In 1896, eleven members of small independent unions for construction and stationary workers met in Chicago to form the National Union of Steam Engineers of America. These workers had in common the ability to operate the dangerous steam boilers that powered construction equipment of this time.

IUOE’s logo pays tribute to these early steam engineers by featuring a steam gauge, pointing to 420psi.

The International Union of Operating Engineers first began holding meetings on PEI in 1955. IUOE Local 721, based in Nova Scotia, established a permanent presence on PEI on April 1, 1963 and certified Island-based bargaining units in the construction industry later that year. The PEI branch of Local 721 signed its first collective agreement in July of 1963.

In 1974, approximately 200 PEI hospital employees in a wide variety of administrative, clerical, technical and professional positions formed the General Hospital Employees Association (“GHEA”). These employees were not already covered by the existing collective agreements for nurses and service workers. They concluded their first collective agreement in 1975.

In 1978, the GHEA entered into a service contract with IUOE Local 721 to make use of a professional negotiator. On October 1, 1980, the GHEA was issued a charter by IUOE and became IUOE Local 942. The PEI branch of Local 721 soon followed suit, acquiring its own charter and becoming Local 902 on March 3, 1981.

The two PEI IUOE Locals worked closely together over the years, sharing resources and office space. On November 1, 2007, the two locals merged to become IUOE Local 942.

Today, Local 942 has a diverse base of some of the most crucial workers in the province. We represent over 1000 front-line Health PEI workers in wide-ranging classifications. We have provincial jurisdiction for all Stationary and Hoisting and Portable work under the IUOE Constitution. We manage and defend workers’ rights under more than ten collective agreements. We have established a respected identity within the PEI’s labour movement and the IUOE International office.