripts;
• Other evidence of potential ability to succeed in the post-secondary program; and
• A letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the person making the application as well as why a scholarship should be awarded.

Applicants must also submit an essay of not more than 1,000 words on one of the following topics:

A: Reasons why this scholarship will help you.
B: The impact on your life of being a dependent of a Local 793 Union member.
C: How can Unions attract more female trainees?
D: Describe the life story of a Union member from birth throughout their career to retirement.
E: What is it like having your family member live away from home – at the job site/on camp?
F: How have Unions improved worker’s lives over the last 100 years?

Applications can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE. Applications can also be obtained by contacting any Local 793 area office.

Please return all applications (via mail) no later than 4 PM on Friday, September 9, 2022, to the attention of:

Heather Hamer
IUOE Local 793
2245 Speers Road
Oakville ON
L6L 6X8

Labour Day message from Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher: The world feels like a much-changed place since the last time members of Local 793 were able to march together on Labour Day. Back on that day in September 2019, as the Union also marked its 100th anniversary, none of us could have imagined the challenges we would soon face due to the arrival of COVID-19. But just as in 1878 when a demonstration in Toronto supporting striking printers planted the roots of Labour Day and led directly to the […]

Labour Day message from Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher:

The world feels like a much-changed place since the last time members of Local 793 were able to march together on Labour Day. Back on that day in September 2019, as the Union also marked its 100th anniversary, none of us could have imagined the challenges we would soon face due to the arrival of COVID-19.

But just as in 1878 when a demonstration in Toronto supporting striking printers planted the roots of Labour Day and led directly to the enactment of the Trade Union Act, and in 1919 when workers came together in the aftermath of the Great War to establish IUOE Local 793, we too have found that standing shoulder to shoulder has allowed us to meet the challenges of our own time.

I am sure that all those who came before us would be proud of how our members continued to pull on their boots every day and head out to the jobsite during the pandemic, while much of the country’s economy was shut down and its people were sheltering at home. Your Union fought to make sure you could keep providing for your families and developed an onsite safety protocol and checklist to keep members safe on the job; a protocol that was adopted by many signatory contractors and endorsed by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, amongst others.

But that hasn’t been our only fight.

This year we stood together on picket lines across the province to win improved agreements that not only reflected the sacrifices made during the COVID-19 crisis, but also to protect members from the worst effects of the growing cost-of-living crisis that is sweeping economies around the world. The industry-leading gains we won together proved once again that we are all stronger together.

Now, as workers once again march to honour the sacrifices and successes of the past 150 years, we can be assured that Local 793 members have earned the right to stand alongside them.

As in 2019, nobody can predict what might be coming down the road, but I do know Local 793 has never been as united as it is now and that there is no obstacle our members cannot overcome. On this Labour Day, that alone is worth celebrating.

I hope all of you who are able will join us with your families at one of the many parades being held around the province on Monday (Sunday in Oshawa) and at the Local 793-organized events that follow. Click here for details about the parades and events in various districts.

Fraternally yours,

Mike Gallagher