Labourers' union officials quit public housing board

3 March 1995
The Toronto Star
Jack Lakey

The board of directors in charge of government-funded housing operated by a big Metro union have resigned over allegations of nepotism and conflict of interest.

A Saturday Star story outlined how the son and son-in-law of Michael J. Reilly, former boss of Labourers' Local 183, got high-paying work with no job competition at the union's social housing projects. Local 183 runs four social housing projects built with government funds, which are overseen by a six-member non-profit property management board composed of union officials.

Continue Reading... Labels: Hugh Orde, Michael J. Reilly, Sean Gerard McCann, Sean John McCann, Sean McCann

Metro union target of investigation

28 February 1995
The Toronto Star
Jack Lakey

The Ministry of Housing is probing allegations that the former boss of a Metro union used provincially funded housing projects to provide jobs to family members.

Trevor Studden, the ministry's central region manager, said the government began an investigation yesterday into social housing operated by Labourers' International, Local 183.

"We are asking questions even as we speak," Studden said in an interview yesterday.

Continue Reading... Labels: Michael J. Reilly, Sean Gerard McCann, Sean John McCann, Sean McCann

Keeping the union jobs all in the family

25 February 1995
The Toronto Star
Jack Lakey

Family members of a powerful Metro union boss with close ties to the NDP received plum jobs at the union's provincially funded housing projects, contrary to government policy.

Michael J. Reilly, business manager of Labourers' Local 183, ruled the union with blustery Irish charm and an iron will until he retired Feb. 9. As chairperson of the union's non-profit housing program, Reilly was instrumental in securing at least $44 million in provincial government loan guarantees to build two social housing developments. Reilly signed the application papers for both.

Continue Reading... Labels: IRA, Michael J. Reilly, Sean Gerard McCann, Sean John McCann, Sean McCann, Stinger missiles

U.S. union to oversee troubled Metro local

10 January 1995
The Toronto Star
Jack Lakey


The head office of the Labourers' International Union of North America will be stepping in to "supervise" the day-to-day operations of its powerful Local 183 in Metro.

The union's headquarters in Washington, D.C., has also dispatched a special auditor to Metro to examine Local 183's books after numerous allegations of financial irregularities.

A union official in Washington yesterday confirmed that the measures were taken after charges of financial wrongdoing were filed against the boss of Local 183, business manager Michael J. Reilly.

Continue Reading... Labels: Michael J. Reilly, Sean Gerard McCann, Sean John McCann, Sean McCann