LiUNA in Southwestern Ontario

We Are Local 1059

In Southwestern Ontario, members are represented by the regional chapter of LiUNA, called a 'local'. Local 1059 represents approximately 5,000 construction workers and industrial/service sector workers employed in and beyond Grey, Bruce, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Elgin and Perth counties.

What We Do

Local 1059 represents its members by negotiating collective agreements with employers for conditions of employment, including workplace safety requirements, fair wages, overtime, and pension and benefits. The Local also refers construction members to employers for exclusive employment.

How We Work

Local 1059 is run by a democratically-elected seven-person executive board, which is responsible for making sure that the Local meets the needs and wishes of its members, keeping them safe, properly trained and employable, and providing them with fair wages, benefit coverage and job opportunities.

The Local recruits new members by reaching out to non-union workers to tell them about the benefits, rewards and opportunities that union membership with Local 1059 provides, and encourage them to join. Non-union workers may also organize themselves in their workplace, exercising their right to be represented by a union.

4.1million

of all workers in Canada are union members

500,000+

LiUNA Union members across North America

130,000

LiUNA Union members in Ontario

History of LiUNA

LiUNA was founded on April 13, 1903, after Samuel Gompers, the President of the American Federation of Labour, sent out a request to all independent unions asking them to unite into an international union of construction labourers. This united group of unions has become what we know as LiUNA.

LiUNA was initially called the International Hod Carriers and Common Labourers’ Union of America. It was named after the hod: a tray or trough with a pole handle that is used to shoulder loads of materials such as mortar or brick on a construction site.

In 1965, the union took on its current name, and became the Labourers’ International Union of North America.

Our Average Member

$50-100k+/yr

Income range of our construction members.

1,800 hrs

worked by each member on average per year.

41 yrs old

is the average age of our construction members.

$17,000

is the average amount our construction members have saved in the Local 1059 Benefit Plan dollar bank.

Sector Coordinator

Philip Da Silva

Sector Coordinator

Josh Stewart

Sector Coordinator

Business Representatives

Representatives are assigned to a specific construction or maintenance sector. All Representatives deal with organizing, grievances, negotiations and employment issues for our members, and construction sector Representatives are also responsible for construction job referrals to employers.

Executive Board

Our executive board demonstrates a mix of both the old guard and our younger membership and reflects the geographic and cultural makeup of our membership.

Brandon MacKinnon

Business Manager

Carlo Mastrogiuseppe

President

Danny De Sousa

Vice President

Philip Da Silva

Secretary-Treasurer

Josh Stewart

Recording Secretary

Megan Quinney

Executive Board Member

Patrick Bubb-Clarke

Executive Board Member

Training Centre

Our team at the regional training centre is dedicated to all aspects of construction industry training and education, including apprenticeships and safety certification.

Mike Ropp

Training Director

Laryssa Parker

Training & Financial Assistant

Rachel Patterson

Administrative Training Assistant

Legal & Communications

Our in-house Legal Counsel represents and manages all legal matters for Local 1059 and its members. Our Communication Specialist manages communications, sponsorships, social media, events, and advertising.

Lauren Donohue, BA, JD, JD

Legal Counsel

Chris Montanini

Director of Communications

Support Staff

LIUNA Local 1059 support staff assists in the day-to-day administration and activities of the union.

Michelle Ste-Croix

Controller/Office Manager

Claire Annen

Administrative Training Assistant

Fatima Camara

Administration & Finance

Grace Carreiro

Administrative Assistant

Kayleigh Darling

Administrative Assistant

Cidalia Resendes

Social Services & Benefits

In the Community

Improving conditions for all workers

Beyond providing specific benefits for its members, Local 1059 improves working conditions for all workers and gives back to the communities in which it operates.
Local 1059 helps all workers by lobbying the government to improve labour legislation. The Local was active in seeking and obtaining important changes for all workers in Ontario under Bill 148- the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, including an increased minimum wage, increased entitlement for protected leaves such as family medical leave, parental and pregnancy leave and critical illness leave, and the recognition of Family Day as a statutory holiday. We have also helped ensure policies and regulations are in place to keep workers safe on the job during COVID-19.

How We Give Back

We are always looking for ways to give back to the communities in which our members work and live. We are proud to sponsor various charities, fundraisers, and causes throughout Grey, Bruce, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Elgin and Perth counties.

In late 2019 we established the James MacKinnon Local 1059 Scholarship Fund in honour of our long-time Business Manager, Jim MacKinnon. The Fund provides over $25,000 in scholarships each year to deserving members and children or grandchildren of Local 1059 members who are pursuing post-secondary education.

One of the ways Local 1059 supports our community is through gifts in kind, where our members donate their time and expertise to construction projects like re-paving parking lots, pouring concrete and improving building infrastructure for various non-profit organizations.

Sponsorships and donations
Scholarships
Volunteer work and gifts in kind

Sponsorships and donations

We are always looking for ways to give back to the communities in which our members work and live. We are proud to sponsor various charities, fundraisers, and causes throughout Grey, Bruce, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Elgin and Perth counties.
Scholarships

In late 2019 we established the James MacKinnon Local 1059 Scholarship Fund in honour of our long-time Business Manager, Jim MacKinnon. The Fund provides over $25,000 in scholarships each year to deserving members and children or grandchildren of Local 1059 members who are pursuing post-secondary education.
Volunteer work and gifts in kind

One of the ways Local 1059 supports our community is through gifts in kind, where our members donate their time and expertise to construction projects like re-paving parking lots, pouring concrete and improving building infrastructure for various non-profit organizations.

Local 1059 Charity Golf Tournament

In 2022, Local 1059 held its 22nd annual member and employer charity golf tournaments in support of United Way Elgin-Middlesex. With generous support from our members, signatory employers, and industry partners, we were thrilled to raise $160,000, bringing the total amount raised for United Way to almost $1.7 million since the Local started hosting the charity golf tournaments in 2001.

The Local 1059 Charity Partnership Program

Early in 2020, we established the Local 1059 Charity Partnership Program with our signatory employers as a way to help give back to the communities in which our members live and work. To date, we have partnered with our employers to donate nearly $40,000 to non-profits and charities in the London area, including the Salvation Army Strathroy, ChildCan, Ark Aid Street Mission, and the Forest Community Foundation.

London Abused Women's Centre Breakfast

LiUNA Local 1059 is proud to support the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC). In early 2020, members of our team enjoyed an inspiring keynote speaker over breakfast with our friends from United Way Elgin Middlesex at LAWC’s 20th annual International Women’s Day Breakfast fundraiser.