Episode 3, titled “New Heights,” focuses on the introduction of new building techniques and materials (i.e. concrete forming, flying form and drywall) in Toronto in the 1960s and how they disrupted the industry, especially its unions. It examines the controversial organization of concrete forming workers and the intense battles between international and national unions. This episode features interviews with the former labour organizers and construction workers John Stefanini, Marino Toppan, Quinto Ceolin, Rocco Lotito, and Angelo Zaccaria.
Episode 4, titled “New Lows,” focuses on the infiltration of organized crime and the multiple episodes of violence in Toronto’s construction industry in the 1960s-70s, leading up to the Royal Commission on Certain Sectors of the Building Industry (1973-4). This episode features interviews with journalist and author Catherine Wismer and the former Local 183 business manager John Stefanini.
Also available are nine new oral history videos featuring the retired construction workers, union organizers, and community advocates António Filipe, Carlos Botelho, Gunter Hartleb, John Ferreira, Mamadou Bah, Norm Pike’s family, Pasquale Cerra, Quinto Ceolin, and Rosemarie Powell.
Hello City Builders Team:
I watched episodes 1 & 2 yesterday and they are just outstanding – the quality of the production, the research and rich detail, the reflection of the historical context and sensibilities of the day. These episodes were simply excellent. I intend to use episode 1 for a graduate level Leadership and Human Resources Management course I teach for York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. I very much look forward to watching episodes 3 & 4!
Congratulations on such fine work and establishing an exceptional historical record on a critical period in Toronto’s development and particular the struggles of the immigrant community in the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s.
Fausto Natarelli
Thank you for your kind words and for showing our documentary to your students. Regards, Gilberto Fernandes.