Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher has been acclaimed as a vice-president on the general executive board of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).
Gallagher was nominated at the IUOE general convention in Florida by Local 793 president Joe Redshaw. The nomination was seconded by Local 793 financial secretary John W. Anderson.
In his nomination remarks, president Redshaw noted that he has known Gallagher for many years and can attest to the fact that he is a dedicated, hard working and loyal union leader.
He said Gallagher is an advocate for health and safety and his bargaining skills are second to none.
Redshaw said that Gallagher has built Local 793 into a formidable force and under the business manager’s guidance membership has increased from 8,000 in 1997 to more than 13,000 today, with equity of members also growing from $3.6 million to $61.6 million over the same time periods.
Financial secretary Anderson, meanwhile, noted in his remarks that Gallagher’s honesty, integrity and work ethic will benefit the union membership, and he will fight for the rights of brothers and sisters in Canada, and also in the U.S.
Anderson said the position demands someone who’s a leader, who has experience, who is accountable to the membership, committed to excellence, and who is passionate about the union cause – and he can attest to the fact that Gallagher has all the attributes and is up to the challenge.
Gallagher gave an acceptance speech and received a standing ovation from delegates at the conference.
Gallagher had been appointed as a vice-president by former IUOE general president Vincent Giblin in 2011 when Local 115 business manager Gary Kroeker retired. He had been an IUOE trustee prior to that.
Gallagher was initiated into Local 793 on May 31, 1985. He was sworn in as business manager of the local in December 1996. He’s been elected five consecutive times and has held the post of Local 793 business manager for the past 17 years.