The Proven Leadership Team stands in solidarity after being re-elected at the 33rd Consolidated Convention in Las Vegas July 18.
Delegates re-elect officers, amend constitution
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 elected by local lodges and those serving by virtue of their office cast their votes to elect International officers. Running as The Proven Leadership Team, all incumbent International officers were re-elected. 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.
Delegates also voted on recommendations of the Constitution and Law Committee, which had reviewed more than 100 resolutions from local lodges and the International Executive Council. The Law Committee also put forth resolutions.
Economic issues draw debate
EXTENSIVE DEBATE CENTERED on economic issues, among them strike payments, the Industrial Sector Operations (ISO) assessment and the salary adjustment provision of the constitution.
There was strong support to increase strike payments. After several amendments were offered and withdrawn, IP Jones moved to raise the payments from $150 to $250, and the convention approved the amendment enthusiastically.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 is necessary. Some delegates argued that the $1 increase created a hardship for members even though the conferences provide valuable educational opportunities. The Construction Sector Operations Committee and the Industrial Sector Operations Committee took up the matter, as did the Law Committee, and ultimately a compromise was reached. Delegates approved a new assessment 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, during the 2016 convention, that 5 percent was too high. 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 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.
An amendment to reduce the annual salary adjustment to 2.5 percent was withdrawn following a roll-call vote that indicated a majority of delegates supported retaining the provision.
Full coverage of the 2016 Consolidated Convention will appear in the July-September issue of the Boilermaker Reporter. Additional information and photo galleries can be found at https://convention.boilermakers.org.
