Due to uncertainties caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Executive Council has made the decision that the 34th Consolidated Convention will be held as an online-only virtual event, convening July 19, 2021.
“This was a difficult decision, and while we would all of course prefer to meet in person, we simply are not confident that we will be in a position in July to responsibly and safely travel or meet in a large group setting,” said International President Newton B. Jones. “We are also concerned that our Canadian brothers and sisters may still have difficulty entering the United States at that time, preventing Canadian Boilermakers from participating in an in-person event.”
Because of the virtual format, the convention will be abbreviated to one day and will focus on necessary business only. As directed by the union’s Constitution, convention committees will still be appointed and meet as needed ahead of the convention. Delegate nominations and election information is available online and through other Boilermaker communications channels. Information has also been circulated through official letters to local lodge leaders, as has been the practice in the lead-up to past conventions.
The convention’s online platform will be hosted by Kelly Press, which has long provided traditional conference and convention support to the Boilermakers union and other trade unions. Kelly Press has hosted several other virtual union conventions over the past year-plus due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“While we will miss the opportunity to meet in person—as has been the case throughout this pandemic—we no less look forward to meeting virtually to keep the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers moving forward and address our Convention business,” IP Jones said. “We are working to the best of our abilities to ensure the convention and committee meetings are substantive, our virtual platform runs as smoothly as possible and our organization’s business needs and expectations are well met.”
Additional information about the virtual 34th Consolidated Convention will be provided to delegates, leaders and members as it becomes available.
