London was first granted a charter from the United Association in 1890 it was U.A. 60, this local union could not survive and soon ceased its charter. It would be twenty three years later on the 15th of January 1913 that our present local was established, U.A. 593.

Local 593 was granted charter by General Organizer John W. Bruce, ( General Organizer being what today would be considered an International Representative) the members making application for charter were; T. O’Brien, T. Rowan, J. Arnold, W.L. Insell, H. Lawton, D. Sutherland, W.R. Dean, R. Graham, J. Curran, W. Buchanan, S. Bowyer, F. Swigart, W. Flinn and L.S. Trudell. The initiation fee was set a $1.00 the hourly wage was $0.35. They would have been strong willed men to get a local union started from scratch in the year prior to the outbreak of the First World War.

In those early years Local 593 supplied manpower for the construction of the Army buildings on the Exhibition Grounds and for construction of buildings at the University of Western Ontario.

The first plumbing inspector for the City of London was Brother James Young, an active member of Local 593.

In 1937 Local 593 assisted in the creation of another charter, Local 694 St. Thomas. Local 694 would survive for 20 years until its amalgamation with Local 593 in 1957.

Although agreements were reached with contractors it would certainly appear that hard-and-fast regulations and hours were not adhered to, it is felt that this was due more to the prevailing economy than lack of interest. It should be noted that in this time management and labour representatives working together was an unknown concept.

The 1930’s were a tough time for all working people and this was also true for the members of Local 593. The true spirit of trade unionism was exemplified by these members as many of them continued to contribute their dues at a great expense to themselves in order to retain the charter. Many members were lost to the Local during this time do to the pressure of the circumstances. The kind of sacrifices made by these Brothers in this time is something that we today, almost 80 years removed, should be very proud of and should not allow to be forgotten. The times may be different but that spirit must continue to survive in this Local Union.

U.A. 593 Members at Victoria Hospital 1941, the wage was $0.80 per hour. Photograph by Fred Attridge.

The 1940’s began with the Second World War going strong and the employment picture changed drastically, government infrastructure money became available for the construction of airports, military infrastructure, and factories supplying the war effort. Many members of Local 593 themselves left to support that same effort. At this time the wage was set at $0.90 per hour. The 40 hour work week became a reality and various by-laws and regulations governing the membership became effective, making Local 593 a smooth running operation. The tradesman began to gain proper respect and in the eyes of the public our skills and knowledge became recognized.

Since the charter of Local 593 General Organizer John W. Bruce handled all of the business affairs of our Local until the appointment of Joseph Connolly who on September 1st 1945 became General Organizer.

The wage rate was settled by arbitration at $1.46 per hour in October 1948 following our victory in the first labour-management conflict in the Local’s history. There was no significant loss of time.

Near the end of the 1940’s and the beginning of the 1950’s an increase in membership meant an increase in finances allowing us to assist our Brothers and community such as financial assistance for Brothers that would fall ill or being able to reimburse officers for expenses of union business, Local 593 also paid for the furnishing of rooms at both Victoria and St. Joseph’s Hospitals.

Bragg & Son Plumbing and Heating 1948. L-R Homer Cummings, ?, Ernie Young, George Lipold, Bruce Bragg, Robert (Bob) Bragg (Past President 593) and Bill Bird.

The wage rate ratified on September 9th 1952 was $1.95

In 1953 the wage was increased to $2.05 per hour. At this time the supply of tools became a prominent issue. There was some interest in this same year of the possibility of an overall agreement with in the Building Trades Council here in London; this never was to become a reality.

In 1954 a work stoppage took place resulting in an increased wage to $2.20 per hour. Due to increased membership and the need to enforce trade jurisdiction Local 593 selected Roy Heimpel to be our first Business Agent. Brother Heimpel would be part-time.

The City of London hired Brother George (Mush) Higgins as an assistant to plumbing inspector Brother Vernon Baker, Vernon had been an inspector with the City of London since the 30’s and a 593 member since 1923.

Victoria Hospital addition 1950s. Left to right standing: Bill Smith, Donald McDonald, Chas Allen, Bob Morrison, Bill Fradcley, Jack Young
Left to right kneeling: Jack Fitzommons, George 'Mush' Higgins, Hugh Clyne, Roy Heimpel.

A Special Called Meeting held on June the 4th 1956 resulted in strike action being approved for the following day, the strike was to last for six weeks and was the toughest work stoppage our Local had faced to date. We received the support of the London Building and Construction Trades Council for the duration of the strike until a settlement of $0.25 per hour over two years was achieved.

In November of 1957 Brother Ken Martin was elected full time Business Manager.

In June of 1958 a two year agreement was negotiated giving the Local $2.80 per hour. A health and welfare plan was established by the membership and it was funded with $0.10 per hour.

In 1959 due to income tax regulations regarding the wording of the 1958 agreement a new contract was drawn up and extended for one year, at that time the $0.10 welfare contribution by the employer was increased to $0.25 per hour. The extra contribution was for a pension plan, the first in the construction industry in Canada. Later the first pension payment in the construction industry in Canada was made from a Local 593 pension plan to a Local 593 Member.

The last agreement to take our Local through the first fifty years was signed in April of 1962.

May of 1962 our wage rate was $2.80 per hour plus and additional $0.25 per hour contribution by the employer.

It is important to note that Brother Ken Martin headed the negotiations to establish the first Labour-Management Agreement in construction, bringing peace to the industry. The Joint Labour Management Committee was the precursor to our present day M.I.A.C. (Mechanical Industry Advisory Committee). This agreement would put in place a structure for employers and unions to meet regularly and discuss issues of the construction industry. Prior to this agreement there had not been any structured relationship.

In November of 1963 a supplementary unemployment insurance plan was presented to the membership, the first cheques were presented to members at the regular January meeting, January 14th 1964. Due to serious unemployment in 1964 the membership voted in favour of increasing payments and doubled the contributions to the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan (S.U.B). The plan would be contributed to by working members in order to assist those who were unemployed.

First cheques paid out for Local 593 Supplementary Unemployment Benefit Plan.

By the 1960’s construction safety was becoming a priority not only with Local 593 but with all the construction trade unions affiliated with the London District Building Trades Council. Our construction safety procedures had been strongly supported by the membership. In January of 1966 Brother Ken Martin was appointed to the Ontario Safety Council which dealt with safety in all occupations and made recommendations to the Ministry of Labour.

In November of 1965 a motion was passed at the general meeting to explore the possibility of purchasing our own building.

In April 1966 with the approval of the membership the executive board appointed Brother G.W. (Bill) Smith to be a temporary agent of Local 593 in order to assist the Business Manager with a increased work load. Brother Smith would also continue in his elected position of Recording Secretary.

An agreement was negotiated with two non-union shops in Stratford, Ron Saunders and Morris Brothers. A separate rate for these companies would prevail but only to work within the city of Stratford, this condition would apply until the next agreement was signed in London, April of 1967.

February 1968 McKay Cocker began construction of our present building at 523 First Street. Prior to the home on First Street Local 593 was operating out of the London Labour Temple on King Street.

May 1st 1968 our new agreement contained two major improvements, all tools other that a ruler, pliers and torpedo level would be supplied by the employer and vacation pay monies would be turned over to Local 593’s administrator and the Local would have control of its disbursement. On June the 26th 1968 Local 593 held its first meeting in the new union hall. President F.M. Cooke presided over the meeting. In September Brother Cooke was appointed Business Agent, the same conditions of employment as Brother Bill Smith applied. Brother Cooke would also continue to hold his elected office of President.

Brother Ken Martin writes in his original record of our history; “The good news to start 1969 was that we finally had approval of our license for the bar with the opening likely to be held during the month of March!”

In 1971 Local 593 established a system of dues check-off for working members; it would become a clause of our new agreement effective May 1st. Prior to dues check-off the member would be responsible to paying working dues over the counter.

In March of 1972 Local 593 held a special call meeting in order to establish a free zone of thirty miles (50 kilometres) from the centre of London (Richmond and Dundas). This action was needed because or employers were losing too many jobs to non-union shops due to our board and travel allowances. It should be noted at this time that non-union shops were becoming a serious concern for all building trades.

On July 1st 1972 the S.U.B. plan was dropped by a vote.

It was announced at the meeting in November of 1972 that Brother Ken Martin had been named to the Construction Industry Review Panel appointed by the Ministry of Labour. This group would review problems in the construction industry and make recommendations to the Minister.

A special called meeting was held in May of 1972 to discuss a residential agreement. The conditions were discussed and a motion to sign the agreement was passed by the meeting.

1973 Brother Ken Martin is invited to attend a dinner in honour of the Queen hosted by the Provincial Government. Brother Martin attended as the President of the Provincial Building Trades Council.

May 1st 1975 the wage rate in London was $8.79 per hour

May of 1975 Brother Ken Martin reported we received $12,000 as our first grant from the U.A. Training Fund. Fans and machines were purchased for our Welding School. Brother Tom Allen opened the school , June of 1975 with seven students in the first class and forty seven applied for the second.

Non-union competition continued to be a concern. It was reported at the March meeting in 1976 that CLAC was beginning to create a problem. One of our union general contractors sublet mechanical work to a CLAC shop, Local 593 took this general contractor to the Ontario Labour Relations Board were the Board ruled against us.

With the increase of industrial plants in the area some of our members joined maintenance crews of those plants. Some had kept up their dues in our Local and expected to work on construction projects during the strikes or lay-offs of those plants. Local 593 took the stand that our members would have to make a choice of commitment either to the plant or to Local 593; they would not be allowed to enjoy the advantages of both.

In March of 1977 our building at 523 First Street was dedicated to the memory of the late Brother Joe Connolly, Mrs. Connolly was invited and attended the dedication and mortgage burning ceremony, Local 593 was debt free.

September 1978 two important changes were implemented by Local 593. 1) Apprentices would be indentured to the local apprentice committee rather than the employer, this would allow an apprentice to move from one employer to another and also give better control over the hiring and lay-off of apprentices. The committee was to have equal numbers from the M.C.A. and Local 593. This committee would be appointed by the Ontario Apprenticeship authority. What we know as the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. (J.A.T.C.) 2) Local 593 would have permission to conduct the testing of all welders in our welding school. All conditions for the new procedure were to be approved by the AKEA Inspector. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority now oversee our procedures.

Brother Ken Martin at the First Canadian Convention of the Building and Construction Trades Department- 26th September, 1978.

At the September meeting 1980 Brother Martin announced that he would not be standing for another term. Brother Ted Stearns announced that as Vice President he would submit a motion with the unanimous support of the Executive Board, officers and membership that a Business agent would be appointed to work with Brother Martin starting November 1st 1980. Brother Leo Dewan was submitted for the position by the Executive Board with the understanding that if other members were nominated a ballot vote would be taken. Brother Bjarne (Barney) Andersen was nominated and was elected agent October 15th 1980.

November 1981 Brother B. (Barney) Andersen was elected Business Manager of Local 593

Brother Ken Martin receives thanks from Brother Bjarne (Barney) Andersen after 25 years of service as business manager.

January 1982 in his first official report to membership Brother Andersen reported that the unemployment rate in the local was at sixty percent. Brother Andersen thanked Brother Martin for his 25 years of service to the U.A. and Local 593.

May 1982 negotiation for a new agreement broke down. Brother Andersen read a letter to the floor stating that a strike deadline had been set for May the 22nd 1982. Negotiations did not progress and Local 593 began a fourteen week strike, only the second major strike action since the charter was granted in 1913.

September 1983 it was announced that Brother Ken Martin would be appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Canadian Office of the Building and Construction Department of the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (A.F.L. - C.I.O.)

March 1984 a Maintenance and Renovation Agreement was presented to the floor, the agreement included some wage concessions and altered some conditions of the I.C.I. Agreement. The purpose for this new agreement was to create work opportunities for Local 593 in the continuing battle with the nonunion.

April 1985 vacation pay lump payouts would cease and vacation pay would be included on weekly pays.

March 1986 after much discussion at pervious meetings the membership approved the implementation of the stabilization fund it would go into effect April 1st 1986, $1.00 per hour before taxes would be put into the fund. 593 would be the first United Association Local in North America to establish and utilize a Stabilization / Market Recovery Fund.

September 1986 Stabilization had paid out $ 160,000.

May 1987 Brother Andersen announced that construction of the Cami Plant (G.M. / Suzuki) in Ingersoll would be built by union contractors.