MAJOR CONSTRUCTION UNION ENDORSES SMITHERMAN FOR MAYOR

OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 18 /CNW/ - Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers announced today that it is supporting George Smitherman as mayoral candidate for Toronto in the Oct. 25 municipal election.

"We have decided to back Mr. Smitherman because he has the experience and ideas to get Toronto working and moving again," said Mike Gallagher, business manager of the construction union.

"Mr. Smitherman has always been a forceful voice and passionate advocate for the City of Toronto. His past experience as chief of staff to former Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall and as a provincial cabinet minister and MPP for Toronto Centre will enable him to get things done at city hall."

Local 793 had originally backed Rocco Rossi for mayor, but he withdrew from the race Oct. 13.

Gallagher said the union is now supporting Smitherman because he intends to restore fiscal credibility and balance the books at city hall, he has an Integrated Transit Plan to get the city moving, and he wants to provide more apprenticeship and job opportunities for young Torontonians.

He plans to build light rail, expand the subway system in North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke, and make the TTC cleaner and more accessible. He has also unveiled a plan to make Toronto's core municipal services better by getting EMS and fire services to homes quicker, rethinking how the city deals with garbage, improving parks and expanding recreation services.

"Mr. Smitherman has a realistic transportation plan for the city, one that will get frustrated commuters home to their families faster," said Gallagher. "He's also committed to freezing taxes, doing a line-by-line review of the city's capital and operating budgets, and waging war on wasteful spending."

Gallagher said Local 793, which has more than 12,000 members across Ontario, is particularly pleased that Mr. Smitherman supports the fair wage policy, something rival candidate Rob Ford has pledged to scrap.

"The fair wage policy is important to unions like Local 793 as it ensures that workers are protected," said Gallagher. "Any move to eliminate the fair wage policy would be a drastic mistake."

Gallagher noted that Mr. Smitherman has demonstrated in the past that he has the vision and leadership to get the job done.

As Deputy Premier, he helped Toronto secure a share of the province's gasoline tax for transit, and as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure he championed green energy initiatives, which have been applauded by environmentalists across the country.

"Mr. Smitherman will bring a fresh perspective to a city that is in need of change," said Gallagher. "He's proven that he has what it takes to make tough decisions. He is a progressive thinker who is respectful of the diversity of the city."

Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers represents highly-skilled crane and heavy equipment operators in Toronto and across Ontario. The union has a head office, banquet hall and training campus in Oakville, and another training campus in Morrisburg.

For further information:

Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher
905-469-9299, ext. 202