Local 793 President Joe Redshaw addressed members and staff from the Union’s head office in Oakville, delivering an update on what Local 793 is doing to protect the members’ safety on jobsites.
President Redshaw spoke about the new IUOE Local 793 Safety Protocol for Jobsite Measures, which was developed by the Local 793 COVID Task Force Committee due to the urgent need to ensure construction workers were able to go to work and come home safely.
Click image below to watch the video address to members:
The task force committee was established by Business Manager Mike Gallagher immediately following the province of Ontario’s announcement deeming construction an essential service.
Chaired by President Redshaw, the committee includes Vice-President Joe Dowdall, Executive Director and Director of Toronto Area Supervisor Dave Turple, Treasurer and Eastern Ontario Supervisor Rick Kerr, Auditor and South Central Ontario Supervisor Virgil Nosé, Trustee and Director of Organizing Kyle Schutte and Resource Personnel and Local 793 Legal Counsellor Kirsten Agrell.
In his video, President Redshaw reports that the IUOE Local 793 Safety Protocol for Jobsite Measures has been circulated to all employer sectors and all major associations across the province. This includes, but is not limited to, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, the Ottawa Building Trades Council, and companies like EllisDon, Aecon, Bird Construction and Pomerleau.
Major associations were also sent the protocol measures, including, but not limited to, the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), the Utility Contractors Association (UCA), the National Capital Road Builders Association (NCRBA), and the Ottawa Construction Association (OCA).
A protocol check list was also created by Local 793’s task force committee in assisting business representatives on jobsites. The check list gives business reps the ability to work with Union members and employers to ensure all safety precautions are being taken.
Members, too, must be vigilant on reporting conditions of work sites. If they feel unsafe or if any of the employers are not following proper health and safety protocols, members must let their business representative know. A contact list with all area reps phone numbers and email addresses can be found on the Union website.