We are honoured to be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 837. LiUNA, chartered in Washington DC in 1903, has been a force for labour in Canada for over 100 years.
LiUNA Local 837 was chartered on June 18, 1950 in the City of Hamilton and has been serving members in Greater Hamilton, Niagara, Northwestern Burlington, Brant County and beyond since 1950. It has grown to be a symbol of progress, accomplishment and community leadership and a catalyst for development and growth, always championing for rights and the betterment of their members, their families and the communities at large.
The local’s founding Executive Board was comprised of William Sullivan, President; Chris Hedley, Vice President; Frank Williams, Recording Secretary; George Kumagai, Financial Secretary-Treasurer; and their Executive Board and the local had 1742 members.
At that time the city was already established as a major centre of trade, industry and culture. It boasted many beautiful buildings including the Pigott Building, the Cathedral of Christ the King, the Westinghouse Building, parts of McMaster University, the old Hamilton Court House and various hospitals. These were all projects that had been built by hard working labourers who did not have union representation nor did they have proper working conditions, fair wages and benefits.
now the home of the King William, LiUNA’s rental apartment complex completed in 2024
LiUNA Local 837 unionized these workers giving them a voice and a vehicle to be represented fairly against the tyranny of the day. LiUNA was able to improve working conditions, negotiate higher wages, benefits and provide a safe space for the growing number of immigrant members, particularly from Italy, finding their way in a new land where they were not familiar with neither the language nor the culture.
In 1962, a group of primarily Italian immigrants who had become members of Local 837, banded together and launched a campaign to improve working conditions for labourers in Hamilton. This proud and loyal group of members would go on to form the backbone of the local, always eager to work, to serve and to help the local grow, remaining members in good standing to their end.
Initially this group founded the New Canadian Club, a place for them to meet, socialize and also prepare for the upcoming Local 837 elections. Their objective was to find a candidate for the 1963 elections that would serve as a strong leader, one who not only spoke their language but was articulate, intelligent, capable and fearless. They chose a former Italian police officer, employed as a timekeeper by Frid Construction, his name now synonymous with LIUNA, Enrico Henry Mancinelli.
Brother Mancinelli accepted the challenge and won the election and the hearts of the members. Under his leadership a new executive board for Local 837 was elected to office, bringing with them a new era of hope for the labourers.
The new Executive Board officers were:
- Enrico Mancinelli, Financial Secretary
- Antonino (Tony) La Macchia, Business Manager
- Saverio (Sam) DeLuca, President
- Pacino Piccioni, Vice President
- Frank Fortino, Executive Board Member
- Charlie Jenkins, Executive Board Member
Organizing was a large part of their mandate, especially in the Niagara area, signing up companies including Newman Brothers, Stewart Hinan, and Abe Dick.
The monthly union dues at that time were $3.50 a month, a small price to pay for protection, assistance and better working conditions. Local 837 provided the members with staff to not only help them but to also help their spouses and children with various matters ranging from Workers Compensation Board (now WSIB) matters, Unemployment Insurance claims (now EI), health matters, legal matters and income tax matters.
Local 837 continued to thrive in these early years as members were instrumental in the building of new projects that included the Burlington Skyway Bridge, the current Hamilton City Hall, Mohawk College, the Jolley Cut access, as well as the construction of the Undermountain Road and the Skylon Tower in Niagara.
now the home of McMaster University’s offices, directly across from Local 837’s Head Office – 44 Hughson St. S.
… Stay tuned for our next blog coming soon.