Delegates vote on constitutional changes, officers
NEARLY 500 DELEGATES representing Boilermaker local lodges, districts and councils across the United States and Canada met at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas July 18-21 to chart the Brotherhood's course for the next five years. Sixty-seven delegates-at-large also attended, along with International staff and administrative employees.
Delegates heard from guest speakers, elected International officers, listened to committee reports, and debated and voted on a variety of proposed changes to the constitution and International policies. Delegates also viewed films of Boilermakers at work projected each day across three enormous screens.
In the opening video, professional cellist Dana Hughlett performed a rousing classical solo as images of Boilermakers on the job depicted the diversity of work our members do across the United States and Canada. Hughlett later appeared in person on stage to perform live.
International President Newton B. Jones, in his welcoming address, compared the sacrifice and skills development of musicians to the preparation and commitment that Boilermakers contribute to their own craft.
He told the delegates, "The work you do every day is not just a job. The work you do is an essential component of the symphony of our collective skills and our collective endeavors. We do not just serve our employers, we serve our society with every skill we have and every hour we clock, with every bead of sweat that drips from our brows. Brothers and sisters, you are an essential performer in the grand symphony of services the Boilermakers provide to our two great societies."
He added that over the last 136 years, Boilermakers have built a remarkable legacy. "Every day, Boilermakers sacrifice, doing the hard, dangerous and difficult work that keeps our citizens comfortable and our nations strong. And even if those citizens are not always aware of the skills and training and discipline that go into making their lives better, we Boilermakers and our families know."
Looking out over the convention, Jones spoke about the legacy of the Brotherhood and what drives the union's solidarity. "Let us all remember what binds us together, something we carry within each of us every day of our lives, something that is rare and precious; each of you has the same thing our forefathers had when they breathed our great Brotherhood to life. Brothers and Sisters, you have the heart of a Boilermaker."
Proven Leadership Team returns to office
DELEGATES ELECTED BY local lodges and those serving by virtue of their office cast their votes to elect International officers. (Delegates-at-large, who are appointed by the International President, have a voice at convention but no vote.)
Running as The Proven Leadership Team, all incumbent International officers were returned to their positions. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka swore in the slate.
Following are the election results:
International President — Newton B. Jones, 454 delegates, 44,520 votes; Darrell Manroe, Local 83 (Kansas City, Missouri), 31 delegates, 6,571 votes.
International Secretary-Treasurer — William T. Creeden, 445 delegates, 43,794 votes; Brian Opland, Local 104 (Seattle), 40 delegates, 7,297 votes.
International Vice President-Great Lakes — Larry McManamon, uncontested.
International Vice President-Canada — Joe Maloney, 457 delegates, 45,217 votes; Ken Noga, Local 359 (Victoria, British Columbia), 23 delegates, 5,512 votes.
International Vice President-Western States — J. Tom Baca, uncontested.
International Vice President-Southeast — Warren Fairley, uncontested.
International Vice President-Northeast — D. David Haggerty, 450 delegates, 45,677 votes; Mike Hancock, Local 29 (Boston), 17 delegates 2,320 votes.
International Secretary-Treasurer Bill Creeden cast the vote to re-elect officers in uncontested races.
Law Committee makes recommendations
BEGINNING ON DAY two of the convention, delegates heard recommendations from the Constitution and Law Committee. Chaired by D. David Haggerty, International Vice President - Northeast Section, the committee had deliberated on more than 100 resolutions submitted primarily by local lodges, along with some from the International Executive Council and the Law Committee itself.
Some committee recommendations brought delegates to the floor to offer amendments to the constitution and to engage in debates, with issues being resolved by voice vote or in some cases by roll call votes in which delegates lined up at microphones to cast their votes.
Although delegates were passionate about the issues, the atmosphere remained respectful of the brothers and sisters who voiced differing opinions.
Delegates examine, discuss economic issues
EXTENSIVE DEBATE CENTERED on economic issues, among them strike payments, the Industrial Sector Operations (ISO) assessment and the salary adjustment provision of the constitution. Warren Fairley, International Vice President - Southeast Section, served as convention chair and led delegates through the process of floor debates.
There was strong support to increase strike payments. After several amendments were offered and withdrawn, IP Jones moved to raise the weekly payments from $150 to $250, and the convention approved the amendment enthusiastically.
Delegates also sought amendments to the Industrial Sector Operations assessment, which had been established by delegate action in 2011 to fund the ISO educational conference and related support. Going into the 2016 convention, the assessment stood at $4 per month, with a provision for an annual increase of $1 per month should the IEC determine the increase to be necessary. Some delegates argued that the $1 increase created a hardship for members even though the conferences provide valuable educational opportunities. The Industrial Sector Operations Committee and the Construction Sector Operations Committee, in support, took up the matter, as did the Law Committee, and ultimately a compromise was reached. Delegates approved a new assessment limit of up to $.50 per month going forward.
The convention also debated the annual salary adjustment provision of the constitution, which had been passed at a previous convention by delegate action. The provision sets a 5 percent ceiling for any annual increases — provided the Brotherhood's financial situation can support the maximum, as determined by the IEC.
Some argued that 5 percent was too high, and an amendment was proposed to cut the rate in half.
International Secretary-Treasurer Bill Creeden pointed out that the 5 percent maximum had rarely been applied. He noted that in 2012 International officers voluntarily reduced their own salaries by 15 percent, and staff salaries were reduced by 10 percent. Those salaries were not fully restored to their previous levels until 2014. Last year, officers and staff received a 2.5 percent increase.
Arguing against the amendment, Local 169 (Detroit) BM-ST Bob Hutsell said, "I stand firm with my fellow Law Committee members. I am not in the business of reducing people's wages. I am in the business of increasing wages, increasing the conditions and the opportunities for the field construction Boilermakers in the state of Michigan."
The amendment was later withdrawn following a roll-call vote that indicated a majority of delegates supported retaining the provision.
Motion to elect International reps gets thumbs down
A PROPOSED AMENDMENT to require that International reps be elected rather than appointed drew strong opposition and was soundly defeated. Proponents of the measure offered that electing representatives would promote democracy and involvement in the union.
Those who rose against the amendment said it would create dysfunction in the organization because it would prevent International leadership from replacing ineffective reps.
Others pointed out that candidates for reps are carefully vetted according to their capabilities, training and experience, and that electing reps would risk placing unqualified individuals in those positions.
BNAP Administrator and delegate-at-large Marty Spencer stated, "Our reps are the hardest working people that I know. [They] and the business managers, they bust their humps. And we should be falling on our knees thanking God that these guys are working for us."
Some delegates questioned the practicality and cost of electing reps, especially those who cover geographically broad jurisdictions.
"I'm from a railroad local, and we're spread out all over the country," said delegate George Thompson, president of Local 538 (Roanoke, Virginia). It would be almost impossible for us to vote and elect [an International Rep] "You wouldn't know who they were and their credibility."
Delegates reject regional IVP elections
AN AMENDMENT TO require International Vice Presidents to be elected by the regions they represent could not get traction. Those supporting the measure felt that members should only vote for the IVP who has responsibility for their jurisdiction.
Delegates opposing the measure argued that the International Executive Council votes on issues across all jurisdictions, that the measure would allow the largest locals to always elect an IVP from their own ranks, and that the amendment would undermine the unity and solidarity of the Brotherhood.
Delegate-at-large Michel Trépanier, an International rep and former business manager of Local 271 (Montreal, Quebec) said, "I'm part of one team. I'm not a Canadian Boilermaker. I'm part of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. [We are] one family."
Convention ends with poetry, closing remarks
ON THE FINAL day of the convention, President Jones invited Don Rojem to the stage to read a poem he wrote about Boilermaker life. Rojem, 86, is a retired member of Local 169 (Detroit) who took up poetry following a long career in field construction.
“We do not just serve our employers, we serve our society with every skill we have and every hour we clock, with every bead of sweat that drips from our brows.”
— International President Newton B. Jones
Retired professor Van K. Brock also joined President Jones on stage. Brock had taught Jones creative writing early in Jones' career, when he was alternating between construction jobs and attending college. Brock told delegates, "The basic definition of a poet is a maker — and you're all makers."
In his closing remarks, President Jones detailed the challenges and opportunities facing Boilermaker members and their families. He spoke of the many initiatives and transformations the union has undertaken, among them expanded organizing and recruitment efforts; legal challenges and alliances against overly-restrictive EPA rules; the Industrial Sector Operations Conference; a temporary foreign worker program in Canada; Bank of Labor; an outreach program to Latino workers; interactive online training systems for apprentices; and industry-leading programs such as the MOST Boilermaker Code.
Jones stressed that the strength of the Brotherhood is embodied in the skills of our members and their solidarity.
"We are bound together, not only by our craft," he said, "but also by our Brotherhood. We are family. We look out for one another. We are problem-solvers, builders and makers of things. Society will always need our special and valuable skills."
Additional information, videos and photo galleries can be found at https://convention.boilermakers.org.
