Local Lodge 85

APPRENTICE COORDINATORS and instructors from the Great Lakes Area received training Sept. 12-14 on the new On-Line Interactive Learning Management System (LMS) and the updated Related Studies Lessons. The Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) is developing the system in conjunction with Kelly Press to upgrade and standardize apprentice instruction.

Unions vow to fight on

IN WHAT IS broadly seen as a defining moment in Organized Labor’s struggle against anti-union forces, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed two right-to-work bills into law Dec. 11, making Michigan the 24th state to enact RTW legislation.

Honor recognizes MOST participation

LOCAL 85 (TOLEDO, Ohio) recorded the highest percentage of members participating in seven specific MOST programs in 2011, a feat which won the lodge the second annual Charles W. Jones Award.

L-85 BM-ST Fred Keith accepted the award on behalf of the lodge during the 27th Annual National Tripartite Alliance conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Oct. 16.

Keith told the conference, “We as Boilermakers touch so many lives on a daily basis. It’s great to be a part of this organization.”

GRADUATE APPRENTICE Blaine Coulter, Local 169 (Detroit), won first place at the 25th annual Boilermakers’ National Apprenticeship Competition, held Sept. 23-27 at L-169’s training center in Dearborn, Mich.

Donations build Brotherhood’s political strength

LODGES, VICE PRESIDENTIAL sections, and individual members that excelled in raising money for CAF and LEF in 2011 received special recognition during the LEAP conference in Washington, D.C., April 23-26.

CAF stands for Campaign Assistance Fund. As the Boilermakers’ political action fund, CAF money goes to support worker-friendly candidates for the U.S. House and Senate.

Injury rates drop across three categories

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of Construction Boilermaker Employers (NACBE) presented its annual safety awards to the 2011 top-performing locals from the Boilermakers’ four U.S. vice-presidential sections March 5 during the annual Construction Sector Operations conference held at Marco Island, Fla.

Local 263 (Memphis, Tenn.), representing the Southeast, took national honors with zero lost-time accidents, zero compensable injuries, and zero OSHA-recordable injuries.

Local 1 • Chicago

John Skermont, BM-ST of Local 1, Chicago, reports presentation of membership pins to the following:

Riders from two locals travel Indiana for fun and camaraderie

ABOUT TWO DOZEN motorcycles rolled out of Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 17 carrying a caravan of Boilermakers, family members, and guests. Active and retired members of Local 85 (Toledo, Ohio) and Local 374 (Hammond, Ind.) took part in the event, organized for the enjoyment of the ride and to share in brotherhood and camaraderie. The bikers rode from northern Indiana to the southern part of the state, returning to central Indiana before heading home.

EIGHT TOP BOILERMAKER graduate apprentices from across the United States tested their skills during the 24th annual National Outstanding Apprentice Competition held at the Local 7 (Buffalo, N.Y.) training facilities in Orchard Park Sept. 25-29. Contestants competed in written and practical tests. They were graded individually and as teams from their respective geographic areas. Judges included veteran Boilermakers and contractor representatives.