Rights & Protection
You have the right to participate in a union without interference from an employer. A section of the Ontario Labour Relations Act states that no employer shall refuse to employ or continue to employ a person because the person was, or is, a member of a trade union. The Act also stipulates that the employer cannot seek to restrain an employee or a person seeking employment from becoming a member of a trade union. Nor can the employer threaten dismissal or penalize an employee who is, or is seeking to become, a member or officer of a trade union. It is against the law for an employer to threaten to close the workplace if a union comes in. It is also illegal for an employer to threaten or intimidate a worker because he or she joins a union. It’s also illegal for an employer to close a workplace because the employees join a union.
“The Act also stipulates that the employer cannot seek to restrain an employee or a person seeking employment from becoming a member of a trade union.”
Organizing – Non-Union Worker
There are many good reasons why non-union workers should sign up with Local 793. For starters, we fight for improved working conditions for our members and negotiate industry-leading collective agreements for workers.
Our local has a solid reputation and officers of the union have earned the respect of governments and employers.
We have a head office in Oakville and staff in offices across the province, as well as a team of experienced business reps, ready to help members.
Our in-house labour relations department looks after any work-related matters that may arise on jobsites.
We also have a social services department that assists members with WSIB, CPP and EI claims and provides information on matters related to health and safety.
We have a pension, dues and benefits department that handles questions from members, and a delinquency department that ensures employers are making proper contributions to the pension and life and health benefits plans of our members.
Our pension plan was established in 1973 and is one of the best in the construction industry with assets of more than $3 billion. The plan is financed by contributions made by employers and investment income earned on contributions.
Our life and health benefits plan provides coverage for such things as supplemental health, dental, drug and medical, vision care, bereavement leave and long-term disability.
We also have a legal plan that provides coverage for an array of services, including real estate transactions, insurance matters, wills and estates, and costs related to landlord and tenant issues.
Members also have access to two training campuses – one in Oakville, the other in Morrisburg. The Oakville campus is used for training mobile and tower crane operators and concrete pump operators. The Morrisburg campus is used for training heavy equipment operators.
To speak with an organizer, or to find out more information about joining the union, call the union’s organizing office at 905-469-9299, ext. 2113, or toll-free 1-877-793-4863, ext. 2113.
Organizing – Non-Union Contractor
Non-union contractors can benefit in a number of ways from signing voluntary recognition agreements with Local 793.
For starters, contractors would have access to a pool of qualified, safety-conscious workers through the union hiring hall process. When a contractor needs a qualified worker, the contractor can call the union office and a worker will be dispatched from the out-of-work list. Union members are fully-trained and certified with all the proper credentials.
Once a contractor has signed on with the union, those working for the contractor would be part of the union’s pension and life and health benefits plans, providing workers with better retirement security. This means that contractors do not have to set up their own plans.
Being part of the union also enables subcontractors to bid on projects that are under the auspices of a unionized general contractor.
Meanwhile, the union also works with its unionized contractors to improve health and safety on jobsites, therefore reducing injuries and time-off costs to contractors.
Contractors wishing to find out more information about signing a voluntary collective agreement with Local 793 can call the union’s organizing office at 905-469-9299, ext. 2113, or toll-free 1-877-793-4863, ext. 2113.