Every Boilermaker has a friend, neighbor or acquaintance who needs representation in their workplace… They need the support of a labor union, and it is our duty to help them.
As announced by International President Timothy Simmons during the 2025 Industrial Sector Operations Conference in Las Vegas in July, the International Executive Council unanimously voted to launch a new program that provides incentives to Boilermakers who boost the union’s organizing efforts.
The Organizing Our Future Incentive Program rewards Boilermakers for identifying workplaces that are potentially viable for organizing campaigns, for assisting with active organizing campaigns and for supporting newly organized workplaces through their first successful contract.
“Right now, our union is approximately 44,000 members strong in North America. This means we have an incredible network of members and local lodges ready to mobilize to grow our membership,” said IP Simmons in an August letter to local lodges, kicking off the program. “Every Boilermaker has a friend, neighbor or acquaintance who needs representation in their workplace. These future union members deserve fair wages and benefits, safer working conditions and a voice on their jobsites. They need the support of a labor union, and it is our duty to help them.”
The program is divided into two member-led components: lead generation and member-led organizing outreach. Following is a summary of those components:
Lead generation incentive
An active Boilermaker completes an organizing lead form. The lead is then researched by the organizing team. If the lead is deemed to be viable, the organizing team then begins activities and efforts toward organizing, and the Boilermaker and their local lodge is rewarded as follows:
| Incentive to Member | Incentive to Member’s Local Lodge | |
|---|---|---|
| Successful filing of a petition | $500 | $500 |
| Successful election result | $500 | $500 |
| Successful ratification of new Collective Bargaining Agreement at the new unit | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Total Potential Incentive | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Member-led generation incentive
An active Boilermaker member volunteers for organizing training provided by IBB. After training is completed, the Boilermaker researches potential leads and reports on their organizing activities. When the Boilermaker finds a viable organizing opportunity, the union then assists them in building consensus, filing a petition and monitoring the campaign and supplies legal and informational support as needed. To qualify for the incentive, the bulk of the concerted organizing activity must be the responsibility of the member.
Successful campaigns are rewarded as follows:
| Units with 50 and under Bargaining Unit Employees | Units with 51+ Bargaining Unit Employees |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | $2,000 |
After the campaign is successful, an active Boilermaker member can be rewarded for continued support of the unit. When the unit ratifies its first collective bargaining agreement, if the Boilermaker continues to work with the unit to sign up new members, they will receive an additional $50 for each member who joins within the first 60 days.
For example: If a Boilermaker files an organizing petition, has a successful campaign generating a new unit of 100 new members and works to have them all join as members at the ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement, the Boilermaker would receive $7,000 for their effort.
“Current data proves the time is ripe for organizing,” Simmons said in his letter. “In the United States alone, 70% of Americans approve of labor unions. We must not squander this favorable environment. The time is now to organize, both internally and externally.”
For more information on the program and additional organizing training and more, visit
