Category: Union News

To all the women who build Ontario stronger while raising loving families every single day, Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the women who build Ontario stronger while raising loving families every single day, Happy Mother’s Day!

  Prime Minister Mark Carney returned to Local 793 head office in Oakville on Thursday having fulfilled a pledge made just over a year earlier to strengthen Canada’s workforce and bolster the skilled trades. Having replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberals and as Prime Minister in March 2025, it was Carney’s promised support of working people that convinced Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher to endorse the former Governor of the Bank of Canada in his bid to secure his first mandate at the polls. Among the pledges […]

Prime Minister Mark Carney returned to Local 793 head office in Oakville on Thursday having fulfilled a pledge made just over a year earlier to strengthen Canada’s workforce and bolster the skilled trades.

Having replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberals and as Prime Minister in March 2025, it was Carney’s promised support of working people that convinced Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher to endorse the former Governor of the Bank of Canada in his bid to secure his first mandate at the polls.

Among the pledges made that day was to introduce a new apprenticeship grant of $8,000.

Having gone on to secure a come-from-behind election victory just weeks later, Carney returned on Thursday to deliver more good news for workers in the form of his Team Canada Strong measure, a $6 billion effort aimed at recruiting, training and hiring up to 100,000 Red Seal tradespeople in the next five years.

That was music to the ears of Business Manager Gallagher, who addressed the Prime Minister during his remarks made in front of a large audience of Local 793 officers, members, staff, apprentices and special guests gathered in the OETIO shop for the announcement.

He said, “The last time the Prime Minister was here was 390 days ago and at that time we pledged our support to him and he hasn’t let us down one bit. He hit the ground running – in fact he’s got more hits than The Beatles had in their first 390 days!

“He’s taken the world by storm and he’s making Canada respected all over the world in terms of investment coming back into this country, he’s working hard and we appreciate it. So, keep up the good work – I know it’s not an easy job, especially with our friends to the south, but hopefully we can get things back on track. There’s nobody better than you and your team to do that.”

Carney explained that he had gone even further than he suggested he would on his last visit to Oakville, explaining that his Team Canada Strong policy includes $3.4 billion over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $468 million ongoing to address the challenges that can stop apprentices from completing their training and moving into permanent jobs.

That means apprentices will receive a weekly income top up of $400 per week through the Apprenticeship Training Grant while they are attending mandatory in-class training for a total payment of up to $16,000 – double the original pledge.

There will also be a $5,000 one-time bonus paid to apprentices who obtain certification in a Red Seal trade.

Referencing those year-old pledges, Carney said, “What we have announced this week is of a different order of magnitude because we spent more time looking at the scale of the issue, more time with the Unions, more time with the employers, more time with young apprentices.

“As this works, we may have to come back in a few years and do more, we may have to scale even further. That’s the challenge we want because that will show that we are building this country strong.”

The Prime Minister has also introduced further measures of particular interest to Operating Engineers, including $225 million over five years to enable Union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expand capacity and invest in modern equipment. That’s money that could be put to work in helping the Union build our next training centres on Local 793-owned land in Hamilton, Sudbury and Sarnia.

There is also an increase in the annual limit on expenses that can be deducted under the Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople from $4,000 to $10,000.

As Business Manager Gallagher noted, Prime Minister Carney could hardly have made a better start.

Also in attendance were IUOE officials present included IUOE Regional Director Patrick Campbell, IUOE Local 955 Business Manager Chris Flett and IUOE Local 772 Business Manager Greg Hoath, as well as representatives of some of our fellow building trades unions.

Special guests included Anita Anand, MP for Oakville East and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sima Acan, MP for Oakville West, and Karina Gould, MP for Burlington.

Team Canada Strong Key Measures:

• $2 billion over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $262 million ongoing to help recruit more young people into the trades
• $331 million over five years, and $18 million ongoing to modernize apprenticeship training
• $225 million over five years to enable Union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expand capacity, and invest in modern equipment
• Apprenticeship Training Grant will provide apprentices with a $400 per week top-up while in-class for a total payment of up to $16,000 per apprentice, on top of EI
• One-time $5,000 bonus to apprentices obtaining certification in a Red Seal trade
• Increase annual limit on expenses that can be deducted under the Labour Mobility Deduction for Tradespeople from $4,000 to $10,000
• Modify the minimum distance threshold for relocations from 150 km to 120 km

The Local 793 family came together to mark the National Day of Mourning in a ceremony held at Head Office in Oakville this morning, a day to remember all those who have lost their lives on the job, suffered injury or illness, or experienced a workplace tragedy. Local 793 Director of Health and Safety Brian Alexander spoke about the progress that has been made in the industry over the past 30 years, and of the work being done to continue to reduce the number of workers killed or injured so […]

The Local 793 family came together to mark the National Day of Mourning in a ceremony held at Head Office in Oakville this morning, a day to remember all those who have lost their lives on the job, suffered injury or illness, or experienced a workplace tragedy.

Local 793 Director of Health and Safety Brian Alexander spoke about the progress that has been made in the industry over the past 30 years, and of the work being done to continue to reduce the number of workers killed or injured so needlessly.

President Dave Turple highlighted the 51 members of our Union who have been lost since 1970 and whose names appear on the monument standing in the Memorial Garden. He especially remembered the 10 members who have been lost since the last event was held in 2019, including Cody Proulx, Nicholas D’Amato and Quinn Martyn whose families were in attendance.

Before a moment of silence concluded the ceremony, President Turple said, “When we leave here at the end of today’s ceremony let us remember all those members of Local 793 who have been lost.

“Let us also carry a fresh determination to do all we can to keep our safety and the safety of those we work alongside at the front of our mind so that everyone gets to return home at the end of each day.”

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher was at Queen’s Park today to attend a National Day of Mourning ceremony, hosted by Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Labour David Piccini. Brother Gallagher was on hand for the unveiling of a design concept for a new memorial to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of Ontario’s construction workers who have built Ontario into what it is today. Expected to be completed next year, the design features a collection of plaques that come together to form a self-supporting raised design to honour the […]

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher was at Queen’s Park today to attend a National Day of Mourning ceremony, hosted by Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Labour David Piccini.

Brother Gallagher was on hand for the unveiling of a design concept for a new memorial to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of Ontario’s construction workers who have built Ontario into what it is today.

Expected to be completed next year, the design features a collection of plaques that come together to form a self-supporting raised design to honour the names of workers who lost their lives on the job. It will be erected on the grounds of Queen’s Park near the intersection of College St. and University Ave.

Business Manager Gallagher said, “It will be a fitting memorial to all those workers who have been tragically killed and injured on job sites, including the 51 members of Local 793 who have lost their lives since 1970. It will also stand as an important reminder of what the consequences are of not making worker safety a priority.”

Local 793 will be holding a ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Oakville head office to mark Canada’s National Day of Mourning.  The ceremony will be held in our Memorial Garden and will begin at 10:30 a.m., with some remarks followed by a minute’s silence observed at 11:00 a.m.  Members available on Tuesday are welcome to join us as we remember all workers who have been killed, injured or become ill due to workplace-related hazards and incidents and renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent future deaths.  We will also be […]

Local 793 will be holding a ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Oakville head office to mark Canada’s National Day of Mourning. 

The ceremony will be held in our Memorial Garden and will begin at 10:30 a.m., with some remarks followed by a minute’s silence observed at 11:00 a.m. 

Members available on Tuesday are welcome to join us as we remember all workers who have been killed, injured or become ill due to workplace-related hazards and incidents and renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent future deaths. 

We will also be honouring the 10 members of this Union who have lost their lives since this event was last staged in 2019 and whose names appear on the monument to our lost Brothers and Sisters.

Attention Members: Barrie District Meeting for April 23, 2026 (Thursday) will be held at Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Barrie at 7 p.m. Please note that this venue change is only for April 23, 2026. Any subsequent meetings will be held at the Allure Hotel & Conference Centre in Barrie, ON, until further notice.

Attention Members: Barrie District Meeting for April 23, 2026 (Thursday) will be held at Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Barrie at 7 p.m.

Please note that this venue change is only for April 23, 2026. Any subsequent meetings will be held at the Allure Hotel & Conference Centre in Barrie, ON, until further notice.

OETIO is getting a major boost, with the Government of Ontario investing over $1.1 million to improve facilities and support funding for our youth and Indigenous training programs. Nolan Quinn, MPP of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry and Minister of Colleges and Universities, made the announcement today as he attended a graduation ceremony for 45 Heavy Equipment Operator apprentices who took the program at OETIO Morrisburg. The funding is being provided through two streams. Money received through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant will go towards replacing the dome cover at the Morrisburg training centre, […]

OETIO is getting a major boost, with the Government of Ontario investing over $1.1 million to improve facilities and support funding for our youth and Indigenous training programs.

Nolan Quinn, MPP of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry and Minister of Colleges and Universities, made the announcement today as he attended a graduation ceremony for 45 Heavy Equipment Operator apprentices who took the program at OETIO Morrisburg.

The funding is being provided through two streams. Money received through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant will go towards replacing the dome cover at the Morrisburg training centre, while Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program funds will help OETIO train 36 youth and 18 Indigenous individuals.

MPP Quinn said, “Through this investment, our government is ensuring that more students can access a modern, cutting-edge education at the OETIO that will launch them into successful, in-demand careers right in our community.”

OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr acknowledged the importance of government support in providing more young people with the opportunity to build rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

He said, “With the government’s investment in infrastructure and mining development, this funding will pay dividends in creating the next generation of well-trained and highly skilled Operating Engineers.”

OETIO remains committed to delivering high-quality training to produce the skilled workforce Ontario needs today and tomorrow.

On most days, Robyn Torres is hundreds of feet in the air, working as a tower crane operator for Avenue Building Corporation, a role that demands patience, focus, and the ability to stay calm under pressure Soon, he’ll be facing a different kind of pressure inside the boxing ring. Brother Torres is set to compete in his first sanctioned bout as part of the Victory Gala, a charity boxing event in support of the Pinball Foundation. Brother Torres’ journey into the trades began a couple of years after high school […]

On most days, Robyn Torres is hundreds of feet in the air, working as a tower crane operator for Avenue Building Corporation, a role that demands patience, focus, and the ability to stay calm under pressure

Soon, he’ll be facing a different kind of pressure inside the boxing ring. Brother Torres is set to compete in his first sanctioned bout as part of the Victory Gala, a charity boxing event in support of the Pinball Foundation.

Brother Torres’ journey into the trades began a couple of years after high school when he started working as a labourer until he earned his hoisting and rigging ticket and began working with and around cranes as a swamper and rigger, an experience that sparked a new goal.

“I approached my foremen and informed them of my intention to start a tower crane apprenticeship,” he said. Not long after, he began his 339B apprenticeship at OETIO and became a proud member of Local 793.

As his career progressed, Brother Torres also began paying closer attention to his overall health, which led him to rediscover his love for boxing.

A fan of Manny Pacquiao and the sport itself, this fight is not just about testing his skills on a big stage; it’s about contributing to a meaningful cause.

Balancing his career, family life, and boxing training hasn’t been easy, but Torres credits his wife for her unwavering support. He also hopes to show his children that no matter how busy life gets, it’s still possible to give back.

His message to those considering a career in the trades is: “Nothing was easy when I started my career. I thought about quitting on multiple occasions… but I worked hard, listened, and rarely complained. Through relentless work ethic, patience, and perseverance, I was able to build a life for myself, and my family and I believe if you show up and give it your all every day, you can too.”

To learn more about the fight, visit victorygala.ca

OETIO has been busy actively engaging with Indigenous communities across Ontario to share information about apprenticeship pathways, training programs, pensions and benefits, and to highlight success stories from our Indigenous apprentices. We were invited to the Mnidoo Mnising Employment and Training at Sheguiandah First Nation for a gathering with representatives from Manitoulin Island First Nation communities. These conversations offered a valuable opportunity to discuss career pathways and long-term opportunities as an Operating Engineer. We also visited Sagamok First Nation’s Lifelong Learning Centre alongside the Local 793 team, Eric Giroux, Zenon […]

OETIO has been busy actively engaging with Indigenous communities across Ontario to share information about apprenticeship pathways, training programs, pensions and benefits, and to highlight success stories from our Indigenous apprentices.

We were invited to the Mnidoo Mnising Employment and Training at Sheguiandah First Nation for a gathering with representatives from Manitoulin Island First Nation communities. These conversations offered a valuable opportunity to discuss career pathways and long-term opportunities as an Operating Engineer.

We also visited Sagamok First Nation’s Lifelong Learning Centre alongside the Local 793 team, Eric Giroux, Zenon Konopka, Charlie Peters, and Kyle Park, to discuss apprenticeship opportunities, hands-on training, and available supports through OETIO and Local 793.

Additionally, we participated in the GREAT (Grand River Employment and Training) Job Fair at Six Nations of the Grand River, connecting with students and community members to share pathways to employment with our Signatory Contractors, including A6N (Aecon/Six Nations), proudly based in Six Nations, Ontario.

A big Nyá:węh and Miigwech to all the communities for your warm welcome and continued collaboration. Local 793 and OETIO remain committed to supporting First Nation community members in building successful, long-term careers.