Retiree appreciates pension management
I AM 89 years old and I worked at the trade some 40 years. I wish to thank you for the fine management of the pension trust [Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust] over the years.
JOHN SHERAM, Local 92 retiree
Broken Arrow, Okla.
Railroad workers get recognition
ON JUNE 28, THE History Channel aired “Bone Yard,” a show that included footage of some of the high-quality work we perform on wrecked locomotives at Amtrak [Beech Grove, Ind.]. Although other crafts perform work on these giant structures, Boilermakers perform all of the repair work.
All of the men at our shop take great pride in producing good quality products, on time. We rebuild, maintain, and overhaul wrecked locomotives. We also supply other Amtrak facilities with products, which we manufacture from the ground up. We’re all welders, fabricators, fitters, grinders, innovators, and PURE craftsmen.
KENNETH KIRBY, Local 51
Greencastle, Ind.
Scottish by birth, American by choice
I STARTED MY apprenticeship in 1957 as a boilermaker at the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland. In 1967, I immigrated to the United States, where Local 154 (Pittsburgh) Business Manager Fred Gualtieri put me to work. Since then I have worked in locals all over the Northeast coast.
There are not too many people in this world who have fulfilled their childhood ambitions, but I have fulfilled two: coming to the U.S.A., and being sworn in as a U.S. citizen on May 15.
To all of my brothers and sisters, and all the BAs who put me to work, I say thank you. I’m Scottish by birth, and American by choice!
JOHN “SCOTTY” LITTLEJOHN, Local 154 retiree
Toronto, Ohio
Locals need workers comp follow-up
EMPLOYERS AND INSURERS in Wisconsin have been adjusting their criteria for denying worker comp benefits as costs skyrocket. At Local 487, we have seen a dramatic increase in claims denied with little or no legal basis. Insurers know that in cases of small monetary value we cannot obtain legal representation.
To fight back, I have been trained to follow up on these cases and represent the members throughout the appeals process up to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Most cases have been successfully settled, recovering the workers’ medical and other expenses.
This service to our members shows the company that our union will fight for what we deserve. Every local should consider having someone trained to follow up on denied claims.
Ronald Hudson, L- 487 sec.-treas.
Kewaunee, Wis.
