Frequently Asked Questions

UA Local 787

Who We Are & What We Do

  • The United Association of HVAC&R Workers of Ontario (UA Local 787) represents heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) workers across:

    • Advocates for workers' rights.

    • Provides training and certification programs.

    • Ensures access to fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.

    • Represents members in workplace grievances and legal matters.

    • Collaborates with industry organizations to foster skills development and strengthen industry partnerships.

    • Manages Union Pension program through member-elected Board of Trustees

  • There are many reasons an HVAC&R professional may way to join UA Local 787. Joining UA Local 787 as a skilled trades professional ensures:

    §  Protection under the Collective Agreement, which defines wages, benefits, and working conditions through standardized negotiations.

    §  Access to extensive training programs, certifications, and job support.

    §  Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits.

    §  Representation in workplace disputes and labor negotiations.

    §  Membership that supports your professional growth and ensures your rights are protected.

  • A Local 787 represents skilled trades in the HVAC&R industry, covering:

    • 313A and 313D Trade Certifications and G3, G2, and G1 gas technicians

    • Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration work.

    • Residential, commercial, and industrial sectors across Ontario

  • UA Local 787 advocates for its members by:

    • Negotiating fair wages, safe working conditions, and comprehensive benefits.

    • Collaborating with industry organizations like ORAC, JTAC, and the Ministry of Labour to enhance training and professional development.

    • Employing Business Representatives that are Licensed Trades People, elected by union members, to represent workers in labor disputes, workplace grievances, and Collective Agreement negotiations

  • Members of UA Local 787 enjoy access to:

    • State-of-the-art training facilities and professional development programs tailored to the HVAC&R industry.

    • Opportunities to update certifications, apprenticeship programs, and ongoing education.

    • Mentorship and career advancement opportunities.

    • Full-time Business Representatives, appointed and funded by the union, advocate for members in workplace compliance and grievance matters, ensuring their rights are protected.

  • There are several ways to join the UA Local 787, from starting an apprenticeship to joining as an already established HVAC&R professional. To join as a skilled trade person, you must:

    • Be working the HVAC&R industry of Ontario, and able to meet all the educational and vocational criteria outlined by the UA to ensure professional competency,
      or;

    • Be hired in an HVAC&R specific role by a company working in Ontario currently bound by the U.A Collective Agreement, or;

    • Be working in an HVAC&R specific role in a company that successfully organizes under the U.A Collective Agreement, or;

    • Meet all educational and vocational criteria to apply to the ORAC apprenticeship program, and be accepted
      and;

    • Complete all apprenticeship requirements outlined by JTAC and ORAC to successfully complete the program.

    For more information, you can check out our contact page to connect directly with our business reps.

  • There are several ways to join UA Local 787:

    • Direct Entry: If you are an experienced HVAC&R professional legally employed in your field within Ontario, contact us [LINK] to discuss your qualifications. [Link to contact page]

    • Unionized Employment: Join a company already operating under UA Local 787’s Collective Agreement.

    • Company Organization: Collectively Organize your current employer directly under the Collective Agreement.

    • Apprenticeship Completion: Successfully complete ORAC’s apprenticeship program while under the employment of a Unionized company, fulfilling training and hour requirements set by JTAC. 

  • Membership provides:

    • Competitive wages, comprehensive health benefits and a robust pension plan, managed by a board of member-appointed trustees.

    • Access to industry-leading training and skills development programs.

    • Member-appointed Union Reps representing the best interest of the union members in contract negotiations and disputes.

    • Advocacy for workplace issues and representation in labor disputes and grievances.

    By joining UA Local 787, you gain the tools and support needed for long-term success in your trade.

Membership

How To Join & What You Need To Know

Membership Resources:

UA Local 787 Benefits & Resources

  • Union meetings are the best way to stay actively involved in the Unions progress, and ensure your voice is heard.

    Login to our members' portal to find out about the time and place of our next Union meeting.

  • UA Local Members receive a variety of benefits through the Collective Agreement, which covers themselves, along with their spouses and dependents.

    Unlike some benefits plans, there is are no additional fees for spouses or dependents.

    The Unions' comprehensive health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and drug plans, and mental health supports life insurance, short and long term disability insurance and travel insurance.

    UA Local members are also enrolled in a pension plan, managed by a board of member- elected trustees.

  • If you are a member of UA Local 787, login in to our members' only page with your login information, to get updates on the Union meetings, benefits and pension plan information, and the latest Union updates.

  • As a Union Member, you are provided login access for a dedicated members' only portal with resources provided by our insurance and retirement providers, detailing all information necessary to make health claims and request pension and benefit information.

    Visit the members' only portal page and login with your member’s credentials.

  • UA Local does not provide job placement services or assist in getting member’s work.

    It is the member’s responsibility to do their own due diligence in finding employment. The union supports members with access to the ORAC Ready-To-Hire-List, which helps connected unionized companies looking to fill entry-level HVAC&R roles with apprentices who have come through the ORAC and JTAC pathways. The UA does help support members looking for work by maintaining a job opportunity list, however, the UA cannot find work on a members behalf or place them in a position.

  • The UA Collective Agreement is updated regularly through a standard negotiation process between the Union and the employer, designed to ensure working conditions and regulations are updated and upheld in accordance to the needs of the workforce and the trades industry as a whole.

    It is during these negotiations that the Union will advocate on behalf of its’ members, such as compensation standards and working conditions.

    Essentially, the steps in negotiating a collective agreement are:

    1.     Notice of Negotiation

    2.     Bargaining and negotiation Process begins between all parties.

    3.     If an agreement is reached, it is ratified by a vote from the bargaining unit employees. If an agreement is not reached, an appointed conciliation officer from the Ministry of Labour may be called in at any time by either party, when applicable.

    •     If an agreement fails to be reached, a legal strike or lock out may occur.

    4.     Conciliation, a process where a conciliation officer, (appointed by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) meets with the union and the employer to attempt to reach a collective agreement.

  • If you are a working member of UA Local 787, and are having issues with your employer bound under our collective agreement, you may be able to seek support and representation from one of our business representatives.

    Our Union Business Reps are experienced UA members and long-time HVAC&R professionals, dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for the membership.

    Currently, all UA Local 787 business representatives are elected by our membership, and paid for by the union. The singular priority of their role is to act in the best interest of the membership, or the individual member they are advocating for.

    It is important to note that some unions have representatives that are hired by employers. In these cases, the union representative may feel pressure or obligation to side with the best interest of the employer in matters of unionized labor disputes.

    UA Local 787 appoints and pays for Business Representatives, to ensure there is never a conflict of interest between our membership and representatives advocating for them.

  • There are certain requirements a UA Local 787 member must adhere to in order to keep their membership in good standing, such as regularly paying your union dues. Union dues are essential to maintaining the strength and resources that create your union.

    Collected from members and managed by a board of member-appointed trustees, these dues collectively support:

    • High-quality training and skills development programs

    • Group benefits and pension plans

    • The appointed business representatives serving members locally

    • On-going initiatives designed to increase the quality of life for our members, such as the construction of our new facility, and more.

  • To update your information, connect with our office directly by phone or email at admin@ualocal787.org.

    It is of critical importance that the Union has your updated information.

    The Unions requires the current mailing address and contact information of it’s members to ensure essential information and Union communication reaches them properly. This can include critical updates like upcoming voting or negotiation details, plan or changes to the Collective Agreement, updates regarding pension plans, benefits, labour disputes, strike notices, or rate changes and mailing out physical items like Long-Service awards or seasonal gifts.

    When the Union has outdated contact information for a member, our ability to efficiently process documentation can be effected, including things like Insurance claims, and payment tracking.


    When updating your contact information with your Union please remember to provide your:

    • Full legal name

    • Current mailing address

    • Best email for communication

    (Please note: UA Local 787 strongly recommends you supply you personal email as well as any professional email. Your professional email may not provide a functional redirect for us to follow up with you)

    • Phone number

    • Cell Number

    (Please note: Consider selecting “opt-in”to text message updates from your union!! No spam, opt-out at any time.)

  • The best way to ensure your voice is heard is to be an active participate in your union!

    Here are some things you can do:

    • Attend your local Union Meetings

    • Stay up to date on the Unions' advocacy and activity.

    • Be active in the voting process for your local Union Business Representatives, board trustee members and other elected positions.

    • Create a free account on HVACpaidforit.ca to stay informed on our active initiatives.

    • Connect with us through email at admin@ualocal787.org

    • Engage with our social media content on-line like our Facebook Group, Instagram and LinkedIn channels!

Apprenticeship & Training:

ORAC & UA Local 787

  • The Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association, (ORAC) represents Ontario’s largest single organized body of contractor practitioners in the industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential refrigeration and air conditioning trade, and has operated as an industry leader over the last 50 years.

    In fact, the purpose of the association is to represent and serve HVACR contractors of Ontario with programs and services that promote responsible solutions. ORAC manages the First Year Apprenticeship Intake program, designed specifically to ensure to train the “best and brightest” apprentice candidates, and provide them a pathway to be hired by unionized contractors.

    Under the UA Local 787 Collective Agreement, all unionized contractor companies MUST use the ORAC Ready-to-Hire list to hire a first-year apprentice. A person must be accepted to this program in order to be hired and work as a first year apprentice for a unionized HVACR contractor in Ontario. Once a person is accepted and hired by a unionized contractor they are then able to register with UA Local 787.

  • To become an ORAC apprenticeship, learn about available programs, eligibility requirements, and application steps contact ORAC.

  • Membership provides:

    • Competitive wages, comprehensive health benefits and a robust pension plan, managed by a board of member-appointed trustees.

    • Access to industry-leading training and skills development programs.

    • Member-appointed Union Reps representing the best interest of the union members in contract negotiations and disputes.

    • Advocacy for workplace issues and representation in labor disputes and grievances.

    By joining UA Local 787, you gain the tools and support needed for long-term success in your trade.

  • There are colleges and trade schools throughout Ontario offering programs geared towards HVAC&R industry. These institutions are not HVAC&R specific, and often provide courses in a variety of skilled trades, with HVAC&R being among them.

    While these programs offer comprehensive training, they do not create a direct professional pathway to a career within the unionized HVAC&R Industry.

  • No.
    A person must be accepted to this program in order to be hired and work as a first year apprentice for a unionized HVACR contractor in Ontario. Once a person is accepted and hired by a unionized contractor they are then able to register with UA Local 787.

    It is important to know the ORAC Apprentice Intake Program DOES NOT guarantee you a job, and can not find a job for you. Once you make it onto the ORAC Ready to Hire list, you must do your own due diligence and reach out to companies to look for employment to increase your chances of being hired.

  • The Current Local 787 and JTAC training centre is located at 419 Deerhurst, Mississauga.


    The UA local 787, in collaboration with ORAC and JTAC are actively building a new training centre that will embody the best HVAC&R industry instruction and skill building in the Province. Serving as a hub for skills development, training and certification, the facility will be at 6835 Century Avenue Mississauga, ON, Canada, L5N 2L2 and is currently set for an opening in late 2025.

#HVACPaidForIt Campaign:

Sponsorship Opportunities

  • UA Local 787, in collaboration with ORAC [AT1] [K2] are building a new, state of the art training centre. You can visit hvacpaidforit.ca to learn all about the project.

    You create a free account on hvacpaidforit.ca, which offers access to exclusive content like blogs, industry resources, email updates, promotional offers and more.

    Not ready for a full account? That’s ok! Stay up to date with the latest building updates by subscribing to our Newsletter! Our New Building Newsletters are periodically sent, and you can opt out anytime.

  • If you work with a company bound under the UA Local 787 Collective Agreement, you are already an active part of this initiative!

    Any company bound by the UA Local 787 Collective Agreement, working with Unionized HVACR labor is known as an Affiliate Partner and is already able to benefit from this initiative.

    Affiliate Partners:

    • Avoid ongoing costs of skills training or certification updates; union workers receive top-tier training through their union.

    • Have a workforce that meets the highest industry standard while eliminating the need to shift training and certification costs to their workers.

    • Attract and retain top talent by complying with the standards of Collective Agreement

    • Reduce costs and turnover risks as workers are less likely to leave for better offers elsewhere.

    • Boost worker engagement, retention, and loyalty through stabilized working conditions in the Collective Agreement.

    • Navigate economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and industry changes with greater predictability based off the locked in standards within the Collective Agreement.

    • Lower administrative and managerial costs tied to resolving internal issues (discrepancies, workplace disputes, etc) when there is not a standard in place.

    • Maintain positive communication with workers through fair, standardized negotiation and transition protocols.


    If you are part of a company, or work for a company that would be interested in becoming an Affiliate Partner, contact us here

  • If a company, organization or individual is interested in sponsorship, check out our hvacpaidforit.ca tomake a free account.

    We collaborate with each sponsor directly to build bespoke sponsorship packages that offer that align with each sponsors unique goals and offerings.

  • Yes!

    Companies, organizations, entities or individuals interested in donating materials, tools, gear, or equipment (or other in-kind support, such as time, labour, resources, expertise or direct financial donations) are able to make a strong and lasting impact to our new building.

    Any company, organization or individual interested in becoming a donation partner, is encouraged to check out our hvacpaidforit.ca and make a free account.

    We collaborate with each donor directly to build bespoke donation packages that offer that align with each donors unique goals and offerings.

Union Supports:

Workplace Safety & Grievances

  • We have a full breakdown of the our workplace safety practices and standards outlined in our publicly available Collective Agreement. Our membership can read our Collective Agreement in it’s entirety on the members’ only page by logging in through our membership portal.

  • If you are an actively working member of UA Local 787 and experiencing and issue in your workplace you can connect with our one of our Business Reps here to learn more about how the Union can support, you.

  • If you are facing harassment of any kind at your place of employment, you may feel anxious about the security of your role, and conflicted about what you can do. Workplace harassment is never okay. You can contact us here to learn more about your options.

  • Our members can read our entire Collective Agreement in full by logging into our members’ only portal and viewing our downloadable resource section.

  • UA Local 787 helps its' members advance their careers in HVAC&R in several ways, like providing:

    • Free access to best-in-class training to ensure our members set the highest standards of quality and expertise in the industry.

    • Certification courses and skills upgrading, taught by experienced HVACR professionals with practical, real-world expertise. Courses are offered at little or no additional cost.

    • Instructor courses geared towards transitioning established HVAC&R professionals from fieldwork to training and mentorship. These transitional programs are an effective pathway for knowledge transfer from leading industry experts to the next generation of industry leaders.

    • Active, on-going advocacy in the industry, through means of the Collective Agreement, building a consistent framework of fair practices and safe working conditions.