Political Action Strategy Being Developed

Written by Local 793 Staff

The Operating Engineers will be putting together a national political action strategy in time for the next federal election in October 2015. A resolution on the matter was passed at the 55th IUOE Canadian conference recently in Nanaimo, B.C. The resolution had been drafted and proposed by Local 793. The executive board of the IUOE Canadian conference will be working with the IUOE Canadian regional office in Ottawa to develop an effective and properly funded action strategy. The resolution said the federal Conservatives led by Stephen Harper have unfairly targeted […]

The Operating Engineers will be putting together a national political action strategy in time for the next federal election in October 2015.
A resolution on the matter was passed at the 55th IUOE Canadian conference recently in Nanaimo, B.C. The resolution had been drafted and proposed by Local 793.
The executive board of the IUOE Canadian conference will be working with the IUOE Canadian regional office in Ottawa to develop an effective and properly funded action strategy.
The resolution said the federal Conservatives led by Stephen Harper have unfairly targeted trade unions and working families over the last few years and there’s no sign of it subsiding.
The resolution stated that the Conservatives have legislated away workers’ rights in labour disputes at Air Canada, CP Rail and Canada Post, and have implemented changes to EI that will make workers accept jobs at lower wages and travel extensively in order to qualify for benefits. The resolution also stated that the Conservatives have increased the age for collecting Old Age Security to 67 and are working to pass Bills C-377 and C-525.
“Without a co-ordinated strategy to fight back and say clearly that enough is enough, the federal Conservative attack will only continue and likely escalate,” the resolution states.
Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher had spoken about the need for action in a speech at the conference.
“We have to change the way that we are operating,” he said in his remarks on the final day of the conference. “Our traditions are fine but the ground is moving underneath our feet right now and we’re not getting ahead of all of the challenges that we have coming.”
He said the Operating Engineers, along with other labour unions across Canada, need to step up to the plate and take action because the country is headed in the wrong direction.
“It’s way off on the wrong track and what we’ve done in the labour movement – including ourselves – is we’ve battened down the hatches and we’re trying to hold on to our traditions and we’re not having any kind of success, from what I can see, whatsoever.”
According to the resolution, the Conservatives are likely to continue their attacks on unions.
The resolution states that the only option to ensure that no government is allowed to dismantle all the Operating Engineers and other building trade unions have achieved in terms of improving worker and trade union rights is to develop an effective “fight-back” campaign.

Message from Business Manager Gallagher

Written by Local 793 Staff

This past summer, we conducted our first-ever membership survey, and I would like to thank all members who participated. The results of the survey are important because they give the executive board and myself a better understanding of what our union is doing well, and what improvements we still need to make. The opinions and recommendations from the survey will help the officers and I when we make decisions about our training, pension and benefit plans. There were a number of action items identified in the survey, and I am […]

This past summer, we conducted our first-ever membership survey, and I would like to thank all members who participated.
The results of the survey are important because they give the executive board and myself a better understanding of what our union is doing well, and what improvements we still need to make.
The opinions and recommendations from the survey will help the officers and I when we make decisions about our training, pension and benefit plans.
There were a number of action items identified in the survey, and I am pleased to report that we are already taking steps to address them.
For example, I have hired three new business reps in order to better serve our members. Improving business rep visibility was one of the action items identified in the survey.
We are also in the process of revamping our website so that members will be able to pay dues online, as introducing additional online functionality was another action item identified in the survey.
Members also wanted union apparel available for purchase via an online store so we are adding that capability to the website as well.
Meanwhile, we have introduced an e-newsletter and are building a member email database, something that was also requested by members. I encourage members to register on our website to begin receiving the e-newsletter.
Members also requested more communication on political issues that affect members. As a result, I directed assistant labour relations manager Brian Alexander to attend monthly district meetings around the province to provide an update on anti-union legislation known as Bill C-377.
The results of the survey were discussed at our general membership meeting Sept. 22.

Fraternally yours,
Mike Gallagher
Local 793 Business Manager

Trades Lobby Against Bill C-377

Written by Local 793 Staff

Skilled trades workers from across Canada converged on Ottawa May 15 to meet with Members of Parliament and lobby against Bill C-377. Local 793 was represented at the event by Eastern Ontario area supervisor Rick Kerr, assistant labour relations manager Brian Alexander and business reps Jim Laginski, André Chenier and Jonathan Sprung. IUOE Canadian director Jim Murphy and IUOE Canadian government affairs director Steven Schumann were also in attendance. The meetings were organized by the Canadian division of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD). The meetings provided an […]

Skilled trades workers from across Canada converged on Ottawa May 15 to meet with Members of Parliament and lobby against Bill C-377. Local 793 was represented at the event by Eastern Ontario area supervisor Rick Kerr, assistant labour relations manager Brian Alexander and business reps Jim Laginski, André Chenier and Jonathan Sprung.
IUOE Canadian director Jim Murphy and IUOE Canadian government affairs director Steven Schumann were also in attendance.
The meetings were organized by the Canadian division of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD).
The meetings provided an opportunity for the trades to voice their concerns about Bill C-377 directly to their MPs.
Bob Blakely, director of Canadian affairs for the BCTD, said skilled trades workers from Vancouver to St. John’s are worried about the implications of the legislation and its costly negative impacts on major oil sands developments and other large-scale energy projects.
“Our workers rely on their unions to provide necessary benefits and training with the dues that they pay,” he said.
“Our partner contractors – and clients they work for – rely on them to use the skilled manpower we provide in a cost-efficient manner.
“C-377 is going to see that money spent on creating more government bureaucracy. It will slow down Canada’s economic recovery in the construction sector.”
Blakely said Bill C-377 is intended to fix a problem that does not exist and endangers the ability of the building trades to build projects across the country and create jobs.
He said it will create an expanded, expensive and redundant bureaucracy and actually duplicate processes that are already in place to provide accountability and transparency for workers.
A survey conducted by Leger Marketing indicated there is strong opposition to Bill C-377 by members of building trades unions across Canada.
Findings released in March show there is a strong sense of unfairness associated with the Bill, particularly around its focus on unions and their requirements to publicly disclose their financial information.
The building trades say the Bill will duplicate processes that are already in place to provide accountability and transparency and that it will create an expanded, expensive and redundant bureaucracy, resulting in increased compliance costs for unions.
The Bill would require labour organizations in Canada to file detailed, annual financial statements that go into much greater depth than your typical income statement and balance sheet.
Once submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency, the complete financial package would be made public for anyone to view by way of the Internet.
Conservative estimates put the additional administration costs for compliance in the neighbourhood of 20 per cent. This can be attributed to increased labour costs associated with statement tracking and preparation, and will increase the expenses of unions.
Meanwhile, union pension and benefit plan administrators would also be faced with additional administrative costs.
A component of the Bill requires that the union disclose any trust fund transaction or disbursement (i.e. health and welfare payment, pension payment, etc.) to a member in excess of $5,000, accompanied with the name and address of the recipient, and the purpose for the payment.

Golf Tournament Raises $100,000

Written by Local 793 Staff

The first ever Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Local 793 was a resounding success. More than 250 golfers participated in the June 29 event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton. The event raised more than $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network in Toronto. At a luncheon following the tournament, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher thanked those who participated in the event. He noted that the money is going to a very good cause. Cancer is a horrible disease that takes people before […]

The first ever Gary O’Neill Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Local 793 was a resounding success.
More than 250 golfers participated in the June 29 event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton.
The event raised more than $100,000 for the esophageal cancer program at University Health Network in Toronto.
At a luncheon following the tournament, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher thanked those who participated in the event.
He noted that the money is going to a very good cause.
Cancer is a horrible disease that takes people before their time, he told the audience. “You’ve done a good thing” by raising money for esophageal cancer research.
Gallagher said that late president Gary O’Neill would have been proud that Local 793 raised money for cancer research.
“We’re going to do this every single year and keep Gary’s memory alive well into the future,” he said.
IUOE Canadian regional director Jim Murphy told the audience that he’s pleased so many people participated in the tournament.
“What a great turnout for Gary,” he said.
Dr. Gail Darling, thoracic surgeon at Toronto General Hospital, thanked Local 793 and the construction industry for supporting the esophageal cancer program.
She said esophageal cancer is difficult to treat and the key is to develop techniques that lead to early detection of the disease.
The hospital is “especially grateful” for the support of the Operating Engineers, she said.
Following were major sponsors of the event:
EVENT SPONSOR
Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers
PUTTING CONTEST SPONSORS
Global Benefit Plan Consultants Inc.
LUNCH SPONSOR
Crane Rental Association of Ontario
BEVERAGE SPONSORS
Morrison & Williams
Ontario Ironworkers District Council
HOLE-IN-ONE CONTEST SPONSORS
International Union of Operating Engineers (head office – Washington) – Hole #3 Copperhead
RBC Dominion Securities- Hole #16 Sidewinder
CART SPONSORS
Bondfield Construction
United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA)
Ridgewood Capital Asset Management
Aecon Construction & Materials Ltd.
GROUP PHOTO SPONSOR
Letko Brosseau
GIFT CARD SPONSOR
Artcraft Three Hands
Eckler Ltd.
Thistle Printing
EllisDon
Fengate Capital Management
SHIRT SPONSOR
Genumark

Monthly Meetings

Written by Local 793 Staff

TIMMINS 54 Waterloo Rd., Unit 2, Timmins, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wednesday of the month. OSHAWA 1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7, Oshawa, 7 p.m., 1st Thursday of the month. THUNDER BAY* 979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101, Thunder Bay, 7 p.m., 1st Thursday of the month. ST. CATHARINES* 188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5, St. Catharines, 7:30 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of the month. WINDSOR* 3383 Walker Rd., Windsor, 7 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of the month. SAULT STE. MARIE* 432 Great Northern Rd., Suite 203, Sault Ste. Marie, 7:30 p.m., 2nd Wednesday of the […]

TIMMINS
54 Waterloo Rd., Unit 2, Timmins, 7:30 p.m., 1st Wednesday of the month.

OSHAWA
1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7, Oshawa, 7 p.m., 1st Thursday of the month.

THUNDER BAY*
979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101, Thunder Bay, 7 p.m., 1st Thursday of the month.

ST. CATHARINES*
188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5, St. Catharines, 7:30 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of the month.

WINDSOR*
3383 Walker Rd., Windsor, 7 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of the month.

SAULT STE. MARIE*
432 Great Northern Rd., Suite 203, Sault Ste. Marie, 7:30 p.m., 2nd Wednesday of the month.

CAMBRIDGE*
55 Fleming Dr., Unit 26, Cambridge, 7:30 p.m., 2nd Wednesday of the month.

SUDBURY*
430 Westmount Ave., Unit H, Sudbury, 8 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month.

TORONTO*
2245 Speers Rd., Oakville, 7:30 p.m., 3rd Wednesday of the month.

BELLEVILLE*
1 Millennium Parkway, Suite 102, Belleville, 7 p.m., 4th Tuesday of the month. 1

LONDON*
4096 Meadowbrook Drive, Unit 115, London, 7 p.m., 4th Tuesday of the month.

HAMILTON*
35 Goderich Rd., Unit 5, Hamilton, 7:30 p.m., 4th Wednesday of the month.

OTTAWA*
Best Western Plus, 1274 Carling Ave., 7 p.m., 4th Wednesday of the month.

NORTH BAY
Voyager Inn, Greenery Room, 123 Delaware Ave., North Bay, 7:30 p.m., 4th Wednesday of the month.

BARRIE*
240 Bayview Drive, Unit 12, Barrie, 7:30 p.m., 4th Thursday of the month.

SARNIA*
1390A Lougar Ave., Sarnia, 7 p.m., 4th Thursday of the month.

* – District hiring hall present

Member Assistance Program Up and Running

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 members, their spouses and dependent children under 21 now have access to a Member Assistance Program (MAP) at no cost through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi. The program is a confidential support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. Members can seek help for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations or life transitions. Other services offered by the program include help for managing relationships and family, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling […]

Local 793 members, their spouses and dependent children under 21 now have access to a Member Assistance Program (MAP) at no cost through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi.
The program is a confidential support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. Members can seek help for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations or life transitions.
Other services offered by the program include help for managing relationships and family, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling addictions and improving nutrition.
Fees for the program have been paid in advance by Local 793.
To find out more about the services available under the MAP, call 1-800-387-4765 or visit the Schepell.fgi website at www.workhealthlife.com and click on the ‘My Services’ tab at the top of the page.
At the website, members can register by clicking on the ‘Register’ link at the top of the page, then search for ‘The Board of Trustees of the International Union of Operating Engineers.’
Once registered, members can instantly chat online with a counselor, book sessions, and access helpful articles and videos. An app can also be downloaded from the site for smartphones.
Following is a full list of the services provided by the MAP:

  • Short-term Professional Counseling provides support for personal and emotional issues. Members can choose from a variety of delivery methods to best suit their comfort level and lifestyle, including in-person, telephonic, e-counseling, online chat with a counselor, video, and text-based, self-paced.
  • Family Support Services connects you with a family support specialist for personalized assistance with family planning, parenting, childcare, eldercare, homecare support and more.
  • Legal Support Services provides consultation with professional lawyers to answer legal questions surrounding divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues, and more.
  • Financial Support Services provides consultation with financial professionals to answer financial questions about budgeting, debt management, tax issues, and more.
  • Naturopathic Services provides consultation with naturopathic doctors on choices related to physiology, diet, lifestyle, and well-being, including illness prevention strategies.
  • Nutritional Services offer consultation with registered dieticians on any nutritional matter or concern.
  • Health Coaching by registered nurses provides information and advice, co-ordination and support and coaching on any health risk or concern.
  • Fitness Coach Connects is a personalized and interactive program designed to improve the physical health of union members through education, behaviour change and fitness.
  • Specialized Counseling and Online Programs to assist with career challenges, managing stress, tobacco cessation, enhancing relationships, separation and divorce, and financial planning.

Changes Announced to Executive Board

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of changes to the executive of the union. The changes were prompted by the resignation of financial secretary John W. Anderson who is leaving to take up a new position and challenge as an administrator at Global Benefits. A meeting of the union officers was held Jan. 3 to appoint a replacement. In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section F of the union’s Constitution and Article VII of Local 793’s bylaws, the officers voted unanimously to appoint Rick Kerr […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of changes to the executive of the union.
The changes were prompted by the resignation of financial secretary John W. Anderson who is leaving to take up a new position and challenge as an administrator at Global Benefits.
A meeting of the union officers was held Jan. 3 to appoint a replacement.
In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section F of the union’s Constitution and Article VII of Local 793’s bylaws, the officers voted unanimously to appoint Rick Kerr as financial secretary. He had been vice-president.

The officers also voted to:

  • Appoint Joe Dowdall as vice-president. He had been recording-corresponding secretary.
  • Appoint Brian Alexander as recording-corresponding secretary. He had been an executive board member.
  • Appoint David Turple as an executive board member.

Following is the executive of the union:

Business Manager
- Mike Gallagher

President
- Joe Redshaw

Vice President
- Joe Dowdall

Treasurer
- Alex Law

Financial Secretary
- Rick Kerr

Recording-Corresponding Secretary
- Brian Alexander

Executive Board
- Dave Turple, Bill Boyle, Joel Collens, Ron Hillis, Bob McQueen, Robert Turpin

Auditors
- Steve Deady, Robbie Hierons, John Monti

Trustees
- Andre Chenier, Jonathan Sprung, Robert Taddei

Guard
- Shane McComb

Conductor
- Brad Sisler

 

Photos Sought for Commemorative Publication

Written by Local 793 Staff

2014 is the 95th anniversary year of Local 793. To mark the occasion, the union will be producing a special commemorative publication later this year. We are looking for photos from the past that we can print in the publication. We are also looking for recollections or stories that members might have about the union that we can use as part of the narrative. If you have any material that could be included in the publication, please send it to Director of Communications Grant Cameron via email at gcameron@iuoelocal793.org. You […]

2014 is the 95th anniversary year of Local 793.
To mark the occasion, the union will be producing a special commemorative publication later this year.
We are looking for photos from the past that we can print in the publication. We are also looking for recollections or stories that members might have about the union that we can use as part of the narrative.
If you have any material that could be included in the publication, please send it to Director of Communications Grant Cameron via email at gcameron@iuoelocal793.org.
You can also send the information by mail to: Grant Cameron
Director of Communications,
IUOE Local 793, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont., L6L 6X8

Benefit Improvements Announced

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan. “We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.” The improvements went into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2014: For active and retired members: Coverage will now be provided for specific eye exams that are necessary for certain medical conditions. Coverage for orthotics will […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Life & Health Benefits Plan.
“We are always striving to provide the best coverage possible for our members,” he said. “I am therefore pleased to announce these changes on behalf of the Life and Health Benefits Plan trustees.”
The improvements went into effect on or before Jan. 1, 2014:
For active and retired members:

  • Coverage will now be provided for specific eye exams that are necessary for certain medical conditions.
  • Coverage for orthotics will be increased to a maximum of $300 per year from $200 per year.
  • Coverage for travel-out-of-province insurance will be increased to a maximum of $150 per year from $100 per year.
  • Coverage for prescription sunglasses will now be provided for up to a maximum of $400 every 24 months. This is included as part of the regular vision care package.
  • Coverage for services from a registered physiotherapist will be covered for up to $1,500 per calendar year for both active and retired members. Previously, the plan covered reasonable and customary charges for retired members.
  • 100 per cent of lab fees will be covered. Previously, the plan covered 100 per cent of the lab fees for active members and 50 per cent of the fees for retired members.
  • Coverage for hearing aids will be raised to $1,000 every five years from $800.
  • Coverage for vision care was raised to $400 every 24 months. Previously, it was $275 for active members and $250 for retirees.
  • Additional life insurance for union members will be increased to $2,000 from $1,000.
  • Erectile dysfunction drugs will now be covered for conditions due to a medical disability.
  • The dental fee guide will be changed to the 2013 ODA fee guide effective Jan. 1, 2014.
  • A Members Assistance Program to provide counseling assistance for active or retired members has started. The program is through Great West Life and Schepell.fgi. The MAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help members find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. The MAP offers assistance for stress, depression, anxiety, anger, crisis situations and life transitions. It also offers help for managing relationships and family, finding child and elder care resources, getting legal and financial advice, dealing with workplace challenges, tackling addictions and improving nutrition. To find out more about the services available under the MAP, call 1-800-387-4765 or visit the Schepell.fgi website at www.workhealthlife.com and click on the ‘My Services’ tab at the top of the page.

For active members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $125,000 from $100,000.
  • Coverage for laser eye surgery will be increased to a lifetime maximum of $1,000 from $800.
  • Coverage for massage therapy will be increased to a maximum of $800 per year from $500 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist will be increased to $800 per year from $500.
  • Coverage for orthodontic services for individuals under age 21 has been raised to a lifetime maximum of $3,500 from $2,500.
  • When an active member exceeds the lifetime maximum of $150,000 per person the amount restored each year will increase to $20,000 from the prior amount of only $1,000.

The short-term disability payments will increase to $514 per week for claims after Jan. 1, 2014. The previous amount was $501 a week.
For retired members:

  • Life insurance has been raised to $25,000 from $20,000.
  • Coverage for chiropractor, osteopath, naturopath and podiatrist will have a combined maximum of $200 per year.
  • Coverage for a psychologist, acupuncturist and masseur will have separate maximums of $200 per year. The previous limit was $100 per year.

For more information, call Local 793’s pension and benefits office at 905-469-9299 or (toll free) 1-877-793-4863.

Improvements Made to Union’s Group Legal Plan

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Group Legal Plan for both active and retired members. The improvements are the second wave of enhancements this year to benefits for Local 793 members. Earlier, improvements were announced to the Life and Health Benefits Plan. “The officers, executive board and I are always looking at ways to provide better services to our members across the province,” Gallagher said. “The changes to our legal plan will complement the enhancements that were made to the […]

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has announced a number of new improvements to the union’s Group Legal Plan for both active and retired members.
The improvements are the second wave of enhancements this year to benefits for Local 793 members.
Earlier, improvements were announced to the Life and Health Benefits Plan.

“The officers, executive board and I are always looking at ways to provide better services to our members across the province,” Gallagher said. “The changes to our legal plan will complement the enhancements that were made to the life and health benefits plan.”

The changes to the legal plan took effect Jan. 1. Coverage has been increased as follows:

  • E1 – Simple Will Member has been increased to $300 from $100.
  • E2 – Simple Will Spouse has been increased to $300 from $100.
  • E3 – Revised Will Member has been increased to $150 from $75.
  • E4 – Revised Will Spouse has been increased to $150 from $75.
  • M1 – Highway Traffic Act has been increased to $400 from $300.