IRISH MEMBERS SHARE STORIES AT ACADEMIC CONFERENCE A group of Local 793’s Irish members took a stroll down memory lane on Friday, to Irish parents, Brother Horan is from Co. Galway, Brother McLaughlin was born in Co. Donegal and Brother Deasy, the most recent arrival in Canada, hails from Co. Mayo.
leader in his own right, helping found LiUNA Local 183 and winning key rights for workers and immigrants. Also in attendance were Local 793 President Dave Turple and Director of Operations Ken Lew. Our members spoke about the reasons why they had left home as young men, their early years working on construction sites across Canada and why they had decided to put down roots in Ontario. The speakers also highlighted the role Local 793 had played in their lives, providing a stable basis for them to build careers and raise families. Their stories echoed those of immigrants from all over the world who continue to find a home within the Union.
June 13, as they took part in a panel discussion on the role of Irish immigrant labour in the building of Ontario after the Second World War. Hosted by St Michael’s College at the University of Toronto as part of the three-day Canadian Association for Irish Studies (CAIS) annual conference, retired members Michael Quinn, Frank Horan and Peter McLaughlin were joined on stage by active member Michael Deasy to talk about their experiences as Irish Operating Engineers from the 1950s to the present day. Brother Quinn, an Honourable Lifetime Member, was born in London
The conference attracted hundreds of people over three days, led by CAIS president and York University associate professor of History William Jenkins, himself an Irish immigrant. Among those in the audience were 12 graduate students who the Local had sponsored to attend. Business Manager Mike Gallagher introduced the panel and also spoke about his own father’s journey from Ireland’s County Westmeath to Canada in the early 1950s. Gerry Gallagher went on to become a revered Union
(L-R) Brothers Michael Quinn, Frank Horan, Michael Deasy and Peter McLaughlin joined a panel discussion.
Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher (centre) and President Dave Turple (right) were joined by sponsored graduate students and CAIS President William Jenkins (centre left) at St. Michael’s College.
17
17
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator