Gallagher Secures Eighth Term as Business Manager

Written by Local 793 Staff

Following is a press release issued by I.U.O.E., Local 793, on June 20, 2024: Mike Gallagher will lead the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 (“I.U.O.E. Local 793”), for an unprecedented eighth term after he was re-elected unopposed to his position as Business Manager. “To my knowledge, this is the first time in our history that we have been so united as an organization to elect the entire team unopposed,” Gallagher said in a thank you letter to the more than 19,000 members of Local 793. “It is a […]

Following is a press release issued by I.U.O.E., Local 793, on June 20, 2024:

Mike Gallagher will lead the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 (“I.U.O.E. Local 793”), for an unprecedented eighth term after he was re-elected unopposed to his position as Business Manager.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time in our history that we have been so united as an organization to elect the entire team unopposed,” Gallagher said in a thank you letter to the more than 19,000 members of Local 793. “It is a great privilege to represent you and fight for you and your family for better job site conditions, benefits, training opportunities, jobs, and first-class pension and benefit plans.

“With your support, we will continue to build a better union and future for you and your family.”

Each member of the existing leadership team was also re-elected unopposed, including:

Officers
Dave Turple (President), Mike Scott (Vice-President), Rick Kerr (Treasurer), Brian Alexander (Financial Secretary) and Steve Booze (Recording-Corresponding Secretary)

Executive Board
Jordan Glendenning, Jeff Hewitt, John Kelly, Paul Knight, Virgil Nosè and Justin O’Neill

Trustees
Mike Barons, Kyle Schutte and Martin Tassé

Auditors
Eric Giroux, Stephen Rubinoff and Andrew Saunders

Conductor
Gord Vandevenne

Guard
Shawn McLeary

Gallagher has been the Business Manager since 1996, when members turned to him and his team to get the Local back on track following a period of turmoil that resulted in its placement under International supervision.
Since then, however, the Local has only gone from strength to strength – exiting International supervision, building up its finances, rapidly increasing membership, expanding training opportunities and bringing its pension and benefits plan in-house.

As the union’s new five-year Strategic Plan was recently finalized, his focus will now be on delivering on its ambitious goals, especially in the areas of organizing, training, health and safety, and reaching out to traditionally marginalized groups in construction, such as women and members of Indigenous communities.

“The Team Gallagher commitment is to build on our progress in Ontario and Nunavut. Progress that you know and trust,” Gallagher said. “We will continue to improve the lives of members and their families through growing a strong union that provides quality and progressive agreements, world-class training and platinum level life & health benefits and pension plans that you can count on now and depend on in the future.”

Summer District Meetings Schedule

Written by Local 793 Staff

Please note that all monthly district meetings across all areas have been cancelled for the months of July and August. Monthly district meetings will resume in September. Following is a schedule of the monthly district meetings: TIMMINS – July & August meetings cancelled Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 7:30 p.m. 1st Wednesday of the month. OSHAWA – July & August meetings cancelled 1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7, Oshawa, 7 p.m. 1st Thursday of the month. THUNDER BAY – July & August meetings cancelled 979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101, Thunder Bay, […]

Please note that all monthly district meetings across all areas have been cancelled for the months of July and August. Monthly district meetings will resume in September.

Following is a schedule of the monthly district meetings:

TIMMINS – July & August meetings cancelled
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 7:30 p.m.
1st Wednesday of the month.

OSHAWA – July & August meetings cancelled
1255 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 7, Oshawa, 7 p.m.
1st Thursday of the month.

THUNDER BAY – July & August meetings cancelled
979 Alloy Drive, Suite 101, Thunder Bay, 7 p.m.
1st Thursday of the month.

ST. CATHARINES – July & August meetings cancelled
188 Bunting Rd., Unit 5, St. Catharines, 7:30 p.m.
2nd Tuesday of the month.

WINDSOR – July & August meetings cancelled
3383 Walker Rd., Windsor, 7 p.m.
2nd Tuesday of the month.

SAULT STE. MARIE – July & August meetings cancelled
432 Great Northern Rd., Suite 203, Sault Ste. Marie, 7:30 p.m.
2nd Wednesday of the month.

CAMBRIDGE – July & August meetings cancelled
55 Fleming Drive, Unit 26, Cambridge, 7:30 p.m.
2nd Wednesday of the month.

SUDBURY – July & August meetings cancelled
430 Westmount Ave., Unit H, Sudbury, 7 p.m.
3rd Tuesday of the month.

TORONTO – July & August meetings cancelled
2245 Speers Road, Oakville, 7 p.m.
3rd Wednesday of the month.

BELLEVILLE – July & August meetings cancelled
1 Millennium Parkway, Suite 102, Belleville, 7 p.m.
4th Tuesday of the month.

LONDON – July & August meetings cancelled
4096 Meadowbrook Drive, Unit 115, London, 7 p.m.
4th Tuesday of the month.

HAMILTON – July & August meetings cancelled
35 Goderich Rd., Unit 5, Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
4th Wednesday of the month.

OTTAWA – July & August meetings cancelled
Best Western Plus-Ottawa City Centre, 1274 Carling Ave., 7 p.m.
4th Wednesday of the month.

NORTH BAY – July & August meetings cancelled
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1325 Seymour Street, North Bay, 7:30 p.m.,
4th Wednesday of the month.

BARRIE – July & August meetings cancelled
Allure Hotel & Conference Centre, 20 Fairview Road, Barrie, 7 p.m.
4th Thursday of the month.

SARNIA – July & August meetings cancelled
1390A Lougar Ave., Sarnia, 7 p.m.
4th Thursday of the month.

Local 793 Members Excavate Stage 2 LRT Project in Ottawa

Written by Local 793 Staff

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The Stage 2 Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Ottawa is currently under construction. Local 793 members Alex La Framboise, Vincent Lacroix, and Thomas Clarke, employed by Kiewit/Eurovia/Vinci, are excavating the field to prepare for the railway extension’s new posts and electrical conduits. This project extends the O-Train network farther south, east and west and will upgrade connectivity enhancements through multi-use pathways, cycle tracks and pedestrian bridges.    

The Stage 2 Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Ottawa is currently under construction. Local 793 members Alex La Framboise, Vincent Lacroix, and Thomas Clarke, employed by Kiewit/Eurovia/Vinci, are excavating the field to prepare for the railway extension’s new posts and electrical conduits.

This project extends the O-Train network farther south, east and west and will upgrade connectivity enhancements through multi-use pathways, cycle tracks and pedestrian bridges.

Left is Alex, Vince and Thomas
L to R: Local 793 members Alex La Framboise, Vincent Lacroix (inside a Liebherr 922 Rail excavator), and Thomas Clarke.

 

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Brother Clarke operates a Bobcat E10 compact excavator at the LRT phase 2 project.

 

Preventing Accidents Require Appropriate Measures

Written by Local 793 Staff

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Identifying hazards and preventing accidents requires conducting measures such as Job Safety Analysis (JSA) before a project begins. This systematic procedure breaks down each task to assess and mitigate risks and develop safe workplace practices to avoid electrical incidents. These pointers should be considered when doing a JSA on powerlines: Electricity is invisible. A live wire looks identical to a wire without electricity. Direct contact isn’t necessary for an electrical-related accident. Electricity can travel through the air and can inflict serious injuries. Weather and climate can cause wires to swing, […]

Identifying hazards and preventing accidents requires conducting measures such as Job Safety Analysis (JSA) before a project begins. This systematic procedure breaks down each task to assess and mitigate risks and develop safe workplace practices to avoid electrical incidents.

These pointers should be considered when doing a JSA on powerlines:

  • Electricity is invisible. A live wire looks identical to a wire without electricity.
  • Direct contact isn’t necessary for an electrical-related accident. Electricity can travel through the air and can inflict serious injuries.
  • Weather and climate can cause wires to swing, but higher-voltage wires can sag three metres in one hour after heating up.
  • Construction materials placed outside the minimum safe distance from electrical equipment can cause arc flash accidents.
  • Ensure that tools and equipment are at a safe distance from an electrical hazard.

In addition to Job Safety Analysis (JSA), ensuring worker safety involves a multifaceted approach. The Hierarchy of Controls serves as an additional protective measure by minimizing hazards and introducing an extra layer of defence. Following this procedure can provide additional precautions and a safe workplace for workers.

IUOE Local 793 stands as a dedicated advocate for the protection of all workers involved in building and maintaining Ontario. The importance of this mission cannot be overstated, emphasizing that safety is not a matter of chance – it’s a deliberate choice that each person must make.

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Barrie District Meeting Venue Change for June 27, 2024

Written by Local 793 Staff

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ATTENTION MEMBERS: Barrie District Meeting for June 27, 2024 (Thursday) will be held at Four Points By Sheraton Barrie at 7 p.m. Please note that this venue change is only for June 27, 2024. Any succeeding meeting would return to Allure Hotel & Conference Centre in Barrie, ON, until further notice.

Barrie district meeting venue change
ATTENTION MEMBERS:

Barrie District Meeting for June 27, 2024 (Thursday) will be held at Four Points By Sheraton Barrie at 7 p.m.

Please note that this venue change is only for June 27, 2024. Any succeeding meeting would return to Allure Hotel & Conference Centre in Barrie, ON, until further notice.

Making Tracks Magazine, Issue 46: Summer 2024

Written by Local 793 Staff

Welcome to the digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine. In this edition, you’ll read about Mike Gallagher securing his eighth term as Business Manager of Local 793, the pension increase announced at the General Membership meeting, hear from women of Local 793 on what it takes to make it as an OE, read a fascinating feature on how three generations of Chéniers came together to rescue the 1940s dragline shovel that laid the foundation for a Local 793 dynasty, and much, much more. Digital magazines can be instantly accessed […]

Welcome to the digital edition of Making Tracks, the magazine.

In this edition, you’ll read about Mike Gallagher securing his eighth term as Business Manager of Local 793, the pension increase announced at the General Membership meeting, hear from women of Local 793 on what it takes to make it as an OE, read a fascinating feature on how three generations of Chéniers came together to rescue the 1940s dragline shovel that laid the foundation for a Local 793 dynasty, and much, much more.

Digital magazines can be instantly accessed and read on tablets, smartphones, or other digital platforms anywhere and anytime. They enhance the user experience and offer links to important resources and information for quick access, as well as great video content!

ENJOY THIS DIGITAL EDITION OF MAKING TRACKS!

Making Tracks: Summer 2024 Issue Number 46

Thank You to Members for Re-Electing Team Gallagher by Acclamation

Written by Local 793 Staff

June 20, 2024 Members of Local 793 On behalf of the Officers, Executive Board, and the entire team, a heartfelt thank you to our membership for re-electing us by acclamation! To my knowledge, this is the first time in our history that we have been so united as an organization to elect the entire team unopposed. It is a great privilege to represent you and fight for you and your family for better job site conditions, benefits, training opportunities, jobs, and first-class pension and benefit plans. With your support, we […]

June 20, 2024

Members of Local 793

On behalf of the Officers, Executive Board, and the entire team, a heartfelt thank you to our membership for re-electing us by acclamation!

To my knowledge, this is the first time in our history that we have been so united as an organization to elect the entire team unopposed.

It is a great privilege to represent you and fight for you and your family for better job site conditions, benefits, training opportunities, jobs, and first-class pension and benefit plans.

With your support, we will continue to build a better union and future for you and your family.

In solidarity,

Mike Gallagher
Business Manager – Local 793
International Vice President

L to R: Business Manager Mike Gallagher, Recording Corresponding Secretary Steve Booze and President Dave Turple at the Toronto area district meeting on June 19.
Business Manager Mike Gallagher gives thumbs up after Recording Corresponding Secretary Steve Booze casts his ballot at the Toronto area district meeting on June 19.

OETIO Welcomes Hammer Heads Class 61 to Oakville Campus

Written by Local 793 Staff

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  The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) welcomed a group of Hammer Heads students to its Oakville training campus on Thursday, providing an opportunity for young people interested in the skilled trades to get up close to some of the construction industry’s biggest machines. The Hammer Heads Program was created in 2009 by the Central Ontario Building Trades (COBT), partnering with Local 793’s training arm since then to host visits. It is a skills and employment-based training program within the construction industry offering apprenticeship career opportunities to the […]

In the picture: Hammer Head Students with Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep, James St. John, COBT Business Manager and Hammer Heads Director, Alden Paradise, OETIO Senior Instructor and Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor.
In the picture: Hammer Head Students with Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship; Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep; James St. John, COBT Business Manager and Hammer Heads Director; Alden Paradise, OETIO Senior Instructor and Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor.

 

The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) welcomed a group of Hammer Heads students to its Oakville training campus on Thursday, providing an opportunity for young people interested in the skilled trades to get up close to some of the construction industry’s biggest machines.

The Hammer Heads Program was created in 2009 by the Central Ontario Building Trades (COBT), partnering with Local 793’s training arm since then to host visits. It is a skills and employment-based training program within the construction industry offering apprenticeship career opportunities to the youth of under-resourced neighbourhoods.

Hammer Heads director James St. John thanked OETIO for hosting the students and added, “This is the coolest training centre we come to, the stuff the kids get to do and see here is just unbelievable. It’s a unique experience and we really appreciate OETIO opening up its facilities to us.”

Young people on the program try many different trades during their 12-week course, after which they are placed in a registered apprenticeship in their chosen trade.

Their visit to OETIO certainly left a big impression on Class 61, with participant Devonte Haye especially excited by the prospect of a career as an Operating Engineer.

He said, “I worked as a general craftworker last summer doing asphalt and I realized then that non-Union jobs were just a dead-end. 

“We’ve had the chance to try a few trades so far – finishing trades, elevators, boilermakers – but, honestly, I’m liking this because I’m able to operate a big machine. I’ve been doing quite well at the tasks so far, so it’s a definite possibility.”

OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship Jeff Hewitt told the students, “We have three Hammer Heads in our Institute right now and they’re all great apprentices, so I certainly appreciate what the Hammer Heads are doing.”

In the picture (L to R): Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, James St. John, COBT Business Manager and Hammer Heads Director and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep.

In the picture (L to R): Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, James St. John, COBT Business Manager and Hammer Heads Director and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep.

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Hammer Head trainees in the OETIO simulation room.

Hammer Head trainees in the OETIO simulation room.

Hammer Head students with Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep.

Hammer Head students with Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep.

In the picture (L to R): Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, James St. John, COBT Business Manager and Hammer Heads Director and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep. IMG_2067 IMG_2071 Hammer Head trainees in the OETIO simulation room. Hammer Head students with Jeff Hewitt, OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Dave Viggiani, OETIO Senior Instructor, and Peter Reed, former COBT Business Rep.

 

Local 793 Operators Trenching their Way through HWY 400

Written by Local 793 Staff

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Trencher Matteo Stellino and backhoe operator Josh Eade are in action at the $89.9 million HWY 400 road widening construction project at King Rd. The Local 793 members are working for GIP Paving Inc., operating a Vermeer Commander II trenching machine and a Toromont CAT backhoe. Brother Stellino is trenching roughly 600 metres to accommodate a weeper tile to upgrade the drainage system. According to the province, about 122,500 vehicles pass through Aurora Road daily until south of King Rd. The road widening project aims to expand HWY 400 into eight […]

Image of Matteo Stellino

Image of Matteo Stellino

Image of Josh Eade

Image of Josh Eade

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Image of Matteo Stellino Image of Josh Eade Trench3 Trench4 Trench5 Trench2 Trench1

Trencher Matteo Stellino and backhoe operator Josh Eade are in action at the $89.9 million HWY 400 road widening construction project at King Rd.

The Local 793 members are working for GIP Paving Inc., operating a Vermeer Commander II trenching machine and a Toromont CAT backhoe. Brother Stellino is trenching roughly 600 metres to accommodate a weeper tile to upgrade the drainage system.

According to the province, about 122,500 vehicles pass through Aurora Road daily until south of King Rd. The road widening project aims to expand HWY 400 into eight lanes, including HOV lanes, a new truck inspection station and upgraded lighting, utility, and sewer systems.

Approximately 30 heavy equipment operators are on-site during peak production hours to complete the project.

 

The Critical Role of Trained Spotters with Heavy Equipment

Written by Local 793 Staff

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Spotters are essential when working around different hazards at a job site. They are a second pair of eyes and ears for heavy equipment operators with limited visibility to maneuver safely. Spotting has been effective in preventing accidents, but there are safety precautions a spotter must follow to keep everyone safe. These include: Wearing highly visible clothing Avoid walking into the path of a vehicle, moving equipment, or a swinging load Avoid walking behind heavy equipment while spotting Stand where an aerial lift or equipment is going while flagging it […]

Week-4-Electrical-Hazard Image
Spotters are essential when working around different hazards at a job site. They are a second pair of eyes and ears for heavy equipment operators with limited visibility to maneuver safely.

Spotting has been effective in preventing accidents, but there are safety precautions a spotter must follow to keep everyone safe. These include:

  • Wearing highly visible clothing
  • Avoid walking into the path of a vehicle, moving equipment, or a swinging load
  • Avoid walking behind heavy equipment while spotting
  • Stand where an aerial lift or equipment is going while flagging it back
  • Scan a worksite for hazards and remove them before a job
  • Focus on your job
  • Do not use a phone, headphones, or other items that can be distracting while spotting
  • Agree on hand signals before you start a spotting job
  • Make sure you keep constant visual contact with the driver while the vehicle is in motion

Spotter plays a pivotal role in preventing accidents, minimizing workplace injuries, and maintaining a secure working environment by focusing on proper training, communication skills, and vigilance. This practice not only protects the spotter and equipment operators but also contributes significantly to overall workplace safety and productivity.

IUOE Local 793 stands as a dedicated advocate for the protection of all workers involved in building and maintaining Ontario. The importance of this mission cannot be overstated, emphasizing that safety is not a matter of chance – it’s a deliberate choice that each person must make.