reporter - international brotherhood of boilermakers, iron ship ... · shaffer told the reporter,...

On the JobA look at what our members do . .4-5Tax Cut DeceptionPackage is not what it seems . . . . .8-9Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Letters to the EditorL-271’s Levesque writes about trip . . .16

IN THESE PAGES

Reporterthe Boilermaker

http://www.IBB.workingfamilies.com http://www.boilermakers.org

Vol. 42 No. 3May • Jun 2003

The Official Publication of theInternational Brotherhood of

Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders,Blacksmiths, Forgers, and

Helpers, AFL-CIO

The Shipyard Workers Unionvotes to affiliate with the IBB

LOCAL 502 MEMBERS, l. to r., RichardPope and Charlie Winston, stand in frontof the Yukon Territory’s first steam loco-motive, Engine #1, built in 1899.

Affiliation offers strength and security toformer members of independent union MEMBERS OF THE SHIPYARD WORKERS UNION (SWU),an independent union established in April 2000, voted to affili-ate with the Boilermakers International Union, effective March27, 2003. The new lodge will maintain the name Shipyard Work-ers Union, but will be known internally as Local Lodge 1998.

The SWU represents over 1,700 employees in the SanDiego, Calif., port. SWU represents workers at HopemanBrothers Marine Interiors and has organized 70 percent of theworkforce at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company.

Robert Godinez, former president of the independent union,will continue to serve as the new local’s president. Intl. Pres.Charles W. Jones has assigned Intl. Rep. Steve Eames toservice the lodge and has also appointed Godinez as anInternational rep. and general organizer for this new unit.

“The future of shipbuilding and ship repair in San Diego isvery good,” said Godinez. “Both of our employers have con-tracted work until the year 2013, and we plan to continueorganizing about 2,000 more employees on the waterfront.”

Joseph A. Stinger, who became International vice presi-dent of the Western States Section on April 7, wrote Godinezto welcome him and SWU members into the InternationalBrotherhood of Boilermakers union.

“I look forward to working with themembers of the Shipyard WorkersUnion,” wrote Stinger. “I know the SWUwill become a powerful local union, andwe are all looking forward to workingwith these members, offering trainingprograms, and establishing a new unionhall for this local lodge.”

Work performed by members ofthe Shipyard Workers Union at theNational Steel and Shipbuilding Co.(Nassco) was recently featured in theAmerican Ship Review 2002-2003, anannual special issue of the Profes-sional Mariner.

The article by Brian Gauvin featuresconstruction of two Orca-class rollon/roll off ships: Midnight Sun, floatingand nearing completion; and North Star,taking shape in the graving dock.

The vessels are the first Jones Act lin-ers built specifically for the Alaskatrade. Though the ships have not yetlogged a single nautical mile, they havealready received environmentalawards from Washington and Alaska,and a U.S. Coast Guard Bronze Star forincorporating a double-hull fuel-oiltank system, a contained freshwater-ballast system, a gondola-aft hull formto minimize oil pollution from shaft-seal systems, and a reduced-emissionsdiesel-electric plant.

The 839-foot vessels have a strength-ened bulbous bow, as well as a 20-footwide band (from the 13-foot to the 33-foot marks) extending from the bowback almost amidships. These areashave 1.25-inch plate and double stiffen-ing for icebreaking. ❑

Volunteer members retube1899 engine for park LOCAL 502, TACOMA, Wash., mayrepresent construction workers inAlaska and Washington, but sincethe summer of 2000, L-502 membershave been working on the railroad.

That’s not entirely true, but theyhave been working on the first steamlocomotive to travel in the YukonTerritory — Engine #1.

Built in March 1899 by H. K. Porter& Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., Engine No. 1 isa 0-4-0 steam locomotive that ran in theYukon Territory from 1899 to 1905. In1905, the Tanana Valley Railroad

brought the locomotive to Fairbanks,Alaska. It was retired in 1922.

In the summer of 2000, the Friendsof the Tanana Valley Railroad, a non-profit organization of volunteers,decided to bring Engine #1 out ofretirement. Working with JAFFAConstruction, Local 502 membersdonated their time and effort to helprestore Engine #1 to its original condi-tion. Members retubed the engine andrebuilt the coal car.

Engine #1 now operates on selecteddates during the summer at PioneerPark, formerly known as Alaskaland, inFairbanks. Local 502’s Charlie Winstonis one of the part-time engineers. ❑

L-502 members are workingon the railroad, Engine #1

When SWU members built the Midnight Sun(top) they reinforced the bow (above) for

icebreaking. Photos by Brian Gauvin

2 the Boilermaker Reporter May • Jun 2003

Reporterthe Boilermaker

May • Jun 2003 Vol. 42 No. 3

Charles W. Jones, International President and Editor-in-Chief

Jerry Z. Willburn, Intl. Secretary-Treasurer

International Vice PresidentsLawrence McManamon, Great LakesMichael S. Murphy, NortheastNewton B. Jones, Southeast George Rogers , Central Joe Stinger, Western States Richard Albright, Western CanadaAlexander MacDonald, Eastern CanadaJim Hickenbotham, At-LargeOthal Smith Jr., At-Large

Editorial staffDonald Caswell, Managing EditorCarol Dillon, Asst. to the Managing Editor

The Boilermaker Reporter is the official publi-cation of the International Brotherhood ofBoilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths,Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO. It is publishedbimonthly to disseminate information of useand interest to its members. Submissions frommembers, local lodges, and subordinate oraff i l iated bodies are welcomed andencouraged. This publication is mailed freeof charge to active members and retiredmembers holding a Retired Members Card.Others may subscribe for the price of $10 forthree years. Standard Mail (A) postage paidat Kansas City, Kan., and additional mailingoffices. ISSN No. 1078-4101.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

The Boilermaker Reporter753 State Avenue, Suite 565Kansas City, KS 66101(913) 371-2640; FAX (913) 281-8104

Web sites: www.boilermakers.org and IBB.workingfamilies.com

PUBLICATION AGREEMENT No. 40010131

Printed in the U.S.A.

A prize-winning newspaper

Gingrich said new rules will‘weaken our opponents’A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Actrequest has uncovered a letter writtenin 1992 by then-Republican WhipNewt Gingrich that reveals the truereason behind Labor Secretary ElaineChao’s new LM reporting rules.

Gingrich wrote to the first PresidentBush’s labor secretary, Lynn Martin,and Clayton Yeutter, the president’sdomestic policy adviser, urging themto institute changes in the LM-2 unionreporting and disclosure form exactlylike the ones Chao wants to implementthis year. These changes, he explained,would “weaken our opponents andencourage our allies.”

Chao insults union presidents

GINGRICH’S LETTER reveals thatthese changes have nothing to do withhelping workers and everything to dowith weakening unions. Perhaps thatis why Labor Secretary Martin advisedthe first President Bush against them.

Eleven years later, DOL SecretaryElaine Chao had no such qualms aboutinsulting the heads of dozens of unionsat an AFL-CIO meeting in February. Inanswer to a question from IAMPresident Tom Buffenbarger, she began

reading aloud from a list of seven crim-inal cases involving IAM locals.

What she did not say — and did notlet Buffenbarger say — was that allseven cases had been brought to theattention of the Department of Labor bythe IAM itself, as a result of internalaudits in compliance with the currentLM-2 reports, which are adequate touncover wrongdoing. The amounts ofthe misused monies were $218, $377,$744, $780, $13,175, $13,500, and $14,067.

Chao is using isolated cases likethese to justify new rules that will costunions millions of dollars.

Bush administration showspattern of union-busting

THESE REVELATIONS are the latestin a long series that suggest the BushWhite House is actively working todestroy union representation for work-ers. Bush’s appointments to agenciesthat oversee workers have consistentlygone to antiworker candidates, hisexecutive orders have rolled backworker protections, and he has usedthe cover of national security to denyfederal workers the right to be repre-sented by labor unions.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeneyhas called this “the most antiworkeradministration in recent times.” ❑

L-13 members take workerissues to state capitol

Mississippi one step closerto having labor department

THREE DELEGATES from the Missis-sippi AFL-CIO testified for passage of abill to create a state department of laborat a Senate Labor Committee meeting inJackson, Miss., with dozens of other del-egates showing their support in thegallery. The speakers included Missis-sippi AFL-CIO President Robert Shaf-fer, former president of Boilermakers’Local 903 in West Point.

Their efforts bore fruit. The SenateLabor Committee voted to send the billto the Appropriations Committee forfurther action. The testimony occurredduring the Mississippi AFL-CIO’s

annual legislative conference. Two Boilermaker representatives

taught classes at the legislative con-ference. Intl. Rep. Howard Cole pre-sented a steward’s training courseand Pam Dumler, asst. to the directorof the Boilermakers’ research andcollective bargaining services depart-ment, conducted a class on the Fam-ily Medical Leave Act. They werewell received.

Shaffer told the Reporter, “The dele-gates were very impressed and wouldliked to have taken another day forboth of the instructors.” ❑

Letter shows anti-unionaim behind new DOL rules

EACH YEAR, MEMBERSof Local 13’spolitical action committee (PAC) travelto Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capitol,to discuss issues of importance toworkers with state legislators.

This was the seventh year themembers of Local 13, Philadelphia,

have made the journey. PAC mem-bers going to the state capitol citythis year included Local 13 BM-STJames Banford Jr., Local 13 PresidentBill Hill, Rich Crouse, John Gushue,Jim Heron, Bill Morgan, MarkStrachan, and Granville Strachan. ❑

MILLIONS OF AMERICAN workerswho rely on overtime pay may be in fora pay cut under a “clarification” of theFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) beingconsidered by the Labor Department.

Victoria Lipnic, assistant secretary foremployment standards at the U.S.Labor Department, says the proposedchanges are intended to “protect work-ers who were not being protected.”

Labor leaders see it differently.The new rule would deny overtime

pay to workers making over $22,000 ayear, including those who superviseother workers or perform work “ofsubstantial importance.” Those at riskof being reclassified under the new rulerange from administrative assistants tofactory machine operators, health carelab technicians, and firefighters.

The Labor Department says the rulewould affect about 644,000 workers, butcritics put the figure much higher. MikeLeibig, general counsel for the Interna-tional Union of Police Associations,says nearly half the nation’s policeforces could be negatively affected.

The rule is open for public commentthrough the end of June. The LaborDepartment does not need congres-sional approval and expects to put therule into effect next year.

In addition to this rule change, theBush administration hopes to get a billthrough Congress that allows employ-ers to substitute compensatory time offfor overtime pay. Both of these propos-als weaken the most important workerprotection law on the books (FLSA), tothe substantial benefit of employers. ❑

‘Rule clarification’ will endovertime pay for 644,000

Spencer Bachus (Ala.) Sherwood Boehlert (N.Y.) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.) Jo Ann Emerson (Mo.) Phil English (Pa.) Mike Ferguson (N.J.) Mark Green (Wis.) Amo Houghton (N.Y.) Timothy Johnson (Ill.) Sue Kelly (N.Y.)

Peter King (N.Y.) Ray LaHood (Ill.) Steven LaTourette (Ohio) Jerry Lewis (Calif.) Frank LoBiondo (N.J.) John McHugh (N.Y.) Tim Murphy (Pa.) Jack Quinn (N.Y.) Dennis Rehberg (Mont.) Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.)

James Saxton (N.J.) John Shimkus (Ill.) Rob Simmons (Conn.) Chris Smith (N.J.) John Sweeney (N.Y.) James Walsh (N.Y.) Curt Weldon (Pa.) Don Young (Alaska)

GOP senators stand up for unions IN APRIL, 28 Republican senators signed a letter to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, askingher to withdraw her proposed changes to the LMRDA reports, saying they are “undulyburdensome” and would divert unions from “representing members.” Please take thetime to thank these senators for standing up for workers.

MISSISSIPPI AFL-CIO members show support for creating a state department of laborat a Senate committee hearing. The measure was passed by the committee.

May • Jun 2003 the Boilermaker Reporter 3

FOLLOWING A SIX–WEEK strike,449 members of Local 696, Marinette,Wis. , voted to accept a four-yearagreement with Marinette Marine onMarch 6, 2003.

“This was a very difficult negotia-tion,” reported Intl. Rep. Len Gunder-son. “It was the first contract withMarinette Marine and the ManitowocCorp. I hope the next one goes better.”

Negotiations began with the com-pany demanding concessions on vaca-tion, health insurance premiums,overtime, and the workweek.

“The company wanted to eliminateovertime during the week, and onlyallow it on the weekend after 40 hoursof work. They wanted to eliminatedouble-time and retest all our journey-men and reduce the pay for any whodid not pass,” said Gunderson. “Theyalso wanted to eliminate two weeks ofvacation and eliminate two holidays.

This left only ten holidays, of which thecompany wanted five to be floatingholidays to be designated at the com-pany’s discretion.

“The company also wanted to be ableto change the workweek on a weeklybasis; i.e., working four ten-hour days,or three 12-hour days, or any combina-tion within the shipyard. Another issuewas time off for union business. Thecompany wanted to restrict this to onlyfive days off a year for union businessfor local lodge officers, stewards, andcommittee members. They also wantedto eliminate the right to honor a sanc-tioned strike.

“But the biggest issue was healthinsurance,” Gunderson said. “Thecompany had been paying 100 percentof the premium. They proposed elimi-nating insurance for retired employees

Local 696 says ‘no’to concessions

LOCAL 696 MEMBERS participate in a six-week strike against Marinette Marine. Theirefforts led to a four-year contract with no concessions and wage increases each year.

Six-week strike softens company demands

SOLIDARITY PREVAILS at Local 449, SturgeonBay, Wis., where members banded together to rati-fy an agreement and secure a settlement for threeof their own.

On January 22, 2003, Local 449 members reached asettlement with the Bay Shipbuilding Company thatsecured a one-year leave of absence with right torecall for one member and confidential monetary set-tlements for two others.

In exchange for these undertakings, the unionagreed to withdraw all charges and dismiss a com-plaint pending before the National Labor RelationsBoard (NLRB) filed by Local 449 and the Pipefittersand Carpenters unions.

The unions had filed a joint complaint against BayShipbuilding accusing the company of changinggrievance and vacation policies and discriminatingagainst workers for union activity.

Local 449 had also filed charges against the ship-builder for failure to bargain in good faith onOctober 11, 2001, and March 8, April 12, andDecember 30, 2002.

Additional charges were filed by Local 449 onFebruary 4, 2002, for failing to offer recall to DarrinPavlik because of his union activities; on February 14,2002, for refusing to make contributions to theemployee health plan and threatening termination ofhealth insurance in retaliation for employees engag-

ing in concerted protected activity; on March 8, 2002,for, among other things, disciplining TheodoreBrauer for his concerted protected activities; and onApril 29, 2002, for discharging Scott Delarwelle inretaliation for his union membership and activities.

Problems began almost two years ago, when the col-lective bargaining agreement expired on August 31,2001. A new contract was finally ratified in May 2002,after the union filed several NLRB charges against thecompany and the workers participated in solidarityprograms, informational pickets, and a four-day strike.

“The members used the solidarity program verywell,” said Intl. Rep. Len Gunderson. “They met atthe gate in large numbers, pressed the grievance pro-cedure to the max, worked to the rule, etc. Membersof Local 696, who work at another Manitowoc-ownedshipyard in Marinette, Wis., took a bus on their owntime and traveled to Sturgeon Bay to participate in aninformational picket line with Local 449.”

Unions only strike as a last resort. When negotia-tions came to an impasse, the members initiated afour-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike. Theirefforts did not go unnoticed.

“The ULP strike had a great effect on the bargainingcommittee,” said Gunderson. “They came back to thetable ready to revote and vigorously sell a proposal.”

Local 449 members ratified a four-year agreementwith no concessions and several language gains.They secured wage increases in each contract year,an $800 signing bonus, an annual $50 clothing/toolallowance, more vacation days, and increases intheir annual shoe and prescription glass allowances,accident & sickness benefit, and lead-man and sec-ond-shift premiums.

Chartered in 1942, Local 449 has representedworkers at Bay Shipbuilding for over 30 years.Manitowoc Company is the parent company ofBay Shipbuilding. ❑

Solidarity is winning factor for L-449Darrin Pavlik secures right to recall,Scott Delarwelle and TheodoreBrauer receive cash settlements

LOCAL 696 MEMBERS show solidarity by joining L-449members on the picket line.

MEMBERS OF LOCAL 449 picket Bay Shipbuilding forunfair labor practices.

WHEN THE DAY is done, all those inconstruction have the right to headhome in the same shape as theyarrived at work — or better.

But as everyone knows, reality is notso forgiving. Each year, the industrykills or injures its people in numbinglyfamiliar ways and 2002 was no excep-tion. Falls, electrocutions, falling objects,trench cave-ins, equipment mishaps,and vehicular accidents combined tokill hundreds of people on the job.

In its reporting, ENR tries to call theindustry’s attention to best practices aswell as to the tragic results of even a

moment’s inadvertence. Many indus-try organizations and companies makesafety the highest priority because it isthe right thing to do and, more sec-ondarily, makes good business sense.

In 2003, we hope that the construc-tion industry is just as dedicated tomaking a bigger dent in accidents,injuries, and fatalities.

A good place to start is not lettingthe press of schedule push people intounsafe practices.

Reprinted from Engineering News-Record,copyright the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,Dec. 30, 2002/Jan. 6, 2003. All rights reserved.

WORKERS LEAVE A JOBSITE in Lebanon, N.H. Photo by Ferguson & Katzman Photography.Submitted by Susan Garritano, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.

Going home alive shouldbe a job requirement

Continued on page 7


MEMBERS OF LOCAL 28, Newark,N.J., have successfully completed anFCC revamp project for the NooterConstruction Co. at the ConocoPhillipsrefinery in Bayway, N.J.

This 14-month project on the world’slargest catalytic cracking unit, culminat-ed with the mechanical portion of theturnaround being completed in just 35days — ahead of schedule, under budg-et, and with no safety incidents.

The pre-turnaround work for the proj-ect began in Aug. 2001, with the fabrica-tion of a new 1.625-inch by 50-foot stain-less steel regenerator air grid, which wassuccessfully completed in Jan. 2002.

The balance of the pre-turnaroundwork included fabricating a new one-inch-thick hemispherical regeneratorhead with four-inches of refractory;installing the plenum and 20 pairs ofcyclones; constructing the crane foun-dation; and setting up the crane — aLampson LTL-2600, known as “theworld’s largest mobile crane.”

Furnished by Lampson Intl. LLC ofKennewick, Wash., it took 178 trucksto deliver the crane. A Nooter subcon-tractor built the crane’s foundation,which took 13,850 tons of stone and600 cubic yards of concrete. Nooterand ConocoPhillips engineered this

construction to accommodate thecrane’s rear crawler, which carries 5.4million pounds of counterweight.

During this turnaround, Nootermade its largest single lift ever — 704tons at a 287-foot radius, by combiningNooter’s rigging engineering with thecapabilities of the Lampson crane.

Besides setting a new lift record,Nooter was able to cut the owner’sdowntime in half by fabricating thereplacement head, plenum, andcyclones during the pre-turnaround.

Historically, all the components areassembled in place during the turn-around, resulting in downtime that lasts70 to 80 days. By fabricating these com-ponents as a single unit during the pre-turnaround, the mechanical portion ofthe turnaround was completed in just35 days, enabling ConocoPhillips to beback in production in half the time.

During the turnaround, one high-pressure water cut was made aroundthe vessel’s 55-foot, 10-inch diameter toremove the old regenerator head andcyclones. The Lampson crane was thenused to place the new head andcyclones as a single unit. When the unitwas back up, L-28 members scrappedout the old grid, cyclones, and tempo-rary stands, while helping to dismantle

and ship out the Lampson crane.Nooter Construction VP Pete

Cimino wrote, “This was a veryimpressive job by the Boilermakers

and Nooter. The customer is verypleased. Nooter wants to thank all ofthe Boilermakers who contributed tothis very safe and successful job.” ❑

Local 28, Nooter complete FCC revampBoilermakers revamp the world’s largest catalyticcracking unit and make Nooter’s largest single lift ever

LOCAL 28 MEMBERS use the world’s largest crane, a Lampson LTL-2600, to completeNooter Construction Co.’s largest single lift ever — 704 tons at a 287-foot radius — whileworking a turnaround at a ConocoPhillips refinery in Bayway, N.J.

THE KARN-WEADOCK GeneratingComplex hasn’t seen this much con-struction activity since the D.E. Karnplant first came on line in 1959.

Owner Consumers Energy, generalcontractor Babcock & Wilcox, subcon-tractors, and the building trades are inthe midst of a major outage affectingD.E. Karn Unit 2, a coal-fired boilerthat is being retrofitted with federally-mandated, pollution-control upgrades.

On Jan. 11, more than 900 workersworking two shifts, Local 169 members,Detroit, Mich., among them, began the77-day outage, taking Unit 2 off line.

To reduce pollutants, ConsumersEnergy is installing a Selective CatalyticReduction (SCR) reactor in both of itscoal-burning Karn units.

Constructing the SCRs involves build-ing a multi-story support structure,induction draft fans, ductwork, and a

significant upgrade to the plant’s exist-ing electrical system, which couldn’thandle the increased load of the SCRs.

The outage work also includes a par-tial overhaul of Unit 2’s two turbines,installation of a dust removal system,upgrades to the plant’s digital controlsystem, installation of a 4160 bus exten-sion and transformers, condenser tubereplacement, and replacement ofreheat inlet tubing.

The safety record thus far is phe-nomenal, with over 260,000 man-hours worked without a recordablesafety incident.

“There’s been a lot of planning for thisproject,” said Chuck Westphal, an asst.bus. mgr. for Boilermaker Local 169 andpresident of the Tri-County BuildingTrades. “I think they’ve thought ofeverything — even down to having asnow removal company on call to make

sure we have a place to park. A lot ofcompanies talk about teamwork, butConsumers Energy actually practiceswhat they preach. We couldn’t haveasked for a better situation.”

Speaking of planning, there’s

already an 86-day outage scheduledfor retrofitting the Karn Unit 1 boiler —the tie-in is scheduled for the spring of2004, and L-169 members are expectedback to do the job.

Source: The Building Tradesman ❑

IN THE BOWELS of the selective catalytic reactor, Local 169 members install aseries of catalyst blocks, which weigh a ton each. (Source: The Building Tradesman)

L-169 members retrofit Michigan boilerBoilermakers participate in 77-day pollution controlproject with over 260,000 accident-free man-hours

Working together for a safer job siteKCP&L, Enerfab, and Local83 strive for zero accidentsSPRINGTIME 2002 for Kansas CityPower & Light (KCP&L) brought anew and different approach to safety,as well as to the owner, contractor,and union (tripartite) relationship.

Ralph Boehm of KCP&L, repre-senting the owner, Greg Purdon ofEnerfab, representing the contractor,and Local 83 BM-ST Roger Erickson,representing the union, met before afour-week scheduled outage toaddress a tripartite commitment tosafety that would reduce accidents to

zero, enhance safety awareness, pro-mote worker participation, and serveas a benchmark for tripartite relation-ships and safety programs.

These individuals, along with com-mittee members Jim Prothe(KCP&L), Mitch Cauley (Enerfab),and Larry Horseman (Local 83),planned and adopted several meth-ods to accomplish their stated goals:• Rewards for zero accidents and bestattendance (awards included gift cer-tificates, power tools, and a grandprize — a 27-inch television).•A clear explanation of safety rulesand emergency procedures communi-

cated to the employees prior to startingthe repairs.•Completion of daily JSA checklists toreview new activities for potential haz-ards and encourage safety pre-planning.•A mid-outage safety break for every-one on site, with the committee distrib-uting donuts, cookies, and a reminderof the importance of safety.•A final post-outage review.

The result — 56,935 man-hours com-pleted with only one recordable acci-dent, no lost-time injuries, and a 3.51OSHA incident rate. From these resultsit would appear that this tripartiteapproach to safety was a success.

The committee, however, is notresting on its laurels. They intend tocontinue to meet, plan, adopt, andimplement whatever it takes toachieve their goal of zero accidents.

Each committee member recog-nizes that safety benefits all partiesthrough reduced labor costs,increased productivity, a better workenvironment, and improved morale.

Most important, this tripartite safe-ty program ensures that workers willreturn home safely to their families— healthy and whole!

Source: Ralph Boehm, KCP&L ❑


Crew’s motto comestrue — not one Band-AidMEMBERS OF LOCAL 502, Tacoma,Wash., have completed 25,000 man-hours — working in confined spaces —completing a quality job on time andaccident free.

Working for J. H. Kelly, Local 502members successfully installed anFCCU converter, designed by TOYOUSA, for Phillips Conoco in northwestWashington.

After they erected a 580-ton pres-sure vessel — the heart of the new unit— they began installing over 720,000-pounds of cyclones, dip legs, piping,and other internals into the con-verter’s shell.

Work began in August 2001 and wascompleted one year later. At peak, 40Local 502 members were on the job. Allof the installation was performed inconfined spaces and required the exe-cution of complicated rigging proce-dures. Components required multiplerigging transfers inside the converter,

with the largest cyclones weighingover 20,000 pounds each.

Internal welding included 304Hstainless and post-weld, heat-treatedchrome Molybdenum steels. Over 800welds were radiographed, PT, MP,PMI, and Ferrite-tested with only oneweld repair required during the entireinstallation.

All 25,000 man-hours were per-formed in confined spaces without onefirst aid incident.

“Considering the complicated rig -ging procedures and the ever-presentpotential for injury working in arestricted environment, this result is acredit to the professional approach andteamwork demonstrated by the con-verter construction crew,” reportedLocal 502 BM-ST Randy Robbins.“Great pride was achieved in the qual-ity result, and, more importantly, dur-ing the execution of the work, thecrew’s motto was realized —’Not OneBand-Aid.’

“This is truly an example of a goodjob, very well done,” said Robbins. ❑

Quality of L-647 crew makescontractor more competitiveI AM WRITING TOthank you for thequality of men you furnished toCriner Companies for the construc-tion of the fabric filters and scrubbersat the Olmsted County waste-to-energy project in Rochester, Minn.

The entire crew received greatpraise from our site superintendentand the management of the owner, aswell as Hannon Research Cottrell, theequipment supplier.

Both the quality and the productiv-ity of their work were outstanding, aswas their attitude and cooperationwith all parties on site.

Criner Companies won this projectcompeting against both nonunionand union air pollution specialty con-tractors. This kind of performancefrom union craftsmen is a must, andhas to be constant for Criner Compa-nies to continue to make in-roadswith nonunion projects.

We at Criner Companies wouldwelcome the following Local 647craftsmen on our projects, anytime,and anywhere: Michael Abts, CurtisBendickson, Phillip Bendickson,Dennis Frank, Timothy Fuller, Dou -glas Helwick, Harold Kirchberg,David Nivala, Richard Poukka, andDuran Sailor.

We will bid future projects with theconfidence that you can supply thistype crew, or an equal quality crew, toperform the work. Thanks for a jobwell done.

JIM MOSS, vice pres. of salesCriner Companies, Inc.

ARB praises Local 4 for highquality work & productivityI AM A THIRD-generationBoilermaker from Local 92, LosAngeles, Calif. I completed theBoilermaker apprenticeship programin 1971. I spent 28 years with ChicagoBridge & Iron, the last 20 years as aproject superintendent/site manager. Iwent to work for ARB, Inc. in 1998 asa project manager on various powerplants and refinery projects. My expe-rience covers all facets of boilermakerconstruction, so I think I am a goodjudge of construction talent.

I started a project in Moss Landing,Calif., that was going to peak at 200workers and the local hall could notsupply the needed manpower. I con -tacted Nate Begay of Local 4, and henot only had welders, but fitters andriggers as well.

I started hiring Local 4 members.The Moss Landing project not onlyfinished ahead of schedule, but underbudget as well.

ARB, Inc. would not have accom-plished this without the major contri-bution from the quality hands dis-patched from Local 4. Frank Secreetof Local 549 was very helpful in clear-ing the Local 4 members through hishall and mixing them in with localmembers and other travelers to makean outstanding crew.

I want to thank the Boilermakersfor organizing this vast pool of con-

struction talent in the Navajo Nationthat makes up Local 4. It is reassur-ing to know that when we bid workin any area, manpower shortageswill not be a problem as long as wehave this source of quality manpow-er to draw from.

GEORGE NEAHR, ARB project mgr.

Fluor Constructors receiveschampion of safety awardFLUOR CONSTRUCTORSInternational, Inc., celebrated arecord-setting year in 2002. Our part-nership with the AFL-CIO’s Buildingand Construction Trades Departmentand the local building trades councilsin the United States and Canada hasproven once again that the industries’best performance comes throughlabor/management cooperation.

We want to thank the men andwomen of the building trades whonot only helped amass the record-set-ting number of man-hours, but alsoestablished the record-setting safetyperformance within FluorCorporation. We believe theserecords* stand out as benchmarks inthe industry.

With the dedicated leadership ofbuilding trades like you (theBoilermakers union), we look for-ward to many more years of safe,quality construction and mainte-nance for our employees and clientsthroughout North America.

R. P. CARTER, executive director of labor relations, Fluor Constructors

* The Fluor Corporation presented FluorConstructors with a Champion of Safety Awardfor completing 30 million direct hours and 14million subcontract hours in 2002, with no fatali-ties, significant improvements in safety perform-ance, active safety promotion, visible safety partic-ipation, firm management accountability for safe-ty performance, and safety leadership by example.

Dakota Gasification Co.credits Local 647 membersfor successful restorationON NOV. 28, 2002, AN explosionrelated to the Donna gasifier occurredat the Dakota Gasification Co.’s(DGC) synfuels plant. Fortunately, noone was injured during the incident,but there was significant damage toequipment and piping.

I am pleased to inform you that onJan. 9, 2003, the Donna gasifier wassuccessfully returned to service. Therequired restoration work was com-pleted ahead of nearly everyone’sexpectations by at least ten days. Inaddition, the work was performed ina safe manner.

The outstanding performance ofmembers from the Boilermakers union— Local 647 (Minneapolis, Minn.) —played a large part in the successfulrestoration. By working cooperativelywith other crafts and with DGC per-sonnel, a quality job was delivered in atime-effective manner.

Thank you for the quality crafts-manship, excellent work attitude,and concern for safety in completingthis project.

FRED R. STERN , DGC plant manager

Good Job!Letters of Praise from Owners & Employers

Local 502 membersbuild FCCU converter

PSF Industries earnsfabricated product ofthe year award fromSteel Plate FabricatorsPSF INDUSTRIES, INC. combined thetalents of two Boilermaker local lodgesto win the 2002 fabricated product ofthe year award from the Steel Plate Fab-ricators Association, Inc.

PSF utilized members of Local Lodge104, Seattle, Wash., for the shop fabrica-tion, and members of Local Lodge 92,

Los Angeles, Calif., for the field erec-tion of an experimental project to testan airborne laser system.

The project was completed ahead ofschedule, within budget, and with noaccidents.

According to PSF President StanleyR. Miller, the members built an 87.5-foot, self-supporting vacuum spherethat is 1.375 inches thick. The sphere has13 legs, an internal high-pressure spraysystem, and 84-inch ductwork. It wasbuilt to ASME Code Section VIII, Divi-sion 1 requirements for the Edwards AirForce Base in California. ❑

Locals 92, 104 buildaward-winning sphere


ONCE UPON A TIME . . .Goldilocks formed a union.Instead of just hoping she’d get

what she wanted from the three bears,she entered into a collective bargainingagreement with Three Bears, Inc.

The agreement requires Three Bearsto supply three bowls of porridge, threechairs, and three beds. It goes on to saythat at least one bowl of porridge, onechair, and one bed must be “just right.”

One day Goldilocks shows up forwork, finds the just-right porridge, sitsin the just-right chair, and goes to liedown. When she does, she discoversthat all three beds are too hard.

Immediately she knows that ThreeBears, Inc., is in violation of their collec-tive bargaining agreement, and she tellsMama Bear that she wants the just-rightbed she is entitled to.

Mama Bear tells Goldilocks that allbeds are the same, so she’s just going tohave to pick one and call it “just right.”

That’s when Goldilocks decides tofile a grievance.

But first, she needs to know moreabout the beds, so she writes a letter toThree Bears, Inc., requesting informa-tion on all beds in stock, particularlyinformation as to whether they havebeen tested for just-rightness.

Papa Bear reads the letter and callsGoldilocks into his office. He says heisn’t going to give her any informationabout what beds are in stock or howclose they are to just right.

“That’s company business,” he says.“We run this company, not you, and wedon’t have to tell you anything.”

Goldilocks does not give up easily, soshe writes a second letter. In the secondletter, she reminds Papa Bear that thereare two parties to the collective bargain-ing agreement. She says she is entitledto a just-right bed and the only way shecan determine whether there is, in fact,a just-right bed available is to examinethe records. Papa Bear tells her to eather porridge and go to bed.

So Goldilocks takes her problem tothe National Labor Relations Board(NLRB) for help.

What does the NLRB do?

THE NLRB CAN BE a valuable ally, ifused properly. But if you don’t under-stand the role of the NLRB, you won’tbe able to take advantage of their help.

Here is where many locals go wrong.They expect the NLRB to step in andsolve their grievance.

That’s not what the NLRB does. TheNLRB’s role is to ensure that companiesand unions comply with the NationalLabor Relations Act (NLRA).

They do not get involved in griev-ances themselves — nor contract nego-tiations. They step in when the union orthe company charges the other partywith failing to abide by the NLRA. If acompany or union strays from the pro-visions of the NLRA, it is committingan unfair labor practice (ULP).

How can that help Goldilocks?The NLRA requires the company to

bargain with the union elected by itsemployees. Refusing to give Goldilocksthe information she needs to investi-gate a possible breech of the contract

shows an unwillingness to bargain.What good is a contract if the companycan block your attempts to make themstick to it?

So the NLRB issues a complaint, say-ing that the way they see it, Three Bears,Inc., is committing an unfair labor prac-tice by withholding information neces-sary to the grievance process.

If Three Bears, Inc., and Goldilockscan’t come to some agreement aboutthis information, the complaint will gobefore an administrative law judge(ALJ), who will hold a hearing andissue an order.

In this case, the judge orders ThreeBears, Inc. to give Goldilocks the infor-mation she requested. When they do,she can proceed with her grievance.

Don’t confuse the grievancewith the unfair labor practice

THINGS WENT WELL for Goldilocksbecause she understood what theNLRB does and was able to make theproper request.

What would have happened ifGoldilocks had simply told the NLRBthat the company was violating thecontract by not giving her a just-rightbed? In that case, the NLRB would havesaid they couldn’t help her anddeferred the case (sent it back to thecompany and the union for resolution).

Too often, an inexperienced stewardor union rep. will have good cause for aULP, but will make the wrong argu-ment to the NLRB. When the case isdeferred, they go away grumbling thatthe NLRB is useless. In truth, they havesimply not yet learned how to use ULPsto get what they want.

Just because what the company isdoing seems unfair doesn’t make it anunfair labor practice. Only violations ofthe NLRA are grounds for a complaint.

In general, the NLRB files complaintsfor refusal to provide information,interference with employees’ Wein-garten rights, company retaliation forunion activity, refusing arbitration, orcreating barriers so the grievance/arbi-tration process cannot go forward.Nearly everything else gets deferred.

When the NLRB defers a case, we sayit has been “Collyerized,” after a 1971case involving Collyer Insulated WireCompany, in which the NLRB estab -lished the criteria for handling cases.

Proceed with your grievancewhile waiting for NLRB decision

ANOTHER COMMON mistake is fil-ing with the NLRB, then forgettingabout the grievance. Filing a ULP doesnot stop your grievance clock. Onceyour deadline has passed, you have lostyour chance to file.

If the NLRB issues a complaint afteryou have already lost your grievancebecause of the unfair practice, you maybe able to revisit the grievance. But youcannot win a grievance you haven’tfiled. There’s usually no recourse oncethe time limit has passed.

Keep in mind, too, that winning thecomplaint does not mean you’ll win thegrievance. In the Goldilocks case, forexample, the ALJ could order Three

Bears to open their records. But whathappens if Goldilocks’ investigationshows that one of the beds she said wastoo hard, had tested just right. Shewould lose her grievance.

The courts have given unionsbroad access to information

THE GOLDILOCKS case involves thesingle most common ULP charge stew-ards make: refusing to provide infor-mation. Whether through ignorance ofthe law or plain arrogance, manyemployers deny union representativesthe information they need to processgrievances or bargain a new contract.

The NLRA and subsequent courtdecisions have given unions broadaccess to company information that isnecessary for the union to do its job.

You may request relevant informa-tion at any point in the grievanceprocess — during your initial investiga-tion, when preparing for a grievancemeeting, when deciding whether todrop the case or go up another step, andwhen preparing for arbitration.

You can’t go fishing — that is, youmust request specific information thatapplies to your case — but nearly anyinformation the company has must bemade available to you if it applies.Attendance records, company memos,disciplinary records, job assignments,payroll records, personnel files, reports,studies, and supervisors’ notes are allfair game if relevant to your case.

You may also make a general requestof a type: “Please supply all documentsor records which reflect the factors caus-ing you to reject this grievance.” Thoughit doesn’t name the documents, it speci-fies an identifiable group of records.

Often, the company will deny arequest because the information is“personal.” For example, if you’reinvestigating a member’s claim that heis not getting the overtime hours he

deserves, you may ask to see the com-pany’s payroll records. That is, indeed,“personal” information, but if thoserecords are key to determining whetheryour grievant is being treated unfairly,the company must open them up.

However, some information — e.g.,medical records and aptitude tests — istruly confidential. In these cases, thelaw protects the privacy of the records,and the company does not have to pro-vide you this information.

In “right-to-work” states, employersoften incorrectly believe they do nothave to provide information on non-members. If the union needs that infor-mation to conduct its business, thecompany must supply it.

For example, one local asked for thenames and addresses of all bargainingunit employees prior to a contractnegotiation. The company said theywould provide only the union mem-bers’ names and addresses, saying non-members are not the union’s concern.

But the NLRB sided with the unionwhen the local argued that they neededto be able to contact all bargaining unitemployees in order to learn whatchanges they wanted in the contract.Although nonmembers do not get tovote on the contract, they must liveunder it, and the union must considertheir input when negotiating.

ULPs are useful — used wisely

THE VALUE OF ULPs is clear. If com-panies were able to derail grievances byrefusing information, threateningemployees with retaliation, or simplyrefusing to enter into arbitration, wecould never win any grievances.

But they must be used correctly.If you’re thinking of filing a ULP, it’s a

good idea to check first with your Inter-national rep., attorney, or the Interna-tional’s Department of CollectiveBargaining Services — 913-371-2640. ❑

The Role of the NLRB

ULPs ensure company complies with NLRA

Steward earns respect ofmembers & managementWORKING FOR PSF Industries, Inc.at the Edwards Air Force Base, AlfKargaard is serving as a job stewardfor the airborne laser project, whereLocal 92 members are building a vac-uum sphere.

Kargaard, a 22–year member ofLocal 92, Los Angeles, Calif., has notonly earned the respect of his fellowworkers, but he’s impressed the on-site superintendent and general fore-man so much that they nominatedhim for our Star Steward column.

Superintendent James Franklin andForeman James Lamont wrote thatKargaard “keeps the morale of themen in good spirits, which ultimatelyallows the job to continue functioningeffectively.”

They also praised Kargaard’s abili-ty to multi-task and successfully pri-

oritize his work. “He is rational in hisdecision making in regards to thecrew he oversees, and fair-mindedwhen dealing with any negotiationsor disputes,” wrote Franklin andLamont. “He is even tempered andnever allows his frustration or angerto deter him from making the properdecisions.”

Kargaard has been serving as jobsteward for this project since March2002. (For more information aboutthis award-winning project, seepage 5 of this issue.)

Do you know a Star Steward?DROP US A LINEwith the name of the steward,the local, the company, and a few words aboutwhy you think this steward is so special. Send aphoto if you have one. We’d like the world to seewhat a good steward looks like.

Send info to this address: Star Stewards, TheBoilermaker Reporter, Boilermakers International,753 State Ave, Suite 570, Kansas City KS 66101.

★ ★ ★ Star Stewards ★ ★ ★

L-92’s Alf Kargaard keepsmorale, productivity up

The NLRB does not solve grievances, but makes sureeveryone—companies & unions—complies with law


ON MARCH 29 AND 30, 2003, Local73, Halifax, Nova Scotia, hosted a stew-ard training program designed formembers in the cement, construction,and shipyard industries, as well as forthose who work in shops.

In attendance were members wholive in Eastern Canada and belong tothe following local lodges: Local 73, ashop and construction lodge; Local 203,a shop and construction lodge in St.John’s, Newfoundland; Local D324, acement lodge in Havelock, NewBrunswick; Local D406, a cement lodgein St. John, New Brunswick; LocalD454, a cement lodge in Brookfield,Nova Scotia; Local D579, a cementlodge in Lantz, Nova Scotia; Local 580,a federal shipyard lodge in Halifax,Nova Scotia; and Local 680, a ship-building and marine lodge in St.Catharines, Ontario.

Instructors included LenBeauchamp, director of research andcollective bargaining services, andDale “Skipper” Branscum, directorof the Construction Division, whowas assisted by Mark Vandiver. Intl.Vice Pres. Sandy MacDonald, Asst. tothe Intl. Pres. Stan Petronski Jr., andIntl. Rep. Mike Watson were also inattendance.

Nearly 55 members participated in thetwo-day program. Beauchamp con-ducted a joint session covering the struc-ture and services of the International

Brotherhood, then the group dividedinto two sessions.

Branscum led a construction semi-nar, discussing craft jurisdiction anddispute resolutions. He reviewed boil-ers (water & steam cycle, conven-tional, and heat recovery steamgenerators), and single cycle and com-bined cycle power generation/emis-sions control. This session alsoincluded discussions of emergingtechnologies, with the attendees view-ing a video on boiler erection.

While Branscum led the break-outconstruction seminar, Beauchamp con-tinued the stewards training programfor the remaining delegates discussingthe importance of knowing your collec-tive bargaining agreement and provid-ing an in-depth review of effectivegrievance handling as well as other stew-ard duties.

Local 73 BM-ST Kent Oliver waspleased with the seminar. “I’m glad wewere able to host this training programfor our members in Eastern Canada.Not only did members of Local 73 get achance to continue their education, butmembers from surrounding localswere able to take advantage of thisservice,” said Oliver.

“I want to thank Intl. Vice PresidentSandy MacDonald for making thishappen and extend our appreciation tothe instructors for the tremendous jobthey did.” ❑

Over 50 stewards attendprograms held in fall andwinter of 2002-03LOCAL 502, TACOMA, Wash., hassponsored three steward-trainingclasses for its members in Washingtonand Alaska.

Conducted by Len Beauchamp,director of research and collective bar-gaining services, Asst. to the Intl. Pres.Tony Gallo, and Intl. Rep. Steve Eames,the classes were held at the local’soffices in Puyallup in September andNovember 2002, for members residing

in Washington, and in Anchorage,January 10, 2003, for members wholive in Alaska.

The classes covered such topics asduties of fair representation, focusedon what it takes to be a union leader,and included an in-depth review ofLocal 502’s contract language.

Local 502 BM-ST Randy Robbinswas pleased with the turnout at each ofthe programs and will be planningadditional training in the future.

“The education of members and jobstewards plays a key role in helpingthe local develop a strong and commit-ted membership,” said Robbins. ❑

LOCAL 502 MEMBERSattend one of the steward programs the lodge sponsored inWashington in Sept. and Nov. 2002. Classes were also held January 10 in Anchorage.

L-502 stewards meetin Alaska,Washington

Members learn how toprepare for negotiationsON JANUARY 10, 2003, members ofLocal P1, Denver, Colo., and Local 344,Ridgecrest, Calif., attended an eight-hour collective bargaining class inDenver. Conducted by Intl. Rep.Howard Cole, the seminar focused onwhat to expect in negotiations.

Cole helped the attendees preparefor negotiations by covering such top-ics as what information to request andhow to request it, how to cost-out holi-day, sick time, and wage increases, andhow to prevent an impasse.

He also reviewed bargaining tacticsused by both the union and the com-pany and discussed how to avoid com-pany traps.

Normally this class is taught in twoeight-hour sessions, but Cole was able

to condense the program into one ses-sion to accommodate the members’limited time and schedules.

Intl. Rep. Mike Zordani attended thesession to help him prepare for train-ing programs he hopes to conduct inhis area.

“Negotiation preparation may notbe the most exciting part of this, as amatter of fact it is quite time consum-ing and tedious, and sometimes downright boring, but it is all worthwhilewhen you walk out of negotiationswith what you were asking for andthen some because the company camein unprepared,” said Zordani. “All ofthe attendees left with a much bettersense of what to expect when theyreach negotiations and are lookingacross the table at their respective com-pany representatives.”

Participating in the class were Local344 President Ralph Legler and VicePresident Les Dykes, and Local P1

members Mike Beattie, Kim Lockwood,Walter Moore, and Jason Coleman. ❑

MEMBERS OF LOCALS P1 and 344 attend a one-day training program on collectivebargaining, Jan. 10, 2003, in Denver, Colo.

Eastern Canadahosts steward classMembers attend two-day program for ship, shop,cement, and construction workers in New Brunswick

Locals P1, 344 attend collective bargaining class

Local 696 members say ‘NO’ to concessionsand charging employees $28.55 perweek for single coverage and $72.44 perweek for family coverage.”

The company never got around todiscussing wages, pension, or contractduration, instead focusing on theseconcessions. Members overwhelm-ingly voted to go on strike at midnight,January 21 — of 600 members in atten-dance, only one member voted againstthe strike.

“The members were very support-ive. They congregated by the hundredsand the solidarity committee workedvigorously to put pressure on the com-pany,” reported Gunderson.

The result — no concessions weremade in the contract, with the excep-tion of health insurance. However,Gunderson said, “We kept the retireeinsurance for all employees hired priorto ratification, and ended up with verylow, locked-in premium rates and afrozen-plan design.”

Wages will increase by five percent inthe first and fourth year of the contract,and by four percent in the second andthird years.

In October 2000, the ManitowocCompany Wisconsin purchasedMarinette Marine, one of the largestshipyards on the Great Lakes. Char-tered in 1952, Local 696 represents over700 employees at the shipyard, whereworkers build mid-sized commercial,research, and military vessels. ❑

Continued from page 3


House votes to make bankruptcymore difficult for individualsENRON, WORLDCOM, and othermultinational corporations bankruptedand their top executives escaped liabil-ity. But don’t try it at home.

In March, the House of Representa-tives passed a bill making it harder forpeople to use bankruptcy to eliminatedebts. Supported by the credit cardindustry and the White House, the billpassed 315-113.

As passed, this bill includes a loop-hole that allows wealthy debtors in fivestates to shelter income in luxuryhomes, yet strips many working fami-lies of the protections they currentlyhave under bankruptcy law, making itharder for them to make a financialfresh start. It also forces parents who areowed child support from someone whodeclares bankruptcy to compete withother creditors for whatever money isavailable. Senator Orrin Hatch said heintends to bypass a committee vote andask the Senate to act directly on thebankruptcy bill, reported Reuters.

Ninety percent of individuals whoresort to bankruptcy have come to thefinancial crisis because of job loss, med-ical emergency, divorce, or other cata-strophic event, according to theAmerican Bankruptcy Institute. ❑

U.S. consumer borrowing rises$3.5 billion in MarchCONSUMER BORROWING throughcredit cards and auto loans is creepinghigher, Bloomberg News reports. Con-

sumers took out $3.5 billion more inloans in March, following an increase of$1.5 billion in February. ❑

59 million Americans lack healthinsurance some time during year

NEARLY 60 MILLION people lackhealth insurance at some point in theyear, the Congressional Budget Office(CBO) said in a report issued May 12.Members of Congress, administrationofficials, lobbyists, and advocates oftencite the Census Bureau when theydeclare that 41 million people have nohealth insurance. The CBO says this fig-ure understates the number who arewithout insurance for at least part of theyear, usually because they change jobsor are laid off.

The report said that “about a quarterof the nonelderly population” lackedinsurance at some time in 1998, themost recent year for which reliablecomparative figures were available.

The budget office conducted itsstudy at the request of RepresentativeBill Thomas, the California Republicanwho is the chairman of the Ways andMeans Committee. Mr. Thomas saidthe report offered “some good news:fewer individuals are long-term unin-sured than previously thought.”

But Senator Jeff Bingaman, Democratof New Mexico, said: “The reportunderscores how big a crisis our coun-try is facing. On any given day, morethan 40 million Americans live with theprospect of facing financial ruin inorder to pay for their health care, orgoing without care altogether.” ❑

Nearing bankruptcy, stategovernments cut programs

AT LEAST 34 STATES are facing bank-ruptcy this year or next because of thefederal income taxes of 2001. Thisyear’s tax cuts and the slow economymake matters worse. Nearly every state

in the union is cutting programs or rais-ing taxes to contend with shortfalls.

When the federal government cutstaxes, it hurts the budgets of states intwo ways. First, reducing taxes meansreducing the budgets of federally-funded programs. States must eithermake up the slack or eliminate much-needed services. Second, most stateswith a personal income tax tie their taxto the federal income tax. Reducing fed-eral tax rates reduces the amount thestate collects by a similar percentage.

With reserves depleted, many statesare desperate. The governor of Mis-souri has ordered every third light bulbunscrewed to save money. In Okla-homa, teachers are doubling as janitors;in Oregon, they are working two weekswithout pay. Connecticut is laying offprosecutors, and Kentucky is releasingprison inmates early.

Medicaid, which provides healthcare to 50 million Americans, andhigher education have taken the bruntof most of the funding cuts.

Families with members in collegewill be hard-hit. When states cut theirhigher education budgets, state-runschools must raise tuition. All 50 statesraised tuition at their state colleges anduniversities in 2002, some by as muchas 24 percent. The national average wasten percent, nearly four times thenation’s inflation rate.

Next year, many students will faceadditional hikes of 10-20 percent. Writ-ing in The Nation (May 19), StanleyAronowitz says, “The situation is sograve that for the first time since the endof World War II college may become afinancial impossibility for a quarter ormore of our nation’s young people.”

The National Conference of StateLegislatures issued a report in Aprilsaying that the budget cutting of thelast two years has not worked for moststates. States also accuse Washington offorcing them to enact expensive pro-grams, like Bush’s No Child Left

Behind education act, without provid-ing the money to pay for them. ❑

Pension proposal leaves olderworkers unprotectedTHE TREASURY DEPARTMENT hasissued a set of guidelines opening theway for companies to convert their tra-ditional defined benefit pension plansto “cash-balance” plans. The regula-tions offer no protections for olderworkers who often lose significant ben-efits from the conversions.

Companies often claim cash-balanceplans are “more democratic” and allowgreater flexibility. However, manylong-term employees have stayed withtheir employers because of the definedbenefit plan they would get on retire-ment. The conversion to a cash balanceplan takes away money that theseworkers have already earned. ❑

Will deflation worsen economy?SOME ECONOMISTSare worried thatwe are entering a period of deflation,that is, falling prices. Lower prices maynot seem like such a terrible thing, butdeflation can be harmful.

If prices drop over a long period oftime, corporations will see their profitsshrink, leading to more layoffs.

In addition, deflation hurts peoplewith long-term fixed loans, like mort-gages, because they will be paying backthe loan with money that is worth more(can buy more goods) than currentmoney. Lenders tend to benefit fromdeflation, but long-term deflationcauses people to stop borrowing.There’s no point in paying interest on aloan when you can just wait until theprice of what you want to buy is lowenough that you can pay cash.

Japan’s ten-year economic slump istied to deflation and a dramatic drop inreal estate prices. If the U.S. housingmarket undergoes a similar collapse,we could be in for hard times. ❑

American DreamersA GALLUP poll might explain why somany working-class Americans votefor political candidates who promisetax breaks that only help the rich.

They hope to get rich. Only two percent of those surveyed

said they are rich right now, but nearlyone-third (31 percent) said they expectto be rich “some day.”

Reality doesn’t match the dream,though. Economists who study finan-cial mobility say that earning just 20percent more than your parentsearned is extremely rare.

In fact, citizens in “old Europe”countries are more likely to move upthe economic ladder than Americans.Only a handful of entertainers, profes-sional athletes, and lottery winnersrise to riches from the working class.

Yet more than half of survey respon-dents between 18 and 29 said theyexpect to get rich, and one-fourth ofthose between 50 and 64 are still hold-ing onto that dream.

Even eight percent of those over 65still believe they’ll hit it big some day.

Workers at all income levels sharethis hope. More than one in every fivepersons earning less than $30,000 ayear sees wealth ahead, with the shareclimbing to 38 percent for those earn-ing between $50,000 and $74,000, andall the way to 51 percent for those whomake more than $75,000.

How much do you need to qualifyas rich? The average income of therichest one percent is well over $1 mil-lion a year, but you qualify for thisbracket making as little as $373,000.

Is vast wealth in your future?You’ll never make that much money

punching a time clock, and you’remore likely to get struck by lightningthan to win the lottery.

But there’s another version of theAmerican Dream — a safe job, healthcare, a guaranteed pension, enoughincome to take care of your family, andtime off to enjoy life with them.

That’s enough wealth for most peo-ple. More important, it is truly attain-able — not just a dream. And yourunion can help you reach it.

Tax-cut sunsets aren’t prettyWhen your tax cut ‘sunsets,’ your taxes go back upTHE 2003 TAX BILL INCLUDED SUNSETS*for all but one tax cut — the onethat lowers the tax rate in the highest income bracket, for families and individu-als making over $307,051 per year.

Tax Cut Provision in Who Benefits Year it2003 Tax Package Most from Cut** Sunsets$1,000 child tax credit Middle class families 2004

10% bracket expansion Lower middle class 2004

Tax breaks for married couples Middle class families 2004

Increase AMT exemption Middle class families 2004

Bonus depreciation Small businesses 2004

Expand business expensing Small businesses 2005

Dividends & capital gains cuts Income over $1 million 2008

Top-bracket rate reductions Income over $307,051 Never* Tax sunsetting refers to when a tax cut ends and the taxes go back up.** Based on analysis of the tax-cut package by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Checkbook EconomicsEconomic developments that may affect your family or personal budget


JUST AS THE ANCIENT GREEKSgave the Trojans a gift of a woodenhorse only so they could sneak into thecity and destroy it, Bush talked of histax plan as a gift to the American peopleso he could get their support.

But when you open up this gift, whatjumps out is not lower taxes, more jobs,and prosperity, but higher deficits,fewer jobs, and tax cuts that mainlybenefit the richest one percent.

Americans expect politicians to lie.Comedians have been poking fun at thedishonesty of politicians for 200 years.

But the lies and deception used togain public support for the latest roundof tax cuts are no laughing matter.

President Bush and Congress — withthe silent collusion of the media —haveenacted a tax package that is not whatthey claim it is and will not accomplishwhat they claim it will accomplish.

They used accounting tricks to hidethe true cost of the bill, exaggerated theaverage taxpayer’s benefits, and dis-torted the impact of the package’s mostpopular and most expensive features.

Worst of all, they ignored reportsfrom their own advisors — the Congres-sional Budget Office and Joint Commit-tee on Taxation — that the tax cuts willnot stimulate the economy, but will infact have a negative effect. Instead ofcreating jobs, as Bush promised somany times on TV, it will reduce jobs.

Budget gimmicks hide truecost of tax packageNEWS REPORTS have repeatedlystated that this tax package will cost$350 billion over the next ten years, butthe true cost is likely to be from $800 bil-lion to $1 trillion, according to the Cen-ter on Budget and Policy Priorities.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R)agrees. On May 22, he said, “The $350[billion] number takes us through thenext two years . . . But it could also goup, because this stuff is extendable.”

The problem is that all but one of thetax cuts will expire (“sunset”) between2004 and 2008. Because sunsetting a cutis the same as raising taxes, Congresswill be pressured to keep them.

In the past, sunsetting has been usedto hide the true cost of legislation, butonly for relatively small costs. This billhides potential losses of $430 billion inits tenth year — 2.4 percent of the grossdomestic product (GDP).

How big is 2.4 percent of GDP? It istriple the size of the Social Securityshortfall over the next 75 years. SocialSecurity trustees place the size of theirshortfall at 0.73 percent of GDP.

The cost of extending all the cuts overthe next ten years is nearly $2 trillion.

Benefits for workers end in2004, but not for wealthy SUNSETTING SOME CUTS but notothers is another trick. The cuts thatbenefit working families — the childtax credit, increased deduction for mar-

ried couples, expansion of the ten per-cent bracket, and reduced alternativeminimum tax — all sunset in 2004.

Cuts in taxes on income from divi-dends and capital gains, however,don’t sunset until 2008. These cutsmainly benefit the top one percent.

The reduction of the tax rate for thehighest income bracket never sunsets.

If workers mobilize against futuretax cuts (as we should, because increas-ing the budget deficit will probablyraise unemployment), Congress mayleave this tax law as it is, giving workersa tax increase in 2004 that the wealthywould not share.

Cuts not as big for workingfamilies as Bush claimsBUSH OFTEN CLAIMED that theaverage tax cut would be $1,000. He gotthis figure by adding the total cost ofthe tax cut, then dividing by the num-ber of American households — adeceptive way to calculate an average.

The reality is that more than half of allfamilies (53 percent) will get less than$100, while the top ten percent will getan average of $18,571, and familiesmaking more than $1 million a year willget an average cut of $93,500.

Nearly 70 percent (69.5) of all benefitsgo to the top ten percent of taxpayers,while only 8.6 percent go to the bottom60 percent of taxpayers, according toanalysis by Citizens for Tax Justice.

A staggering 50 million households(36 percent of all taxpayers) will get nobenefit from the tax cuts at all. Forexample, a single taxpayer with no chil-dren who owns no stock and is cur-rently in the ten percent tax bracket willsee no benefit from the legislation.

Some people argue that the wealthydeserve bigger cuts because, after all,they pay more taxes. The only way tojudge fairness is whether the tax pack-age treats income levels equally.

Fair enough. The Tax Policy Centeranalyzed how much this package

would raise after-tax income in 2003.Here is what they found:•Bottom fifth by income: no increase•Second fifth from bottom: 0.3 percent•Third fifth from bottom: 0.8 percent•Top one percent: 3.6 percent increase•Income over $1 million: 4.4 percent

As a percentage of after-tax (take-home) income, the richest one percentwill get more than four times theincrease that middle-income taxpayersget. People with million-dollar incomeswill get five-and-a-half times as much.

That’s in 2003. In later years, the fig-ures become even more skewed towardhigh-income households.

Most workers will still paytax on dividend incomeTHE CLAIM THAT the tax packagewill end the “double taxation” of divi-dends is a double lie.

First, it doesn’t end taxation of divi-dends for most workers. Only peoplewho use the stock they own for spend-able income will see any benefit.

Most workers who own stock have itin a pension fund. Dividends increasethe size of their fund. When they begindrawing pension benefit payments,they will pay tax on the entire benefit,including the portion created by divi-dend income.

Second, dividends are not taxedtwice. Corporations pay income tax ontheir profits; stockowners pay tax ontheir personal profit from dividends.These are separate taxes, because cor-porations are separate entities from thepeople who own their stock.

If they were not separate, individualstockholders would be liable for theactions of corporations they own stockin. Being able to profit from a businesswithout being personally liable is whatmakes stock ownership attractive. Theincome tax on dividends is a very smallprice to pay for this protection. And 36percent of dividends come from compa-nies that pay no corporate income tax.

Cuts will most likely lead tomore tax shelteringTHE EVENTUAL COST of this taxpackage may go even higher becauseparts of it invite individuals and corpo-rations to abuse tax shelters.

Nearly all individual tax shelters takeadvantage of the difference betweenregular income tax rates and the lowercapital gains rate. Shelters turn incomenormally taxed at individual incomerates into income taxed as capital gains.

By reducing the top capital gains ratefrom 20 to 15 percent, this packagewidens the gap between taxes onwages and taxes on capital gains,encouraging high-level executives totake more of their pay in stock options.

Eliminating the tax on dividendincome sweetens the pot even more.

In a May 22 column, Wall Street Jour-nal news analyst David Wessel pre-dicted creative accountants and taxlawyers will find “clever ways to usethe new law to help wealthy clientsavoid taxes.” Michael Graetz, a taxexpert at the Yale Law School and for-mer deputy assistant secretary for taxpolicy at the Treasury in the first BushAdministration, was quoted in this col-umn as warning “[I]t’s ‘Katy, bar thedoor’ on tax shelters.”

Cuts will not create jobsPERHAPS THE WORSTlie told aboutthe tax package is that its purpose is tostimulate the economy and create jobs.Anyone in the White House or Con-gress who believes that has not been lis-tening to their own economic advisors.

The Joint Committee on Taxationreleased a study on May 8 that says thelong-term economic effect of this pack-age will most likely be negative. TheCongressional Budget Office, headedby a former Bush administration econ-omist, says it will most likely lead toslower growth, not faster.

Economists across the nation arenearly unanimous in this conclusion.As Dean Baker put it in EconomicReporting Review , “President Bush’s taxcut proposal is actually unusual in thatthere is so little evidence or theory thatsuggests that it could make any posi-tive contribution to growth.”

Economists need complex modelsthat perform thousands of calculationsto reach their conclusions, but theunderlying logic is not all that complex.

First, most of the benefits go to therich, who are more likely to save or re-invest the money than to spend it. Tostimulate the economy, you need to putmoney into the hands of people whowill spend it — such as working fami-lies and the poor.

Second, the tax cuts will increase thefederal budget deficit, forcing the gov-ernment to borrow more money. Allloans and investments come from thesame pot, so increasing governmentborrowing reduces the money avail-able to businesses. When their source ofloans and investments shrinks, busi-nesses can’t expand and create jobs.

Third, debt must be repaid. Whenthat happens, the government willneed to raise taxes — and that futureincrease will have to be bigger thantoday’s cuts to pay the interest the loanswill have earned.

The president may call this bill an“economic stimulus” package, but inreality it is a transfer of wealth fromtomorrow’s working families totoday’s wealthy taxpayers.

It’s a beautiful horse, though. ❑

A Masterful DeceptionThe 2003 tax cuts aren’twhat Congress & Bush saythey are — and won’t dowhat they say they will do

1 0 the Boilermaker Reporter May • Jun 2003

AFTER WORKING on a job near Ashland, Ky., mem-bers of Local 4, Page, Ariz., and Local 92, Los Angeles,Calif., stopped by International headquarters for aquick tour before heading home.

In the topphoto, Con-struction Divi-sion DirectorDale (Skipper)Branscum (backto camera) chatswi th Loca l 4members (left toright) SalenaDickie, VanEdward Tsosie,Rufus Dickie,M a c D o n a l dSonny, andJohnson Poyer.

Posing withInternat iona lP r e s i d e n tCharles W. Jonesin the bottomphoto are (left toright) Local 92’sGeorge Roan-horse, Intl. Pres.Jones, L-4’sQuincy Gishal, L-92’s Milton Gishal Jr., and kneelingin front, L-92’s Will Gishal.

Members of Locals 4 and 92 have been helping Local40 (Elizabethtown, Ky.) man a job in Louisa, Ky., at theAmerican Electric Power Big Sandy Powerplant. ❑

L-60’s Miskell restores cars

Glasgow’s Lord Provost AlexanderMosson apprenticed as a boilermakerJOHN “SCOTTY” Littlejohn, a 40-year member ofLocal 154, Pittsburgh, Pa., is a retired Boilermakerwho makes his home in Ohio.

He read an article about an upcoming CelticCelebration in Wheeling, W.Va., that would featureAlexander Mosson, the lord provost (similar tomayor) of Glasgow, Scotland, as a guest speaker.

“Glasgow is my hometown,” said Littlejohn. “Thearticle reported that Mr. Mosson had served hisapprenticeship as a boilermaker. Since we were thesame age, I thought I might know him.

“I went to the celebration the following week andmet Mr. Mosson. When I started to introduce myself,Mr. Mosson interrupted me. He said he has a verygood friend named Littlejohn — Walter Littlejohn,who he has known for 35 years. Walter is my brother.

“It really is a small world,” said Littlejohn. ❑

Lord Provost ofGlasgow surprisesLocal 154 retiree

L-154 retiree John Littlejohn (r.) presents aBoilermaker jacket to Alexander Mosson, lordprovost of Glasgow, Scotland, and brother’s friend.

Local 83 members repair facadeof Brotherhood Building MEMBERS OF LOCAL 83, Kansas City, Mo., workingfor Woodley-Griggs Boiler Repair, L.L.C., are makingrepairs to the front of the Brotherhood Building, 754Minnesota Ave., in Kansas City, Kan.

Steve Locke and Bob Ramsey are removing anawning and marble facade in preparation of a newstucco finish. The Brotherhood Building houses theBrotherhood Bank & Trust and the offices of the Boil-ermaker National Funds. The International pur-chased the two-story structure in 1920, added threestories, and renamed the building the BrotherhoodBlock, known today as the Brotherhood Building.

In 1948, the International built the New Brother-hood Building, 753 State Ave., a ten-story structureadjacent to the Brotherhood Building, which housesthe offices of the International. ❑

LOCAL 83 MEMBERS Bob Ramsey (l.) and Steve Lockerepair the front of the Brotherhood Building as Intl. Sec.-

Treas. J. Z. Willburn (l.) and Intl. Pres. C. W. Jones look on.

LOCAL 60 RETIREE Don Miskell poses with his custom 1954 Mercury.

Brotherhood Building gets facelift

Members tourheadquarters

40-year memberstill works with steel

SOME PEOPLE wouldcall it the ideal job —getting a monthly checkand spending your daysrestoring old cars.

Don Miskell, a 40-yearmember of Local 60,Peoria, Ill., probablywouldn’t argue.

He may have retiredfrom construction boil-ermaking, but he stillworks with steel —Detroit steel — restoringvintage cars, like his cus-tom 1954 Mercury,shown at left. ❑

George Estabrookexcels with 31accident-free years

TWENTY-THREE mem-bers of Local Lodge 480,Jacksonville, Ill., receivedawards from ACH FoodCompanies for theiryears of driving withoutan accident.

Topping the awards listis George Estabrook with31 years of accident-freedriving. Awards went tothese Local 480 members:

31 Years - George Estabrook29 Years - Bill Foiles26 Years - Ken Willis25 Years - Rich Gaige23 Years - Glenn Bristow and Billy Ruyle22 Years - Doug Foiles, Rodney Mutch, Terry Surratt18 Years - John Dirksmeyer14 Years - Jim Atterberry

10 Years - Gary Lemons and Joe Kirbach7 Years - Randy Rollins6 Years - Jerry Ruyle5 Years - Bruce Dietrich and Wayne VanBebber3 Years - Tom Edwards2 Years - John Kitselman1 Year - Brian Dawdy, Steve Goodall, Chris Norris,

and Steve Reed. ❑

ACH presents safe-drivingawards to L-480 members

LOCAL 480 MEMBERS RECEIVE awards for their number of years driving for ACH without anaccident: l. to r., Ken Willis (26 yrs.), Bill Foiles (29), Rich Gaige (25), George Estabrook (31).

Send photosGET YOUR LOCAL LODGEmembers inthe Boilermaker Reporter! We are

now able to print in full color on allpages, and we need 35mm glossyprints. If you use a digital camera,contact us before you take the photo.

The Boilermaker Reporter753 State Ave, Suite 570Kansas City KS [email protected]

Members have been homeonly 12 weeks in two yearsTHREE MEMBERS OF Local Lodge13, Philadelphia, Pa., have been serv-ing with the 15th Marine Expedi-tionary Force in Nasiriyah, Iraq, sincethe war began.

Corporals Ben Coe, Joseph “Chris”Murray, and Ranzy Penn are marinereservists serving with the 2nd Battal-ion/25th Marines Echo Company’sweapons platoon.

This is the second time they havebeen called to active duty since terror-ists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the last two years, they have beenhome only 12 weeks to work at the

trade to support their families and aregrateful for the support they are receiv-ing from their Local 13 brothers.

Source: Joe Murray Sr., retired L-13 BM-ST

More Local 13 Reservist News

LOCAL 13 BM-ST Jim Banford Jr.reports that Corporals Coe, Murray,and Penn are not the only Local 13members who have been called to dutyto serve their country.

Local Lodge 13 apprentice RobertShipe is serving on an aircraft carrier inthe Persian Gulf and Local Lodge 13Rec. Sec. Paul Immordino just returnedfrom Cuba, where he was guarding al-Qaida prisoners. ❑


Local 1, Chicago, Ill.,presents membership pinsJOHN SKERMONT, BM-ST of Local1, Chicago, Ill., reports presentation ofpins for continuous years of member-ship to the following: 25 Years — Rudolph Acosta and

Walter Wielicki.

Local 101, Denver, Colo.,presents membership pinsHENRY McCOY, BM-ST of Local 101,Denver, Colo., reports presentation ofpins for continuous years of member-ship to the following: 35 Years — Edward Fernandez;30 Years — Glen Dashner.

Local 169, Detroit, Mich.,presents membership pinsJOHN MAREK, BM-ST of Local 169,Detroit, Mich., reports presentation ofpins for continuous years of member-ship to the following: 60 Years — Clyde W. Ferebee,

Robert Postlewait, Delmar Visser;55 Years — Raymond W. Baur, Paul

H. Haberkamp, Leonard H.Hetherington, Gernard LeBlanc,Alphonse Mercier, Kyle L.Robinson, Robert S. Showers;

50 Years — Willis J. Bass, Marvin L.Cartwright, Edward H. Etter,Charles E. Forbush, Lawrence R.Louzon Sr., John S. McLeod Sr.,

Ray R. Swistara, William M.Tishner, Carl C. Wanerus,Anthony Weimer, Robert West,James R. Wright;

45 Years — Marvin D. Stickney,Bobby G. Warman;

40 Years— Otis Byrd, RayDillingham, John M. Dyer, John J.Guertin, James Hartzog, WilliamKuntze;

35 Years — James W. Berg, Alfred L.Coghlan, Gregory J. Covetz,Giusepp Grillo, John N. Hall,Jackie D. Hughes, Aldred (Babe)Jenerou, Stanley S. Lesiak Jr.,James R. McCrum, Gerald T.McKinney, William R. Meissner,Bruce L. Neddow, Gerald R.Pedrys, Edward H. Richter,Stephen Salewsky, Jerry J. Starr,John R. Valiquette, Clayton J.Vanslambrouck;

30 Years — Donald C. Abbatoy,William V. Bass, Ivan S. Beal,James Berg, Thomas G. Booth,James C. Dodge, Dennis W. Etter,David B. Hagaman, Richard L.Hall, Steven R. Kosnik, John D.Martin, Charles C. Oyler, John L.Sample, William R. Schultz Jr.,Darwin J. Scott, Robert H.Sharkey, Sherman R. Usher, JohnD. Watkins; and

25 Years — Joannes Bartels, JamesW. Berg, Larry Campbell, RichardL. Carlson, J. D. Garner, PaulSteve Germond II, Dale Goerbig,and posthumously John Degel.

MEMBERSHIP PINS

Local 13 membersserve their country

LOCAL 13 MEMBERS, l. to r., Corporals Ben Coe, Ranzy Penn, and Joseph “Chris”Murray are marine reservists serving their country in Iraq.

Local Lodge 363 has representedconstruction workers since 1903MEMBERS OF LOCAL 363, East St.Louis, Ill., celebrated their 100thanniversary, March 29, 2003, at the HyattRegency-Union Station, St. Louis, Mo.

Active and retired members joinedhonored guests for a brief presenta-tion, followed by dinner and dancing.Local 363 BM-ST John Passiglia hosted

the event. Guests included Intl. VicePresidents George Rogers and LarryMcManamon, as well as retired L-363Bus. Mgr. Wm. Mulconnery and BillPalmisano, administrator of theBoilermakers’ MOST program and for-mer Local 363 business manager.

Chartered March 22, 1903, LocalLodge 363 represents approximately415 members who work in the con-struction industry. ❑

L-363 celebrates 100

LOCAL 363 BM-ST JOHN PASSIGILIA (l.) accepts an award from Local 363 mem-bers honoring his 15 years of service as a lodge officer, and L-363 Pres. BillMulconnery (r.) accepts one from Dean Andrisevic, Babcock & Wilcox (B&W)honoring B&W’s 100-year relationship with Local 363.

Workers must act locally todefeat bad state lawsALEC’s ‘model’ bills undermineworker, consumer protections

MAJOR CORPORATIONS are operatingbehind-the-scenes in state capitols acrossthe country to promote an industry-friendly agenda through the AmericanLegislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

ALEC calls itself a membership asso-ciation of state legislators, but corpora-tions and trade associations financevirtually all their activities, includinggifts and free trips for lawmakers, fol-lowed by heavy lobbying for a widerange of industry-friendly initiatives.

Issues ALEC supports include end-ing living wage laws, privatizing pris-ons and schools, and outlawing unionsecurity clauses in collective bargainingagreements. Though it has a carefullycultivated “good government” image,ALEC serves its corporate sponsors, a

veritable who’s who of corporateAmerica. Through ALEC, oil, tobacco,telecommunications, chemical, phar-maceutical, energy, and manufacturingcompanies can work in near secrecy tochange laws affecting their industries.

ALEC boasts of seeing hundreds ofits “model” state bills become law eachyear. Many of these bills undermine thepublic interest on issues like healthcare, employee benefits, worker protec-tions, tax policy, and education.

The Boilermakers Legislative Educa-tion-Action Program (LEAP) does agood job of following legislative devel-opments in Washington, but it is up tolocal lodges to get active in their stateAFL-CIO in order to defeat anti-workerinitiatives at the state level.

To learn how you can get active, con-tact Legislative Director Ande Abbott,(703) 560-1493. ❑

ACH forklift operator ends36-year career, 28 years aslocal lodge presidentDON F. SLATER, a 36-year employeeof ACH Food Companies, Inc., retiredFeb. 14, 2003, as a forklift operator andpresident of Local 480, Jacksonville, Ill.

Slater served 28 years as the local’spresident, 20 years on the credit unioncommittee, and has been a member ofthe safety committee since its inception.

Before coming to ACH in 1966, Slaterserved four years in the U.S. Navy.

He has earned several 110 percentawards from ACH, where he workedin many positions before becoming awarehouse forklift operator in 1980. ❑

L-480’s Don Slater retires

DON SLATER retires after 36 years on the joband 28 years as president of Local 480.


New contract summariesA brief listing of recent agreements signed and ratified by Boilermaker local lodges

L-5 – New York, NYTHOMAS KLEIN, vice presi-dent of Local 5, New York,N.Y., reports contract ratifi-cation, effective Jan. 1,2003 to Dec. 31, 2004, forfive members of Local 5who work at QuickwayMetal Fabricators, Inc.

L-6 – Oakland, CAMICHAEL GRABOWSKI, BM-STof Local 6, Oakland, Calif.,reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Sept. 1, 2002to Oct. 31, 2003, for 20 Local6 members who work in theforge shop of the WesternForge & Flange Co.

M13 – St. Louis, MOPATRICIA THOMAS-DAVIS, BM-ST for Local M13, St. Louis,Mo., reports contract ratifi-cation, effective Nov. 28,2002 to Nov. 28, 2005, foreight Local M13 memberswho work in the produc-tion unit at the DiamondPlating Co.

L-27 – St. Louis, MODAVID SNEAD, BM-ST forLocal 27, St. Louis, Mo.,reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Jan. 1, 2003to Jan. 1, 2006, for sevenLocal 27 members whowork in production andmaintenance at Jones &Lockhart Welding, Inc.

D50 – Catskill, NYINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLE

reports contract ratifica-

tion, effective Jan. 1, 2003to Dec. 31, 2006, for 112members of Local D50,Catskill, N.Y., who makePortland Cement at St.Lawrence Cement.

M67–Los Angeles, CAINTL. REP. HENRY JUAREZreports contract ratifica-tion, effective March 18,2003 to March 17, 2006, for77 members of Local M67,Los Angeles, Calif., whowork for the Valex Corp.

L-83–Kansas City, MOJOHN SEWARD of Local 83,Kansas City, Mo., reportscontract ratification, effec-tive Nov. 1, 2002 to Oct. 31,2005, for 23 Local 83 mem-bers who work in the shopand perform field repair forShamrad Metal Fabricatorsin the custom fabricationof steel, aluminum, andstainless steel, ASMEcode vessels, and theservice of process andheating boilers.

L-88 – Essington, PAINTL. REP. ROBERTHEINE JR.reports contract ratifica-tion, effective May 19, 2002to May 19, 2006, for 34members of Local 88,Essington, Pa., who workwith custom polymer andacrylics at Esschem, Inc.

L-104 – Seattle, WACHUCK HUGHES , acting BM-ST for Local 104, Seattle,Wash., reports contract

ratification, effective Dec.2, 2002 to Sept. 30, 2006, forsix Local 104 memberswho fabricate metal forWayron, LLC.

S105 – Effingham, ILMICHAEL WILLISON , presidentof Local S105, Effingham,Ill., reports contract ratifi-cation, effective January15, 2003 to January 15,2006, for over 200 LocalS105 members who makeair conditioners at theFedders Corporation.

D140 – Knoxville, TNINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLEreports contract ratifica-tion, effective March 1,2000 to Feb. 28, 2005, formembers of Local D140,Knoxville, Tenn., who makePortland Cement at Cemex.

L-154 – Pittsburgh, PAAIP SEAN MURPHY reportscontract ratification, effec-tive January 1, 2003 toJanuary 1, 2004, for 33members of Local 154,Pittsburgh, Pa., who pro-duce steel pressure vesselsand small storage tanks forWitherup Fabrication andErection, Inc.

L-182 – Salt Lake CityBRAD JOHN, BM-ST of Local182, Salt Lake City, Utah,reports contract ratification,effective March 1, 2003 toFeb. 28, 2006, for 23 Local

182 members who makefood and beverage tanks forDCI of Utah.

D208–Martinsburg, WVINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLE

reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Nov. 1, 2002to March 31, 2006, for 155members of Local D208,Martinsburg, W.Va., whomake Portland Cement atEssroc Cement (formerlyCapitol Cement).

L-242 – Spokane, WAMARLIN MCCURDY, BM-ST ofLocal 242, Spokane, Wash.,reports contract ratification,effective Nov. 16, 2002 toNov. 15, 2006, for 113 mem-bers of Local 242 who makeboat and utility trailers for E-Z Loader Boat Trailers.

D282 – Wind Gap, PAINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLE

reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Dec. 1, 2002to Dec. 1, 2006, for 22 mem-bers of Local D282, WindGap, Pa., who make shin-gle-type home siding atGAF Premium Products.

D359 – Edmonton, ABDONALDMAES, asst. bus. mgr.representing Local D359,Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,reports contract ratification,effective Dec. 1, 2002 toNov. 30, 2006, for 123members of Local D359 whomake Portland Cement atLehigh Inland Cement Ltd.

D400–Vancouver, BCROB LAUZON, BM-ST forCement District Lodge D11,reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Jan. 1, 2003to Dec. 31, 2006, for 62members of Local D400,Vancouver, BC, Canada,who make concrete rooftiles for Recon BuildingProducts.

D469 – Clarksville, MOINTL. REP. CAREY ALLENreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Jan. 23, 2003to Jan. 22, 2010, for 140members of Local D469,Clarksville, Mo., who pro-duce Portland Cement forHolcim U.S., Inc.

L-482–Wood River, ILINTL. REP. JAMES PRESSLEYreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Jan. 24, 2003to Jan. 23, 2004, for threemembers of Local 482,Wood River, Ill., who fabri-cate steel at Circle T Steel.

L-483 – Alton, ILINTL. REP. JAMES PRESSLEYreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Feb. 1, 2003to Feb. 3, 2007, for 106members of Local 483,Alton, Ill., who make miningequipment at Joy MiningMachinery.

L-524–East Chicago, ININTL. REP. CLAYTON PLUMMER

reports contract ratifica-tion, effective Dec 9, 2002to Dec. 8, 2005, for mem-bers of Local 524, EastChicago, Ind., who work atthe Union Tank CarCompany.

D533–Hagerstown, MDINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLEreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Dec. 15, 2002to Dec. 14, 2007, for 370members of Local D533,Hagerstown, Md., whomake vinyl siding and vinylwindows for theCertainteed Corporation’svinyl siding group.

D596 – Chester, PAINTL. REP. RALEIGH EVERSOLEreports contract ratifica-tion, effective March 1,2002 to Feb. 28, 2007, for 50members of Local D596,Chester, Pa., who makeroofing materials forCertainteed Roofing.

L-661 – Florence, NJINTL. REP. ROCCO DEROLLOreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Feb. 1, 2003to Jan. 31, 2006, for mem-bers of Local 661, Florence,N.J., who work for D.C.Fabricators, Inc.

L-677 – Kingston, PAINTL. REP. ROCCO DEROLLOreports contract ratification,effective Jan. 13, 2003 toJan. 12, 2006, for membersof Local 677, Kingston, Pa.,who work for R & H Mfg.

L-725–Springfield, MAINTL. REP. ROCCO DEROLLOreports contract ratifica-tion, effective Feb. 9, 2003to Feb. 8, 2007, for mem-bers of Local 725,Springfield, Mass., whowork in the Storms ForgeDivision of Doncasters, Inc.

L-744 – Cleveland, OHPATRICKGALLAGHER, BM-STfor Local 744, Cleveland,Ohio, reports contract rati-fication, effective Sept. 1,2002 to Aug. 31, 2003, forLocal 744 members whowork for RCR Services, Inc.

L-1600–St. Charles, ILINTL. REP. HOWARD COLEreports contract ratifica-tion, effective March 31,2003 to April 6, 2007, for 30members of Local 1600, St.Charles, Ill., who makewater purification machin-ery at Walker Process.

L-1664–Maple HeightsINTL. REP. RON LYON reportscontract ratification, effec-tive Jan. 1, 2003 to Jan. 14,2005, for 61 members ofLocal 1664, Maple Heights,Ohio, who produce barsteel and wire for RCSCuyahoga, LLC.

You don’t get what you deserve . . .. . . you get what you negotiate

UNION LEADERS, like these pictured here, work longhours to negotiate the best benefits they can forBoilermaker members.

NEGOTIATING A SEVEN-year agreement for LocalD469 members at Holcim U.S., Inc., are, l. to r., GaryMorrow, Don Bellings, Intl. Rep. Carey Allen, TommyE. Craig, Lonnie Robinson, and Charles Price.

THIS ANALYSIS of the 30agreements outlined above isbased on information provided inthe Contract Summary andTransmittal Report forms, coveringapproximately 2,465 employees.

Wage IncreasesTWENTY-TWO facilitiesreceived pay increases in 2002,averaging $0.48 per hour or 3.30percent. Twenty-four facilitieswill receive pay increases in2003, averaging $0.47 per houror 2.66 percent. Twenty-twofacilities will receive payincreases in 2004, averaging$0.38 per hour or 2.72 percent.Sixteen report wage increasesin 2005, averaging $0.40 perhour or 2.96 percent. Eightreport an increase in 2006, aver-aging $0.35 or 3.14 percent. Onecontract reports wage increas-es in 2007, 2008, and 2009, notenough for an average.

PensionTWENTY-NINE facilities par-ticipate in some type of pen-sion program. Ten facilitiesparticipate in theBoilermaker-BlacksmithNational Pension Trust. Ninehave a cents-per-hour contri-bution, ranging from $0.25 to

$2.50 per hour in the first con-tract year. Average cents-per-hour contributions are $1.28for the first contract year,$1.31 in the second year, and$1.33 in the third year.

Twenty-six facilities offer a401(k); nine have company-sponsored plans; one has aprofit sharing plan, one hasan Individual RetirementAccount (IRA), and one hasthe Registered RetirementSavings Plan in Canada(RRSP). The RRSP is similarto the IRAs found in theUnited States.

Shift DifferentialTWENTY-NINE agreementsreport a second-shift premi-um, of which 27 report acents-per-hour premiumranging from $0.10 to $0.90;the average is $0.42 per hour.

Twenty-seven agreementshave a third-shift premium, ofwhich 26 provide a cents-per-hour premium ranging from$0.10 to $0.90; the average is$0.50 per hour. The remainingagreements pay shift differ-ential on a weekly or wagepercentage basis. Onereports a pay differential for a12-hour shift.

Sickness & AccidentTWENTY-SIXagreements pro-vide weekly sickness andaccident indemnity. Of these,20 pay a set dollar amountranging from $135 to $440 perweek; the average weeklyrate in the first contract year is$275.30. The most commonduration of time off is 26weeks found in 13 agree-ments. The remaining agree-ments pay a wage percentageor have a state-funded plan.

Life Insurance/AD&DTWENTY-SIX agreementsprovide life insurance.Twenty-one report a set dollaramount ranging from $2,000 to$75,000; the average benefitfor the first contract year is$25,773.81. The remainingagreements calculate thebenefit on annual salary.

Twenty-three agreementsprovide Accidental Death &Dismemberment (AD&D). In 18of the agreements, the set dol-lar amount ranges from $2,000to $75,000; the average benefitfor the first contract year is$26,138.89. The remainingagreements calculate thebenefit on annual salary.

VacationALL OF THE agreements pro-vide vacation. Twenty-fiveoffer one-week; all offer two-weeks; 29 offer three weeks;26 offer four weeks; 16 offerfive weeks; four offer sixweeks; one offers sevenweeks of paid vacation. Fouragreements offer vacationpay based on a percentage oftheir earnings.

Paid HolidaysALL OF THE agreements pro-vide for paid holidays, rang-ing from eight to 13; the aver-age is 10.43 days.

Other ProvisionsALL OF THE agreements pro-vide funeral leave. Paid leavefor jury duty is found in 25agreements. Union leave lan-guage is found in 20 agree-ments. Twenty-one agree-ments provide all or partialreimbursement for the pur-chase of safety shoes and 25for prescription safetyglasses. Four provide sever-ance pay and six provide paidleave for those spending twoweeks at military encamp-ment each year.

A summary analysis of these contract settlements Prepared by the Boilermakers’ Researchand Collective Bargaining Department


THE BOILERMAKERS NATIONAL HEALTHand Welfare Plan (plan, or health andwelfare plan) is committed to protecting

the privacy, confidentiality, and security of yourpersonal health information.

In the course of administering health carebenefits, the health and welfare plan receivesindividually identifiable health informationabout you and creates records containing thistype of information.

This article summarizes our privacy prac-tices. To obtain a copy of the plan’s full noticeof privacy practices, contact the fund’s admin-istrative office at 1-866-342-6555 (913-342-6555in the Kansas City area).

Copies of the privacy notice are also avail-able from your local lodge and can be viewedat the Boilermakers’ web site(http://www.boilermakers.org).

New federal regulations limit how the planmay use and/or disclose your protected healthinformation (PHI) and provides you with cer-tain, specific rights concerning your PHI.

PHI is your individually identifiable healthinformation, including demographic informa-tion collected from you, that is created orreceived by a health care provider, healthplan (such as this health and welfare plan),your employer, or a health care clearing-house, that relates to your past, present, orfuture physical or mental health or condition;the delivery of health care to you; or the past,present, or future payment for the delivery ofhealth care to you.

PHI includes information such as your name,address, telephone number, social security num-ber, and information about your health or visits toa health care provider. The plan is required by fed-eral law to maintain the privacy of your PHI.

You have the right to complain to the planand to the secretary of the Dept. of Health andHuman Services (HHS) if you believe your pri-vacy rights have been violated. You will not beretaliated against for filing a complaint, andyour complaint will be kept confidential. If youhave any questions, comments, or concernsabout our privacy practices, or if you wish tomake a complaint about a use or disclosure ofyour PHI made by the plan or by someone elseacting on behalf of the plan, contact the plan’sadministrative office at:

Office of Privacy PracticesBoilermakers National Funds754 Minnesota Ave., Suite 522Kansas City, KS 661011-866-342-6555Effective April 14, 2003, we are required to fol-

low these published privacy practices. They willremain in effect until we replace or modify them.

Uses and Disclosures of ProtectedHealth InformationUNDER FEDERAL LAW we are permitted to useand/or to disclose your protected health infor-mation, without your expressed consent orauthorization, for treatment, payment, andhealth care operations purposes.

In order to administer the plan, we need tocollect, maintain, use, and disclose certaininformation about you so that we can carry outthe terms of your health plan.

In the regular course of operating the plan,we may use or disclose your PHI for treatmentpurposes, such as First Health’s case manage-ment services and to facilitate your healthcare provider’s treatment of you; for paymentpurposes, such as determining whether bene-fits are payable for your claims, determiningyour eligibility for benefits, coordinating bene-fits with any other health plan covering you,etc.; and for health care operations purposes,such as general fund planning, development,management and general administrativeactivities, business planning and development,and conducting or arranging for medicalreview, legal services, and auditing functions,including fraud and abuse detection and com-pliance programs.

Federal law also permits or requires us touse or disclose PHI without your writtenauthorization in certain other circumstances.

Following are the types of uses and disclo-sures we may make.

1. The plan may disclose your PHI to the plansponsor (the board of trustees of the

Boilermakers National Health and WelfareFund, or a subcommittee of the board) as amatter of course for purposes specificallyauthorized in the plan documents, such asreviewing appeals of benefit determinations.

2. Other uses or disclosures which may bemade as a matter of course.

A. We are required to disclose PHI to thesecretary of the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services , or her or his designee, whenthe secretary is investigating or determining theplan’s compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

B. We are required to provide your PHI toyou upon request , as described in the“Individual Rights” section of this notice. Weare also required to provide you with the PHI ofany individual on whose behalf you are actingas a personal representative.

C. The plan contracts with individuals andentities (called business associates) to performvarious functions or to provide certain types ofservices, that would otherwise be performed bythe plan, on behalf of the health and welfareplan. These entities use and disclose your infor-mation, and protect the privacy of your informa-tion, in the same manner as the plan does.

D. The plan may use or disclose PHI whensuch use or disclosure is required by law, solong as the use or disclosure complies with thelaw and is limited to the requirements of the law.

E. The plan may disclose PHI for certainpublic health activities, to report and requestprotection and assistance for victims of abuse,neglect, or domestic violence (in certain cir-cumstances), in the course of a judicial oradministrative proceeding, to a law enforce-ment official for appropriate law enforcementpurposes, to coroners or medical examiners orfuneral directors to enable these individuals tocarry out their duties with respect to the dece-dent, for organ, eye, or tissue donation andtransplantation purposes, to avert a seriousthreat to health or safety, to comply with spe-cialized governmental functions, and to complywith workers compensation and related laws.Specific limitations apply to each of these.Upon your request, you may review and be pro-vided with a copy of the plan’s detailed policiesand procedures related to each of the abovetypes of uses and disclosures.

3. The plan may disclose your PHI, providedthat you are informed in advance and

given the opportunity to agree to or to prohibitor restrict the use or disclosure, to a familymember, other relative, close personal friend,or any other person you specifically identify,specific PHI directly relevant to that other per-son’s involvement with your health care orpayment for your health care. The plan willpresume that your spouse, if you are married,is involved in any health care and payment foryour health care unless you tell us otherwise.

4. Any other use or disclosure of your PHIrequires your written authorization. The

plan has authorization forms which you mayuse to authorize other uses or disclosures ofyour information. You may revoke any authori-zation at any time by sending written notice ofrevocation to the plan.

Your Individual Rights

1. You have the right to request that we placeadditional restrictions on our use and/or

disclosure of your PHI for treatment, payment,or health care operations.

2. You have the right to request that we com-municate with you confidentially about

your PHI, by communicating in an alternativemeans and/or by sending communications toan alternative location.

3. Subject to certain exceptions, you havethe right to inspect and/or obtain copiesof

your PHI that we maintain in our records, andto request that we amend your PHI.

4. You have the right to receive a summary ofall instances in which we have disclosed

your PHI for purposes other than payment, treat-ment, health care operations, or pursuant toyour authorization. This summary is also knownas an accounting of disclosures.

Boilermakers National Health & Welfare PlanSummary of Privacy Practices

For participants in the Boilermakers National Health & Welfare Plan

THOUSANDS OF WORKERS areseriously injured each year by gasor electric power saws. Some arekilled — most by electric shock.

The HazardsYOU CAN BEbadly cut or burned,using a power saw, if you are notcareful. You can get sprains andstrains and lose your hearing. Gritand dust from using the saws canhurt your eyes. Dust can hurt yourlungs. If you dry-cut masonry orstone that has silica in it, you canget silicosis and it can kill you. Anelectric saw can electrocute you. Agas-powered saw can cause carbonmonoxide poisoning and kill you.

Protect YourselfREAD THE OWNER’s manualbefore you first use a saw. Keepblades sharp, clean, and oiled.Inspect blades for cracks.

When you use a saw, wear gog-gles or safety glasses with sideshields, even if you wear a faceshield. Do not wear jewelry, such aschains. Do not wear loose clothes. Ifyou have long hair, tie it inside yourhard hat. Wear hearing protection.

Do not cut unless you have aclear work area and solid footing.Do not use a power saw when youare on a scaffold. Keep other peo-ple away from the saw when youare using or refueling it.

Training: OSHA says you mustbe trained in general workplacehazards, electrical hazards, andpersonal protective equipment(PPE). Here is how to protectagainst the main hazards:

Lung diseases . Do not dry-cutmasonry or stone or you can getlung disease. Cutting brick,cement, concrete, or stone canmake a lot of dust — and there canbe silica in it. (Silicosis can killyou.) Wet-cutting is the best way tocontrol dust. Local-exhaust ventila-tion can capture the dust at theblade. As a last resort, your bossmay give you a respirator. If youuse a respirator, OSHA says youmust have a full respirator pro-gram. This means proper selectionand fitting of respirators, medicalscreening to be sure you can wear arespirator, and worker training touse respirators.

Electrocution. An electric sawneeds to be double-insulated orhave a three-prong plug in agrounded outlet. And the outletneeds a ground-fault circuit inter-rupter. Unplug a saw before youchange a blade. Be extra carefulwhen working in wet grass or neara puddle. If you are cutting toward

any wires, make sure they havebeen disconnected.

OSHA says you must not useworn electric cords or cables.OSHA says electrical equipmentshould not be used in damp, wet,or very hot locations — unlessapproved for such use.

Cuts and amputations. Make surethe saw blade is not touching any-thing before you turn on a saw.OSHA says a circular saw must havea guard above and below the baseplate. Keep the blade guard andother safety devices on the saw.Make sure the blade guard goes backto the fully guarded position afteryou cut. Do not drop-start a chain-saw. To start a saw with a startercord, put one foot on the back han-dle, put one hand on the top handleto keep the blade off the surface, anduse the other hand to pull the cord.

Hold a saw with both hands. Donot use your leg to prop up a saw.To help prevent kickback, holdyour forward arm straight and donot cut above chest height.

After you turn off a saw, hold itaway from you until the bladestops turning. Do not prop the sawon your leg while the blade slowsdown. Turn off a saw before youcarry it anywhere.

Burns. What you cut can catchfire from friction. A spark from asaw can ignite any gasoline leakingfrom the saw. Make sure there areno fuel leaks and the fuel cap istight. Turn off the saw and let itcool down before you refuel it.

Sprains and strains. When youcan, put your work on a solid surfaceat waist height. Try not to work bentover or in other awkward positions.

Carbon monoxide. If you use agas-powered saw where there is nota lot of fresh air, carbon monoxidecan kill you fast. This can happeneven in a crawl space or a big park-ing garage. You cannot see or smellcarbon monoxide gas. Fans can helpkeep fresh air coming in, but fans arenot always enough. If you can, usean electric saw instead of a gas-pow-ered saw. OSHA has special rules forcontrolling toxic gases in closedspaces and for PPE (personal protec-tive equipment). A trained personshould monitor the air with specialequipment while the work is done.

For more information, call your local union, theCenter to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR) (301-578-8500 or www.cpwr.com), the NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health (1-800-35-NIOSH or www.cdc.gov/niosh ), or OSHA(1-800-321-OSHA or www.osha.gov). Or checkthe website www.elcosh.org . © 2001, CPWR isthe research and development institute of theBuilding and Construction Trades Dept., AFL-CIO:CPWR, Suite 1000, 8484 Georgia Ave., SilverSpring, MD 20910.

MAKE IT SAFEHAZARD ALERT:Safe Work with Power Saws

Safety tips in SpanishTHIS ISSUE’S SAFETY COLUMN, “Safe Work WithPower Saws ,” is also available in Spanish.

CPWR has supplied us with a number of safetycolumns in both English and Spanish that we can

make available in camera-ready form to any lodgethat believes they may be useful.

For more information, contact the BoilermakerReporter at 913-371-2640.


FROM SECURITY TO savings,Union Plus offers everything unionmembers need when they are on the

road. Get behind the wheel of thesepopular union members-only pro -grams: auto insurance, Goodyear dis-counts, auto buying service, and carrental discounts.

Auto Buying ServiceWHETHER YOU ARE looking for anew or pre-owned car, van, or truck,turn to Union Plus Auto Buying to helpyou find the right vehicle for the rightprice. Plus you’ll save and supportyour fellow union members when youbuy a union-made auto.

Give Union Plus the details, andleave the car search to them! JUST CALL 1-877-800-2924 and tell theUnion Plus Auto Buying service whatyour vehicle needs and preferences are,then leave the research and negotia-tions to them. Your Personal AutoAdvisor will help you get the car youwant at a great price. The car buyingservice uses an extensive, up-to-the-minute database of vehicles and a net-work of authorized car dealers.

Your auto advisor will guide youthrough the car search process and pro-vide you with all the information youneed to make an informed decision.

When you are ready to buy, they willdirect you to the contact person at theclosest authorized dealer in your areathat has the car you are looking for at aspecial pre-negotiated price.

All you have to do is visit the selecteddealer, test drive the car, and decidewhether or not you want to buy thevehicle. There is never an obligation tobuy and they will continue searchinguntil you’re completely satisfied.

Call Union Plus Auto Buying at 1-877-800-2924 for more informationabout car buying.

Save 25% off vehicle history reports CONSIDERING A USED CAR, butworried it may have been in an accidentor been stolen? No problem, the UnionPlus Auto Buying service can answerthese questions through the Union PlusConsumer Guide™ Vehicle HistoryReport (VHR). A VHR reports flood-damaged vehicles, salvaged titles, thefthistories, and rolled-back odometers —problem areas that may lower the valueor compromise the safety of the vehicle.

To protect your investment and buywith confidence, call Union Plus AutoBuying at 1-877-800-2924 before youmake a new or used car purchase.

Auto InsuranceUNION MEMBERS AND their familiescan now save on auto insurance throughthe Union Plus Auto Insurance Programfrom AIG, a world leader in insurance.Call 1-800-294-9496 for your quote.

Reliability• Coverage you can trust — under-

written by member companies ofAmerican International Group, Inc.(AIG)

• Rated A++, the highest rating, byA.M. Best Company (awarded to just3.1% of all property and casualtycompanies as of July 20, 2001).

Flexibility• Policies available for drivers with less

than perfect driving histories

• Freedom of choice — union memberscan select body shop or mechanic ifrepairs are necessary

• Original equipment manufacturerreplacement parts are available.

Round-the-Clock Service• Call AIG companies at 1-800-433-

8880 to report a claim. Service isavailable 24 hours a day, seven days aweek. For changes to your AIG pol-icy or to ask customer service a ques-tion, call 1-877-310-5687 — availableMonday-Friday from 7:30 am-10 pmand Saturday from 8 am-4 pm. The AIG program is available in all

states except Massachusetts and NewHampshire. Learn what AIG affiliatedcompany is in your state.

Goodyear DiscountREGULAR CAR maintenance and newtire purchases help stretch thelongevity and value of your vehicle.Now, when you use the Union PlusGoodyear Discounts, you can helpkeep your car in good shape and savemoney — while also supporting yourfellow union members.

Many Goodyear tires are made bymembers of the United Steelworkers of

America (USWA). Through an agree-ment with the company-ownedGoodyear Gemini Auto Service Cen-ters, Union Plus Goodyear discounttires and car service deals are nowavailable exclusively to union mem-bers. So treat your truck, van, car, ormotorcycle to some new Goodyeartires, wheels, and a tune-up — and givethe thanks to your union membership.

Cash in on the following specialunion-member-only deals forGoodyear discount tires and more: • $15.95 oil, lube, and filter services • 5% off all Goodyear tires, including

car tires, snow tires, all-terrain & more • 10% off service — including sale prices.

Car Rental DiscountsUNION MEMBERS CAN enjoy up to25% in savings from Budget and Avis.Whether it’s a car, van, or SUV, workingfamilies can drive in style for less. Avisand Budget rental car savings varydepending on vehicle, time of year,location, and length of rental.

To get your union discount, call AvisCar Rental at 1-800-698-5685 and refer-ence ID# B723700, or call Budget CarRental at 1-800-455-2848 and referenceunion ID# V816100. ❑

UNION PLUS CREDIT CARDCall: 1-800-522-4000

MORTGAGE & REAL ESTATEAlso open to your children &parents.Call: 1-800-848-6466

EDUCATION SERVICES For college and job skills training.Education tools and resources.Call: 1-877-881-1022

PERSONAL LOANSAvailable for credit-qualifiedmembers. Call: 1-888-235-2759

LEGAL SERVICEDiscounted legal help — first 30minutes are free. Visit: www.unionplus.org

LIFE INSURANCEFor members, their spouses, andchildren. Call: 1-800-899-2782

ACCIDENT INSURANCECall: 1-800-899-2782

HEALTH SAVINGSSave on prescription medicines,hearing, dental, and vision care.

Call: 1-800-228-3523

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS Call and give the ID number:

Avis: 1-800-698-5685 AWD #B723700

Budget: 1-800-455-2848BCD#V816100

UNION-MADE CHECKS Call: 1-888-864-6625

FLOWER SERVICE Call: 1-888-667-7779

NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES Call: 1-800-524-5533

Go to our web site for more information:

www.unionplus.org

BOILERMAKERS UNIONPRIVILEGE BENEFITS

*Includes retired members. Programrestrictions apply to members outside thecontinental United States. Phone 1-800-

452-9425 for clarification of eligibility.

The money-saving programslisted below are available onlyto Boilermaker members and

their immediate families.*

Members Only

THE BOILERMAKERS UNION occu-pies an important place in the history ofNorth America, and we are working topreserve that history through the Boiler-makers National Archives, a museumlocated one block west of Internationalheadquarters in Kansas City, Kan.

National Archivist Tom Wands hasbeen collecting and restoring items fordisplay. He is also creating databasesfor a pictorial history and to recorddates of local lodge charters, names oflocal lodge officers, and biographies ofInternational officers.

You can help us continue the work ofthe archives through your donations. To

help raise much-needed funds, theNational Archives is offering the abovepictured gifts to donors.

Only U.S. funds can be accepted.Please make checks or money orderspayable to the Boilermakers Archives,indicate your gift choice on the memoline, and mail to:

Tom Wands, ArchivistBoilermakers National Archives753 State Ave., #570Kansas City, KS 66101All donations are tax deductible (less $1 for

each decal/sticker received; $5 for ornament; $7for souvenir watch; $10 for clock; $18 for sportswatch; $20 for dress watch). Tax ID #48-114-537.

Archives Needs Support

10-inchWallClock$20

Donation

IBB Logos, front & back

Bumper Sticker

One for $2 Donation;Three for $5 Donation

Men’s GoldDress Watch$40 Donation

Men’sSouvenir Watch

$15 Donation

Men’sSports Watch$30 Donation

Ladies GoldDress Watch$40 Donation

LadiesSouvenir Watch

$15 Donation

Get great deals in the fast lane

Window Decals

One for $2 Donation;Three for $5 Donation

AFL-CIO offers home loansTHE AFL-CIO HOUSING InvestmentTrust is working with Countrywide-Home Loans to make home financingeasier and more affordable for hard-working families. Their HIT HOMEprogram is supported by union pensionfunds and offers money-saving bene-fits, exclusively for AFL-CIO affiliatedmembers. As a Boilermaker, you cantake advantage of HIT HOME benefits:• Save hundreds of dollars when your

loan to purchase or refinance closes

• Flexible payment schedules let youreduce the length of your loan andsave thousands of dollars in interestwith no set-up or draft fees

• Homebuyer education, includinginformation for first-time homebuyers.Visit www.hithome.org for program

details, call 866-HIT-HOME to startyour application, or simply stop byyour local CountrywideHome Loansbranch today. ❑

Christmas Ornament$10 Donation

Intl. Grossetti, Mario J. $6,000.00NTL Bailey, Thomas D. 15,000.00NTL Bivins, Jeffery L. 6,000.00NTL Bowman, James F. 6,000.00NTL Edwards, Loyd H. 6,000.00NTL Hubbard, Billy F. 6,000.00NTL Meade, Roy Giles 6,000.00NTL Overfield, Lloyd E. 6,000.00NTL Samuel, Casmier 6,000.001 Courtney, Ronald L. 6,000.001 Hauser, Gus 6,000.001 Wills, Lyle L. 6,000.006 Coffee, William H. 6,000.006 Hankins, Earl J. 6,000.006 Main, Joseph G. 6,000.006 Middleton, John A. 6,000.006 Montoya, Jose R. 6,000.007 Malcolm, David B. 6,000.0013 DeMeter, William R. 6,000.0026 Helmly, Andrew L. 6,000.0026 Taylor, John H. 6,000.0027 Hudson, William C. 6,000.0027 Turner, Willard T. 6,000.0028 Crosby, Arthur S. 11,000.0028 McNally, James F. 11,000.0029 Johnson, Harry H. 6,000.0037 Sheasby, Reynolds O. 6,000.0060 Cottingham, Everett 6,000.0069 Giles, Joe D. 6,000.0072 Brown, Francis R. 6,000.0072 Harlow, Glen L. 6,000.0072 Johnson, Harold C. 6,000.0072 Thomas, Clarence W. 6,000.0083 Bromley, Larry L. 6,000.0083 Jones, James O. 6,000.0083 McKinney, Donald J. 6,000.0083 Minier, Jose M. 1,542.3083 Nasalroad, Earl D. 6,000.0083 Woods, Norman E. 2,893.5085 Murrell, Vernon L. 10,992.7385 Mutchler, Albert J. 6,000.0092 Cerny, Jerry J. 6,000.0092 Cook, Francis W. 6,000.0092 Hall, Walter L. 6,000.0092 Kucera, Clarence 4,000.0092 Russelavage, Mike 6,000.00101 Johnke, Bruce D. 3,403.85104 Bren, Harvey E. 6,000.00104 Crum, Marvin 6,000.00104 Klein, Kenneth James 6,000.00

104 Mautino, Joseph 6,000.00104 Reed, Knute C. 6,000.00104 Reichel, Carroll S. 6,000.00104 Young, Robert A. 6,000.00104 Young, Steve F. 6,000.00105 Bayes, James G. 6,000.00105 Davenport, Stewart 6,655.23105 Nichols, Walter C. 6,000.00105 Sweezy, Robert C. 6,000.00112 Watford, James F. 6,000.00124 Michek, Frank 6,000.00154 Hall, Gary D. 6,000.00154 Hopkins, Wallace G. 6,000.00154 Leive, Robert M. 6,000.00154 Milesky, Anthony 6,000.00169 Bushong, Earl E. 6,000.00169 Koller, Fred 666.00177 Schleis, Albert A. 6,000.00199 Reynolds, Douglas D. 6,000.00300 Gatti, Daniel F. 6,000.00305 Hill, Willie C. 6,000.00305 Wappler, Joe E. 6,000.00316 Ramsey, Edward T. 6,000.00358 Hammond, Riley 3,000.00374 Blue, Mack E. 6,000.00374 Ritter, August W. 6,000.00433 Creech, Ramie L. 10,568.16449 DeGrand, Donald M. 6,000.00453 Banks, James W. 6,000.00453 Campbell Sr., C. E. 6,000.00455 Burks, George W. 6,000.00455 Dunn, William M. 6,000.00455 Ellis, Ellsworth O. 6,000.00455 Nichols, James T. 6,000.00455 Tatum, Russell W. 6,000.00500 Weil, Robert W. 6,000.00502 Pierce, Thomas C. 6,000.00

S500 Kaszubowski, Alvin 2,250.00549 Elinburg, Marvin E. 6,000.00549 Owens, Willie Lee 6,000.00574 Bialecki, Felix 6,000.00577 Crawford, James M. 6,000.00582 Hillard, Henry L. 6,000.00582 Schutzman, Clifton P. 6,000.00583 Hyde, Clifton 6,000.00583 Watson, Albert 1,500.00587 McLaughlin Sr., M. A. 6,000.00587 Rodriguez, Jesse J. 6,000.00627 Oldham, Robert C. 6,000.00627 Young, Richard M. 6,000.00647 Dressely, Robert L. 102.38647 Keefe, Robert H. 6,000.00

647 Piotrowski, Andrew 1,269.43661 Noll, Theodore A. 6,000.00667 Horne, Roy A. 6,000.00667 Thompson, Richard 6,000.00679 Harvey, A. B. 6,000.00687 Schmonsees, William 6,000.00693 Vickers, Bobby D. 6,000.00744 Lyons, Arthur J. 6,000.00802 Sarcy, Dallas E. 6,000.001086 Hill, Charles F. 6,000.001154 Pund, Anthony 6,000.001234 Zilla, Daniel J. 6,000.001248 Bednarski, Victoria M.6,000.001670 Cummings, William 6,000.001670 Nameth, Mickel 6,000.00

John J. Mulligan, Local 60JOHN J. MULLIGAN, 53, was a Boilermakerand vice president of the General Power Con-struction Co., where he had worked for 22years. He passed away on Jan. 20, 2003.

Mulligan joined the National Transient Lodge onOct. 16, 1974, and transferred his membership toLocal 60, Peoria, Ill., on Oct. 31, 1984. “Not only wasJohn a brother Boilermaker, but he was a friendlycontractor,” reported L-60 BM-ST Ed Hebert. “Johnwould go out of his way to supply tools to make sureour jobs went easier or smoother, and he workedwith his employees whenever they needed time offto attend to family needs,” said Hebert.

“He was influential in the development ofLocal 60’s training and education fund andserved on its board. John once told me that labor

had given him everything he had,” said Hebert.“It’s a shame that labor can’t thank him now foreverything he gave.”

Kee Thomas Lane, Local 4KEE THOMAS “TIGGER” LANE, 55, joined Local4, Page, Ariz., on April 11, 2000. He passedaway on Jan. 31, 2003.

Lane helped build the local’s training facility. Hedonated his welding machine to the center and wasthere every day to help in any way that he could.

He was a team roper and let Democratic con-gressional candidate Roger Hartstone ride hishorse, Window Rock, in a 2001 parade.

“We will always remember Lane for his smile,laughter, and jokes,” said Local 4 BM-ST Nate Begay.“He made everyone feel good about themselves.”


NTL Bowman, JamesNTL Byrd, Emmett E.NTL Cooper, Truman L.NTL Dennison, DanielNTL Piefer, Joseph C.1 Chaney, James W.1 Fitzpatrick, Patrick5 Romaniuk, Theodore6 Brovelli, Nathan S.6 Depetrillo, Patsy6 Goodwin, Eugene T.7 Malcolm, David9 Grossetti, Mario J.11 Cassidy, Monty13 DeMeter, William13 Dipaolo, Aurelio13 Doyle, John J.26 Helmly, Andrew26 Mosley, Hubert26 Newman, Thomas E.27 Bain, Ellis J.27 Montrey Jr., Henry27 Thielemann, Lucius F.27 Wille, Clinton O.28 Bockis, Karl28 Crosby, Arthur28 Lamedica, Michael28 Pero, Charles

28 White Sr., Conrad H.31 Baker, Ray A.32 Westpfahl, Ernest W.37 Cowart, Willie J.37 Johnson, Charles45 Battle, William45 Hood, Gary60 Burress, Oatley60 Cottingham, Everett60 Mulligan, John J.69 Giles, Joe72 Brown, Francis R.72 Johnson, Harold C.73 Chisholm, William G.74 Cotton, Robert74 Johnson, Albert L.79 Alford, Edward83 Boes, Lloyd F.83 Bromley, Larry83 Reynolds, PaulD83 Schendt, Joseph 85 Davis, Jeff85 Hernandez, Manuel85 Kleeberger, Gerald85 Mutchler, Albert92 Kinney, Delbert92 Kucera, Clarence92 Sleeker, Webster101 Roggow, Eldon L.

104 Cuccia, Johnnie C.104 Deleuw, Adrian J.104 Holen, Wilfred A.104 Larson, Charles105 Davenport, Stewart105 Dwyer, Donald A.107 Collins, Martin108 Milam, James112 Davis, Mark L.112 Watford, James128 Dalziel, G.128 Docherty, Robert128 Freethy, Kaye R.128 Hall, Vincent O.128 Hefford, William128 Jackson, Gordon128 Malenfant, Gratien128 McKeown, Joseph128 Needham, Harold128 Nolin, Marc A.128 Preston, S.128 Shannon, A.M128 Limas, Domingo 132 Sandoval, Marcus G.146 Brandingen, Norman J.146 Mackay, Robert154 Vavra, Frank D.169 Bushong, Earl169 Heiden, Richard

169 Kilpatrick, Herbert169 Yates, William190 Kaltenberger, Thomas191 Allen, Edward W.191 Cooper, Thomas W.191 Hancock, Russell P.197 Melancon, James197 Oppedisano, Angelo199 Crews, Marvin199 Shimak, Steven237 Pelletier, Richard237 White, Clive263 Oswalt, Robert L.357 Hunt, Claude359 Allen, Peter J.359 Beauregard, Roger359 Cook, Gilbert J.359 Cunningham, Walter359 Donaldson, Terry W.359 Erickson, Norman L.359 Gaudette, Lawrence359 Harper, Edwin J.359 Kelley, William H.359 Moreau, George359 Morrison, John W.359 Young, Robert J.449 Neddo, Kenneth D.453 Banks, James453 Murphy, C. L.454 Murphy, Charles455 Nichols, James469 Fisher, A. V.

487 Paplham, Maynard500 Weil, Robert502 Dumas, Richard502 Eixenberger, Terry502 Larson, Jack531 Bristow, Jesse568 Kubrista, Val G.582 Schutzman, Clifton587 Lynn, Lester592 Cloud, Roy614 Bartnicki, Edmund627 Oldham, Robert647 Kaufman, John J.647 Keefe, Robert H.647 Kenney, James J.667 Wayne, William687 Linville, William696 McGivern, ClydeS699 Banaszak, Anthony 744 Barker, Joseph L.744 Pennybacker, William801 Rink, Roy G.900 Daily, Vernon R.900 Liddle, Charles C.900 Tornton, Willie A.1509 Citko, Tony1509 Nowak Jr., John P.1570 Stewart, John B.1592 Ruth, George A.1600 Cluchey, Joseph1934 Wagner, Fred E.

Moving? Tell us where . . .Name

New Address

City

State or Province Zip

Local Lodge No. Register No.(Also please notify the secretary of your local lodge.)

Mail form to:Publications Department

753 State Avenue, Suite 565

Kansas City, KS 66101

(Allow five weeks for change of address.)

WITH DEEP SORROW the International Brotherhood records the death of these members as reported to the InternationalSecretary-Treasurer’s office, and extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families.

IF YOU HAVE NOTyet been furnished this information, contact your local lodge, secure the beneficiaryforms, complete the required information and forward to the Administrative Office of the Pension Fund,754 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 522, Kansas City, KS 66101, at the earliest possible date. NOTE: These addi-tional death benefits can only be derived for members who worked under a collective bargaining agree-ment with an employer contributing to the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust.

L O D G E & N A M E

THE DEATH BENEFIT PLANunder the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust haspaid the beneficiaries of the following deceased members who were covered by the plansince the last issue of our publication.

L O D G E , N A M E & B E N E F I T

D E A T H B E N E F I T S

O B I T U A R I E S

IF YOU THINK the destruction ofSaddam Hussein’s regime wasaccomplished in record time, take a

look at the U.S. federal government’sbudget and our country’s economy.

In just two years, the U.S. has gonefrom having a long-term budget sur-plus, a strong currency, and a decreas-ing national debt into a country with along-term budget deficit, a weakeningcurrency, and soaring national debt.

We have gone from a surplus onceforecast at $5.6 trillion over ten years toan estimated deficit of at least $2 tril-lion, a reversal of more than $7 trillion.We haven’t seen a reversal that big sincethe Great Depression.

How did it happen?Don’t blame the recession. These pro-

jections assume moderate economicgrowth. If we have another recession,the deficits will be even larger.

Don’t blame Saddam Hussein. The$100 billion Bush budgeted for invad-ing Iraq is less than one-third of the2003 deficit, and these projections donot include future invasions. Of course,if we invade Syria, Iran, or NorthKorea, the deficits will get even bigger.

Don’t blame Osama bin Laden or thewar on terrorism. Don’t blame theFrench. Don’t blame the weather.

Blame President George W. Bush anda compliant Congress — Democratsand Republicans alike. In 2001, Con-

gress passed Bush’s tax cut that gave$1.3 trillion in tax breaks to the wealthi-est Americans. That was the first nail inthe coffin, sending us from surpluses torecord-high deficits in only two years.

Now Congress has passed a secondBush tax cut —one that will cost at least$350 billion and will, according tonearly every economist who has ana-lyzed it, have a negative effect on theeconomy over the next decade.

That’s right: Negative effect. Thatmeans fewer jobs, not more.

President Bush keeps calling it an“economic stimulus package,” but theonly economies that will be stimulatedare those of his wealthy backers.

The Congressional Budget Office,Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxa-

tion, The New York Times, The Washing-ton Post, and every independenteconomist in the country have warnedthat the tax cut will reduce jobs over thelong haul —not create them.

We’ve been here before. Bush’s 2001tax cuts were supposed to create jobs,

too. Instead, we lost two million jobsover the next two years.

Sure, I am happy that the averagemiddle income family will pay $217less in taxes next year. I wish it could bemore. They need the money.

And I’m happy that some workingfamilies will get checks for about $400per child some time in July. I wish thosechecks could go to all working familieswith children, but Congress chose toleave workers at the lower end of thepay scale out of this tax cut.

They also chose to end this tax breakin 2004, along with the tax breaks formarried couples and lowering of taxrates for many working families.

Of course, the reduction of the taxrates for the highest income bracketswill continue indefinitely.

But the worst part is that the federalgovernment is going to have to borrowmoney to pay for these cuts. In 2003, thefederal budget deficit is projected to beover $300 billion — even higher in 2004.

Borrowing to pay for tax cuts simplyshifts the burden of payment fromtoday’s taxpayers to tomorrow’s.

When the bill for these tax cuts comesdue, some future president will have toraise taxes. It won’t matter whether heis a Democrat or a Republican.

And because debts earn interest, thatfuture tax increase will most assuredlybe more than the $217 you get this year.

In the meantime, these tax cuts willgive Congress and the president a con-venient excuse to delay spending onprograms that help working families.

Health care for everybody? Tooexpensive. Prescription drugs for theelderly? Can’t afford them. Pensionprotections? We don’t have the money.

And in ten years, when the full effectof the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts becomesobvious, no doubt we will hear mem-bers of Congress say, “Social Security?Can’t afford it. Medicare? We don’thave the money.”

We won’t have the money becauseCongress and Bush will have spent iton tax breaks for the wealthiest Ameri-cans, while our economy was losing2,700 jobs every day.

We’re in a hole. Congress and thepresident should be helping us climbout — not digging deeper. ❑

Health care? Too expensive.Pension protections? Can’tafford them. But we’ll go into

debt to pay for tax cuts.

Bush, Congress must like red ink

Charles W. JonesInternational President

Letters to the Editors

the Boilermaker Reporter16 May • Jun 2003

C O M M E N T A R Y

http://www.IBB.workingfamilies.com http://www.boilermakers.org

L-271’s Raymond Levesquetakes trip of a lifetimeTHIS WINTERI realized one of mydreams when my granddaughters,Rachel and Sandra, both 18, accompa-nied me on a trip to Asia. After threemonths traveling in Vietnam, Cambo-dia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sin-gapore, I came back a changed man. Iwish every grandparent could havethe opportunity to live this wonderfuladventure.

RAYMOND LEVESQUE, L-271Beauport, Quebec

L-40’s Combs says there issomething wrong when . . .THERE IS SOMETHING wrong whenthe president of this nation and ourCongress become union busters; whenthey knowingly and willingly worktoward destroying the Constitution ofthe U.S.; when they knowingly andwillingly allow corporations to moveoffshore to avoid income tax; whenCongress accepts an $18,000 per yearpay increase while refusing to raisethe minimum wage.

There is something wrong when thepeople of the U.S. put up with thesewrongdoings, and when only 40-50percent of the registered voters vote.

There is a movement in this countryto destroy labor unions. We don’t wantmuch, just a decent job so we can raiseour children and grandchildren.

STANLEY D. COMBS, L-40 retireeJeffersonville, Ky.

L-5 retiree working onVietnam Veterans reunionTHE FOURTH ANNUAL campoutreunion for Vietnam Veterans will beheld July 25-27, 2003, in Freehold, N.Y.For more information on attending orhow to make a contribution, pleasecontact me at 1-518-966-8503.

THOMAS G. MAY, L-5 retireeGreenville, N.Y.

Curl wants to see more lettersfrom owners, contractorsON THANKSGIVING DAY 2002, theDakota Gasification Co. in Beulah,N.D., had an explosion which dam-aged an exchanger. Boilermakers fromLocal 647 (Minneapolis) were asked towork 12-hour shifts to lift the verticalexchanger out of the gasifier building,then lay it down horizontally andretube it — including Christmas andNew Year’s days, if necessary.

As always, Boilermakers rose to thechallenge and completed the projectahead of schedule and without injuries.

Plant manager Fred Stern wrote thelocal a letter (see p. 5), complimentingthe Boilermakers on a job well done.

Boilermakers need to see more ofthese letters. Boilermakers are no dif-ferent from anyone else. A simplethank you or a handshake makes allthe difference in how one leaves a job.

TERRYCURLLocal 647 Rec. Sec.

Local 37 boomer wants abetter way to get on ‘B’ listA BOILERMAKER since 1980, I haveseen good and bad times, as we allhave. What we need is a plan forboomers to get on a “B” list withouthaving to travel all over to sign abook. Who can afford this system?

Would our brother representativesplease address this issue so we can allwork and prosper at our trade?

DONALD W. BROWN, Local 37Iron Mountain, Mich.

Local 128’s Thomson regretsCanada’s lack of war supportON MARCH 17, 2003, Prime MinisterJean Chretien announced that Canadawould not support the United States inits war against tyranny and terrorism.

Please be assured that he does notspeak for those of us who respect andappreciate all the brave souls of yourgreat country who so willingly gavetheir lives so that we may enjoy thefreedoms of democracy.

I have instilled into my child’s mindthat the only reason we are not walk-ing around doing the goose step witha bayonet up our backside is becauseof the courage of so many of you, yourbrothers, uncles, fathers, and friends.

The only way for my family andme to thank you for your sacrifices isto write this letter and say, “If youneed my help, call, and I will come.”

MATT THOMSON, Local 128Toronto, Canada

Got something to say?WE WELCOME LETTERS of lessthan 150 words on topics of interest toour members and their families.

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

The Boilermaker Reporter753 State Ave. Suite 570Kansas City KS 66101FAX: (913) 281-8104E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Tax cut, budget will raise deficits, slow down theeconomy, and benefit wealthy at expense of poor

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