35th Convention shapes the Brotherhood’s future

The 35th Consolidated Convention brought together 435 Boilermaker delegates from local lodges, districts and councils throughout the United States and Canada to conduct the business of the Brotherhood. Delegates voted on union leadership and changes to the union’s Constitution at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas July 20-23. In addition to voting delegates, 61 delegates-at-large, International officers, staff and employees also attended.

Throughout the week, delegates elected International officers and debated proposed amendments to the International Constitution and policies. They also heard guest speakers and considered reports from convention committees. Delegates engaged in discussions about the union’s priorities over the next five years. Between sessions, video presentations showcased Boilermakers at work, highlighting the skill, pride and craftsmanship of members across North America.

International President Timothy Simmons opened the first day of the convention with a rousing State of the Union message presenting a vision for the Boilermakers built on unity, growth and member engagement. Simmons acknowledged the union’s recent struggles but said the Brotherhood has emerged stronger and focused on expanding membership and restoring members’ confidence in their leadership.

Developing a clear direction for the union became one of his first priorities after taking office.

“We didn't need empty words or promises; we needed a vision,” he said.

That vision was shaped by his conversations with members at local lodges and jobsites across North America. Members were tired of the status quo and wanted to be a part of change and see growth in the union.

“I have a vision of our union being tripled in size by our next convention,” he said. Then he detailed several initiatives already underway to move the union toward that goal.

The union hired full-time organizers in every area, expanded recruiting efforts, introduced electronic authorization cards and launched the union’s first online membership application. Simmons also pointed to renewed relationships with the AFL-CIO and North America’s Building Trades Unions, increased legislative advocacy and continued investment in member training.

“I have made specific efforts to attend these meetings and multi-craft events because, let’s be honest, if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.”

Throughout the address, Simmons emphasized that growth is the responsibility of every member, encouraging delegates to recruit new workers into the trade and extend the opportunities union membership has provided to generations of working families. With the convention’s theme, “United in Purpose, Unstoppable in Progress,” Simmons called on members to move beyond past divisions and work together to strengthen the Brotherhood for future generations.

“The generations before us gave us this union, and it’s worth fighting for,” he said. “They built it one job at a time, one apprentice at a time, one local at a time. They sacrificed so that we could earn a good living, support our families and retire with dignity. Now it is our turn.”

Simmons said that years from now, when a future generation gathers at this convention, they will look back on this moment to see how delegates chose to face the union’s challenges.

“I believe they will say this was the moment the Boilermakers chose growth over fear, unity over division and action over complacency,” he said. “Together, we will strengthen this Brotherhood for those who come after us. Together, we will prove that when Boilermakers are united in purpose, we truly are unstoppable in progress.”

Simmons reelected; officer elections conclude

On opening day, convention delegates voted to elect Timothy Simmons to a five-year term as International President of the union.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the men and women who call themselves Boilermakers,” Simmons said to an energized crowd upon his election. “We cannot stop now. We’ve got to take this energy back to our local lodges and fire them up the same way. With organizing recruiting and training, we can triple in size before our next convention!”

Simmons had previously been elected by the International Executive Council to serve the unexpired term of the preceding International President immediately upon his retirement in 2024.

For the first time in decades, all offices were elected individually rather than as a slate. In other election results:

• J. Tom Baca was reelected as International Vice President-Western States over L-627 BM-ST Jacob Evenson and L-627 assistant business agent Richard Lerma.
• Eric Davis was elected as International Vice President-Great Lakes over L-647 BM-ST Luke Voigt.
• John Fultz was reelected as International Vice President-Northeast.
• Jeff Campbell was reelected as International Vice President-Southeast over L-433 member James Barnes Jr.
• Arnie Stadnick was reelected as International Vice President-Canada over L-146 member Luc Berubé.
• Additionally, Clint Penny was reelected as International Secretary-Treasurer over L-83 BM-ST Casey Jensen.
• Simmons won his election over IVP-Great Lakes Dan Sulivan, and Fultz’s seat as IVP-Northeast was uncontested.

Guest speakers discuss economy and jobs for the middle-class

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler addressed delegates Monday, urging them to continue leading the union in organizing, political action and worker-led innovation. She said the future of the American economy depends on empowering working people rather than enriching corporations and billionaires.

Shuler said today’s economy has failed to reward the workers whose labor drives its success. While corporate executives earn millions and companies spend billions on stock buybacks, many working families continue to struggle with rising costs and economic uncertainty.

“It's time to build an economy that works for people who actually work for a living,” Shuler said.

She praised the Boilermakers’ leadership and organizing successes, describing the union as an example of what a modern labor movement can accomplish. Shuler noted that the AFL-CIO surpassed its goal of organizing 1 million workers in just three years, well ahead of its original 10-year target, and she highlighted Boilermaker organizing victories at Nichiha in Georgia and Trojan Battery in California as proof that workers continue to embrace union representation.

Shuler said workplace organizing must be matched by political engagement. She encouraged delegates to participate in the upcoming midterm elections, saying labor must protect voting rights and elect leaders who support collective bargaining, retirement security and workers’ rights. The AFL-CIO is aiming to mobilize 16 million union voters and deploy 50,000 trained election protectors to safeguard access to the polls.

Looking ahead, Shuler said organized labor must play a central role in shaping emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. She warned against allowing corporations to introduce AI without worker input and called for safeguards that protect jobs and the right to organize. While technology will transform many industries, she said it should enhance the skills and judgment of trained union workers, not replace them.

Shuler also advocated for strengthening North American manufacturing through investing in domestic supply chains and pursuing an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, which creates union jobs that pay a living wage.

Shuler called on union members to reject efforts to divide working people. Instead, she urged delegates to stand together to confront corporate power and build an economy that puts workers first.

“The billionaires have their money. Corporations have their lobbyists,” she said. “We have each other.”

North America’s Building Trades Union President, Sean McGarvey addressed delegates Tuesday morning. He assured the Boilermakers the union building trades are in a strong position for jobs and steady work.

“Whether it’s advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy, shipbuilding, refineries, data centers or infrastructure needed to power the next generation of our economy, these projects demand the skill and standards that only our unions can deliver,” he said. “The Boilermakers know that as well as anyone.

“The reason we’re in this position is simple: We invest in people.”

That investment, he said, is through the registered apprenticeship programs and high-quality training union’s offer.

NABTU’s affiliated unions and their signatory contractors invest nearly $3 billion annually in apprenticeship and training, and only the United States military trains more hard-skilled workers than the building trades do, he pointed out.

McGarvey outlined NABTU’s pathways into the trades to build a middle-class future, including through their Apprenticeship Readiness Program, Tradeswomen Build Nations and Helmets to Hardhats.

He went on to describe NABTU’s partnership with the Center for Construction and Research and their work addressing mental wellness in the building trades.  CPWR has created practical tools aimed at the construction industry and is seeing a significant reduction in overdose deaths.

Regarding data center work, McGarvey stressed the importance of building trades unions being actively engaged with policymakers.

“The challenge isn’t whether these projects are needed,” he explained. “The challenge is workforce planning and execution. That’s why NABTU works every day to advance policies, permitting certainty, investment and project planning that gives owners confidence to move forward.”

McGarvey closed by emphasizing the nation’s enduring need for Boilermakers’ unique, high-quality skills.

“As long as America needs power, industry, infrastructure and national security, America will need the Boilermakers,” he said. “And I have every confidence that you will continue to lead, grow and raise the bar for the industry and America’s workforce, just as you have done for generations.”

Boilermakers and guests explore products, craft, history

Doors to the convention’s exhibit hall opened the weekend before the convention’s first delegate session, allowing busy delegates a chance to visit more than 20 vendor and partner booths and explore a special Boilermaker History Preservation Department exhibit.

The exhibit hall was open to both guests and delegates throughout the convention. Vendors and partners included the Boilermakers National Funds, Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program, UnionPlus, Bank of Labor, MOST Programs and Milwaukee Tools among them.

The History Department’s display was the exhibit hall highlight. The detailed, informative display told the union’s story from its early days to today. One side walked visitors through panels peppered with little-known-facts about the union that shaped the Brotherhood over the years. The others side featured samples of products Boilermakers make today throughout the United States and Canada that impact daily lives—from Ty-D-Bol to cement and massive Komatsu heavy-duty haulers. At the center, a screen displayed videos and scenes from the union’s history, as well as a tribute in memorial to brothers and sisters who had died since the last convention.

It was all anchored by the signature Boilermaker riveter sculpture.

“It was a celebration of our history of craftsmanship,” said BHPD Director Dave Stewart. “We wanted to create an experience where people could learn about the history of our union; how our union developed and evolved over time.”

The exhibit was entirely designed and crafted by the BHPD staff, from researching and writing about the union’s history to hand making the displays that showcased it all. International Reps helped procure the Boilermaker-made products.

“Preserving and showing our union’s history is important, because it educates new members on the legacy of craftsmanship they’ll carry forward,” Stewart said. “It’s also a reminder to existing members about where our Brotherhood came from and what we’ve gone through to become the union of craftsmen and craftswomen we are today.”

The exhibit illustrated the convention’s theme, as it has applied to the Boilermakers throughout history.  And while the actions of delegates at the 35th Consolidated Convention are now already part of the Boilermaker’s storied history, they are at the same time part of the union’s future.

That’s what President Simmons urged delegates to remember as he ended the convention—the future of the brotherhood.

“We have the craftsmen and women. We have the talent. We have the leadership. We have the plan,” said Simmons. “Now all we need is every one of us pulling in the same direction. Let us leave this convention committed to organizing. Committed to recruiting. Committed to training the next generation. Let us go back to our locals committed to standing shoulder to shoulder, regardless of our differences, because what unites us is far greater than anything that divides us.”