Our History

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 904 was established in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1967.

Our Local 904 members are proud to have been a part of the Churchill Falls Generating Station in 1970.

Hard times fell on Local 904 in the early 1970’s.

Organizing drives were unsuccessful and the membership dwindled to between 8 to 10 members. Much of Local 904’s jurisdiction was taken over by the Labourer’s Union. In 1973, the local was put under International Supervision due to financial issues.

In 1980, the local was released from International Supervision.

A new Executive Board was put in place and this was the beginning of the rebuild of Local 904.

The first Business Agent was hired in 1981.

The small but mighty Local 904 then successfully completed their first organizing drive in 1982, and continued to grow from there.

The turning point in the local’s history was the signing of the Jurisdictional Agreement with the Labourer’s Union in 1986.

This ensured that our local would once again claim all the set-out jurisdiction for Operating Engineers, Local 904. Organizing was fast and furious after that, with the local successfully certifying numerous road construction companies and crane companies.

The local set out in 1988 to identify its industry’s training needs and project requirements for the next 10 years. 

As a result of this, the Operating Engineers College (OEC) was born, with the buildings and site completed in August 1992 and the first tower crane course to begin in October 1992 at the Holyrood Training facility. The OEC continues to provide professional training in heavy equipment and mobile crane operation today. Local 904 purchased their main office at 62 Commonwealth Avenue in 1992, which continues to be our home base today.

Our Local 904 members are proud to have been a part of the Hibernia Development Project in 1990.

The Branch Engineers Charter for Local 904 B was issued on April 1, 1998.

This branch has a membership of approximately 500 members and represents various sectors of workers such as trucking companies, pipe yards, fabrication shops, mechanical shops, vacuum truck operations, marine (pilot boats and tug boats), welding shops and paving companies.

Our Local 904 members are proud to have been a part of the The Terra Nova Topside Project in 1999.

In 2017, the Local was again placed under International Supervision.  

Our Local 904 members are proud to have been a part of the Muskrat Falls Lower Churchill Project in 2012 and the Hebron Development Project in 2011.

From 2017 to 2018, Local 904 once again was tasked with the hard work of rebuilding.

An election in December of 2018 resulted in the current Business Manager and a new Executive Board being voted in by the membership and being sworn in on January 8, 2019. Supervision was then released on February 1, 2019.

Today, Local 904 is once again building its strength through our strong leadership and supportive membership.

Ensuring we persevere and are here to rise to the challenges of the future. We are proud to represent approximately 2000 qualified and competent operators and work tirelessly to ensure they are provided safe and fair working conditions throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.