Consolidated Convention charts Brotherhood’s course

Delegates re-elect officers, amend constitution

MORE THAN SIX hundred delegates to the 32nd Consolidated Convention met at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas July 25-28 to elect International officers and reaffirm the Boilermakers’ Constitution. Over 70 resolutions — from local lodges, the International Executive Council, and the Constitution and Law Committee — were considered, along with motions from the floor.

The conference opened with three enormous projection screens displaying “A History of Moving Forward,” a video tracing the Boilermakers’ 131-year history. Additional videos were shown at the end of each day. The Brotherhood’s legacy was the dominant theme throughout the event, with visuals of Boilermakers at work lining the convention hall and a special historical exhibit in the vendor area for delegates and guests.

International President Newton B. Jones drew on that theme in his opening address to the convention, saying “It is time to tell the Boilermakers’ story and to build on the legacy created by our forebears.”

Looking out over the assembly, he stated, “What you have is remarkable and special. You have the same thing our forefathers had when they breathed our great Brotherhood to life. You have the heart of a Boilermaker.” He added, “Every Boilermaker here today — and each one working across the great continent of North America — is a living, breathing example of our rich 131-year history.”

IP Jones explained how Boilermakers changed the world, constructing steam boilers that drove engines and powered the rise of manufacturing, transportation, and the modern conveniences we enjoy today. “Boilermakers have touched the lives of everyone in North America,” he said.

International Secretary-Treasurer Bill Creeden reported on the Brotherhood’s finances over the past four-and-one-half years ending Dec. 31, 2010. He stressed that plant closures, off-shoring, and the recession continue to challenge the union. “Membership losses reduce our strength, bargaining power, and political power,” he said.

He noted that while some industries lost members, the construction sector recruited more than 8,400 workers to supplement the existing work force.

Delegates re-elect International leaders

DELEGATES VOICED THEIR approval of the International leadership team, re-electing all officers to five-year terms by acclamation. The officers ran as a slate called the Proven Leadership Team, which included IP Jones, IST Creeden, and IVPs Larry McManamon (Great Lakes), Joe Maloney (Western Canada), Ed Power (Eastern Canada), J. Tom Baca (Western States), Warren Fairley (Southeast), Jim Pressley (Industrial Sector), and Dave Haggerty (Northeast). Haggerty was elected by the IEC just prior to the convention to succeed Sean Murphy.

Local 1 (Chicago) BM-ST John Skermont nominated the slate. The nomination was seconded by L-359 (Vancouver, British Columbia) BM-ST Phil Halley and District Lodge 57 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) BM-ES Ed Vance.

“As a business manager with 18 years of experience and 40 years as a Boilermaker, I can report that this is one of the best Executive Councils we have had in three decades,” said Skermont. “They know their business, they are willing to work, and they listen to local lodge officers — always trying to find the path that is best for our members. We are fortunate to have candidates of such high caliber.”

Local 359 BM-ST Halley added, “When the Executive Council addresses a problem involving a Canadian local, they don’t think of it as a Canadian problem, they think of it as a Boilermaker problem. They serve us all, and they serve us well.”

District Lodge 57 BM-ES Vance noted that over his career he has seen firsthand the commitment and vision of the current International officers. “With the work they have done and their accomplishments, they have earned our respect and our trust — as a team, and as individuals.”

Obama, Solis address convention via video

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis each addressed the convention through recorded video presentations. Obama explained the steps his administration has taken to shore up labor unions and stand against the widespread antiunion attacks across the country. He thanked IP Jones and the Brotherhood “for everything you do on behalf of American workers.”

Labor Secretary Solis took time to praise the late Abe Breehey, the Boilermakers’ Legislative Director who died unexpectedly last April. Solis described him as “one of the labor movement's exceptional young leaders. I was privileged to work with Abe on the [Obama administration] Labor Advisory Committee on some difficult trade issues,” she said.

Solis stressed that Breehey’s commitment to labor must be carried forward. “Brothers and Sisters, the work of Abe’s life, the work of your union is more important today than ever. We are in the fight of our lives. In states across this country, our opponents are waging attacks on working people at the worst possible time. They say that given the state of the economy, we can't afford unions right now. I say they've got it backwards. We need a strong labor movement now more than ever. Elected officials should be spending their time creating jobs, not eroding your rights.”

Delegates approve structural changes, ISO Division dues

THE REORGANIZATION of the Brotherhood into two sectors — one for construction members, the other for industrial members — was codified in the constitution by delegate action. Construction Sector Operations (CSO) and Industrial Sector Operations (ISO) have existed since 2007, when they were proposed by IP Jones and approved by the International Executive Council. During the convention, delegates approved two IEC resolutions (#26 and #28) to clarify and solidify the reorganization.

IEC Resolution #28 established the Construction Sector Operations Division to provide operational support for the Construction Division, the National Transient Division, and the Quality Control Council.

IEC Resolution #26 established the Industrial Sector Operations Division to provide operational support for all lodges representing members who work in non-construction industries.

An extended debate ensued regarding provisions of Resolution #26 that create an industrial sector fund and assess dues. The dues will be set at $1 per member per month beginning Jan. 1, 2012, and may increase an additional $1 per month in succeeding years if deemed necessary by the IEC. The money will be used to finance ISO Division conferences and support services. The new assessment will not impact the Railroad Division or the Cement Division, since they already pay divisional dues.

Some delegates argued that the $1 monthly assessment and potential future increases would create financial hardships for Industrial Sector members. Others noted that Construction Sector members pay field dues that are much higher than what was being proposed for the ISO Division assessment.

Brady Dix, Local 651 (Somerville, Mass.) chief steward, captured much of the sentiment in support of the resolution, stating, “Every division in this place pays a higher set of dues than the Industrial Sector. And it's time we stand on our own two feet.”

A number of delegates stressed the importance of funding ISO Division educational conferences.

“Freedom is not free. Representation is not free. And education is not free,” said Gerald Conrad, secretary-treasurer of L-1393 (Altoona, Pa.), who urged support of the resolution.

L-1998 (San Diego, Calif.) BM-ST Bobby Godinez said that thanks to these Industrial Sector conferences he returned to his lodge with information that helped his members save $1,000 annually in personal protection equipment costs.

IEC Resolution #26 also reinstituted temporary severance status, allowing Industrial Sector members to sever their membership for a period of time and avoid paying the divisional assessment or monthly dues while involuntarily out of work.

Taxes and fees spark debate

DELEGATES VOTED on IEC Resolution #5, which removed a reference to sick dues and updated the per capita tax figures (Article 12.2.1, Schedule of Taxes and Fees). Although sick and out-of-work dues had been eliminated by delegate action at the 2006 convention, some locals submitted resolutions seeking to reinstate them.

Several delegates argued from the floor that requiring full per capita taxes created a hardship for laid-off and sick members. Other delegates reminded the convention that lodges are free to cover those dues and that reinstatement of the temporary severance policy will allow members to forgo any monthly dues or divisional assessments while on temporary severance status.

Local 449 President Mark Heimbecher offered an amendment to the resolution that would establish out-of-work dues at $5. IST Creeden then offered an “amendment to the amendment,” increasing per capita by $5 in order to offset the more than $3.2 million in revenue that would be lost under Heimbecher’s proposal. Creeden later withdrew his amendment to the amendment, and Heimbecher also withdrew his amendment. The delegates then voted to accept the Law Committee recommendation.

Article 31.4 of the constitution was also amended to remove reference to sick dues and to make it clear that lodges may cover per capita taxes for sick members if allowed under their bylaws.

Resolution to support Brotherhood Bank passes

DELEGATES APPROVED a Law Committee recommendation to support IEC Resolution #27, which requires all Boilermaker subordinate bodies to do their banking with Brotherhood Bank & Trust where it is practicable to do so. IP Jones stressed the importance of the bank as a safe haven, not only for the Brotherhood’s funds, but also for other unions that wish to take advantage of it.

He noted that large commercial banks don’t have the same loyalty to union investors and in fact often contribute to antiunion politicians and causes.

“We don’t want to continue feeding the monster banks out there that are putting us out of work,” he said. “[The Brotherhood Bank has] been an excellent investment all these years, and it’s one of the last institutions of its kind.”

Convention rejects freeze on dues and taxes

DELEGATES FROM LOCAL 146 (Edmonton, Alberta) split over a resolution submitted by their lodge to freeze dues and taxes until the 2016 convention. BM-ST Warren Fraleigh and five other L-146 delegates supported the resolution. Fraleigh said it was necessary in order to attract qualified workers in a competitive market.

However, L-146 President Dean Milton spoke against the proposal, citing language in the resolution that some delegates described as offensive and insulting. “I am totally not happy that that resolution came [out of] my local,” he said.

Joe Maloney, IVP for Western Canada, stated that the resolution was full of innuendos and was incorrect. “The people who put this resolution together do not know the facts behind it.”

Jim Tinney, Assistant Director for Construction Sector Operations in Canada, said “This is my fifth convention, and this is the most insulting resolution that I've seen since I started coming here.”

Delegates overwhelmingly approved the Law Committee recommendation to make no changes to 12.2.2, Annual Adjustment, in effect denying the L-146 resolution.

Delegates deem death benefit expansion too costly

SEVERAL DELEGATES ROSE to support an amendment to dramatically expand the death benefit under Article 15 of the constitution. That benefit, which became effective August 1, 1970, was intended for a “closed group” of older members who became Boilermakers on or before 1945. Those members were targeted for the death benefit because, for much of their careers, they were not eligible for the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust, which did not exist until 1960.

The amendment would have applied the death benefit to all members with 20 years of continuous service, regardless of age, and increased the benefit amount from $1,000 to $5,000, effective Aug. 1, 2011.

A presentation by IST Creeden demonstrated that expanding the death benefit as proposed would result in a $300 million liability to the Brotherhood. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn.

Convention reduces IP salary increase

A LAW COMMITTEE proposal to grant the International President a significant pay raise ran into opposition from the floor. Some delegates were against giving the IP a raise at a time when many Boilermakers are having trouble negotiating raises because of the recession. Others stated that the president both deserves a raise and needs one to make his salary competitive with the salaries of other general presidents in the Building and Construction Trades.

Debate was spirited but cordial. Members opposing the raise recommended by the Law Committee acknowledged the outstanding work and dedication of President Jones but stated they were voting the will of their members.

A roll-call vote on an amendment to lower the amount by more than 10 percent passed by a large majority. A voice vote to enact the amended amount passed overwhelmingly.

Convention honors deceased members, retiring general counsel

DELEGATES TOOK TIME to remember Boilermakers and staff members who passed away since the previous convention and to congratulate the Boilermakers’ retiring general counsel, Joe Moreland.

In a moving ceremony on the first day, L-154 (Pittsburgh) BM Ray Ventrone presented IP Newton B. Jones with a lodge retirement ring that had belonged to the president’s father, the late President Emeritus Charles W. Jones. Ventrone recalled how he had originally given the ring to “C.W.” during the 31st Consolidated Convention in 2006 and how C.W. had requested that after he died the ring would go to Newton. Joining Newton in the ceremony were his brother Charles (Director of the Boilermaker History Preservation Department) and sisters Donna and Doris.

Later in the week, delegates unanimously approved IEC Resolution #2, which provided for a specially-commissioned 68-year membership pin to be posthumously awarded to C.W. Joining the union in 1942, C.W. remained a dues-paying member in good standing until his death in April 2010. The resolution highlighted his numerous achievements, such as creating the Fight Back construction organizing program, developing the Construction Division, and expanding the union through mergers.

The late Abe Breehey, who had served as the Boilermakers’ Legislative Director, also received posthumous honors. Delegates unanimously supported IEC Resolution #23, which granted Breehey a specially-commissioned seven-year membership pin, awarded him the title of Permanent Honorary Legislative Director, and renamed the LEAP Legislator of the Year Award in his honor.

Department of Government Affairs staff rose to remember Abe and urge adoption of the resolution. They included Director of Political Affairs Bridget Martin, Acting Legislative Director Tony Jacobs, and Assistant Legislative Director Cecile Conroy.

Others also took the floor to share remembrances. Delegate Bob Winger, president of L-11 (Helena, Mont.) called Abe a “mentor” who was always available. Fred Rumsey, vice president of L-242 (Spokane, Wash.), described him as “a rock star to all of organized labor.”

Also receiving recognition was the Brotherhood’s general counsel and parliamentarian, Joe Moreland, who had timed his retirement to coincide with the close of the convention. IP Jones presented Moreland with the first Charles W. Jones Distinguished Service Award, and IST Creeden joined IP Jones in presenting Moreland with a new Benelli shotgun.

“All my life, the only thing I ever aspired to was to be a labor lawyer, an advocate for organized labor,” Moreland said. “To be a lawyer for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and to become your general counsel was beyond my wildest dreams. I love this organization; I love all of you,” he told the convention.