Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher and IUOE General President John Downey cut the ribbon on the stunning new regional office and training centre in Oro-Medonte on Friday, September 18.
The magnitude of the occasion was underlined by the attendance list, which as well as the General President, included IUEO Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Trevor Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey, Skilled Trades Ontario CEO Candice White and Ontario Federation of Labour president Laura Walton.
Brother Downey, who made a special trip from Washington to be present, said, “We all know the importance of these types of investments. It demonstrates that we are training on the most up to date, state-of-the-art machines there are – the stuff that is being used out there on jobsites today.
“Congratulations to the membership of Local 793, who should be very proud of this accomplishment, and congratulations to Brother Gallagher for all your hard work on behalf of this membership – they’re lucky to have you and all the officers here working hard on their behalf.”
Premier Ford, who was present at the groundbreaking almost two years ago, was delighted to be back to see the finished building, which received $4.9billion through the provincial government’s Skills Development Fund. He promised, “We’re never going to stop investing in workers!”
Brother Gallagher was understandably proud of the new facility, which will not only train future generations of OEs but serve as a home for members in the Barrie area.
He said, “Here’s the vision realized. It feels almost like a dream. I remember when I was first elected back in 1996, the picture was somewhat different. Now it feels like we’re just hitting our stride. We’ve got more to do!”
First on the Business Manager’s to-do list is to build a new office for members in the Hamilton area, work on which has already begun.
