Canadian News Local 793
Canadian News Local 793 is 100 Years Strong its humble beginnings. From 1919 to today, a century of members has had the same goal the founding fathers did - advancing the quality of life and building the local to what it is today. ELEVEN MEN GATHERED together on December 11, 1919 at the Elliott House Hotel in Toronto, Ontario to discuss their plans for the future. Joining the meeting was International Representative Frank Healey, who traveled across the country signing steam engineers. When they were done, the men emerged with a three-page letter, hand-written on hotel stationary and signed by Healey, requesting that a charter and supplies be granted for a new hoisting engineers local to represent operating engineers in Toronto. One hundred years later, Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents more than 16,000 crane and heavy equipment operators and industrial and production workers in Ontario and Nunavut’s construction and mining industry. The local has come a long way from Local 793 is one of the fastest growing construction union’s in North America and one of the largest, most respected and progressive in the province of Ontario. Backed by highquality training, Local 793 operators are counted among the safest, most productive, and highly skilled in the province. In celebrating the centennial milestone, a new special edition logo was designed and appeared on commemorative items like jackets, shirts, hats, flags, rings and belt buckles. The union also held a contest asking members to create an anniversary slogan and “100 YEARS STRONG” was selected from 87 entries. Celebrations were held across the province throughout the year. Picnics were held in ten different districts that saw more than 3,700 members and their family attend one of the events. Food, games, prizes, pony rides, water parks, go karts, and an epic tug-of-war battle between crane and heavy equipment operators at the Toronto picnic were all part of the festivities. The local took part in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a union tradition the past four years. The parade was led by St. Patrick’s Day parade Grand Marshal, Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher. the Labour Day parades held across the province in September and were also the lead float at the Santa Claus Parade in Oakville, Ontario. Centennial celebrations will wrap up on December 7, when the union holds their annual Dinner Dance. General President James T. Callahan and more than 1,000 members and their spouses are expected to attend the gala. A 45-minute video documentary was produced and will debut at the Dinner Dance. Local 793 has a long and proud history of building the province of Ontario and building a great local union of operating engineers. Through 100 years, the local has blazed a trail to bring dignity, safe working conditions and economic benefits to thousands of operators. In 2019, Local 793 celebrates its fundamental past and pushes forward to a promising future. Local 793 is 100 YEARS STRONG. Addressed to Herman M. Comerford in Chicago, Ill., General Secretary- Treasurer of the International Union of Steam Engineers, the letter was accepted by the International and put into consideration of General President Milton Snellings. General President Snelling granted the charter and Local 793 was on its way. Business manager Gallagher was accompanied by International General President James T. Callahan, who flew in from New York to march alongside the 500 members and their families. Also flying in from Calgary, Alberta was Canadian director of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Lionel Railton. The local was the lead group at all 20 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER FALL 2019 21
