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Majority union membership doable in RTW state How do L-584 (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) members at the machine/fab shop Southern Heat Exchangers, or SHECO, maintain high union membership in a right-to-work state? For L-584 President Patrick Blanchard, winning over new employees isn’t that complicated. He said the benefits of being in the Boilermakers union are big selling points. Letting potential members know that they will have a voice in upper management can be very effective. “We also push for training and promotional opportunities for members,” Blanchard said. At SHECO, members fabricate shell and tube heat exchangers—boilers, chillers and chemical processers. “They are shells made with different types of steel and alloy materials that have bundles of tubes inserted in them,” Blanchard said. “Then they’re tested, sandblasted, painted and shipped.” He started work at SHECO about 10 years ago and joined the union the same year. He’s committed not only to his job but to the union and continuing to grow the local. Members wait to discuss the union with new hires—who are on a 180-day probation—until employers are finished with training. He said the selling point for any union is to make employees see the union as the best choice. “We wait till they get their feet wet on the shop floor before approaching them about the union,” Blanchard said. “We try to represent people to the best of our abilities.” He said often, the Boilermakers union sells itself. “Anytime there’s a pension involved, it’s a benefit. I think a pension goes a long way with people.” Safety is extremely important to both the local and the company, and they have an active safety committee, another selling point to new hires. The local and the company meet monthly to walk the shop floor and determine how to improve safety. It helps that the local has a good working relationship with the employers. The union and the company try to work together to make things a little more efficient and make the work environment a little more comfortable. “We don’t always succeed but we try,” Blanchard said. “We have continuous improvement meetings to try and work with the company.” SHECO also works well with the union in contract and labor meetings. “Obviously we don’t see eye-to-eye with some things. Even when we butt heads, we learn something,” he said. “If you’re good to your members, your membership will grow. If you can keep the men and women happy, they become your best recruiters.” — Aug 24
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Boilermakers International Elects Kathy Stapp as International Secretary-Treasurer Contact Amy Wiser, Director of Communications 317-847-0745 [email protected] IMMEDIATE RELEASE (PDF) Boilermakers International Elects Kathy Stapp as International Secretary-Treasurer Stapp becomes first woman to hold senior executive office for union Kansas City, Mo. (August 23, 2023) — The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers announces that Kathy Stapp was unanimously elected today by the organization’s International Executive Council to serve as the union’s International Secretary-Treasurer. Stapp is the first woman to ever hold this executive office, one of the union’s highest offices. “I can think of no better person than Kathy Stapp to serve in this important role for our union,” said Boilermakers’ International President Warren Fairley. “Kathy has been a part of the Boilermakers union for decades. Her long and diverse career with the union makes her uniquely suited to understand the organization, its structure, history and policies. This is well earned, and a well-deserved office. “I’m proud to have Kathy as part of our executive team. I have worked closely with her and know the value she brings as a trusted leader. And the fact that she is a woman is also something we certainly celebrate as a monumental and historic moment for the Boilermakers union.” Stapp, who most recently served as Director of Human Resources and Benefits Programs and as Administrative Assistant to the International Secretary-Treasurer, began her career with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in 1994. She originally worked as a “floater,” covering the switchboard and mail room, eventually working her way into the Accounting Department. After taking a hiatus in 1999 to raise a family, she rejoined the Boilermakers’ staff in 2008 in the International Secretary-Treasurer’s office. Over the years, her responsibilities evolved and she was promoted into more challenging roles as her experience grew. “I am honored that International President Fairley and the International Vice Presidents have chosen to entrust such an important office to me,” Stapp said. “The Boilermakers union has been more than a job for me—it’s been entrenched in nearly every aspect of my life, and I care very deeply about the future of this organization, both professionally and personally. “I am fully committed to serving my colleagues, the local lodges and the membership to the best of my abilities in this new role.” Stapp is a member of Boilermakers Local 627 (located in Phoenix). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in English, from Kansas State University and the University of San Diego. ### Established in 1880, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers is a diverse union representing workers throughout the United States and Canada who are employed in industrial construction, maintenance and repair; ship building; manufacturing; railroads; cement; mining and related industries. More information can be found at www.boilermakers.org. — Aug 23
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Minnesota safety bill means more work opps for members Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law May 2 that will increase worker and community safety by ensuring the state’s refinery work is manned by a properly skilled and trained workforce. The bill, HF 10, requires a percentage of third-party contractor oil refinery workers to be graduates of (or apprentices in) qualifying registered apprenticeship programs, which include the Boilermakers’ apprenticeship and training programs. The measure calls for 30% such workers on refinery jobs by January 1, 2024, increasing to 45% by 2025 and 60% by 2026. “We will not cut corners when it comes to workplace safety in Minnesota,” Governor Walz said in a statement. “We are adding safeguards and improving training standards, so that workers can return home safe.” Martin Williams, National Coordinator of State Legislative Affairs-M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund, said Boilermakers Local 647 (Ramsey, Minnesota) and other building trade unions advocated for the bill for several years. “The approach was to focus on the public interest aspect—the benefit to the industry through enhanced safety for workers, the community and the public,” he said. “The message was about how this benefits workers in the aggregate. Everyone worked together pulling their weight on the issue.” One of the bill’s sponsors, Representative Dave Lislegard, is a former steelworker, and testified about his own experiences and the critical importance of proper training and skillsets on worksites. “Refineries are not just the typical work environment,” he said. “[This bill] puts a baseline of training in place to minimize the risk.” Companies that fail to comply with the new labor standards could be fined between $5,000 and $10,000 per violation. “The safety of our communities and our workers is our highest priority, and this legislation is critical to making sure that those who are working in high hazard environments have the best training possible to prevent the risk of accidents,” said Senator Judy Seeberger, the bill’s other sponsor. The new law also opens the door to more work for Boilermakers in Minnesota and potentially thousands of additional man-hours. “It’s more opportunity for the members and a brighter outlook for Local 647,” Williams said. “Additionally, we hope that the expanded opportunity for members—what we work for and why we do the job we do—will also mean there are more chances for people to look at the Boilermaker trade as a career.” “It’s going to solidify some work opportunity in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area,” added L-647 BM-ST Luke Voigt. “There’s such a push to get rid of coal plants, work opportunities been slimming. This will help a ton.” — Aug 22
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Local 104 members save crew member Local 104 (Seattle) Boilermakers’ quick response to a workplace accident saved a crew member’s life. Hanging off the side of a ship at Vigor Shipyard in Portland, Oregon, a crew member was painting when the rope to his bosun’s chair broke. The damaged rope caused the man to plummet 75 feet, striking the pier and falling into the water. Members Trinity Presler and Jesus Castellano saw the incident occur and radioed “man overboard!” Without hesitation, members Shawn Connett and Derek Bristow leapt into the chilly water. “I got a call there was a man overboard, so I went out and responded to the location,” says Bristow. “One of my level two supervisors, Shawn Connett, was already in the water. I went into the water and assisted securing the injured man until we could get a boat into the pier.” Bristow and Connett kept the unconscious man above water for more than 10 minutes until emergency and rescue services arrived. Local 104 Assistant Business Manager Brian Richart said, “I’m absolutely proud of the brothers and sister that went out of their comfort zone to risk their own lives for another.” The injured man is now recovering. — Aug 16
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Changes in Leadership and Court Litigation August 16, 2023 Re: Changes in Leadership and Court Litigation Dear Lodge Leaders, Members, Affiliates, Partners and Friends of the Boilermakers: By now you are aware that over the past months the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has confronted an internal matter regarding the inappropriate expenditure of union funds by the International President and the International Executive Council’s (IEC) efforts to impose disciplinary measures against him. International Vice President John Fultz filed Article 17 charges against Newton Jones in April alleging serious misuse of IBB funds. This created internal disputes with Mr. Jones, who did everything he could to prevent the internal processes from proceeding. Eventually, the IEC heard the charges against Mr. Jones on May 30 and issued a decision on June 2, finding serious financial abuse and removing him from office. Mr. Jones utilized IBB resources in an effort to stop this process in federal court in Kansas City. The federal judge held three hearings on this matter. During the first hearing he issued orders against Mr. Jones, including prohibiting him from using the IBB credit card. Yesterday, August 15, Judge Eric F. Melgren issued his summary judgment decision from the bench in favor of the International Vice Presidents who sought to uphold the IEC’s decision relating to Article 17 charges against Newton Jones. Judge Melgren found that the IEC’s original action was proper and conducted in accordance with our union’s Constitution. He will be issuing a written decision shortly which we will forward to you. In the meantime, seeing the handwriting on the wall, Mr. Jones suddenly retired on July 31, attempting to appoint his successor. Under the Constitution, he did not have that authority and the federal judge agreed. The IEC then unanimously elected me to be the President. This means that Newton Jones is removed from the office of International President and from membership in our Brotherhood. It also means that our organization can move forward. There will be further actions, including an audit to determine what Mr. Jones owes and continued efforts to collect those amounts from him. This will likely be a long process, but we are dedicated to recovering funds from him and anyone else who misused our funds. We are dedicated to correcting any abuses. This is a new day for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. I was honored to be asked by the IEC to consider ending my brief retirement to serve as International President. While there have been many twists and turns in this process, during the most recent vote, all five International Vice Presidents were unanimous in their decision to elect me to this position. My sense of duty is to the members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, to the local lodges we serve, our colleagues, our partners and the labor movement; and it is what compelled me to accept this act of service. I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege—and with these come willing sacrifice, responsibility and the burden to do whatever I can to “right the ship.” Starting today, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is going to be guided by a simple question in everything we do. That question is this: “Is what I’m about to do going to make the working life of a rank-and-file Boilermaker better?” If the answer to that question is yes, then we are going to pursue that with everything within us. If the answer is no, then we are not going to spend one Boilermaker dime on that endeavor. The IEC and I understand that every penny the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers spends was first entrusted to our union by a rank-and-file Boilermaker. We will only be successful if every member of this organization is given an opportunity to be successful. In moving forward, you are going to see some changes in the way we conduct our business—changes that increase our union’s accountability and discipline. Among those changes, our IEC will work with me and with their constitutional authority as a governing body, creating much-needed checks and balances at the International leadership level. Our goal is to work together on the decisions that impact our union and its future. We are confident that through this new collaborative model, the decisions we come to will be well thought-out, strategic, free from personal gain and rooted in whatever is ultimately in the best interest of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. We are already at work developing and strengthening policies, creating realistic budgets and deploying new logistical processes to ensure we make wise choices with the hard-earned funds Boilermakers entrust to our union and to keep us sharply focused on initiatives that will most benefit members and local lodges. We are also evaluating current programs, and we will need to make some difficult decisions. But understand this: We will make decisions together that have been carefully considered and with our union’s future as the first and foremost measure. One thing I can assure you is that we will organize and redirect our efforts to organize. This has not been an easy time for our union, but we are on a better and right path. I want to thank the IEC for their courage and tenacity to address a matter they knew would be difficult. While there was no guarantee of the outcome, they willingly and courageously put their careers on the line to ensure that the right thing was done on behalf of every member of this union. I want to thank the staff at headquarters and in the field, who worked hard to stay focused and serve the union’s members and local lodges to the best of their abilities under incredibly stressful circumstances. And I want to thank you for your patience and understanding. I look forward to working with the IEC and with you all, and I look forward to a brighter, stronger future for the Boilermakers union. In solidarity, Warren Fairley International President WF:alw cc: International Executive Council W. Creeden, IST — Aug 15