Following is a press release issued by Local 793, regarding ratification of the Formwork Collective Agreement.
OPERATING ENGINEERS RATIFY FORMWORK AGREEMENT WITH CONTRACTORS
OAKVILLE — After a successful strike, members of Local 793 will be returning to work after the Formwork Council of Ontario has successfully ratified a new three-year Formwork Agreement with contractors. The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 is a member of the Formwork Council of Ontario, along with all LIUNA locals.
Local 793 members voted strongly in favour of the agreement at ratification meetings held across the province on May 20, 2022.
The agreement affects the majority of tower crane operators in the province and covers well over 10,000 LIUNA members.
The agreement runs from May 21, 2022 to April 30, 2025. For local 793 members, it provides for a total monetary package increase of $9 an hour over three years. Operators’ wages will rise by $3 an hour each year of the agreement.
“Though this was a challenging round of negotiations, we are very pleased that our members have voted in favor of accepting the employers’ last offer,” said Virgil Nosé, Chair of the Highrise Forming Council. “Our members will be returning to work right away.”
LIUNA locals have separate schedules with different increases.
The settlement includes a single wage schedule for all operators across the province regardless of where they work, an increase in parking reimbursement, and increases to travel, room and board allowances. All of these items were key priorities for members.
“No one wants to strike but sometimes it is necessary to ensure that a fair offer is brought to the table – an offer that members can feel confident ratifying,” said Nosé. “We thank the employer’s for recognizing this and coming back to the table to bargain a fair deal.”
“Members are excited to get back to work building much-needed housing”.
Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents more than 17,900 highly skilled crane and heavy equipment operators across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.
For additional information contact:
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher
905-469-9299, ext. 2202