On this day in 1919, Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers was granted its charter by International and General President, Milton Snellings. This, just eight days prior on December 11, eleven determined men joined together at the Elliott House Hotel in Toronto to discuss how to improve their future working lives.
Joining the men at the meeting was International Representative Frank Healey, who traveled across the country signing steam engineers. They emerged with a three-page letter, hand-written on hotel stationary, and addressed to Herman M. Comerford in Chicago, Ill., then General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Steam Engineers. They requested that a charter and supplies be granted for a new hoisting engineers local chapter.
The letter was accepted by General President Snellings and on December 19, 1919, IUOE, Local 793 was on its way.
Today, all IUOE, Local 793 members are reaping the rewards of the sacrifices of their forerunners. Their foresight for safer working condition and fair wages has help thousands of families and will continue to help thousands more in the future.
A plaque commemorating the historic meeting on December 11, 1919 was unveiled earlier this year at the location where the Elliott House Hotel once stood. Click the appropriate link below to watch a video of the plaque unveiling.
Let’s continue to keep Local 793 strong.
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