Category: Union News

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

The De Novo Treatment Centre is working in partnership with the Ontario Building Trades to conduct research within the construction industry in order to get a deeper understanding of how addiction impacts families as well as enhance family-focused supports and services. De Novo is inviting skilled tradespeople and their significant others to share their valuable perspectives on this crucial issue by participating in a survey. It will take about 7-8 minutes to complete, depending on your answers. https://bit.ly/4eXMffi to participate. Participation and answers will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. […]

The De Novo Treatment Centre is working in partnership with the Ontario Building Trades to conduct research within the construction industry in order to get a deeper understanding of how addiction impacts families as well as enhance family-focused supports and services.

De Novo is inviting skilled tradespeople and their significant others to share their valuable perspectives on this crucial issue by participating in a survey. It will take about 7-8 minutes to complete, depending on your answers.

https://bit.ly/4eXMffi to participate.

Participation and answers will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential.

De Novo Treatment Centre is an alcohol and drug treatment service operated as a partnership between management and unionized members of Ontario’s construction and building trades. The centre provides the highest quality of treatment to employers, members and their families who struggle with substance abuse or addiction.

Members of Local 793 and their dependants under the age of 25 have access to the De Novo Treatment Centre. Dependants under the age of 25 will be required to provide proof that they are residing with the member in order to be eligible for the services. This coverage is available to dependants under the age of 25 without the proof of full-time attendance as long as the above criterion is met.

Visit the De Novo Treatment Centre at https://denovo.ca/ or call toll-free at 1-800-933-6686.

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to reflect and honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities across Canada. It is a day to remember the role that all of us have as a country, as organizations, and as individuals in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. We encourage all of our members to take the time to learn about the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and learn about […]

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to reflect and honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities across Canada. It is a day to remember the role that all of us have as a country, as organizations, and as individuals in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

We encourage all of our members to take the time to learn about the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day.

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

Seven of our IUOE Local 793 female operators touched down in New Orleans this weekend to celebrate the 14th Annual Trades Women Build Nations (TWBN) Conference, the largest gathering of tradeswomen, leaders, and professionals in the world! Held for three days, from September 27-29th, the conference promotes leadership, mentorship, and sisterhood, while addressing key issues facing tradeswomen in the workforce. Carla St. Louis, Director of Marketing and Indigenous Affairs, headed the Local 793 delegation, which included members Daniella Dines (Toronto), Rebecca Foubister (Sarnia), Cassandra Haystead (Ottawa), Keturah Hinds (Toronto), Leslie […]

Seven of our IUOE Local 793 female operators touched down in New Orleans this weekend to celebrate the 14th Annual Trades Women Build Nations (TWBN) Conference, the largest gathering of tradeswomen, leaders, and professionals in the world!

Held for three days, from September 27-29th, the conference promotes leadership, mentorship, and sisterhood, while addressing key issues facing tradeswomen in the workforce.

Carla St. Louis, Director of Marketing and Indigenous Affairs, headed the Local 793 delegation, which included members Daniella Dines (Toronto), Rebecca Foubister (Sarnia), Cassandra Haystead (Ottawa), Keturah Hinds (Toronto), Leslie Lariviere (Sault St. Marie), Nicole Sinninghe (Thunder Bay) and Alexandra Vibert (Cambridge).

On Saturday morning, they got the opportunity of a lifetime when they marched through the streets of New Orleans alongside over five thousand other tradeswomen.

IUOE General President James T. Callahan and Business Manager Mike Gallagher were also in attendance to celebrate our hard-working female members.

We are proud to be #Local793Strong at the #TWBN Conference!