Bios: A to Z

B

Barreiras, Victor: Portuguese-Canadian. Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183

Burigana, Angelo: Italian-Canadian. Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Local 117-C; Brandon Union Group. [under construction]

C

Colantonio, Frank: Italian-Canadian. United United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America’s Local 1190; Canadian Carpenters’ Association; Brandon Union Group. Life in Italy | First years in Canada | Becoming a union organizer | The Carpenters’ Local 1190 strike of 1957 | The independent Canadian Carpenters’ Association… [under construction]

D

D’Alimonte, John (aka Big John): Italian-Canadian. Di Lorenzo Construction; Wood and Metal Lathers’ International Union Local 562; Canadian Forming Workers Union Local 1; Council of Forming Trade Unions. “Make me my own union” | Concrete forming “union wars” | Mafia allegations | The Waisberg commission [under construction]

Di Lorenzo, Nicola (Nick): Italian-Canadian. Di Lorenzo Construction. The most powerful concrete forming contractor | Founding “his” own union | The suspect | The concrete forming “union wars” | The Crown v. Di Lorenzo

Dionisio, António: Portuguese-Canadian. Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183 [under construction]

G

Gallagher, Gerry: Irish-Canadian. Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183. Early life | Military Service | Moving to Canada |Founding the Laborers’ Local 183 | Organizing tunnellers in Toronto | The Hoggs Hollow tragedy | The Brandon Union Group’s second strike | The Construction Safety Act, 1962 | Engaging in politics beyond unionism | Local 183’s Safety Director & “The Bends” | In the media’s spotlight | Bridge safety | Irish, Italians,  and transition of power at Local 183 | Concrete forming unionization | For jobs and development (and the Spadina Expressway) | “Not easily pushed aside” | Labour Day 1978

I

Irvine, Charles: Scottish-Canadian. Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States and Canada’s Locals 48, 117, 117-C, 598, 733; Brandon Union Group. Early years | The Brandon Union Group strike of 1960 | The Brandon Union Group strike of 1961 | The end of the Brandon Union Group | Unionizing concrete forming workers | Drywall, lathing & organized crime | The Waisberg Commission | Retirement and death

L

Lucas, António: Portuguese-Canadian. Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183

P

Petta, George: Italian-Canadian. International Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union Local 811; Brandon Union Group; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 353

Pike, Norbert (Norm): Newfoundlander. Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 183. Early life | The Hoggs Hollow tragedy | “Mr. Safety” | Irish, Italians, and transition of power at Local 183.

S

Stefanini, John: Italian-Canadian. International Hod Carriers’ and Common Laborers’ Union Local 811; Brandon Union Group; Laborers’ International Unions of North America Local 183 [under construction]

Simone, Agostino (Gus): Italian-Canadian. [under construction]

T

Toppan, Marino: Italian-Canadian. [under construction]

Z

Zanini, Bruno: Italian-Canadian. Bricklayers’, Masons’ and Plasterers’ International Union Locals 2, 35, 40; Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Union Locals 117, 733; International Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union Local 811; Brandon Union Group; Wood and Metal Lathers’ International Union Local 562; Canadian Forming Workers Union Local 1. Early years | The residential construction “jungle” | Organizing bricklayers | Charles Irvine and the Plasterers and Cement Masons | The Brandon Union Group strike of 1960 | The Brandon Union Group strike of 1961 | The end of the Brandon Union Group & the mob’s encroachment | Unionizing concrete forming workers | The growing spectre of organized crime | The Concrete Forming Workers Union Local 1 | Mafia accusations and the Plasterers’ Local 733 | The Waisberg Commission | Retirement and death