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Boilermakers L-85, L-105 and L-744 endorse Jon Husted Several local lodges of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in Ohio have formally endorsed Sen. Jon Husted in his campaign to continue serving in the U.S. Senate. The endorsement includes unified support from Locals 85 (Toledo), 105 (Chillicothe) and 744 (Cleveland). “On behalf of the Boilermakers who keep Ohio's manufacturing, rail and energy sectors running, we proudly endorse Jon Husted to continue serving in the U.S. Senate. Jon's unwavering support for skilled trades, domestic energy production and workforce training ensures that high-quality union jobs in power plants, refineries and shipbuilding continue to thrive,” said International President Timothy Simmons. “His advocacy for apprenticeships opens doors to the high-paying careers Boilermakers have built for generations.” Local 85 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Tim Timmons added: “Jon Husted has consistently stood with the Boilermakers, championing jobs with strong wages and benefits. His commitment to labor-management cooperation has driven Ohio's industrial growth and impressive job creation. We're proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate.” “I’m grateful for the leadership of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers for their endorsement and for the skilled men and women who power so much of our economy,” said Jon Husted. “Boilermakers build the infrastructure that keeps Ohio strong. By working together, we can create good-paying jobs, grow our economy and lift up working families across our state.” The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers marks the fourth labor endorsement that has shifted from Sherrod Brown to Sen. Jon Husted. Senator Husted previously flipped three early labor endorsements that previously supported Brown in 2024: Northwest Building and Trades Council International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 66 More information about Senator Husted can be found at: JonHustedforSenate.com. — Jan 26
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Betty Reid Soskin’s history with the Boilermakers union Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest National Park Service ranger and a respected interpreter of American labor and World War II history, died on Dec. 21, at the age of 104. Her long life included a meaningful chapter with the Boilermakers union at the height of World War II, during wartime production. In 1942, Soskin worked as a file clerk at a Boilermakers union hall in Richmond, California, serving shipyard workers who were building Liberty and Victory ships essential to the war effort. Her responsibilities included maintaining employment records and handling administrative work that supported thousands of workers fueling industrial wartime mobilizations. The hall, Boilermakers Local A-36, operated as a segregated auxiliary lodge, a reflection of the era, and Soskin’s role placed her directly inside the labor movement at a pivotal moment. Though she was not a shipyard worker herself, Soskin later spoke about how that experience deepened her understanding of labor, patriotism, the unseen work that sustains large movements and her passion for civil rights. The Boilermakers union acknowledged her contributions and preserved her story as part of its World War II legacy. Her life is a reminder that labor history is shaped not only on the job site, but also by those who supported and documented the work behind the scenes. Soskin’s work with the Boilermakers was just one of her many life adventures. As a songwriter, she penned protest songs for the Civil Rights Movement. She and her husband, Mel Reid, founded Reid’s Records in Berkeley, California. Soskin later worked as a field representative for a California state assemblywoman and then became involved in the planning and development of a park to memorialize the role of women on the home front during WWII. Eventually, Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park was born. Soskin left her state job in 2003 and became a consultant at the park she helped plan. In 2007, at age 85, she became a park ranger for the National Park Service, retiring just after her 100th birthday. In the mid-2000’s the Boilermakers union commissioned a film to capture and share Soskin’s story as a woman of color working in an auxiliary local and her role bringing history to life as a park ranger. “Where we are now is a far cry from where we were in 1942,” she says in the film. “But I think if we could go back and revisit those eras, the lessons are there.” She remains an icon to tradeswomen and to the union’s history. “The Boilermakers have never forgotten our history, thanks to great women leaders like Betty Soskin,” said J. Tom Baca, IVP-Western States. “We owe her a lot.” The Western States Section developed a special relationship with Soskin over the years and became a major supporter of Rosie the Riveter programs. “It was a tremendous honor to know her, to call her a friend and to learn from her,” Baca said. — Jan 16
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Boilermakers earn industry awards The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has won three awards of excellence in the annual International Labor Communications Association’s Labor Media Awards for work created and published in 2024. The Boilermakers Communications Department competes each year in the National/International category against other ILCA union communication affiliates. This year, ILCA reported that a record 700-plus submissions were received, far surpassing previous years’ submissions. The Boilermakers’ won third place in the following categories: Visual Communications, design of a multi-volume publication: The Boilermaker Reporter Political Action/Social Justice/Campaign, swag or union “drip”: “Blow the Whistle on Union Busting” train whistles Writing, news story: Local 374 member trapped for six days escapes death — Jan 13
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L-1600 Boilermakers locked out in Illinois Boilermakers from Local 1600 (St. Charles, Illinois) have been on the picket line since just before Christmas after being locked out by Toyal America Inc. The 32 members were locked out after the company attempted to make drastic changes to health insurance premiums—without giving notice—just before negotiations. When the Boilermakers declined to accept the changes, the company locked them out. Toyal America Inc., which makes aluminum paste for the federal government for Starlight and other projects, has two health insurance plans: a PPO plan grandfathered in as an option for those who have been employed prior to 2017, and a high-deductible plan for everyone else. The changes proposed would have raised the PPO premiums by 59% and raised the high-deductible premiums by 500%. Changes also would have reduced insurance coverage from a 90/10 split to 80/20 and doubled out-of-pocket expenses. “We’re just trying to get a fair shake with their insurance,” says International Rep Miguel Fonseca. IVP-Great Lakes Dan Sulivan says that with the lockout happening just before the holidays, it has been especially tough on the members and their families. They are currently receiving victimization benefits from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Since the lockout began, members have been on a picket line daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and plan to continue through January 15, when the company has finally agreed to meet with them. “These guys are standing really strong, and they’re sticking together,” Fonseca says. “They’re not even asking for back pay. They just want to get back to work.” He adds that local electricians, pipefitters and UPS drivers (Teamsters) are all supporting the locked-out workers, honoring the picket line. Those who are in the area and want to join the picketing Boilermakers may do so from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 17401 Broadway St., Lockport, Illinois. — Jan 9
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Locals award service pins The following pins have been presented in recognition of continuous years of service in the Boilermakers union as reported by local lodge leadership. Note: Local lodge leaders can now submit service pins for fulfillment and inclusion in The Reporter here. LOCAL 1 • CHICAGO 55 YEARS — Tom Brennan, Ben Kosiek 50 YEARS — Richard Carlson, Dennis Finnegan, William Hafner, Robert Hughes, Chris Preble, Andrew Reid, John Riel, Kevin Sheehan, Louis Truffa Sr., James Ward 40 YEARS — James Maddox 35 YEARS — Daniel Perkins 30 YEARS — Richard Baldacci, Matthew Brennan, William Bybee, Larry Ceja, Gary Conboy, Derek Hoffman, Michael Kavanaugh III, Mike Kemper, David Kosiek, James Martin, Mark Matelski, John Waldvogel, Mikal Zahnd 25 YEARS — Roscoe Morgan LOCAL 5 • FLORAL PARK NY 25 YEARS — Assane Diop, Paul Gassant, Dariusz Lis, Douglas Neitzel, Ulises Ozuna, Francisco Viafara, Christopher Wilkie, Andy Williams 20 YEARS — Robert Leonard, Grzegorz Olekszyk 15 YEARS — Joseph Charbonneau, Raif Ekici, Chad Kast, Shawn McLean, Edil Moncada, Kenneth Muller, Bernard Tanzer LOCAL 26 • STATESBORO GA 70 YEARS — Benjamin H. Wilson 60 YEARS — Fredrick C. Helmuth, Ronald M. Thibodeaux Sr. 50 YEARS — Bobby R. Blanton 40 YEARS — Bobby K. Crews, John F. Tate 25 YEARS — Don W. Clevenger, Charles M. Fields, Michael S. Pitts 20 YEARS — Herschel A. Brown, Russell Surrett 15 YEARS — James D. Griffin, James Hoglo, Billy Don Kissiah Sr., Charles T. Powell, Eric Rigdon LOCAL 83 • KANSAS CITY MO 60 YEARS — Jack L. Dickerson 55 YEARS — Michael D. Anderson, Dennis E. Gibson 50 YEARS — James S. Crawford, Clarence Crews, Lige Forehand, Timothy D. Garbow, Marvin L. Harris, Larry D. Horseman, Berkley W. Kerr, Robert L. Larabee, Ricky L. Morrow, Randall L. Smith, Kenneth J. Steward, Larry D. Swann, Robert D. Vannattan 45 YEARS — Glenn W. Jones, John M. St. Helene, Wayne E. Stewart 40 YEARS — Howard A. Waldrop III 35 YEARS — James M. Barnes, Craig A. Dull, David C. Logan, Thomas W. Pierson, Loren D. Shuey 30 YEARS — Larry R. Faiferlick, Jay D. Foraker, Michael R. Hodges, Larry S. McKinley, Ronald L. Rose, Arlin J. Thody 25 YEARS — Stacey Allen, Jonathan E. Cameron, Ronnie E. Cassady, William A. Duvall, Leroy Ellett, Robert C. Fowler, Scott E. Freeman, Joseph B. Gehring Jr., Kristian Harmon, Timothy M. Heider, Jimmy R. Holden II, Francis M.T. Limburger III, Jasper Lisenbee II, Vince S. Morales, Billy E. Parker, Nicholas J. Scherman, James W. Smith Jr., Roger L. Stephens, Garry Talkington, Dallas L. Tedford, Peary L. Thompson, James D. Toles, Michael R. Wortham 20 YEARS — Paul D. Burdick, James D. Hageman, Jeremy Lewis, Adam J. Mendenhall, Joe Richard, Rodney Stufflebean 15 YEARS — Kevin L. Effle, Douglas A. Holden, Merton W. Malloy, Faigame May Tupai, Robert M. Vaught, Larry A. West LOCAL 549 • PITTSBURG CA 55 YEARS — John Thomas Baca 50 YEARS — Robert J. Cuneo LOCAL 647 • MINNEAPOLIS 65 YEARS — Richard Kurash 60 YEARS — Robert Beckman, Dayle Paulson, Thomas Stempson, Gary Stevenson 55 YEARS — Kenneth Strusz 50 YEARS — Randall Eudy, Scott Fritz, Duane Iverson, Robert Lange, Dennis Torgerson, Gerald Zehren 45 YEARS — Jack Nelson, Paul Rasmussen, Ronald Zack 40 YEARS — Roy Hietalati, Carlyle Sailer, Dale Wallner 35 YEARS — Gregory Stanton 30 YEARS — Dale Gill 25 YEARS — David Borner, Doug Brown, Ludwig Carlson III, Brennan Fayerweather, Timothy Fuller, Todd Hawkins, Todd Hoffman, John Lindquist, John Murray, Bryan Springer, Richard Wappula 20 YEARS — Jesse Bearinger, Chad Bengston, Scott Ebner, Anthony Fox, William Kisner, Cristopher Sanderson, Jason Shuster 15 YEARS — Christopher Dahlberg, Patrick Rumsey LOCAL 661 • FLORENCE NJ 55 YEARS — Robert Luce 50 YEARS — Michael Mankowski, Mark Valente 45 YEARS — Mark Ostrowsky 30 YEARS — Francis Koziela 25 YEARS — Peter Jackson, Erich Palkovich 20 YEARS — George Fries, Andrew Peterson — Dec 17