Category: Union News

Local 793 officers, executive board members, staff and guests paid tribute to the Union’s long service members at the Dinner Dance held in their honour on Saturday at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville. Honourees who reached long service milestones in both 2024 and 2021 were recognized for their years of service and commitment to building what the Union is today. Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed guests, dignitaries and long-service members to the event. “I really must thank you, the members, who have always stuck together when it […]

Local 793 officers, executive board members, staff and guests paid tribute to the Union’s long service members at the Dinner Dance held in their honour on Saturday at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville.

Honourees who reached long service milestones in both 2024 and 2021 were recognized for their years of service and commitment to building what the Union is today.

Business Manager Mike Gallagher welcomed guests, dignitaries and long-service members to the event.

“I really must thank you, the members, who have always stuck together when it counted – not for me, not because you had to, but because that’s how you are built. I want to thank you for all that you have done.”

Business Manager Gallagher continued, “I’m the manager, it’s true, but when I look around the room, I see all these members who have built this organization. We have been through a lot together, but we have been extremely unified throughout that and have grown stronger through unity.”

Attending as special guest was Ontario’s Minister of Labour, David Piccini.

“Christmas is a time where I always reflect and give thanks, and I’m very thankful for the relationship we have with the Operating Engineers as a government under the leadership of Mike Gallagher.

“I’m also incredibly grateful for a generation of people who built the province that we all live in, love and enjoy. This is a generation that built this province and that is what we’re on a mission to do again.”

A video was shown on screens throughout the banquet hall, reflecting on the Union’s history over the past five years, highlighting the challenges overcome, the victories achieved, and the collective strength that has driven progress within the organization.

The 845 guests in attendance were then treated to a gourmet meal before the band, Sound Parade, took over and the dance floor heated up.

Site clearing at the future home of the IUOE Local 793 regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte is near completion. Once finished, the new complex serving members in the Barrie and Simcoe County region and all surrounding areas will include a state-of-the-art training facility, a fully equipped banquet hall, and office space for the Union and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). Local 793 signatory company Bird Construction is the general contractor. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of this Union project – it’s an experience I’ll […]

Site clearing at the future home of the IUOE Local 793 regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte is near completion. Once finished, the new complex serving members in the Barrie and Simcoe County region and all surrounding areas will include a state-of-the-art training facility, a fully equipped banquet hall, and office space for the Union and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO).

Local 793 signatory company Bird Construction is the general contractor.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of this Union project – it’s an experience I’ll always remember,” Local 793 member Sam Gregoire said. “This regional office and training centre will completely transform things for our members in the area. Even our brothers up north won’t have to drive to Oakville for their training anymore.”

Brother Sam, a second-generation 793 member, added “My son is interested in becoming an operating engineer, and I’m hopeful he’ll complete his training here.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 12. The event was attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini, Attorney General of Ontario Doug Downey, Oro-Medonte Town Councillor Dave Clark, as well as local representatives from the Barrie and Simcoe County region and construction industry leaders.

CLICK HERE to see photos and to read more about the groundbreaking ceremony in Oro-Medonte.

Local 793 celebrated breaking ground at the site of the new regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte on Tuesday. The $25 million, 21,000 sq. ft. complex on 20 acres will include a state-of-the-art training facility operated by the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO), a fully equipped banquet hall and office space for union and OETIO staff. The event was attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini, Attorney General of Ontario Doug Downey, Oro-Medonte Town Councillor Dave Clark, as […]

Local 793 celebrated breaking ground at the site of the new regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte on Tuesday.

The $25 million, 21,000 sq. ft. complex on 20 acres will include a state-of-the-art training facility operated by the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO), a fully equipped banquet hall and office space for union and OETIO staff.

The event was attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini, Attorney General of Ontario Doug Downey, Oro-Medonte Town Councillor Dave Clark, as well as local representatives from the Barrie and Simcoe County region and construction industry leaders.

“It’s a great day for the Operating Engineers in Ontario. The construction of the Oro-Medonte regional office and training centre will increase our versatility and ability to train for the future and meet Ontario’s growth needs, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “It will also ensure that the province doesn’t lag in terms of its infrastructure, including future hospitals, schools, and housing.

“We’re grateful to the province of Ontario for supporting this project and being partners in purchasing equipment to ensure that we have world-class training facilities right here in Ontario that continue to develop the best operators in any jurisdiction.”

Local 793 was awarded $4.9 million in June through the provincial government’s Skills Development Fund Capital Stream program to help develop the training portion of the facility. The rest of the build cost will come from union funds.

The union has plans to add three more regional hubs to serve members in Sarnia, Sudbury and Hamilton.

Local 793 has invested heavily in training since Business Manager Gallagher was first elected to lead the union in 1996, with the Oro-Medonte project bringing the total spend close to $300 million.

The new facility is being built by signatory company Bird Construction and is scheduled to open in 2026.

Read the official press release HERE.

On Remembrance Day, we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian armed forces. Today, we remember not only the fallen, but also the families who have borne the heavy toll of service, and all those whose lives have been forever shaped by their sacrifices. As a Union, we stand in solidarity with all workers, whether in uniform or civilian life, who have given so much for our freedom and safety. The values of equality, fairness, and justice […]

On Remembrance Day, we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian armed forces. Today, we remember not only the fallen, but also the families who have borne the heavy toll of service, and all those whose lives have been forever shaped by their sacrifices.

As a Union, we stand in solidarity with all workers, whether in uniform or civilian life, who have given so much for our freedom and safety. The values of equality, fairness, and justice that we fight for in the workplace are the same principles that those who served sought to protect.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, it is tradition to hold a moment of silence in commemoration of the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on November 11, 1918, at 11 am. With this act of silence, we honour the courage, bravery and sacrifice of the heroes who have served and continue to serve Canada. Let us take this moment to reflect on the privilege of living in a country where the sacrifices of so many have made it possible for us to enjoy peace, security, and the opportunity to thrive.

Lest we forget.

In solidarity and Remembrance,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE Local 793

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher has told CBC News that he believes the laying off of 10% of the workforce by Baffinland Iron Mines in Nunavut “could’ve been avoided if the regulatory process through the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) wasn’t so long”. Local 793 and the members working at the mine fully supported Baffinland’s application at the NIRB to renew its shipping permit from 4.2 to 6 million tonnes of ore annually. Baffinland’s decision to suspend its application will result in further layoffs due to operating at the […]

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher has told CBC News that he believes the laying off of 10% of the workforce by Baffinland Iron Mines in Nunavut “could’ve been avoided if the regulatory process through the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) wasn’t so long”.

Local 793 and the members working at the mine fully supported Baffinland’s application at the NIRB to renew its shipping permit from 4.2 to 6 million tonnes of ore annually.

Baffinland’s decision to suspend its application will result in further layoffs due to operating at the reduced tonnage of 4.2 million tonnes in 2025.

The large drop in the price of iron ore since the start of the year forced the company to reduce its costs and started layoffs in early October.

The Union’s collective agreement with Baffinland contains a fair process for determining layoffs and puts a priority on Baffinland to recognize members’ seniority. There’s also protective language that gives laid-off members recall rights for 12 months.

The company has announced that in scaling back current operations it will concentrate resources on building the multi-billion-dollar Steensby railway line south from the mine to Steensby Inlet. Baffinland expects to have its financing in place next year and to start construction shortly thereafter.

The Steensby railway will allow Baffinland to ship 18 million tonnes of ore annually and will provide long-term stability and jobs at the mine.

Over 900 Local 793 members are employed at the mine.

Catch Brother Gallagher’s comments on CBC Northbeat here (jump to 17:23 on the video). Read the full CBC story here.

Local 793 joined other building trade unions and industry stakeholders from across the province at the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario’s 67th annual convention held in Windsor from October 16-18. Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, was the keynote speaker at the annual gathering, while a series of presentations and workshops allowed delegates the chance to help shape the future direction of the construction industry. Leading the 12-person Local 793 delegation, Business Manager Gallagher said, “We heard from the Minister of Labour, David […]

Local 793 joined other building trade unions and industry stakeholders from across the province at the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario’s 67th annual convention held in Windsor from October 16-18.

Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, was the keynote speaker at the annual gathering, while a series of presentations and workshops allowed delegates the chance to help shape the future direction of the construction industry.

Leading the 12-person Local 793 delegation, Business Manager Gallagher said, “We heard from the Minister of Labour, David Piccini, who committed his government to continue to work with and support Ontario’s building trade unions in building Ontario.”

Brother Gallagher also nominated Local 793 President and Assistant Business Manager, Dave Turple, for a position on the organization’s Executive Board and was duly elected.

President Turple also welcomed the minister’s comments, saying, “With the groundbreaking of our new training centre in Oro-Medonte on November 12, I am very pleased to hear the minister’s commitment to build on his government’s $260 million Skills Development Fund – further investing in the future of this province and the union workers who build it.”

IUOE Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell was invited to join the local 793 delegation in Windsor by Brother Gallagher. Brother Campbell said, “Along with the 277 delegates in attendance, it was great to hear from Minister of Labour David Piccini as he set out the provincial government’s commitment to the Ontario Trades and our members to ensure Ontario gets built right and gets built union.”

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities, visited the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) Morrisburg campus to announce the award of $617,058 from the Ontario government’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG). The money will be used to increase and enhance training for apprentices and workers by investing in new technology and machines, including a new excavator. Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher thanked the government for its continued support. “The ACG assists OETIO to obtain new equipment, which […]

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities, visited the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) Morrisburg campus to announce the award of $617,058 from the Ontario government’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG).

The money will be used to increase and enhance training for apprentices and workers by investing in new technology and machines, including a new excavator.

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher thanked the government for its continued support.

“The ACG assists OETIO to obtain new equipment, which is relevant to the industry, to prepare the apprentices to meet the challenges in the workforce,” Gallagher said. “As our trade has a large capital cost in training, this funding greatly assists in keeping our training current.”

During the visit, both Ministers visited the training dome before speaking to students in the auditorium.

OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr, who welcomed the Ministers to the Union’s training campus south of Ottawa, said, “Given labour shortages in this trade and the evolving technology that continues to improve the efficiency of operators, obtaining an excavator with relevant practical attributes will improve the apprenticeship experience as well as employment opportunities of individuals completing the training program.”

The officers, executive board members and staff of IUOE Local 793 would like to wish all our members and their families a Happy Thanksgiving long weekend. Thanksgiving is a special occasion for gathering with family and friends to enjoy good food, share each other’s company, and, most importantly, express gratitude for all we have. It’s a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and to appreciate the moments that bring us together. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and relaxing Thanksgiving long weekend! Fraternally yours, Mike Gallagher

The officers, executive board members and staff of IUOE Local 793 would like to wish all our members and their families a Happy Thanksgiving long weekend.

Thanksgiving is a special occasion for gathering with family and friends to enjoy good food, share each other’s company, and, most importantly, express gratitude for all we have. It’s a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and to appreciate the moments that bring us together.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and relaxing Thanksgiving long weekend!

Fraternally yours,

Mike Gallagher