Vol. 47 No. 4 the Boilermaker Oct • Dec 2008 The Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO http://capwiz.com/boilermaker Reporter http://www.boilermakers.org IN THESE PAGES L-1509 members upgrade legendary submersible
Elections favor unions ...... 5
Avery wins BNAP contest ...... 11
L-1509 members drive a press into hot titanium to form a hemisphere that will be welded to its twin to form a sphere. Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Workers build crew compartment Commissioned in June 1964, Alvin was also the first for Alvin, a deep-ocean submersible to carry scientists nearly three miles deep, L-359 to modernize plant ...... 15 where strange sea creatures live in total darkness. The research vessel vessel will be replaced by a more advanced submers- ible built in part by Boilermakers at Ladish Forging. MEMBERS OF LOCAL 1509 (Cudahy, Wis.) However, the new Alvin, costing $50 million, may not are building a new sphere to house people and be completely finished until 2015. In the meantime, equipment on a tiny submarine named Alvin, the the original Alvin body will be upgraded with the first submersible to illuminate the rusting hulk of new personnel sphere. The upgrade will enable scien- the Titanic.
PAID See SUBMARINE, page 4 PAID U .S. PO S TA G E Pe rmi t No . 100 Non-P r of i t O g . U.S. POSTAGE Long P r a iri e, MN Non-Profit Org. Tripartite conference addresses climate change, referral system ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Substance abuse, rigging, manpower tracking, also top alliance’s agenda PARTNERS IN THE MOST National Tripartite Alli- ance met at the 23rd annual conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Oct. 13-16 to address issues that are vital to the future of the member organizations. The alli- ance comprises the Boilermakers union, the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers (NACBE), and the owner community. More than 400 alliance representatives attended. A primary topic was the future of coal as an energy source. Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones opened the con- Jeffrey Phillips, Ph.D., of EPRI, describes carbon ference with a discussion of climate change and the capture and storage. search for a solution to greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed out that, at last year’s conference, alliance “While we still have much work ahead of us, members were deeply concerned about the ability to many of those coal-powered boiler projects have supply manpower for all the coal-powered genera- been cancelled,” he said. “What worked yes- tion stations being planned. That concern has dimin- terday does not always work today, and it may
753 State Avenue, Suite 565 Kansas City, 66101 ished somewhat today. the Boilermaker Reporter See TRIPARTITE, page 2
51928_P01_24x.indd 1 12/1/08 6:58:43 PM 2 - the Boilermaker Reporter tripartite conference Oct • Dec 2008 TRIPARTITE continued from p. 1 not work going forward. Building coal-powered boilers to generate power worked yesterday. Today the tons of CO2 [carbon dioxide] emissions they generate are partly blamed for climate change.” upgrading them, costing Boilermakers older facilities, causing job loss and Jones outlined the various energy future work. economic disruption. sources that must be a part of the future The Boilermakers have been active Breehey said the Boilermakers want — wind, solar, hydro, wave power, in promoting sensible climate change to see utilities receive a certain amount natural gas, and nuclear. But he said we policy on Capitol Hill. Breehey, who of free allowances. Furthermore, some cannot afford to ignore 200-300 years has testified before the Senate Finance of the revenues generated by cap-and- worth of coal reserves in the United Committee on this issue, said Boiler- trade should be returned to the indus- States. He stated that even if we turned makers and the AFL-CIO support a try in the form of tax credits for carbon our backs on coal, developing nations cap-and-trade law. Such a law would capture and storage as well as other like China and India won’t, “and they create “carbon credits” and set limits technologies to reduce emissions. on the amount of CO2 industries could He added, “If that’s the direction in will pump millions of tons of CO2 into our shared atmosphere. emit. These limits would be lowered which this policy moves — where we over time. Plants that exceed the lim- are auctioning off carbon allowances — “If we don’t develop and implement Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones its would need to buy carbon credits it’s very important for our union that the technologies that allow us to burn stresses the importance of clean coal more cleanly, who will?” he asked. coal technology. (also called “allowances”) from those labor standards are part of the deal. Jones called on the government to that stay below the threshold. A gov- Construction projects funded in part ernment auction of these allowances by revenue from the allowance auction invest in clean coal technologies and ditions is to make a coal plant more would create a market for industries to should be covered under Davis-Bacon. on the power producers “to embrace efficient. That means if you consume buy, sell, or bank the credits. This could be the biggest infrastructure and build clean coal power generation less coal and produce the same amount The overall aim of cap-and-trade investment we’ve seen since the inter- facilities sooner rather than later.” of power, less CO is being produced. 2 is to provide an incentive for compa- state highway system.” That means less CO has to be cap- 2 nies to reduce their CO emissions. It Clean coal researcher tured and compressed and put into 2 would enable them to do so gradu- the ground. Progress continues on describes options ally, so firms do not suddenly abandon “To make coal power plants more referral system upgrade JEFFREY PHILLIPS, PH.D, a senior efficient, we need to go to higher oper- project manager with the Electric ating temperatures and pressures. IP JONES LAID out a vision of how Power Research Institute (EPRI), That means more exotic materials: the Boilermaker referral process can gave the conference an overview of high-alloy, nickel-based steel. This will be upgraded so that all locals use technologies being studied for car- require new fabrication techniques. the same system, one that is auto- bon capture and storage (CCS) in the We’ll need exquisite control standards. mated and can be accessed from any- electric power industry. Certainly, highly-skilled Boilermak- where in the world where there is an He reviewed pre-combustion, post- ers are going to be needed to construct Internet connection. combustion, and oxy-combustion these plants. The U.S. Department of “In my view, the technologies are finally available to us to build a system methods of isolating CO2 at coal-pow- Energy together with EPRI and several ered plants. He also described how other organizations (including Babcock that will accomplish all of the good things that our current system offers CO2 could be permanently stored deep & Wilcox) are working on making a underground in saline and depleted 1,400-degree F steam turbine coal plant our members and our partners — and oil formations. a reality. ” corrects many of the bad things that our Phillips said the electric energy current system allows,” he said. industry has a tremendous opportunity Breehey discusses The system Jones envisions will be to recover much of the cost involved greenhouse gas “politics” centralized and will allow each local in capturing CO . This can be done by lodge and each individual member 2 Legislative Affairs Dir. Abe Breehey to have an account. Members will be selling CO2 to oil companies to enhance ABE BREEHEY, DIRECTOR of talks about cap-and-trade legislation. oil recovery from hard-to-reach or Legislative Affairs for the Boiler- nearly-depleted reservoirs. In this pro- makers, spoke about the political impli- cess, CO2 is pumped into the reservoirs, cations of reducing greenhouse gas or forcing oil out. Enhanced extraction is “GHG” emissions. not new; however, the marketing of Breehey noted that whether or not CO2 for this purpose by electric utilities people agree on the existence of cli- is in its infancy. Phillips cited Depart- mate change — and mankind’s role in ment of Energy estimates that there it — governments are accepting that are enough oil fields that could benefit something must be done. He noted that from enhanced oil extraction to handle both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John the CO2 output of 45 new 500-MW, McCain have proposed legislation to coal-fired power plants. address GHG emissions. “That would keep more Boilermak- “The goal of the Boilermakers is to The Boilermaker Reporter is the official pub- the Boilermaker lication of the International Brotherhood of ers busy for quite a few years if we built shape the debate and policy in ways Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, 45 new plants with CO2 capture,” he that are good for our union and good Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO. It is published said. “The other bonus is that if we do for our alliance partners,” he said. “That quarterly to disseminate information of use this, we will double U.S. oil production. means affordable, realistic reductions and interest to its members. Submissions So we’re solving the environmental in greenhouse gas emissions that mini- Reporter from members, local lodges, and subordi- nate or affiliated bodies are welcomed and problem, and we’re also helping the oil mize job losses and economic disloca- Oct • Dec 2008 Vol. 47 No. 4 encouraged. This publication is mailed free shortage problem.” tions, and most importantly minimize of charge to active members and retired Newton B. Jones, International President While Phillips acknowledged that fuel-switching for power generation and Editor-in-Chief members holding a Retired Members Card. Others may subscribe for the price of $10 for CO2 capture and storage may be costly, from coal to natural gas.” Switching William T. Creeden, Intl. Secretary-Treasurer three years. Standard Mail (A) postage paid he said there is one way to reduce CO2 away from coal as a power source International Vice Presidents at Kansas City, Kan., and additional mailing emissions that is usually overlooked. could lead to abandoning some older offices. ISSN No. 1078-4101. Lawrence McManamon, Great Lakes “The least costly way to improve con- coal-fired power plants rather than Sean Murphy, Northeast POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sam May, Southeast The Boilermaker Reporter 753 State Avenue, Suite 565 Tom Baca, Western States Kansas City, KS 66101 Joe Maloney, Western Canada Ed Power, Eastern Canada (913) 371-2640; FAX (913) 281-8104
Warren Fairley, Industrial Sector (at-Large) Web site: www.boilermakers.org Editorial staff PUBLICATION AGREEMENT No. 40010131 Donald Caswell, Managing Editor Carol Almond, Asst. to the Managing Editor Printed in the U.S.A. Mike Linderer, Writer and Editor Mary Echols, Publications Specialist A prize-winning newspaper Oct • Dec 2008 tripartite conference the Boilermaker Reporter - 3 able to log on to update qualifications, Spencer said train-the-trainer pro- availability, and personal information. grams are being offered in all of the Dispatchers will be able to view man- International vice-presidential areas. power availability; sort members by “We conducted a session in Pittsburgh classification, MOST certifications, and [Northeast Area] in August and in Chi- other criteria; and assign members to cago [Great Lakes Area] during the last jobs in real time. Contractors will have of September. The thing that struck me limited access, allowing them to study is the interest from the instructors at manpower trends and availability. The these classes. When they are this enthu- referral system could be integrated with siastic, you know it’s going to work.” other automated databases such as the Spencer said train-the-trainer courses MOST manpower tracking system. for the Western States and Southeast Jones said he will soon appoint Areas were scheduled for later in 2008. committees to determine the criteria — Larry Wargo, consultant for con- for referral rules, which will undergo tractor services at FirstEnergy Corp., some changes. “We will have a joint provided an update on the MOST referral committee, as we do now, to manpower tracking system. The sys- do you tell the difference between make the final decision as to how the tem is an initiative designed to give tri- L-154 BM Ray Ventrone discusses a black bear and a brown bear? criteria will be established and how the substance abuse intervention. partite partners real-time data on how referral system will operate. But we construction Boilermakers are allo- Climb a tree. need to get it online; we need to get it abuse. She explained the effects of vari- cated to projects around the country. It If it climbs up after you, in place. I think it will be a much better ous drugs, the excuses people give for enables users to understand manpower system to provide our contractors and testing positive, false positives, and the demand on local, regional, and national it’s a black bear. the owner community with qualified, length of time it takes commonly-used levels. Wargo said the system now con- If it pushes the tree over, skilled manpower.” drugs to clear the body. tains data from all but one or two con- To give tripartite members an idea Pizzo described some of the most it’s a brown bear. of how a centralized, automated refer- dangerous drugs, including Ecstasy, ral system might work, Jayne Clem- which “will actually cook your body Either way, you’re lunch! ance of JBS Systems demonstrated an from the inside out if you overdose” automated traveler’s list for U.S. Boil- and will “eat holes in your brain.” ermakers. The demo software is based — Ray Ventrone, Local 154 (Pitts- on a successful traveler’s list system JBS burgh) Bus. Mgr., gave a report for the developed for Canadian Boilermak- MOST Substance Abuse Intervention ers. Clemance showed how individuals Committee. Ventrone detailed the inter- could access and update their accounts, vention work being spearheaded by and how dispatchers could sort data his local. He called interventions “gut- and assign members to jobs online. wrenching,” but said they are neces- Are you passionate about — “The key benefit is that it’s easy to sary to save members with addictions perhaps even addicted to — hunting, use,” she said. “A member can access and restore them to their families and fishing, or spending time outdoors? his or her account from anywhere, even their jobs. He described the operation If so, where do you turn when you from the comfort of home. And they’ll of the Local 154 substance abuse pro- want to know what other hunters are save money and time, since they don’t gram, which includes a support group planting in their food plots, which have to physically travel to a lodge of recovering members, a procedure for shotgun or rod works best, where to to add their names to a list. This will find union-owned outfitting services also provide locals and their dispatch- First Energy’s Larry Wargo describes offering discounts to union members, a successful outage project using ers with a nationwide system of mem- or how to share your bizarre outdoor tripartite principles. bers who are willing to travel in the experience or pick up a new hunting U.S. to work.” or fishing joke? Jones said the automated traveler’s struction locals. Current plans call for The answer is easy: The Union list forms “the basis for the full system” contractors and owners to get access to Sportsmen's Alliance (USA), a hunting that will incorporate all of the vari- the system by the end of 2008. and fishing club created exclusively for ous work lists. “I think it’s going to be Wargo also told conference partici- union members, retirees, and their great for us. It’s going to solve a lot of pants about an outage at his compa- families. Thanks to the Theodore problems that we have, simply by get- ny’s Bruce Mansfield power plant near Roosevelt Conservation Partnership ting it all on one system and having Pittsburgh in Oct. 2007. Because the job (TRCP), the International Brotherhood it nationwide.” occurred in the peak outage season, of Boilermakers, and 19 other AFL-CIO project managers found themselves unions, hunters and anglers now have Speakers address about 100 craft workers short, includ- their own club to connect with union other issues ing about 70-80 welders. The project members all across the United States was on a tight, 10-week schedule. and Canada who share a love for the CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS heard Wargo credited exceptional planning, great outdoors. from speakers on a range of other top- communication, flexibility, and superb Through a monthly e-newsletter, ics — from substance abuse to a new craftsmanship and production in bring- an interactive Web site, and a soon-to- rigging initiative, to the status of the ing the project to completion three days launch outdoor newspaper, club Marty Spencer, Special Asst. to the manpower tracking system. early and under budget. membership in the USA offers you a Intl. Pres., explains the new MOST “The project exemplifies what the tri- — Pat Pizzo, director of toxicology at rigging program. portal to share stories and photos, Kroll Laboratory Specialists, discussed partite arrangement of owner, contrac- trade trips, buy or sell gear, and learn drugs and alcohol from the viewpoint tor, and union labor can accomplish. All from the experiences and mistakes of of job-related screening for substance moving addicted members into rehab, three parties understood the plan, and fellow hunters and anglers. post-rehab or “after care” attention, and everyone communicated throughout Membership also brings you access ongoing support to keep addicts clean its execution.” to money-saving deals and discounts, and sober. special offers, and chances to win Ventrone told the conference that his Area tripartite fantastic giveaways throughout the local is willing to assist other lodges bodies report year, including a Triton boat, a Beretta across the country in setting up their AL391 Urika 2 Gold shotgun, Buck own substance abuse committees — THE FIVE AREA tripartite alliances knives, and more. including traveling onsite. provided short summaries of their For more information, visit — Marty Spencer, Special Asst. to operations during the last year. Mak- UnionSportsmen.org or call toll-free the Intl. Pres., reviewed the new rig- ing the presentations were, for the at 1-877-USA-2211. ging training program recently rolled Northeast Area and the Ohio Valley, out under the MOST umbrella. Spen- IR-GO Marty Stanton; for Eastern cer said the program has been well Canada, IR-GO Kent Oliver; for the received. It comprises four eight-hour Southeast Area, IR-GO Steve Speed; modules and features extensive course for the Upper Midwest, IR-GO Tony materials and training aids, including Palmisano; and for the Western States, DVD videos, job site photos on CDs, AIP Kyle Evenson. q Pat Pizzo, with Kroll Laboratory tests, and handouts. Specialists, explains drug toxicology. 4 - the Boilermaker Reporter in the news Oct • Dec 2008 Local 726 L-D27’s dispute with Lafarge strike ends, draws attention at Paris meeting expenses Local struggles to preserve retiree Chemical, Energy, Mine, and General Workers’ Unions health care benefits (ICEM), and the Building and Wood Workers International remain Federation (BWI). The BWI published a report about Local D27’s plight Lodge struggles with THE STRUGGLE OF Local D27 members (Independence, legal fees, other costs Mo.) to keep French-owned Lafarge from cutting retiree on its Web site. The local also issued a press release on the situation. health care benefits during collective bargaining reached an MEMBERS OF LOCAL 726 (Owens- international forum in Paris Oct. 3 and 4. Lafarge employs 55 Lafarge and Local D27 last met in contract talks Oct. 7. The company notified the union Oct. 20 that it will declare an boro, Ky.) began returning to work Local D27 members at its Sugar Creek, Mo., cement plant. Sept. 30, ending their eight-week strike Warren Fairley, IVP-Industrial Sector, brought the mat- impasse. Employers often follow such declarations with the unilateral implementation of their contract proposal. against Daramic, a manufacturer of ter to the attention of the forum, which includes Lafarge, battery separators. Union employees Swiss-owned Holcim, the International Federation of Meanwhile, ICEM has requested another meeting with Lafarge in Paris. q agreed to work under the old contract, which expired in April, for a period of 18 months. In the meantime, negotia- tions for a new contract will resume. The 165-member lodge struck Aug. 6 after five months of nego- tiations hung up over vague com- pany proposals to consolidate jobs and alter seniority rights. Local 726 President Jeff Campbell said his members are concerned that the pro- posals could be harmful to older work- ers — and could be an attempt to “weed out employees.” Intl. Rep David Lawrence said, “These members have concerns about how cross-training will affect safety. They are concerned also that those who are not eligible for cross-training will be laid off.” Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones has authorized Local 726 to request support from other Boilermaker locals to help defray legal fees and other expenses incurred during the strike. Local lodge or individual contribu- tions may be made to the Local 726 Strike Relief Fund, Attn: Larry Sims, L-726 Sec.-Treas., 1115 Mapleleaf Ct., Owensboro, KY 42301. q International wins six ILCA awards “The Reporter” competes with other labor publications At Ladish Forging, L-1509 members heat up one of two titanium disks they will mold into hemispheres. Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution THE BOILERMAKERS’ Communi- cation Department won a first-place award, a second-place award, and four The members began to shape each The 16-ton Alvin is owned by the U.S. third-place awards from the Interna- SUBMARINE hemisphere by first heating a six-inch- Navy and operated by the Woods Hole tional Labor Communications Asso- continued from p. 1 thick, 11-foot-wide titanium disk. They Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). ciation (ILCA) for work performed in had to move fast, as a piece that large The submersible has taken over 12,000 2007. All six awards were for excellence tists to begin a new era of exploration as cools quickly. While the disk was still people on more than 4,200 dives to in newspaper publishing. early as 2011, diving deeper (four miles blistering hot, they rammed a giant observe life forms that must cope with The Reporter competed at the vs. 2.8 miles), and accessing more of the press into it to form a giant cup. What super-pressures and move about in national/international level with other ocean floor (99 percent vs. 62 percent). took literally seconds to form will total darkness. The vessel is named labor publications. It took first place Because it will go deeper, the new now take up to two years to complete. for Allyn Vine, a WHOI engineer and in the “best informational graphic” sphere — which will hold the pilot, The two cups will be forged, welded geophysicist who helped pioneer deep category and second for “best politi- two scientists, and equipment — must together, machined, and heat treated. submergence research and technol- cal action story.” It won third-place for withstand more tons of pressure. Deep Five viewing ports (the old Alvin has ogy. According to Wikipedia (an online “general excellence,” “best publication explorers use spheres to make crew three) will be cut out. Then the testing encyclopedia), research conducted by design,” “best editorial or column,” and compartments because that geometry will begin. Alvin has been featured in nearly 2,000 “best collective bargaining story.” best resists the crushing force. The completed personnel sphere scientific papers. Founded in 1955, the ILCA is the To meet those pressures, Local 1509 will measure seven feet across — one Local 1509 has represented workers professional organization of labor foot wider than its predecessor. Its vol- at Ladish Forging since it was chartered communicators in North America. Its members are molding two giant disks q of titanium, which is stronger and ume will be 18 percent larger, allowing in 1944. several hundred members produce lighter than steel, into cup-like hemi- twice as much room for equipment and This story includes information from publications with a total circulation in spheres. They will weld the hemi- a little more room for passengers. William J. Broad of the New York Times, the millions. q spheres together to form the sphere. August 26. Oct • Dec 2008 LEAP the Boilermaker Reporter - 5 Boilermaker-backed candidates win Activist locals lead by example, help elect “There can be no doubt Obama and other that Boilermaker pro-worker candidates activism... helped win key races for pro- IT SHOULD COME as no surprise that a Boilermaker appeared in Barack worker candidates.” Obama’s half-hour, prime-time televi- – IP Newton B. Jones sion commercial that aired Oct. 29 — an ad that was seen by more than 33 million viewers. After all, Boilermaker “This is the most important election of volunteers across the country worked my lifetime.” tirelessly to push for working family In another clip, Local 29 (Boston) candidates and the promise of change. member Ed Gorham, who is also The Boilermaker in that commercial president of the Maine AFL-CIO, was Fred Chamberlain, Sec.-Treas. of describes in one word what change Local 19 (Philadelphia). Chamberlain means to him: “Jobs!” appears in a segment that was filmed Other clips show Boilermakers talk- just before the Pennsylvania primary ing about jobs and workplace issues. election back in March. In that clip, Mike Griffith, a member of Local D263 Obama addresses a small group at the (Clark, Nev.) explains his concerns West Avenue Grille in Jenkintown, Pa. about free trade; at Local 696 (Mari- “Four of us from the shipyard took nette, Wis.) members pass out leaflets a day of vacation and went up there supporting worker issues as a night to campaign for Obama and for Tim shift comes on at the shipyard; and in Murphy [U.S. Congressman, 18th-Dis- Colorado, IR Jim Cooksey leaflets the trict, PA],” Chamberlain recalled. The Comanche Power Plant in Pueblo. Obama campaign picked Chamberlain “The efforts of our locals and our to take part in the commercial. “At the members in this historic election have time, I had no idea how that commer- been nothing short of phenomenal,” cial would be used — or that it would said Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones. “There Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones, r., confers with Sen. Barack Obama earlier this later become part of the half-hour ad.” can be no doubt that Boilermaker activ- year during a meeting with the AFL-CIO. Chamberlain is one of the many ism — and the work of organized labor members who donated their time and as a whole — helped win key races for energy to changing the political direc- pro-worker candidates and helped put pensions, health care, and other issues tion of this country. And Local 19 is a strong union supporter in the White important to working families. Our “This year’s campaign one of the many locals that got behind House. I know I speak for all the Inter- program reached union members, members of union households, and was the largest, worker-friendly candidates during the national officers in saying that we’re broadest, and most 2007-08 election cycle. proud of the work done by our mem- retirees. The Boilermakers engaged in Evidence of Boilermaker activ- bers, our locals, and the Department of three gubernatorial races, 13 Senate targeted effort in ity can be seen in the videos that have Government Affairs (DGA) during this races, and 60 House contests, as well as Boilermaker history.” appeared on YouTube, a popular video- long election cycle.” the presidential race. sharing Web site, and on the AFL-CIO DGA Director Bridget Martin said, “Over the course of the campaign, – Bridget Martin Web site. In one clip, Jim Chase, Presi- “This year’s campaign was the larg- Boilermakers made phone calls, Director, Government Affairs dent of Local 920 (Portsmouth, N.H.), est, broadest, and most targeted effort knocked on doors, delivered flyers at appears at a Labor Day breakfast in in Boilermaker history. We ran a nine- worksites, and sent local union mail. The International also made phone calls Manchester, N.H. Chase is seen urging month mobilization program to engage Nationwide, union volunteers made union voters to back Obama, saying, our members on the economy, energy, and sent mail to targeted union house- holds in critical battleground states. 76 million phone calls, knocked on 14 More union members heard from our million doors, and delivered 29 million union this election cycle than ever flyers at worksites. The AFL-CIO and before. And thanks to voluntary finan- its affiliate unions sent 57 million pieces cial contributions from our members, of mail to union households this year. we helped fund the campaigns of pro- As a result of this effort, 84 percent of worker House and Senate candidates.” union members in battleground states said they heard from their union this election cycle. Unions show strength Boilermaker locals and their mem- beyond their numbers bers played a big role in Pennsylva- nia, as they did in other swing states AS A PERCENTAGE of U.S. work- and across the country. Boilermakers ers, union members have dwindled received media attention in Pennsyl- to about 12 percent (from a high of 35 vania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, percent in the 1950s). But you wouldn’t and Virginia. know that come election time. Unions Virginia became one of the most — including Boilermakers — know closely-watched swing states in the how to mobilize and get out the vote. nation. The Boilermakers’ own Cecile In battleground (or “swing” states), Conroy, Research and Legislative Assis- AFL-CIO union members supported tant to the DGA Director, served as the Obama by more than 2-1. On Election AFL-CIO’s Labor 2008 director in that Day, 70 percent of union members state. Conroy led labor’s successful viewed Obama positively, according effort there, helping turn Virginia from to polling. red to blue. Virginia went for Obama, To get a sense of the magnitude of and pro-worker candidates picked up union political involvement, consider three seats in the U.S. House and one in just one of the swing states, Pennsyl- the U.S. Senate. vania. The state’s AFL-CIO Council reported that, with four days left before Brotherhood anticipates the election, labor had already placed more than one million phone calls to seat at the table Local 19 (Philadelphia) ST Fred Chamberlain, l., and Philadelphia Metal union members and their families, Trades Council President Gary Gaydosh distribute worksite leaflets supporting knocked on over 600,000 doors, and IN ANNOUNCING the Brotherhood’s Barack Obama. Molly Theobald, AFL-CIO PA Labor distributed 3.5 million union flyers to early endorsement of Barack Obama, IP over 500 worksites. See ELECTION, page 6
551928_P01_24x.indd1928_P01_24x.indd 5 112/1/082/1/08 7:14:077:14:07 PMPM 6 - the Boilermaker Reporter leap Oct • Dec 2008
Bill Coleman, President of Local 1620 (Portland, Ind.), and 6-year-old Bryce Martin launch the Boilermakers for Obama blimp at a rally in Manassas, Va., Nov. 3.
ELECTION Local 667 member earns continued from p. 5 “You will have a seat at the table. We will not Jones described how long and hard he and the International Executive Coun- forget labor unions.” award for political service cil weighed the merits of the various candidates. Ultimately, that decision – Joe Biden, West Virginia Governor was based on who would best serve the Vice President-Elect Manchin honors Sistersville interest of Boilermaker members and Mayor David Fox the country as a whole. The qualities of Barack Obama — his The Boilermakers’ commitment David Fox, a seven-year member support for labor unions, his commit- and support have not been lost on the of Local 667 (Charleston, W.Va.), was ment to the Employee Free Choice Act, Obama-Biden ticket. At the Greensboro, recently re-elected to his second term his backing of clean coal technology, N.C., rally Oct. 27, Sen. Biden invited IP as mayor of Sistersville, W.Va. He was his desire to protect pensions, and his Jones into a tent where an inner circle also awarded a certificate of recogni- many other pro-worker positions — of supporters (called a “clutch”) gath- tion from the state of West Virginia for made him the logical choice. ered. “You will have a seat at the table,” his “outstanding service to both the city Biden told Jones. “We will not forget of Sistersville and Tyler County.” labor unions.” “There’s no special criteria [for the Then, on Nov. 3, in Manassas, Va., award],” said Matt Turner, press secre- at his last rally before the election, tary for Gov. Manchin. “When some- Sen. Obama also invited Jones into the one has done something above and clutch. Outside the tent, the Boilermak- beyond . . . their call of duty to serve ers’ RV — which has been a symbol of their city, county, and state, it deserves the Brotherhood’s support for Obama to be recognized. His [Mayor Fox’s] — sat alongside the Obama motor- accomplishments were brought to Gov. cade. The crowd on that day swelled to Manchin’s attention and he agreed.” L-667’s David Fox receives an award 90,000 people. Fox organized the Tyler County for his service as mayor of “Sen. Obama thanked me person- Mayors Association. Four area mayors Sistersville, W.Va. ally in Manassas for the work our locals meet monthly to brainstorm and dis- and our members have done for him,” cuss problems each town or city may what is being accomplished in the city said Jones. “As president-elect, he now have. The association allows the com- and county. will begin to assess and prepare for munities to work together and share Even though Fox attends at least the challenges facing our country. As equipment. Fox also serves as a mem- three (sometimes as many as 12) meet- he does so, I am confident that he will ber of the Tyler County Development ings a week, he still works as a Boiler- Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones, r., joins give the Brotherhood and all unions a Board and writes a weekly article in maker in power plants in West Virginia Sen. Joe Biden at the Greensboro, fair hearing on the issues that are the county paper updating readers on and Ohio. q N.C., rally Oct. 27. vital to us.” q Oct • Dec 2008 education & training the Boilermaker Reporter - 7 New lodge officers attend training Program held in five Dir. of Training & Education Ser- Participants in the 2008 New Officer Train- 83 (Kansas City, Mo.) chairman of trustees Joe vices Donald Caswell said he was ing in St. John’s, Newfoundland, included Lowendowski; Local 84 (Paola, Kan.) President cities in United States Cement District Lodge D11 Assistant Bus. Agent Brent Mitzner and ST Doug Damron; Local D239 impressed by the talent and dedica- Kevin Forsyth; Local 73 (Halifax, Nova Scotia) (Three Forks, Mont.) President Randy Tocci and and Canada tion of officers attending the training. chairman of trustees Kevin Wood, and trust- Recording Sec. Nick Allen; Local D357 (Fairborn, “In every session, the officers were ees Lloyd Raiche and Dominic Duguay; Local Ohio) ST David Silcott and Recording Sec. Bret 2008 was an election year — not only thoroughly engaged throughout the 128 (Toronto, Ontario) President David Lewis, Silcott; Local 374 (Hammond, Ind.) President for the governments of Canada and Recording Sec. Ben Groulx, inspector Marc Guay, William Lopez, Recording Sec. Eric Estes, and training. In addition to learning from chairman of trustees Kenny Kilday, and trust- chairman of trustees Sean Burke; Local D421 the United States, but also for Boiler- the instructors, they engaged in lively ees Colin Docherty and Frank Robinson; Local (Tulsa, Okla.) President Kevin Conkwright and maker local lodges in both countries. discussions and shared innovative 146 (Edmonton, Alberta) inspector Blair Savoie; ST Rebecca Thompson; Local 443 (Manitowoc, While U.S. lodges must hold elections solutions for problems their locals Local 203 (St. John’s, Newfoundland) inspector Wis.) ST William Johnson and trustee Dave Kac- every three years, Canadian lodges do Wayne Searle; Local D274 (Winnipeg, Manitoba) zrowski; Local 449 (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) VP Mark are experiencing.” President Dwayne Bochen; Local D277 (Bamber- Heimbecher, ST Rodney Gilbertson, chairman of so every five years. Occasionally, the Held in St. John’s, Newfoundland; ton, British Columbia) ST Gabe Hajdu; Local 359 trustees Gary Combs, and trustees Randy Gos- Boilermaker local lodge election cycles Chicago; Oakland, Calif.; and Philadel- (Vancouver, British Columbia) President John sen and Joshua Mastalir; Local D597 (Genoa, coincide, as they did in 2008. phia, the sessions attracted more than Cole, ST Ken Noga, and trustees Dave Braith- Ohio) ST Alfred Reyes; Local 647 (Minneapolis) There is no training program (unfor- 200 participants. Instructors included waite and Al Dingwall; Local D366 (Mississauga, President Kory Olson and chairman of trustees tunately) for newly-elected politi- Ontario) ST Dave Lenarduzzi and plant union Luke Voigt; Local 650 (Lake City, Minn.) Presi- Caswell, Administrative Assistant chairman George Ribble; Local D385 (Vancouver, dent Roy Demge; Local 1247 (Chicago) President cians, but there is for newly-elected to the Accounting Supervisor Tara British Columbia) ST Ken Fenske; Local D486 Jesse Butler, VP James Young, ST Leroy Sykes, Boilermaker local lodge officers. From LaGree, Director of Health & Safety (New Westminster, British Columbia) ST Steve Recording Sec. Marco Robles, and inspector September to November, the Boiler- Mark Garrett, Director of Legislative Holt; Local D513 (Edmonton, Alberta) ST Michael Roberto Cabrera; and Local 1620 (Portland, Ind.) makers’ Department of Education Rezko; Local 532 (Regina, Saskatchewan) Presi- President William Coleman, chairman of trustees Affairs Abraham Breehey, and Director dent Curtis Nesset, ST Leonard Brodner, and Mark Shannon, and trustees Mike Chapman and and Training Services sponsored four of Government Affairs Bridget Martin. trustee Perry Lindgren; Local 555 (Winnipeg, Sean Landess. sessions in the United States and one The Canadian session also included Manitoba) President Marc Lagasse, Recording Participants in the 2008 New Officer Train- in Canada. presentations from National Health & Sec. Nathan Ebenal, trustee Mike Lefley, and ser- ing in Oakland, Calif., included Local 4 (Page, This training covered the legal Safety Director Jason McInnis, Cana- geant-at-arms Andrew Levesque; and Local D579 Ariz.) President Lester Begay, VP Burke Gehrig, foundations of unions, duties of offi- (Lantz, Nova Scotia) President Laurie Preeper and chairman of trustees Frank Lucero Jr., and trust- dian National Training Director Grant ST Glen Cantfell. ees Lionel Benally and Ernest Coleman; Local 6 cers, local lodge bylaws, committees Jacobs, and International Rep Rich- Participants in the 2008 New Officer Train- (Oakland, Calif.) business rep. Juan D. Garcia; and meetings, political action, safety ard MacIntosh. Concurrent with the ing in Chicago included Local S8 (Equal- Local D37 (Seattle) ST Dale Ryker; Local D46 and health, communication skills, new officer training, Canadian Con- ity, Ill.) President Greg Fort, Vice President (Santa Cruz, Calif.) President Eric Karo, ST Cyn- and handling financial obligations. Rodney Shires, ST Keith Clayton, and trust- thia Escobar, and trustee Dimitri Tyrosvoutis; struction Division business managers ees Mark Malone and Troy Young; Local D27 Local 90 (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) ST Keola Mar- Participants learned how to do a thor- learned from Director of Construction (Independence, Mo.) President J. David Her- tin; Local 104 (Seattle) President Dean Calhoun, ough quarterly audit by conducting a Division Services Skipper Branscum ron and Recording Sec. Bernard Breunig; Local VP Sheldon Murray, Recording Sec. Kathleen mock audit. about the market recovery program 66 (Little Rock, Ark.) chairman of trustees John Mansker and trustee Kevin Chastain; Local and jurisdiction issues. See TRAINING PARTICIPANTS, page 8
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Sept. 9-11
Chicago Sept. 23-25 8 - the Boilermaker Reporter education & training Oct • Dec 2008
TRAINING PARTICIPANTS continued from p. 7
Murray, and chairman of trustees John Perazzo IV; Local S200 (Wichita Falls, Texas) President John Nichols and ST Theresa Myrick; Local 344 (Ridgecrest, Calif.) President John Sewell, VP Michael Magby, ST Leslie Dikes, and trustees Edward Bradway and James Carr; Local D435 (Helena, Mont.) ST Chris Frank; Local D465 (Oklahoma City, Okla.) President Brad Hubbs and ST Leo Faw Faw; Local 502 (Tacoma, Wash.) President Blaine Roulst, VP David Southwell, Recording Sec. Larry Seaberg, inspector Erik Seaberg, chairman of trustees Michael Anthony, trustee and LEAP chairman Richard Jones, and trustee Dale Mason; Local 549 (Pittsburg, Calif.) President Dale Bilyeu; Local 627 (Phoenix) President and LEAP chairman Russell Crossan, chairman of trustees James Welch, and trustee Larry Baca; Local 1998 (National City, Calif.) office manager and organizing coordinator Mar- garet Barrientos; and DNCL President and ST Richard L. Piloski. Participants in the 2008 New Officer Train- ing in Philadelphia included Local 5 (New York) Recording Sec. Thomas Ryan, chairman Oakland, Calif., Oct. 1-3 of trustees James Waldron, and trustee David Cook; Local 7 (Buffalo, N.Y.) President Dan- iel DeCarlo, Local 13 (Philadelphia) President Michael Impagliazzo, VP Vincent Mangiamele Jr., Recording Sec. Kevin Lennon, and inspector Matthew Fink; Local 19 (Philadelphia) President David Gaillard, VP Jose Rivera, ST Frederick Chamberlain, inspector Ronald Ferguson, chair- man of trustees Charles Bruno II, and trustee Warren Milton; Local 28 (Newark, N.J.) trustees Michael Egan and Jason Verge; Local 57 (Ports- mouth, Va.) President Wayne Jones, ST William Pontious Jr., and trustee Willie Jordon; Local 87 (West Chester, Pa.) President Harry Williams; Local 88 (Essington, Pa.) VP Pasquale Generosi and ST Jeffrey Roth; Local 104 (Seattle) trustee David Barnhart; Pennsylvania “Keystone” Industrial Council lead committeeman Charles Goodman; Local 151 (Erie, Pa.) President Mike Cantrell and committeeman Dave Kemick; Local 193 (Baltimore) President Paul Swartz, VP Keith Jones, and chairman of trustees James Phillips; Local 249 (Huntington, W.Va.) ST Duane Twigg; Local M300 (Aurora, Ind.) President Tim Ash- craft, VP Robert Mattox, and ST Rita Bennett; Local 802 (Chester, Pa.) President Elwood McGinnis III and ST Jim Sladek; and Local 1600 (St. Charles, Ill.) President Mario Porras, VP Philadelphia Oct. 21-23 Miguel Fonseca, Recording Sec. Jim Grosse, and trustee Tom Fatigante. Participants in the 2008 New Officer Train- ing in Atlanta included Local S2 (Lavergne, Tenn.) President Tom Krajick and ST Timothy DeBruhl; Local 26 (Savannah, Ga.) President Bobby J. Newham and chairman of trustees Bruce Crews; Local D39 (Greencastle, Ind.) VP Ryan Miller and ST Mark Archer; Local 104 (Seat- tle) trustee Edward Orr; Local 105 (Chillicothe, Ohio) Recording Sec. John McWhorter; Local 108 (Birmingham, Ala.) VP Carl McCloud Jr., chairman of trustees Bruce Wilson, and trustee Jesse Marler; Local 112 (Mobile, Ala.) President John B. Nolen; Local D209 (Speed, Ind.) Presi- dent Joseph Basham, VP Michael Johnston, and trustee Scott Maples; Local D533 (Hagerstown, Md.) President Boyd McKinsey, VP Clyde Bar- tles Jr., and ST Jeannie Snyder; Local 584 (Tus- caloosa, Ala.) VP Joseph Lambert and ST Joseph Cook; Local D595 (Kosmosdale, Ky.) President Daniel Perry and ST John Shaw; Local 599 (Bill- ings, Mont.) President Bill Clifton and trustee Scott Brester; Local 656 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) President Cecil A. Cunningham, ST Terry E. Bailey, chairman of trustees Chris Suit, and trustees Eric Sartin and Max Smith; and Local 900 (Barberton, Ohio) ST Bessie Cadle. q Atlanta Nov. 4-6 Canada improves training for Aboriginals Renewed funding pre-apprenticeship intervention, renewed for another four or five years. ing could reach up to $10 million over for Native American and personal and academic support During the first program, we trained five years. to prepare them for careers in the 70 candidates in both Edmonton and According to Fraleigh, Local 146 program is announced construction trades. Calgary, with better than 90 percent is reimbursed for program expenses at Local 146 hall ASEP’s objective is sustainable of the candidates being successful. We based on a per person formula. “There employment for Aboriginal people in would hope that numbers for the new is no cost to the local to conduct the TRADE WINDS TO SUCCESS — a major economic industries, leading to program would be similar.” training, and we end up with some training program funded by Aborigi- lasting benefits for their communities The government of Canada is con- very solid candidates for our appren- nal Skills and Employment Partner- and families. tributing up to $4.5 million for the ticeship program. The candidates ship (ASEP), announced the renewal of “This is the second generation of project. In addition, Aboriginal organi- receive eight weeks of pre–apprentice- its funding May 23 at the Boilermakers’ this program,” reports L-146 BM-ST zations, the Union Training Trust Fund, ship training in all aspects of the trade Local 146 hall in Edmonton, Alberta. Warren Fraleigh. “The first program and the government of Alberta are all with a focus on safety that allows them q The project will provide Aborigi- was initiated in 2004 and ran until partners in this initiative. Total fund- to hit the ground running.” nals with career decision-making, 2008. The program has now been Oct • Dec 2008 education & training the Boilermaker Reporter - 9 Locals 359, 532, 555 members participate in steward training programs
Local 359 members earn certificates for attending a steward training program Aug. 26 conducted by Intl. Rep Richard MacIntosh and L-359 Bus. Agent Ken Noga. L. to r., front row: Al Dingwall, Paul Nemeth, Bill Nelson; back row: Roy Greenshields, Peter Kvenich, Noga, and Ross Kirkpatrick. Sixteen members of Locals 532 and 555 participate in a steward training program conducted by Local 555 Training Coordinator Ted Stark, Local 532 President Curtis Nesset, and Intl. Rep Richard MacIntosh Aug. 12 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Information requests are valuable tool They can be used for more than disciplinary records, OSHA logs, time- Be specific in what you ask for, but vide records that disclose confidential just gathering facts cards, vacation requests, work rules open the door for other information information. But you may be able to — even photographs and drawings. that could be relevant. You might say pre-empt this objection by agreeing to TO HANDLE A GRIEVANCE prop- For disciplinary grievances, it’s a good something like, “To process this griev- accept records with confidential infor- erly, you need a lot of information. idea to request the entire contents of ance, I need the attendance records for mation blacked out, or you can submit Often your search for facts will lead you the grievant’s personnel file and the the third shift of the press room for the written privacy waivers from the mem- to make a request to your employer for names of other employees who have past year, disposition of other employ- bers whose records you need. information they have on file. committed similar offenses, along with ees who have exceeded the absence Consider other sources. If the infor- Employers have a legal obligation to the penalties imposed on them. rule, and any other company records that mation you need can be obtained provide information that union stew- To get the most out of your infor- have a bearing on this grievance.” through another method — a govern- ards need in order to handle a griev- mation request, here are some things If you are asking for a lot of records, ment agency, for example — you can ance or to negotiate changes in working to consider: specify that the various items can be avoid going to your employer. This can conditions not covered by the collective Make your request in writing. provided separately, so the company be helpful if you know the company bargaining agreement. Employers often stall responding to doesn’t treat the request as all-or- will stall you, or if you don’t want the The company may initially resist requests or do not provide all the infor- nothing. “Please provide these records company to get wind of your strategy. turning over the documents and mation requested. You may need writ- by end of business Friday, Oct. 31. If Sometimes making an information other items you seek, but an outright ten evidence of when you made the not all records can be supplied by that request can yield results even though refusal to comply with a legitimate request and exactly what you asked for. deadline, the union will accept a par- you never get the information. If the request can result in an unfair labor If you initially make your request orally, tial response with the understanding company doesn’t want to release the practice charge. immediately follow up with a letter that the union is entitled to all of the information, or if complying with the Stewards can request a wide range of confirming your request. For example, documents as soon as it is practical to request would be burdensome, they documents, data, and other materials, you might begin your letter with: “As deliver them.” may be willing to agree to a reasonable as long as they are relevant to the griev- I indicated in our conversation earlier Anticipate the company’s objec- compromise on the grievance to avoid ance. Items requested might include today, to process this grievance I will tions and find ways around them. For giving you the information. However, accident reports, attendance records, need the following records . . .” example, employers do not have to pro- don’t make an overly broad or burden- some request just to have something to bargain with. The law doesn’t pro- tect “fishing expeditions,” nor do you have the right to information that you cannot clearly link to the grievance in question. WHEN YOU DECIDE to file that person and shows respect for Name a deadline. If you don’t Information requests are an impor- the addressee. get a response by the deadline, information request, keep tant tool in the steward’s toolbox. You contact the person immediately can’t argue a case well unless you have these basic concepts of Make sure it is going to the right to see what the difficulty is. good letter writing in mind. person. If you send it to all the facts. Like every interaction you someone who doesn’t handle Tell the recipient how to have with your employer, a profession- Every letter can be used as that information, the response contact you if more ally-handled information request raises evidence. That’s why you want could be delayed. information is needed. your credibility — with the company to put your request in writing — in and, if the grievance goes to arbitration, case you need evidence. That’s Explain the reason for Include the names and titles of with the arbitrator as well. also why you should not put any- the request. For example, anyone you are sending thing in your letter that you don’t your reason might be “To copies to, and then be sure to want used against you. process a possible grievance make copies and deliver them. If you have suggestions for involving a dismissal based on Put it on letterhead, so the an alleged fight on company If you cannot hand-deliver the topics or would like to company knows it is property . . .” Only give as much letter, consider sending it contribute an article for this official union business. explanation as needed. registered, return receipt column, please contact the requested, so you can Date the letter. Good evidence Put the request in a paragraph by document who signed for it. Reporter editorial office or includes a date. itself, so it stands out. e-mail Donald Caswell at If you send the letter by FAX, also [email protected]. Include the full name, address, If the request is long or send it in the post or hand-deliver and title of whomever you’re complicated, number the it, stating on the second copy, The editors also welcome sending it to. Doing so keeps the different items you “Delivered by FAX on
The Northeast Area honors its 2008 contestants. L. to r. are Stephen Murphy, NEABAP co-coordinator; John Cammuso, Babcock Power Inc.; Gary Gresko, L-13 apprenticeship coordinator; Jim Banford Jr., L-13 BM-ST; Paul Spear, L-29 contestant; Timothy Spencer, L-7 contestant; John Cawley, L-13 contestant (NEABAP runner-up); Sean Murphy, NE Area IVP; Chris Torrell, L-28 contestant; Jason Dupuis, NEABAP Co-Coordinator; Donald Goodwin, L-154 contestant (NEABAP winner); and John Hughes, L-154 apprenticeship coordinator. Western States Area apprentice contestants include, l. to r.: Jeremy Rosas, Local 242 (winner); Brian Van Dam, Local 182 (runner-up); David Uhl, Local 101; Southeast Susanne Donahue, Local 11; Jacob Garver, Local 500; Lionel Benally, Local 4; Local 40 places first for third (Sheffield, Ala.); and Richard Walker, Patrick Collins, Local 92; Johnny Brown Jr., Local 549; and Carrie Sanders, consecutive year Local 453 (Knoxville, Tenn.). Local 627. Union judges for the contest were FOR THE THIRD year in a row, a Local Intl. Rep William “Dusty” Garmon 40 (Elizabethtown, Ky.) member has and retired Intl. Reps Barry Edwards, won the Paul D. Wedge Memorial William Elrod, Gene Lofley, and Louis Award for the Outstanding Graduate Novak. Contractor judges included Apprentice of the Southeast Area. Wil- Chuck Harvey, B&W Const.; Randall liam Dietsch took the top honor at the James, M&D Const.; Kelly Lykins, competition, which was held July 28-31 Enerfab; Jeff Sutherland, AP Com at Local 433 in Tampa, Fla. Christopher Power; and Scott Szeghi, Enerfab. Carpenter of Local 667 (Charleston, SAJAC Coordinator Mike McCluskey W.Va.) was the runner-up. served as the testing coordinator. Winning the 40th annual event Mike Peterson, SAJAC Director, said entitled the two men to compete in the this was the fifth year in a row that the national contest Sept. 21-25 in Kansas welding segment of the competition City, Kan. did not affect the overall outcome. Other graduate apprentices com- Every contestant did well on the test. peting in the Southeast Area contest He added, “We want to thank the mem- included Brian Coln, Local 263 (Mem- bers of Local Lodge 433 and Business Southeast area apprentice contestants include, first row, l. to r.: Brian Coln, phis, Tenn.); Herschel Brown, Local 26 Manager James Barnes for hosting the Local 263; Christopher Carpenter, Local 667 (runner-up); Herschel Brown, Local (Savannah, Ga.); Brent Sexton, Local competition and a dinner for the par- 26; Brent Sexton, Local 105; and Asbury Waltz IV, Local 687. Back row, l. to r.: 105 (Chillicothe, Ohio); Asbury Waltz ticipants. And we’d like to thank H&S David Tidwell, Local 108; William Dietsch, Local 40 (winner); Jason Abeln, Local 83; IV, Local 687 (Charleston Heights, S.C.); Tool and F&M Mafco for once again Zachary Sisk, Local 455; and Richard Walker, Local 453. David Tidwell, Local 108 (Birming- loaning the equipment used in the ham, Ala.); Jason Abeln, Local 83 (Kan- competition. Their support is vital to See photos of regional winners in action during the national contest sas City, Mo.); Zachary Sisk, Local 455 our program.” q ➧ pp . 11-13 Oct • Dec 2008 apprentice news the Boilermaker Reporter - 11 Local 85’s Avery wins national apprentice competition L-647’s Zeman takes These included tube rolling, layout and second place fabrication, boiler component identifi- cation, tool identification and use, and MATTHEW AVERY, a fourth-genera- CPR. Contestants laid out a small boiler tion Boilermaker from Local 85 (Toledo, hopper replica to scale, calculated Ohio), placed first in the 21st annual dimensions, cut and bent the metal, Boilermakers National Outstanding and assembled the replica. Another Apprenticeship Competition Sept. task involved laying out a structural 21-25. Teammate Richard Zeman, Local member with precise alignment of 647 (Minneapolis), took second. The bolt holes. pair also won the team award, repre- In the welding section, judges evalu- senting the Great Lakes Area. ated the contestants’ skills in tube weld- Results of the four-day competi- ing, plate welding (using 3/16- and tion, held at the Boilermakers National 5/32-diameter welding rods), burning, Training Center in Kansas City, Kan., stud welding, arc gouging, and safety. were announced at an awards banquet The apprentices were given five Sept. 25 at the Westin Crown Center in hours to remove and replace a failed Kansas City, Mo. tube from a waterwall section. They Other graduate apprentices compet- measured and cut the tube, then ing this year were, from the Western replaced it using heliarc and SMAW States, Jeremy Rosas, Local 242 (Spo- techniques. Judges assessed measur- kane, Wash.), and Brian Van Dam, Local ing skills, quality of cuts, beveling, and 182 (Salt Lake City); from the Southeast membrane welding. Welds were tested Area, William Dietsch, Local 40 (Eliza- by X-ray for conformance to ASME Matthew Avery of L-85 (Toledo, Ohio) raises his first-place trophy during the bethtown, Ky.), and Christopher Car- (American Society of Mechanical Engi- 2008 National Outstanding Apprenticeship Award banquet held in Kansas City penter, Local 667 (Charleston, W.Va.); neers) standards, with points deducted Sept. 25. and from the Northeast Area, Donald for any weld failures. Goodwin Jr., Local 154 (Pittsburgh), and “One of the inspectors told me he was John Cawley, Local 13 (Philadelphia). impressed by the exceptional quality of banquet held on the final day of the “I didn’t think I had All eight contestants earned their these welds,” said Standish. “And he event. The banquet honored all of the a chance.” way to the national event by winning was surprised to learn they were made contestants and acknowledged those by graduate apprentices. I have noticed the top spot in their local lodge com- who promote the Boilermaker appren- FOR 27-YEAR-OLD Matthew Avery, petition and finishing in one of the top in recent years that the quality of welds ticeship program throughout the year. during our competition has become winning the national apprentice compe- two spots in their area competition. “These apprentice graduates are our tition was totally unexpected. “I didn’t consistently high. I take my hat off to all future,” said Pat Smith, National Coor- the Boilermaker instructors around the think I had a chance,” he said, noting Apprentices compete in dinator for the Boilermakers National that in the Great Lakes Area competi- country who are teaching these appren- Apprenticeship Program (BNAP). four areas tices superb welding skills.” tion, which qualified him for the nation- “They conducted themselves at a pro- als, he placed second behind Richard Judges for the 2008 competition fessional level this week, and I’m very BNAP LEAD INSTRUCTOR John Zeman, his partner at the nationals. were, from the Great Lakes Area, Robert proud of them. Standish said the 2008 competition Added to the stress of competition Schwartz, Assistant Business Manager “One of the contractors at the com- mirrored last year’s event, with con- was the fact that Avery and his wife, for Local 1 (Chicago), and Joe Fisher petition told me he would be willing testants vying for points in four areas: Jennifer, who live in Bowling Green, of Enerfab Inc.; from the Northeast to hire every one of these apprentices. classroom, rigging, Boilermaker skills, Ohio, were expecting the birth of Area, Bob Pandori, Local 5, Zone 197 He said, ‘They can go to work for me and welding. Contestants could earn a their second child in the days leading (New York), and Larry Ross of NAES tomorrow and they won’t be in the field maximum of 300 points in each area. up to the national event. “We were Power Contractors; from the South- very long. They will [soon] be in man- The classroom work included a worried she wouldn’t come in time,” east Area, International Rep Stephen agement and supervision.’“ 10-hour written exam on Boilermaker he said. Daughter Mae Lynn arrived Speed, and Randall James of M & D This year’s ceremonies included history and organization, OSHA safety Sept. 14, exactly one week before Power Constructors; from the Western a change in format — there was no rules, and on-the-job training issues. the competition. States, Douglas Farnes, retired Boiler- National Recognition Award. Intl. In the rigging test, contestants set up Avery said he is looking forward to maker from Local 11 (Helena, Mont.), Vice President Sean Murphy, chair- and performed a tank lift using winches, following in the footsteps of other Boil- and Kenneth Null of Babcock & Wil- man of the BNAP board of trustees, a boom derrick, and an equalizer beam, ermaker family members. His father, cox Construction Co. Inc.; and from the said, “There are just so many people controlling the lift using hand signals. Buck, is a superintendent for URS National Transient Division, Interna- who support the apprenticeship pro- The tank had to be placed onto a pad Washington Group in Monroe, Mich. tional Rep Ronny Vanscoy and George gram, who offer their knowledge and at a specific elevation and nozzle loca- His grandfather, Charles, worked as a Deem of Fisher Tank Co. expertise, their personal time, and their tion. The test required contestants to Boilermaker, and his great-grandfather, William Elrod, retired AIP, served as commitment. It has become difficult reeve a four-part line and calculate the Ernie, was a Boilermaker at the Toledo, the test administrator. to single out one or two people each percentages of the load to be carried Ohio, shipyards. year without omitting others who are by the line and the derrick. Also in this Avery said one thing he learned at the Banquet honors equally deserving. Also, International section, contestants showed their skills national competition is just how similar President Jones and I feel the focus with ropes and knots as well as blocks contestants Boilermakers are, no matter what part really needs to stay on the contestants. and reeving. of the country they are from. “We’re all Our purpose is to honor them and Apprentices competed in five areas THE RESULTS OF the 2008 competition roughnecks who like to get the job done their achievements.” under the Boilermaker skills’ section. were announced during the awards — and do it right.” q
Dietsch & Carpenter | Boiler hopper Rosas | Burn test Goodwin | Plate welding Van Dam | Tube welding Zeman | Tube rolling Cawley | Stud welding 12 - the Boilermaker Reporter apprentice news Oct • Dec 2008
Zeman & Avery | Tank lift Goodwin | Grinding membrane Avery | Knot tying Rosas & Van Dam | Boiler hopper Rosas | Tube rolling
Zeman | Tube welding
LARGE PHOTOS Pictured at bottom from l. to r.: Jeremy Rosas, Local 242, reeves a block during the rigging exercise. Brian Van Dam, Local 182, punches a template during the burn test. Richard Dietsch, Local 40, works through a reeving test. John Cawley, Local 13, uses arc gouging to remove a weld. Oct • Dec 2008 APPRENTICE NEWS the Boilermaker Reporter - 13
Ë LARGE PHOTOS Pictured at top from far left: Christopher Carpenter, Local 667, welds a new tube section. Richard Zeman, Local 647, burns a French curve pattern in plate steel. Donald Goodwin Jr., Local 154, tests a stud weld. Matthew Avery, Local 85, uses a “lady slipper” to bead a tube (protecting the tube end from abrasion).
Goodwin | Arc gouging
Van Dam | Tube rolling Cawley | Plate welding Cawley & Goodwin | Boiler hopper Dietsch & Carpenter | Tank lift
551928_P01_24x.indd1928_P01_24x.indd 1313 112/1/082/1/08 7:18:487:18:48 PMPM 14 - the Boilermaker Reporter apprentice news Oct • Dec 2008
Local 199 dedicates new rigging facility Structure named in of Local 199, serves as an the local lodge’s July member- rigging facility. Also pictured honor of SAJAC’s Assistant to the International ship meeting, the structure are fourth-year instructors Lee Pictured above: SAJAC President and Director of was named the Michael C. Kemp, David McKendree, Eric Director Mike Peterson Mike Peterson SAJAC — the Boilermakers’ Peterson Training Center in Olson, and Joe Rush, along kneels in front of the rigging Southeast Area Joint Appren- recognition of Peterson’s sup- with apprentices from Locals structure named in his honor Members of Local 199 ticeship Committee. port of and cooperation with 26 (Savannah, Ga.), 199, 433 by members of Local 199 (Jacksonville, Fla.) dedicated The new rigging structure the lodge as it developed its (Tampa), and 687 (Charleston (Jacksonville, Fla.). their new rigging training was completed just two days training program. Heights, S.C.). Not pictured structure to Michael Peterson before Local 199 hosted its first In the accompanying photo, are instructors Clyde Brown Aug. 29. Peterson, a gradu- fourth-year apprenticeship Peterson kneels in front of the and Doug Walker. q ate apprentice and member class. By a unanimous vote at apprentice-made sign for the L-128 apprentices graduate Joe McLean accepted his award, thanking his receives outstanding instructors and expressing a wish for trade solidarity. apprentice award “I want to thank Ed Hoffmann, my Boilermaker instructor, for everything Nine graduating apprentices he did. He made the class enjoyable and of Local 128 (Toronto, Ontario) were made us work for our marks,” McLean among those honored May 20th at the said. “Ed Frerotte, Lodge 128’s train- 40th anniversary of the Sarnia/Lamb- ing coordinator, also helped me a lot. ton County Mechanical Trades Appren- People should know — if they don’t tice Graduation of Southern Ontario. know already — that Ed Frerotte is a Canadian Prime Minister Stephen good man.” Harper congratulated the graduates McLean, who represented L-128 for choosing such a rewarding career at the 2007 Canadian Boilermaker and spoke on the need for more skilled apprenticeship competition, further tradespersons in Canada. stated: “I wish all the trades would get Harper presented an award to Local along; it would just move our cause fur- 128 graduate apprentice Joe McLean ther ahead. We are all union members Prime Minister Stephen Harper (c.) meets with L-128 graduating apprentices, l. to r., Appren. Coord. Ed Frerotte, Bus. Rep Dale Quinn, Jamie as the outstanding apprentice for all working together to get the job done trades in the Sarnia/Lambton County Hastings, Scot McDonald, Rod McLelland, PM Harper, Parliament Mbr. Pat right the first time.” Davison, Joe McLean, Todd Gardner, Bus. Rep and Pres. John Petronski, and of Southern Ontario. McLean had Graduating with McLean were Local earned the highest marks of all trades’ then-BM-ST Jim Tinney. Not pictured are graduates Stephanie Maughn, Art 128 members Jarred Cook, Todd Gard- Lukasiewicz, Jarred Cook, and Dave McCarthy. apprentices during his apprenticeship. ner, Jamie Hastings, Art Lukasiewicz, In front of Boilermakers, Ironwork- Stephanie Maughn, Dave McCarthy, ers, Pipefitters, Millwrights, Operating Scot McDonald, and Rod McLelland. q Engineers, and other trades, McLean
ON JUNE 13 Boilermaker appren- “The first-year apprenticeship tices from the Southeast Area Joint class represented their trade with Apprenticeship Committee (SAJAC) dignity and pride,” reports SAJAC Program marched in a Flag Day instructor and L-263 member Rod- parade in Jacksonville, Fla. Joined by ney Evans. Fifty apprentices and SAJAC instructors, they represented four instructors participated in the Florida Locals 199 (Jacksonville) and event, making them one of the larg- 433 (Tampa), South Carolina Local est groups in the parade. 687 (Charleston Heights), and Ten- nessee Local 263 (Memphis). Holding a banner at the Jacksonville, Fla., Flag Day parade with SAJAC instructor Eric Olson (second from left) are first-year apprentices (l. to r.) Glen Wiley, Matt Hersey, and Warren Bush. Oct • Dec 2008 jobs & kudos the Boilermaker Reporter - 15 L-359 signs on for aluminum plant modernization Project labor agreement ing hours of work, the wages, benefits, and called “one of a kind” other contractual terms that exist between the unions and their employers will remain RIO TINTO ALCAN’S planned modernization in effect.” of its aluminum smelter operations in Kitimat, The PLA also calls for hiring local residents British Columbia, reached a milestone Aug. 28 in British Columbia, including from Native when Local 359 (Vancouver, British Colum- American tribes in the area (called First Nations bia) and 15 other labor unions joined the Kiti- in Canada). mat Employer Association in signing a project Halley said about 300 Boilermakers will be labor agreement (PLA). needed on the job, and work is estimated to last The $2.5-billion project will apply Rio Tin- between one-and-a-half to two years. Rio Tinto to’s proprietary AP technology to increase alu- estimates that the modernization will involve minum production capacity by more than 40 about 2,000 workers, and about 1,000 perma- percent (from 275,000 tons per year to 400,000) nent jobs will be created. while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Jean Simon, president of Rio Tinto’s Primary according to the company. Metal North America, said, “The tight con- A Rio Tinto press release described the proj- struction market has been a concern for the ect labor agreement as “one of a kind.” L-359 Kitimat Modernization Project, and this agree- BM-ST Phil Halley agrees. “This is an unusual ment directly addresses that key issue as we go PLA in that each of the 16 unions on the project forward for final board approval.” will essentially keep the existing agreements The Kitimat Employer Association L-359 BM-ST Phil Halley, left, joins 15 other Canadian labor they have with the various contractors. While includes project manager Bechtel and unions in signing a project labor agreement to modernize the Rio contractors and subcontractors participating Tinto Alcan aluminum plant in Kitimat, British Columbia. the PLA will set some conditions, such as pre- q screening for alcohol and drugs and establish- in the agreement. Maiara uses blacksmithing skills on and off the job Allegheny Energy Local 5 member’s values relationship ancestors were with Local 667 blacksmiths, too ON BEHALF OF Allegheny Energy, INSIDE THE SANITATION Depart- we would like to express our ment’s massive Central Repair Shop sincere appreciation to you in Woodside, N.Y., Ray Maiara sweats [L-667 BM-ST George Pinkerman] away at a job that many people think and the members of Local 667 disappeared along with the horse [Charleston, W.Va.] for helping to and buggy. make our recent Ft. Martin Unit #2 He’s a blacksmith — one of the few left working for New York City. outage a success. He spends his days forging metal Working as a team, the and steel, creating parts for Sanitation Boilermakers helped Allegheny Department vehicles. Energy and Minnotte Contracting But in his free time, Maiara gets to put bring the unit back on budget his talents to more creative use by craft- and ahead of schedule. The effort ing ornamental swords and jewelry for put forth by the Boilermakers, his wife and teenage daughter. He also Local 5’s Ray Maiara works the roller at the Central Repair Shop, where he in a safety-conscious manner, enjoys etching and blowing glass. makes parts for New York Sanitation Department vehicles. was a major factor in this outage A member of New York Local 5, Mai- being a success. ara also put his talents to use designing “There aren’t a lot of places to prac- In times like these when work a medallion to give to family members tice these trades. This has always been a is plentiful, we sincerely value of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks traditional way for immigrants to jump on the World Trade Center. the relationship that we have into a decent life.” established with the Boilermakers Maiara, 49, has deep family roots in Even though it’s tough and some- the field. His great-grandfather started times dangerous work, Maiara said he over the years. We realize a blacksmith business when he arrived would never swap it for an office job. that skilled craftsmen are at a in the United States from Italy in the “I have to work with my hands. I premium, and we appreciate the late 1800s. His mother’s Irish family get restless,” he said. “I can’t sit inside.” response from the Boilermakers members also were blacksmiths. Local 5 BM-ST Tom Klein says Local and their leadership to staff our He admits the title seems “archaic,” 5 represents about 29 blacksmiths — project at Ft. Martin — one of but insists the work of a blacksmith members who can create objects from Local 5’s Ray Maiara holds the Allegheny’s most important plants. is vital to modern-day needs. Maiara iron or steel by forging the metal; i.e., Thanks again, and we look makes parts for salt spreaders, collec- die and the finished medallions he using tools to hammer, bend, cut, and designed for families of 9/11 victims. forward to our continued good tion trucks, and other vehicles — parts otherwise shape it. These members that are either obsolete or hard to get on relationship on future projects. work in the Departments of Transpor- work as true blacksmiths — members a timely basis. tation, Parks, Schools, Sanitation, and As the number of blacksmiths on the who make tools by hand without the Ge o r g e J. Fa r a h , Fire, located throughout the five bor- use of a forging machine. Thousands construction exec. dir. city payroll dwindles, the number of oughs of New York City. lesser-paid metalwork mechanics has more possess some blacksmithing “They are a very small group of skills and work as forgers using rollers, An t h o n y J. Ca n t a n e s e , increased. This is a concern for Maiara, union workers considering there are a shop steward for Local 5. presses, and other machinery to form gen. maint. dir. over 110,000 union municipal workers parts and tools. q These blue-collar, city jobs are even who we are associated with in NYC,” more important, given New York’s loss Klein said. Parts of this story are reproduced of manufacturing businesses over the Nationwide, the Boilermakers union with permission of the New York Daily years, he said. represents about 200 members who News, L.P. 16 - the Boilermaker Reporter LOCAL NEWS Oct • Dec 2008 L-128 members form society to help others
Members of the Bruce Society of Boilermakers include L-128 members, l. to r., Jim Watson, Kenny Kilday, Terry Keenan, Dan Greig, Gerry Burke, and Jim Barefoot. Bruce Society of The group is based loosely on the United Society of Boilermakers Boilermakers has raised of 1834 in Great Britain. Its members over $40,000 for groups meet monthly and help the commu- and individuals nity where they live in Bruce County, hence the name Bruce Society Rep. Tim Murphy (R-18th PA), right, joins Keith Quinn, son of L-154 WHEN MEMBERS OF Local 128 of Boilermakers. Sec.-Treas. Dan Quinn, in a Steve Miller number. (Toronto, Ontario) learned that one of “When Terry Keenan was diagnosed their members had a brain tumor, they with an incurable brain tumor, we all collected money at the plant gate to thought he was gone,” explained com- help support him and planned a golf mittee member Kenny Kilday. “But Rep. Murphy ‘in tune’ tournament to raise more funds. Their he has amazed everyone with his grit efforts were so successful they decided and determination not to allow this to continue their work by forming the tumor to stand in his way. Our efforts with Local 154 to help him led to the formation of Bruce Society of Boilermakers. They Congressman plays guitar for members on Labor Day have since raised over $40,000 to help this committee.” ❑ people in need. WHEN LOCAL 154 (Pittsburgh) members say U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy rocks, they really mean it. Not only does the Republican representative (18th District) support many of the lodge’s issues — he even lends his musical talent to entertain its members. That was the case Sept. 1, when Murphy strapped himself to a guitar at the What is a Boilermaker? lodge’s Labor Day celebration and strummed away with the band, “Pita.” “Congressman Murphy joined the band for a Steve Miller number called ‘The Joker,’” said Dan Quinn, L-154 Sec.-Treas., whose son, Keith, is a member of the band. “The crowd loved it!” Quinn said. “They didn’t want him to quit.” Quinn said over a thousand members and guests attended the Labor Day picnic, which attracted local and state officials as well as U.S. Rep. Murphy. Boilermakers and their guests marched together in the annual parade in Pittsburgh before returning to the union hall for lunch and entertainment. ❑ Daughter of L-105 member earns medical degree Union scholarship winner to practice internal medicine MIRANDA BETH BINION graduated May 12 with honors from the Univer- sity of Kentucky College of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. She is the daughter of Sheila Flaugher Bin- ion and Jesse F. Binion, a 29-year mem- ber of Local 105 (Chillicothe, Ohio), and granddaughter of retired Local 105 members Jack Binion and the late Ed Flaugher. Once she completes her three-year Daughter of L-667 member answers this residency at the University of Kentucky question for Social Studies project Chandler Medical Center, Dr. Binion plans to practice internal medicine near KRISTIAN WILLIAMS, 10-year-old daughter of Local 667 her hometown of Grayson, Ky. member Dave “Swifty” Williams (Charleston, W.Va.), won first Dr. Binion was a 1999 recipient of place at her county Social Studies fair for her project, “What is a the Local 105 Don Storey Scholarship Miranda Beth Binion, daughter of Boilermaker?” She is pictured here with her dad at the West Award and a $4,000 Union Plus Schol- L-105 member Jesse Binion, graduated Virginia State Social Studies Fair. Even though she didn’t win at arship winner. Her sister, Jessica, earned with honors from the University of the state level, she earned 95 out of a possible 100 points, making the Local 105 scholarship in 1997. ❑ Kentucky College of Medicine. her family and teachers very proud.
551928_P01_24x.indd1928_P01_24x.indd 1616 112/1/082/1/08 7:25:507:25:50 PMPM Oct • Dec 2008 LOCAL NEWS the Boilermaker Reporter - 17 L-104 members keep boat ‘ship-shape’ for
[Our members] do the job TV show right, because they want to Northwestern completes make sure the boats and crews return home safely each and its fourth season on every fishing season. “Deadliest Catch” — L-104 BM-ST Gary Powers MEMBERS OF LOCAL 104 not only built the Northwestern, a fishing vessel owned by the Hansen family in Seattle, work for our guys, as the owners will but they keep it in good working order have the money to pay for repairs and between seasons of the television series, equipment upgrades that are needed “Deadliest Catch.” after a rough fishing season on the The McCarthy family is grateful for all the help they received from the The boat is one of six fishing vessels Bering Sea.” Boilermakers’ national funds office. L. to r., Lisa, Aliya, Jennifer, Sean, Darin, featured on the Discovery Channel pro- According to L-104 bus. rep Dean and Melissa. gram, which documents Alaskan king Calhoun, Local 104 members built the crab and Opilio crab fishing in the Ber- Northwestern in 1977 at the Marco Ship- ing Sea. In between television seasons yard, and over the next two decades National funds office (the show just completed its fourth), have made significant changes to Local 104 members make sure the ves- the boat. helps McCarthy family sel is seaworthy at Pacific Fisherman Originally 108 feet in length, the Inc., a small shipyard owned by a group boat was lengthened to 118 feet in 1987 Loan, health care tance. Not only was he able to get of commercial fishermen in Seattle. so it could pack more crab and carry insurance, he also learned he could get “When I watch the show, two things more crab pots (cage-like traps). In assistance make tragedy a loan against his annuity account to use always come to mind,” reports Gary 1991, a “pot limit” was introduced to easier to bear as a down payment for a larger house. Powers, Local 104 BM-ST. “First, our the Alaskan crab fishery, and the boat “I’ve been a Boilermaker for almost members definitely know how to build, was lengthened again, this time to 125 DARIN MCCARTHY, 48, and his wife, 30 years, and I’m telling you all the peo- repair, and maintain vessels. These feet, in order to attain the maximum pot Lisa, thought they were done raising ple in the national funds office are great boats take a beating, and everything limit of 250 pots per vessel. kids. The business manager of Local to work with,” McCarthy said. our guys are responsible for always The Northwestern is operated by 500 (Portland) has a grown, 27-year-old According to administrators of holds together. 18-year Captain Sig Hansen with the daughter, Jennifer, and a two-year-old the Boilermakers’ national funds “Second, I always keep an eye on the help of his younger brothers, deck granddaughter, Aliya. office, participants who have at catch. After all, a good season for the boss Edgar Hansen and deckhand But when his brother died in April least five years in the Annuity Plan “Deadliest Catch” boats means more Norman Hansen. ❑ and his sister-in-law in May, McCa- (and meet other criteria), can take rthy took in his niece and nephew — out a loan against their annuity for and their 135-pound dog — to raise as education, medical his own. and funeral expenses, “When some- home purchase, home thing tragic like this improvement, and home happens, it is just foreclosure or tax sale. natural to ask, ‘Why “Now my daughter did this happen to and granddaughter live me?’” McCarthy said. in my old house, and “But the real ques- my wife and I — along tion is, ‘Why did this with Melissa, Sean, and happen to them?’” Max — have a much McCarthy now larger house to call home,” has custody of nine- McCarthy said. year-old Melissa and But losing both of their seven-year-old Sean. And don’t forget parents within a month of each other Max, their Bull Mastiff! has been devastating for Melissa and “This dog is so big he almost needs Sean. They now worry about losing his own room,” McCarthy said. Darin and Lisa as well. “Despite his massive size I had to keep “It has been a big adjustment for all him; the kids had already lost so much. of us,” McCarthy said. “I’ve gotten the In fact, the dog sleeps with Melissa — kids to see grief counselors. When they they both cry if separated at night. said they were orphans, it broke my L-104 members pose on the deck of the Northwestern, one of six boats “The first thing I needed to do was heart, and I quickly reassured them that featured on the TV show, “Deadliest Catch.” L. to r., Dallas Jacobson, Michael get health insurance for these kids,” they were not alone — that they now Wilson, Thomas Hardy, Shawn Wills, Vern Stephens, Gloria Guerra, Manuel McCarthy said. He called the Boiler- had all of us [including the Boilermak- Osorio, Steve Knowles, John Ajax, and David Dizard. makers’ national funds office for assis- ers] as their family.” ❑ Local P4 members raise funds for hospital, president MEMBERS OF LOCAL P4 by the end of this year will have a cam- (Youngstown, Ohio) have been busy pus operation dedicated to pediatrics in raising funds for their community and Boardman, Ohio. local lodge president. Local P4 members also co-spon- For 10 years they have conducted sored a benefit spaghetti dinner for golf outings to raise money for local their acting president, Greg Smith, hospitals. This year they raised $3,500 who lost his home to a fire. Held for the Akron Children’s Hospital, June 26, the dinner was also spon- donating the money to Dr. Mary Cos- sored by employees of Rural Metro tello on Aug. 13. The hospital started a Ambulance, friends, and former Local L-104 members Vern Stephens (l.) and John Ajax inspect the final fit of a new satellite operation in Youngstown, and P4 members. ❑ shaft tube for the Northwestern at Pacific Fisherman Inc.
551928_P01_24x.indd1928_P01_24x.indd 1717 112/1/082/1/08 7:34:337:34:33 PMPM 18 - the Boilermaker Reporter local news Oct • Dec 2008 Frank Linton now welds for fun L-40 retiree creates Linton has been drawing and metal art using skills he painting all of his life but has only been creating metal art since 2004. developed on the job He begins each piece by designing a metal framework. Using 16-gauge After working 35 years as a carbon steel, stainless steel, and field construction Boilermaker, Frank steel cable, Linton cuts most of the Linton is now using his welding steel pieces with metal shears and skills to create some rather spectacu- a plasma arc. He then welds the lar metal art. pieces to the framework using his Linton, who joined Local 40 (Eliz- MIG welder. abethtown, Ky.) in 1973, may have Each piece of art is intricate in its retired two years design and detail, and takes days to ago, but complete. The turkey, for example, he never took seven days, ending with Linton put away hand painting the final details. The Local 5 donates hand his welding Blue Heron sculpture includes cat- tools. Instead, tails, lily pads, and dragonflies. he has been tools to soldiers Linton’s art is not for sale. How- New York Local 5 members The 1/69th is a New York Army using them to ever, he did donate his first piece — a make herons, enjoy a “topping off” ceremony to cel- National Guard unit. The soldiers Blue Heron sculpture colored with ebrate placement of the highest beam were redeployed to Afghanistan, and turkeys, deer, steel bluing — to the Relay for Life and ducks. at the Yaphank Long Island work site, had asked for tools to make repairs. Cancer Society, where it sold at where they raised funds to purchase The Local 5 purchase included wrench auction for $576. hand tools for the 1st Battalion, “Fight- sets, air tool kits, hoses, drills, saws, ing 69th” Infantry (Mechanized). and flashlights. q
L-40 retiree Frank Linton displays two of his paintings and samples of his metal art — a life-size turkey and a sculpture of Blue Herons. Hamilton’s son will play
college baseball Retired L-69 BM-ST Donnie Ray Jones, front row, holding bridle, and his B.J. HAMILTON, son of Railroad wife, Jackie (in red jacket) celebrate Sum Boilermaker’s first-place finish. Services Division Dir. Danny Hamilton, will play baseball at “Sum Boilermaker” wins in Oklahoma Pikeville College in Pikeville, Ky., next spring. A standout pitcher, outfielder, and catcher while at Russell High School in Russell, Retired Local 69 Ky., Hamilton signed with the Division I, NAIA, Bears earlier this year. officer races horses RETIRED L-69 BM-ST Donnie Ray “Sum Boilermaker — what a great Jones is living his dream, breeding name!” Jones said. “As do all Boiler- and racing horses. A Boilermaker makers, my horse performed and gave since 1976, Jones served two terms me his all.” as the lodge’s top officer before Jones came early to his passion for calling it quits last year. horse racing, riding his uncle’s work But retirement didn’t mean Jones horse when he was a young boy. “At Grandson lands was ready to sit back in an easy chair. age 16, I was an exercise jockey for a the big one Instead, he stayed active at his farm horse called Billy Bar Bull, which was KALOB HALLAUER, center, in Romance, Ark., raising thorough- the grandson of Man o’ War [a horse uses hand gestures to show breds. He entered several horses some consider to be the greatest how he landed an eight-pound bass in races, and on Dec. 9, 2007, one of thoroughbred of all time].” in Perryville, Mo. The 8-year-old is them put him in the winner’s circle. Jones credits the Boilermakers’ union the grandson of Larry Rumsey, a On that day, Sum Boilermaker and its leadership throughout the seven-year member of the National streaked to the finish line to place years for the opportunity to earn a first at the Blue Ribbon Downs in good living and fulfill his dream Transient Lodge (at left) and his q wife, Debbie. Sallisaw, Okla. in retirement. Oct • Dec 2008 local news the Boilermaker Reporter - 19 Locals award service pins
Local 1 — Chicago 50 Ye a r s – Marvin D. Stickney, Bobby G. Warman; Jo h n Sk e r m o n t , BM-ST of Local 45 Ye a r s – James Hartzog, 1, Chicago, reports presentation of William Kuntze; membership pins to the following: 40 Ye a r s – James W. Berg, Gregory 40 Ye a r s – James McIntyre; J. Covetz, Giusepp Grillo, Aldred 35 Ye a r s – William Holmes, John D. Jenerou, James R. McCrum, Gerald Mooney; T. McKinney, Gerald R. Pedrys, 30 Ye a r s – James McGhie Jr., Edward H. Richter, Jerry J. Starr, Christopher Pranger; and John R. Valiquette, Clayton J. Vanslambrouck; Baltimore retired L-193 member Eldon P . L-582 (Baton Rouge, La ). members receive 25 Ye a r s – Dennis Bjorgo, Steven 35 Ye a r s Gold receives his 50-year membership pin. pins: Bob Douglas (l.) for 55-years and Lambert, Russell Showalter. – Thomas G. Booth, Dennis W. Etter, Michael D. Garner, David nephew Don Smith for 25 years. Local 169 — Detroit B. Hagaman, Richard L. Hall, Steven L-502 — Tacoma, Wash. R. Kosnik, Charles C. Oyler, John L. Sample, William R. Schultz Jr., An t h o n y Ja c o b s , BM-ST of Local Ra n d y Ro b b i n s , BM-ST of Local 502, 35 Ye a r s – David Becker, Ken Boe, 169, Detroit, reports presentation of Darwin J. Scott, Sherman R. Usher, Tacoma, Wash., reports presentation of Wallace Cox Sr., Ed Goebel, David membership pins to the following: John D. Watkins; membership pins to the following: Grundvig, Rod Karppinen, Ken 30 Ye a r s – James Allen, Paul S. Kelley, Donald Norris, 65 Ye a r s – Delmar Visser; 50 Ye a r s Germond II; and – John Bleichner, Randy Robbins; 60 Ye a r s – Raymond W. Baur, Robert Eddy; 25 Ye a r s – Kenneth D. Brydon, Lee M. 30 Ye a r s – David Dooley, Jeff Robert S. Showers; 45 Ye a r s Bushong, Ross W. MacLeod, Timothy L. – Earl Force, Tighe Mounts; Gilligan, Robert Hanes, Ken Linden, 55 Ye a r s – Charles E. Forbush, Moubray, Gregory V. Theodore, Bruce 40 Ye a r s – Robert Aldo, Michael Johnny Magdaleno; and Carl C. Wanerus; A. Vardon, Ted C. Vore, Michael A. Zobl. Begay, Maurice Crawford, Robert 25 Ye a r s – Michael Copley, John DeMarce, Ed Eixenberger, Lex Gaskell, Ed Mathieson, Kris Morse. Rigsby, John Robinson, James Sams; New contract summaries A brief listing of recent agreements signed and ratified by Boilermaker local lodges
L-13 — Philadelphia L-242 — Spokane, Wash. Effective April 23, 2008 to March 31, 2011, for four Effective May 5, 2008 to May 4, 2011, for 74 mem- members of Local 13, Philadelphia, who perform bers of Local 242, Spokane, Wash., who make shop and field work in the oil and gas division of pre-engineered steel buildings for Garco Building Integra Services Technologies Inc. Systems. Garco has been designing, manufactur- ing, and distributing steel building systems for L-M18 — Buffalo, N.Y. industrial, community, and agricultural applica- tions since 1958. Effective June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2011, for 24 members of Local M18, Buffalo, N.Y., who make L-D449 — West Windsor, Vt. metal plating at the Keystone Corp. Effective May 12, 2008 to May 11, 2011, for 23 L-M68 — Cincinnati members of Local D449, West Windsor, Vt., who make talc at Luzenac America for the paper, plas- Negotiating a four-year agreement for L-D500 members Effective April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010, for 75 tic, paint, rubber, cosmetic, ceramic, pharmaceuti- members of Local M68, Cincinnati, who work at at Carmeuse Lime & Stone are, l. to r., front row, John cal, animal feed, soap, and roofing industries. Wirgow, Gary Luetzow, Jeff Hoedel; back row, Anthony Micro Metal Finishing LLC, providing high vol- Lafleche, Roger Nash, IR Mark Kelly, and Jeff Karsten. ume metal finishing services for the automotive, L-480 — Jacksonville, Ill. appliance, tool, and fastener industries. Effective May 17, 2008 to May 17, 2011, for 330 fuel grids, cages, top and bottom end fittings, fuel L-128 — Toronto members of Local 480, Jacksonville, Ill., who make rod end caps, and control element assemblies. cooking and food oil at A.C. Humko. Products Effective Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010, for five include shortening, salad oil, margarine, vegetable L-744 — Cleveland members of Local 128, Toronto, who make gaskets oil, and meat fats. for heat exchangers at AGS Flexitallic, and effec- Effective Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010, for mem- tive Jan.1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2012, for 34 Local 128 L-D494 — Burlington, Ontario bers of Local 744, Cleveland, who work at Eagle members who fabricate structural steel at Promart Mechanical LLC, a mechanical and heating con- Industrial Fabricators. Effective Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010, for 22 mem- tractor in Youngstown, Ohio. bers of Local D494, Burlington, Ontario, who L-158 — Peoria, Ill. work in the Caledon aggregate quarry for Lafarge L-1247 — Chicago Canada Inc. Lafarge provides aggregates for a Effective Feb. 18, 2008 to Feb. 13, 2010, for six broad range of construction applications. Products Effective Feb. 23, 2008 to Feb. 22, 2011, for five members of Local 158, Peoria, Ill., who make include a full line of graded stone in various sizes, members of Local 1247, Chicago, who work in equipment for railroad track maintenance at as well as concrete and masonry sand, gravel, and maintenance at Aramark Uniforms & Career Teleweld. Founded in 1939 as a welding contrac- slag aggregates. Apparel LLC, a provider of uniforms and rugs tor for the railroad industry, Teleweld also manu- (and uniform cleaning) to health care institutions, factures grinders, rail saws, and other related L-D500 — Rogers City, Mich. universities and school districts, stadiums and equipment it has developed over the years. arenas, and businesses around the world. And Effective Aug. 1, 2008 to July 31, 2012, for 111 effective April 15, 2008 to April 15, 2011, for 43 L-S185 — Belleville, Ill. members of Local D500, Rogers City, Mich., who Local 1247 members who work at Midwestern make crushed lime stone in the calcite operation Rust Proof Inc., a provider of functional and dec- Effective April 15, 2008 to April 15, 2009, for 33 of Carmeuse Lime & Stone. orative metal coating services for over 80 years. members of Local S185, Belleville, Ill., who per- form fabrication work at Roesch Inc. Founded in L-558 — Windsor, Conn. L-1620 — Portland, Ind. 1916 as a porcelain enamel contract manufacturer, Roesch has expanded as a custom jobber to major Effective June 30, 2008 to June 26, 2011, for 65 Effective May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2013, for 178 cooking appliance, heating, ventilating, and air members of Local 558, Windsor, Conn., who work members of L-1620, Portland, Ind., who work at conditioning manufacturers. at the Westinghouse Electric Co., fabricating fuel Portland Forge, producing custom, impression die product components for nuclear reactors such as hot forgings for auto, truck, and other industries. 20 - the Boilermaker Reporter guest commentary Oct • Dec 2008
Six Little Words by David Sirota
istory books teem Enter Geoghegan’s six words. workers should be empowered When Geoghegan and I fin- with six-word phrases, If the Civil Rights Act was to defend themselves. ished chatting, I remembered Hfrom the comfort- amended to prevent discrimi- The six words would do just why I believe he is America’s ing (“Nothing to fear but fear nation “on the basis of union that. Regardless of whether most talented writer and thinker itself ”) to the inspiring (“Mr. membership,” it would curtail the NLRB is strengthened or on labor issues. His relative Gorbachev, tear down this wall”) corporations’ anti-labor assault further weakened, persecuted anonymity is a tragicomic com- to the embarrassing (“Read my by making the right to join a workers would be able to haul mentary on the media and the lips, no new taxes”). But the six union an official civil right. union-busting thugs into court. American Left. The Milton words, “on the basis of union “Hang on,” I interrupted. There — unlike at the NLRB — Friedmans are celebrated by membership” could be more “Joining a union isn’t a plaintiffs can subpoena company pundits and cast in bronze by momentous than any of those. civil right?” records and win costly conservative think tanks, while Though hardly Roosevelt’s rhet- Correct. punitive damages. the Geoghegans are dismissed oric, Reagan’s bluster, or Bush’s Under current law, if you Bolstering his argument, by the chattering class and clumsiness, the clause could are fired for union activity, you Geoghegan told me to consider ignored by a progressive move- solve America’s wage crisis. can only take your grievance to variations in corporate behavior. ment that regularly venerates Of course, when Tom the National Labor Relations For example, because the Hollywood celebrities as Geoghegan told me this in Board (NLRB) — a byzan- Civil Rights Act bars racial dis- its heroes. a Chicago park two weeks tine agency deliberately made crimination, businesses are moti- Perhaps, though, this pro- ago, I almost snarfed my cof- more Kafkaesque by right-wing vated to try to prevent bigotry: posal will change things. In fee through my nose. Solving appointees and budget cuts. They want to avoid being sued. developing a way to shift incen- major social problems typically Today, the NLRB takes years This is why no company brags tives, Geoghegan has discovered demands more than six words. to rule on labor law violations, about being racist. a solution that both unionists But as the longtime labor lawyer often granting victims only their But when it comes to unions, and economists can love. It cribs and author explained his idea back pay — a tiny cost of there is no such deterrent. The the best from liberals’ pro-union to me on a muggy afternoon, it doing business. lack of civil rights’ protection sympathies and conservatives’ started making sense. Union leaders are now effectively encourages businesses distrust of Big Government, Geoghegan reminded me that focused on reforming the NLRB to punish pro-union employees and should make him famous data show the more union mem- — an admirable goal — but — and publicize the abuse to (or at least a cabinet secretary). bers in an economy, the better Geoghegan’s plan implies that intimidate their workforce. After all, anyone who can bring workers’ pay. The problem, workers are harmed by being By making the six words law, the such disparate ideologies and he said, is that weakened labor legally leashed to Washington dynamic would shift. Companies adversaries together is worthy of laws are allowing companies to in the first place. His proposal would have a reason — fear of serious consideration — as is his bully and fire union-sympathetic says rather than being forced litigation — to respect six-word stroke of genius. workers, thus driving down to rely on an unreliable workers’ rights. union membership and wages. bureaucracy for protection, on the basis of union membership David Sirota is a bestselling author whose newest book, “The Uprising,” was released in June of 2008. He is a fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future and a board member of the Progressive States Network — both nonpartisan organizations. His blog is at www.credoaction.com/sirota. Co p y r i g h t 2008 c r e a t o r s s y n d i c a t e i n c .
Letters to the Editor
Cushing family grateful L-19 ST expresses gratitude Like Boilermaker father, same local Jack worked out of until for memories to new president like son his retirement. [I just wanted to say] thanks for the years I spent as WE WOULD LIKE to thank I WOULD LIKE to say thank you to I JOINED LOCAL 6 [Oakland, Calif.] a Boilermaker. everyone for their condolences, our new president, Dave Gaillard, in 1942 after returning from the Naval To m Ve l as c o , Lo c a l 549 retiree flowers, and cards. It is of the utmost who went above and beyond his Air Station Midway [Midway Islands, importance to his family that Ray duties to give Local 19 [Philadelphia] U.S.] in the South Pacific. I worked in [past New Jersey Local 28 BM-ST] a great home. He overcame obstacles shipyards, shops, on the railroad, Se n d a l e t t e r t o t h e e d i t o r : be remembered for the man he was that would have made most people and in field construction during my The Boilermaker Reporter and the dedication he gave to his quit, but because of his dedication to last 35 years. 753 State Ave., Suite 570 union and his family. our local, he persevered. My son, Jack, was the first Boiler- Our experiences with the From the bottom of our hearts, the maker apprentice to graduate out of Kansas City KS 66101 Boilermakers have marked our members at Local 19 say thank you to Local 6. His first job was in 1971 at lives indelibly. We will treasure Dave Gaillard for the focus and direc- the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Project these memories always. tion he always gives to his members. in Avila Beach, Calif. He worked for me on the job site for several contrac- Fa m i l y o f Ra y Cu s h i n g Jr.: Fr e d Ch a m b e r l a i n wife, Debbie; sons, Ryan and L-19 Sec.-Treas., Philadelphia tors during the 17 years I was there. FAX: (913) 281-8110 Kevin; daughter, Casey Ann; He was a foreman at Diablo Can- E-mail: mother, Dolores; sister, Kelly yon and a steward on several jobs. [email protected] McGovern; niece and nephew, Jack could do it all — certified tank Katie and Danny McGovern welder, high rigger — all phases of our trade. I retired out of Local 549 [Pittsburg, Calif.] in 1987, the Oct • Dec 2008 PENSION NEWS the Boilermaker Reporter - 21 Union-business alliance seeks pension relief NEARLY 300 organizations with defined-benefit pension plans have joined The New York Times reported Nov. 20 that Congress has begun considering together to ask Congress for legislative relief in light of the current economic tail- the request. To view the story online, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/ spin and restrictive regulations under the Pension Protection Act. In a letter to the business/economy/20pension.html. Ways and Means Committee (reprinted below), the alliance explains the difficul- This topic is also the focus of Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones’ column on page 24. ties that pension plans are facing during these troubling times.
November 12, 2008
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel The Honorable Jim McCrery Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Ways and Means Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery: As you are aware, the current financial crisis not only impacts workers today and may have to eliminate jobs to afford those contributions.” Another larger but also will have severe, short-term negative effects on the pension plans in company has estimated that its 3-year contribution for 2008-2010 will increase which they participate, reducing benefits, undermining retirement security, from $36 million to $2.18 billion, an increase of almost 6000%. and, if prompt action is not taken, causing significant job loss and impairing We are in no way advocating an overhaul of the PPA funding changes. the national economic recovery. The problems stem from a global financial Rather, we urge Congress to consider making technical corrections to the PPA meltdown and were not caused by companies that sponsor defined benefit that we believe implement Congressional intent, and adopting temporary pension plans or the pension plans they maintain. On behalf of the millions provisions that deal with the financial crisis facing us today. Such provisions of our employees to whom we provide retirement benefits, the undersigned should include permitting full smoothing of unexpected losses, removing companies and organizations urge you to consider legislation that would help restrictions on asset smoothing, allowing sufficient time to transition to the companies navigate the current economic crisis while minimizing adverse PPA’s 100% funded target, providing automatic IRS approval for certain impacts on the defined benefit pension plans they sponsor. funding elections to keep plans viable, clarifying end-of-year valuations, and The drop in the value of pension plan assets coupled with the current credit permitting fixed interest rates to be used for Code section 415 limit purposes crunch has placed defined benefit plan sponsors in an untenable position. so as to avoid benefit reductions. No one who drafted the recently enacted defined benefit plan funding rules Employers who contribute to the more than 1500 multiemployer defined anticipated the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and a once in benefit plans (more than 90% of which employ 20 or fewer employees), are a hundred years “Credit Tsunami.” Yet, at a time when companies desperately also severely affected by the financial crisis. While these plans are subject to a need cash to keep their businesses afloat, the new funding rules will also require separate set of funding rules, similar temporary relief designed to moderate the huge, countercyclical contributions to their pension plans. Consequently, many effects of the aggressive funding targets contained in the PPA is essential to avert companies will divert cash needed for current job retention, job creation and devastating burdens and inevitable job losses arising from massive contribution needed business investments and instead contribute the cash to their pension increases and unavoidable benefit reductions that will be required to comply plans to fund long-term obligations due many years after the current market with those rules. conditions return to normal. We do not believe that, in enacting the Pension Thank you in advance for considering our request for critical pension legisla- Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”), Congress intended companies to be forced to tion. We and employers generally are extremely concerned about the viability make this kind of decision. Unless the funding rules are modified, they will of their defined benefit pension plans during this economic recovery. Please feel increase U.S. unemployment and slow our economic recovery. free to call on any of us if we can help you or your staff craft or enact legislation For example, a Florida company with four defined benefit plans faces an that will help our country’s economic recovery and avoid unnecessary job loss, increase in required contributions of more than 2100%, from $673,000 in 2008 to while securing sound long-term pension plan funding. an estimated $15,186,000 in 2009. The company’s consultant states that in light of this increase, “this client, like many others, may be forced to freeze their plans
Sincerely,
Alliant Energy Corp. BP America Inc. Federal Signal MD Helicopters, Inc. Prudential Financial Allegheny Technologies Inc. BCTD, AFL-CIO First Energy Corp. Monsanto Sheet Metal and Ameren Corp. Business Roundtable Ford Motor Co. MOOG Inc. Air Conditioning Contractors’ Natl. Assn. America’s Health Insurance Celanese Corp. Foundation Coal Natl. Assn. of Insurance and Southern Company Plans Chrysler LLC Fox Entertainment Financial Advisors The Boeing Company American Assn. of Railroads Cincinnati Children’s Group, Inc. Natl. Assn. of Mfrs. American Benefits Council Hospital Med. Ctr. Frontier Communications Natl. Coord. Committee for The Dow Chemical Company American Chemistry CMS Energy General Devices Co., Inc. Multiemployer Plans Council Natl. Gypsum The Goodyear Tire & Committee on Investment GlaxoSmithKline Rubber Company American Electric Power of Employee Benefit Natl. Marine Mfrs. Assn. Goodrich Corp. The Segal Company American Forest & Assets Navistar Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc. The Timken Company Paper Assn. Consolidated Edison, Inc. Norfolk Southern Corp. Honeywell International, UniSource Energy Corp. American Foundry Society Constellation Energy Inc. Northeast Utilities United Association American Gas Assn. Cummins Inc. HR Policy Assn. Northrop Grumman Corp. United Illuminating Co. American Public Power Deere & Co. IBM Corp. NorthWestern Energy Corp. Assn. Delta Oil Company United Plan Indianapolis Power and Novelis Administrators, Inc. ASPPA College of Pension DTE Energy Light Co. Actuaries Ohio Transmission Corp. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Duke Energy Ingram Industries Inc. Assn. for Financial ONEOK, Inc. United States Steel Corp. Duquesne Light Co. Intelsat Corp. Professionals Peabody Energy United Technologies Corp. Edison Electric Institute International Brotherhood Assn. of American Railroads Peerless Machine & Vectren Corp. Boise Inc. Edison International of Boilermakers Tool Corp. Westar Energy Ball Corp. Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. International Brotherhood PG&E Corp. of Electrical Workers Westinghouse Electric Co. Bechtel Construction Co. Entergy Corp. PNM Resources Joy Global Whirlpool Corp. Bendix Commercial Vehicle ERISA Industry Committee Portland General Electric Systems LLC Kansas City Power & Light Woods Hole Oceanographic Evraz Claymont Steel Prestolite Electric Inc. Inst. Boise Cascade LLC MassMutual Financial Exelon Corp. Group Progress Energy Xcel Energy, Inc.*
* Nearly 200 other companies, associations, and unions also signed this letter. See the Boilermakers’ Web site (www.boilermakers.org) for a complete listing.
551928_P01_24x.indd1928_P01_24x.indd 2121 112/1/082/1/08 7:39:057:39:05 PMPM 22 - the Boilermaker Reporter in memoriam Oct • Dec 2008
With deep sorrow the International Brotherhood records the death of these members as reported to the International Secretary-Treasurer’s office, and extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families .
1 finley, Robert J. 92 Estrada, Rolando 146 Vladimiro, Lanca 454 Evans, Charles F. 1 Murphy, Matthew J. 101 Dugan, William M. 146 Zavazal, Joseph D. 531 Jones Jr., E.W. 6 fowler, Ben H. 105 Detmer, Lyle W. 158 Ummel, Mervin S. 627 Evans, Dennis L. 27 Smith, George 127 Clark, Burton W. 191 Dean, George C. 647 Marciniak, Joseph F. Money-Saving 40 Street, Gregory K. 132 fichera, Joseph J. 374 Willis, Richard S. 667 Young, Gordon A. 72 Delgado, Nicolas P. 146 Dupuit, Alex A. 374 Zuelly, Randall K. 1240 Dutton, Herman Programs for 73 Temmerman, Gabriel 146 fazekas, Lajos D421 forbes, Richard S. 1240 Estes, Willie Members Only 83 Bailey, Donald L. 146 Maltais, Peter D. 449 Dietrich, Earl 1240 Slone, Ronnie E.
The benefit programs listed below are available only to Boilermaker members and their immediate families.* d e a t h b e n e f i t s If you have not yet been furnished this infor- mation, contact your local lodge, secure the ben- The death benefit plan under the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust has eficiary forms, complete the required information Union Plus Credit Card paid the beneficiaries of the following deceased members who were covered by the plan Call: 1-800-522-4000 and forward to the Administrative Office of the since the last issue of our publication. Pension Fund, 754 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 522, Kansas City, KS 66101, at the earliest possible Mortgage & Real Estate lodge, name & benefit 92 McManus, A.C. 6,000.00 date. NOTE: These additional death benefits Also open to children & parents of 92 Zapata, Jaime L. 6,000.00 can only be derived for members who worked Boilermaker members. 101 fish, William R. 6,000.00 under a collective bargaining agreement with Call: 1-800-416-5786 NTL Campbell, Bruce D. $6,000.00 an employer contributing to the Boilermaker- NTL Dial, Warden 6,000.00 101 Ransom, David W. 6,000.00 Blacksmith National Pension Trust. Education Services NTL Duncan, Charles L. 6,000.00 104 Chiasson, Eugene D. 6,000.00 Get expert advice on funding sources NTL Horton, William C. 3,000.00 104 Grant, John A. 6,000.00 117 Kibbey, M.C. 1,500.00 for college and job skills training. NTL Miles, Terry E. 6,000.00 104 Jacobsen, Robert G. 6,000.00 117 Linder, Bert 6,000.00 Call: 1-877-881-1022 NTL Rainwater, Floyd 6,000.00 104 Mask, Daniel Eugene 6,000.00 154 Connolly, John M. 6,000.00 NTL Walters, William D. 6,000.00 104 Picini, Daniel 6,000.00 Personal Loans 154 Mitchell, Jude A. 6,000.00 NTL Woods, Charles O. 6,000.00 104 Smith, James W. 6,000.00 Credit-qualified members are eligible 154 Reeves, Fay A. 3,000.00 1 Dukovac, Ivan 3,000.00 105 Davis, Earsel R. 4,000.00 for loans for a variety of uses. 177 Nohr, Donald R. 6,000.00 Call: 1-888-235-2759 1 Strohecker, John A. 6,000.00 105 Sorrell, Willard A. 6,000.00 182 John, Velford L. 6,000.00 5 Dolan, Robert 6,000.00 106 Bishop, Edward L. 6,000.00 199 Barber, Alton J. 6,000.00 Legal Service 5 Underdown, Ronald 6,000.00 108 Lewis, Thomas I. 6,000.00 Discounted legal help — first 30 202 Rhodes, James W. 6,000.00 6 Brindley, Wm. J.C. 6,000.00 108 Monk, Edward E. 6,000.00 minutes are free. 242 VanOrman, Duane J. 6,000.00 Call: 1-888-993-8886 6 Esmiol, Richard J. 6,000.00 112 Davis, Roland Lee 6,000.00 6 Kavanaugh, Archie 6,000.00 117 Golly, Ervin E. 4,285.72 See DEATH BENEFITS, page 23 Life Insurance 6 Potter, Norman E. 6,000.00 For members, spouses, and children. 6 Rozmus, Ray C. 6,000.00 Call: 1-800-393-0864 6 Tafoya, Daniel E. 6,000.00 7 Maciejewski, Michael 6,000.00 Auto Insurance 7 Vergien, Richard C. 1,200.00 Call: 1-888-294-9496 13 Dellapenna, Carmen 3,000.00 Accident Insurance 13 Howell, Earl T. 3,000.00 Call: 1-800-393-0864 26 Thornton, Gustene 6,000.00 29 McHugh, Eugene T. 6,000.00 Health Savings 29 Ryder, Scott J. 14,143.84 Save on prescription medicines, 30 Piner, Edward E. 6,000.00 hearing, dental, and vision care. 37 Meza Jr., Andrew J. 6,000.00 Call: 1-877-570-4845 37 Vede, Kirby J. 6,000.00 Car Rental Discounts 40 Hope, Edward B. 6,000.00 Call and give the ID number: 40 Southerland, Billy R. 6,000.00 40 Street, Gregory Kent 6,000.00 Avis: 1-800-698-5685 AWD #B723700 45 Brown, William O. 6,000.00 45 Gande, James G. 6,000.00 Budget: 1-800-455-2848 BCD#V816100 60 Laws, Kenneth G. 6,000.00 60 Mason, Terry Lee 6,000.00 Hertz: 1-800-654-2200, CDP#205666 60 Shepherd, John C. 3,000.00 72 Bryant, Orpheus M. 6,000.00 Union-Made Checks 72 Haynie, John L. 6,000.00 Call: 1-888-864-6625 72 McGee, George W. 6,000.00 72 Pierce, Robert 6,909.00 AT & T Wireless Discounts 72 Powell, James R. 6,000.00 Visit: www.UnionPlus.org/ATT 72 Verwiebe, Carl D. 6,000.00 72 Wood Sr., George W. 6,000.00 Union Plus Moving Discount 74 Vest, W.T. 3,000.00 Call: 1-800-234-1159 79 Bates, Wiseman J. 6,000.00 For information on these programs and 79 Henry, Lale A. 6,000.00 other member-only benefits, go to 83 Dunaway, Larry W. 6,000.00 83 Reynolds, Edward A. 6,000.00 www.unionplus.org 84 McDougal, Robert C. 6,000.00 *Retired members are eligible. Some 84 Weaver, Gerald W. 6,000.00 programs are not available to members 92 Byrd, Robert 6,000.00 outside the continental United States, and not all programs are available in all states. 92 Childers, Marvin W. 3,000.00 92 Contreras, Larry G. 6,000.00 Phone 1-800-452-9425 for 92 Cowan, Charles R. 6,000.00 clarification of eligibility. 92 Martin, Mickey 6,000.00 Oct • Dec 2008 in memoriam the Boilermaker Reporter - 23 Death Benefits
Continued from p. 22 263 Taylor, John 367.50 305 Campbell, Robert W. 6,000.00 358 Pierson, Paul R. 6,000.00 363 Chapman, Robert W. 3,000.00 363 Kuchar, Lawrence A. 6,000.00 363 Winch, Loren A. 6,000.00 374 Maysey, Marshall D. 6,000.00 374 Zuelly, Randall K. 6,000.00 397 Tyreman, Willard D. 6,000.00 433 Barthle Sr., William 6,000.00 433 Brown, Herbert C. 6,000.00 449 Zettle, Richard 1,635.72 455 Bayless, Richard D. 6,000.00 455 Escue, Michael H. 6,000.00 455 Justice, Charlie D. 6,000.00 486 Jernigan, Sherman R. 6,000.00 487 Theys, Louis A. 6,000.00 500 Catt, Donald F. 6,000.00 500 LaFord, Raymond H. 6,000.00 500 O’Niel, Victor L. 6,000.00 502 Puckett, James H. 6,000.00 531 Washington, Lovern 6,000.00 568 Kotas, Venzel J. 6,000.00 582 Chaney, John H. 6,000.00 582 Curtis, John C. 6,000.00 582 Kemp, C.W. 6,000.00 582 Ruffino, Joe A. 6,000.00 Who doesn’t need money for 587 Bilbo, James F. 6,000.00 587 Camp, Norman M. 6,000.00 college next year? 587 Vercher Jr., Joe 6,000.00 Apply now for an IBB scholarship! Boilermaker scholarships are open to high school 592 Butts, Ricky D. 6,000.00 seniors who will be entering their first year of a two- One of the most popular benefits of being a 627 Mallam, Richard A. 6,000.00 or four-year academic program at a degree-granting, Boilermaker is the college scholarship program 647 Hummel, Conrad W. 3,000.00 accredited college or university within one year of that helps dependents of Boilermakers get started 647 Richardson, Forrest J. 3,000.00 their high school graduation and who are dependents with their college education. These one-year grants 647 Tiedke, Arnold L. 6,000.00 of Boilermaker members in good standing. A reward the hard work and success of young dependent may be a son, daughter, legally adopted 667 Ludwig, Homer C. 6,000.00 members of Boilermaker families and encourage child, or other dependent of an active, retired, 673 Miller, Walter S. 6,000.00 members of the next generation of college-educated disabled, or deceased member. 679 Collett, Homer G. 6,000.00 workers to remember the union advantage. 679 Walston, Clyde 6,000.00 Winners are chosen based on a variety of criteria 679 Worley, William 6,000.00 that include grades, standardized test scores, 687 Smith, Joseph S. 6,000.00 extracurricular activities, and a written essay on an 696 DeWitt, Luke D. 6,000.00 assigned topic. 744 Price, Roy A. 8,075.00 802 Ellis, James E. 6,000.00 Applications are available after December 15 802 Jackson, Ira 6,000.00 from your local lodge and will be accepted Applications 1086 White, Leroy D. 4,000.00 from January 1 to March 1, 2009. postmarked after the March 1, 2009, deadline cannot 1191 Dedmon, Leon 6,000.00 be considered. Contact your local lodge to get an 1247 Byrne, Michael J. 6,000.00 application. The International will not mail applications 1509 Chapa, Victoriano G. 1,000.00 to individuals. Some local lodges have their own 1509 friske, Norman H. 6,000.00 scholarship programs. Scholarships are also 1509 Hinckle, Chester K. 6,000.00 available through the Union Plus credit card program 1509 Thomas, Thomas 6,000.00 and some state and regional labor councils. For 1603 Heestand, William D. 3,000.00 information on these scholarship possibilities, contact 1637 Rice, Dale L. 6,000.00 these organizations directly. 1637 Rohrer, William C. 6,000.00 1670 Kirchner, Melvin H. 6,000.00 1978 Pagliaro, Jereme S. 2,899.97 Moving? Tell us where . . . Mail form to: Name International Brotherhood of New Address Boilermakers Union City 753 State Avenue, Suite 565 State or Province Zip Kansas City, KS 66101 Local Lodge No. Register No.
E-Mail Address (Allow five weeks for change of address .) 24 - the Boilermaker Reporter A MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERS Oct • Dec 2008 Congress must adjust Pension Protection Act Those who framed the tight a bear market. Congress and the U.S. funding rules for the PPA did Treasury need to act so that bear doesn’t “The PPA’s overly- not expect a credit tsunami eat up our pensions. The Boilermakers union has joined with nearly 300 other restrictive accounting and stock market collapse organizations in co-signing a letter to THE EXTRAORDINARY COLLAPSE Congress requesting that measures be formula could of America’s financial system in Octo- taken to adjust the PPE, at least until the ber has plunged the country — in fact, financial crisis has ended. That letter is end up destroying the the world — into a recession that may be reprinted in this issue on page 21. defined-benefit longer and deeper than any downturn PPA’s funding formula is we’ve seen in 25 years. What former pensions it was Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Green- the problem span described as “a credit tsunami” WHENEVER WE TALK about prob- intended to protect.” has resulted in bank failures, mortgage lems that our national funds face, foreclosures, a shrinking economy, many plan participants jump to the and rising unemployment. The Dow But the PPA imposes much shorter conclusion that the funds’ trustees or Newton B. Jones Jones Industrial Average dropped windows. It requires annual projec- the money managers those trustees International President from its historic high of over 14,000 tions about a fund rather than look- employ have been doing a poor job. points in Oct. 2007 to barely above ing at a fund’s projected performance That is definitely not the case. The Boil- the strongest pension funds will have 8,200 in Oct. 2008, a decline of over over a longer period. In a bull market ermakers’ national funds are some of trouble meeting these rigid require- 40 percent. or a market enjoying modest gains, the best-managed Taft-Hartley funds ments. The Boilermakers’ funds office is Although the stock market has their rigid funding rules do no dam- around. That isn’t my personal opinion. working very closely with the National recovered some since that low, the Dow age to pension funds, while ensuring That is what I have been told by consul- Coordinating Committee of Multiem- is still down about 37 percent as of this that defined-benefit pensions are well- tants who monitor pension funds and ployer Plans and others to find a way to writing (Nov. 10), and analysts do not funded. Even in a “typical” bear market, rate them. get through this crisis. We are hopeful expect it to climb much (if any) by the the PPA rules might require some mod- All of the Boilermakers’ national that with our many allies in Congress end of the year. Losses of this magni- est benefit reductions, but they would funds are invested conservatively. In — and soon in the White House — we tude are playing havoc with those who not threaten the viability of defined- downturns like the one we’ve been can see this reform accomplished. rely on investments for their income — benefit pensions. experiencing for the past year, our funds Relaxing the PPA — perhaps only including the millions of union mem- But when the market falls 40 percent lose less money than many funds that temporarily — will enable the pension bers whose pension funds have been in one year, no fund can be expected to take greater risks. That is a good part of trustees and money managers to avoid hit hard. regain all those lost assets in just a few the reason our Boilermaker-Blacksmith making benefit cuts that destroy our When the credit market froze, Con- years. Nonetheless, the trustees of the Pension has never missed a benefit pay- pensions. The Boilermaker-Blacksmith gress voted quickly to spend over $700 Boilermaker-Blacksmith Pension must ment since its creation in 1960 and was, Pension has weathered stock market billion to bail out the banks and mort- look at the fund’s performance in 2008 in fact, able to raise the payout factor 20 downturns before — in the 1970s, in gage and insurance companies at the — the worst year for stocks since before times in its first 43 years. 1987, and in the early part of this decade. center of the crisis. Their bold, rapid World War II — and make adjustments The trustees have established a I have every confidence in the expe- action has been praised by economists to the benefit formula to account for all sound investment strategy and conser- rienced and dedicated trustees who worldwide as the kind of action that those losses. vative target for returns on investments. oversee the pension funds, the admin- may stave off a national — and interna- The PPA does not even take into They hire competent money managers istrators and staff, and the consultants tional — economic disaster. account the fact that some of those and monitor them to make sure they are who provide advice and direction. Now it’s time for Congress and the losses will never be realized. They are delivering returns that meet or exceed They have guided our funds suc- Treasury Department to turn their only “paper” losses — for example, the target. Neither their actions nor the cessfully for decades, and they will con- attention to the nation’s defined- stocks whose prices went down this actions of the money managers are to tinue to make sound decisions based on benefit pensions. Pensions have been year, but which regain their value next be blamed for the current threat to our the best interests of plan participants hammered by the stock market crash, year or in the near future. When the pension. That threat is the result of an and the long-term viability of the plan. and defined-benefit pensions may stock prices rise again, the loss disap- unusually bad stock market combined I am confident they can get us through soon be dealt a death blow, not by an pears. But the pension is required to act with pension funding rules that hand- this crisis without allowing the recent economic collapse, but by a law passed on the amount recorded this year. cuff the funds’ administrators. financial collapse to destroy the pri- in 2006 that was intended to protect It is truly ironic that a law intended Pensions operate on a timeline that mary source of retirement security for these pensions. to protect defined-benefit pensions is significantly different from anything more than 73,000 Boilermakers. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 might actually destroy them. But most of us ever do. Because they accu- But first the government has to take (PPA) made aggressive adjustments that is what could happen without mulate funds over a person’s lifetime, their handcuffs off. ❑ to ERISA’s standards for how defined- government action. they rely on a lifetime of investment benefit pensions must account for the gains to fund that person’s retirement. costs of future benefit payments. The Congress and Treasury Actuaries use life expectancy formulas Word of advice new standards are so aggressive that should relax PPA regulations and projected earnings to determine many pensions, still struggling to make regarding the annuity how much the pension can pay each SINCE THE FINANCIAL crisis up for the slowly recovering stock mar- pensioner on retirement. The long- began, the federal government has ket we have been experiencing since IT IS NO SURPRISE that participants term nature of this work goes against begun to shore up financial markets, the recession of 2001, have already had in the Boilermaker Annuity have our ordinary way of seeing the world. hoping to ease credit and ultimately to make painful adjustments this year. seen the value of their assets plunge An accountant can tell you that you’re spur the economy to rebound. That The Boilermaker-Blacksmith over the past year. Those who are bankrupt. An actuary can tell you that is well and good. Credit makes the National Pension was one of them. nearing retirement may want to take you’re going to go bankrupt in 25 years world go round. Without access to The adjustments that became effective the advice of fund administrators. — or 30 or 40. credit, many businesses cannot survive, Oct. 1 of this year were painful for all They advise that you don’t have Pension funds rely on that long win- and the economy falls into a deep and participants. But those adjustments to cash in your annuity at the same dow when setting benefit levels. When prolonged recession. are mild compared to what the PPA time you begin retirement under pensions take a 40 percent reduction in Now it’s time for the government will require the Pension Trust to do the pension plan. If you plan to assets over a single year, it is not unrea- to turn their attention to defined-ben- in 2009 if the market remains near its retire soon and you don’t need sonable to expect them to create a fund- efit pensions. They must take action current level. that cash immediately, you might ing formula that will get that money now so that pensions aren’t caught in On Wall Street, a strong market with want to let it sit for a few more back over a long period of time. After a regulatory vise and forced to make constantly rising stock prices is called years rather than locking in your all, most pension plan participants drastic, perhaps fatal, benefit cuts. An a bull market. A bear market is the losses. When the stock market fell are still decades away from collecting important first step is to relax the strict opposite — prices that decline over a 22 percent in a single day in 1987, their pensions. PPA regulations. During this time of long period of time. Currently we have it was back to its pre-crash high in unprecedented economic duress, even less than two years.
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