Headline News

Delegates shift gears as Congress goes into recess

AGAINST A BACKDROP of naked anti-union attacks — both at state and federal levels — delegates to the Boilermakers LEAP conference in Washington, D.C. March 20-24 gathered to assess the political landscape, align priorities, and lobby members of Congress. Lobbying was complicated by the fact that federal lawmakers took an unexpected recess just prior to the conference, so Capitol Hill was virtually empty of lawmakers.

Trust funds are on track after adjustments

THE ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION conference held at Marco Island, Fla. March 7-10 addressed numerous topics that impact field construction Boilermakers, from member benefits to workplace concerns to promoting the advantages of MOST programs.

Recession, construction fall-off contribute to drop

AFTER TICKING UPWARDS in 2008, union membership in the United States declined for the second straight year, dropping by 612,000 workers in 2010, according to a new report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Last year, total union membership — both private and public sectors — slipped from 15.3 million to 14.7 million workers, from 12.3 percent of the U.S. workforce to just 11.9 percent. Slightly less than 12 workers out of a hundred belonged to a union at the end of 2010.

Massive project brings five million man-hours to Local 363 jurisdiction

THE LARGEST COAL-FIRED power plant currently being built in the United States is taking shape in southern Illinois, and Boilermakers from across the country are playing a leading role in its construction.

Reveals political intentions in phone call with impersonator

IF ANYONE DOUBTED that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s union-busting “Budget Repair Bill” — which ends collective bargaining for state employees — was more about destroying the unions than balancing the budget, they need to listen to an audiotape released Feb. 3 that catches the governor in some unguarded moments.

AMERICANS STRONGLY oppose laws taking away the collective bargaining power of public employee unions as a way to ease state financial troubles, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

The poll found that 61 percent would oppose a law in their state similar to one being considered in Wisconsin, compared with 33 percent who would favor such a law.

Amendment fails 233-189

THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives defeated a budget bill amendment Feb. 19 that would have suspended the Davis-Bacon Act through the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which ends Sep. 30. Introduced by Rep. Steve King of Iowa, the amendment lost by a 233-189 vote.

New Navy contract calls for 10 more littoral combat ships

THE WORK OUTLOOK for members of Local 696 (Marinette, Wis.) has taken a decidedly positive turn in recent months. Last December, the U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $3.6 billion contract to continue building littoral combat ships (LCS) at the Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in northeast Wisconsin. The contract includes options for 10 additional warships through 2015.

Northrop Grumman plans to close shipyard by 2013

AS MEMBERS OF Local 1814 (Bridge City, La.) report for work at the Avondale shipyard each day, they do so with a sense of foreboding. Unless something changes dramatically, Northrop Grumman will shut down Avondale, eliminating about 4,500 jobs by 2013. Nearly 1,000 Boilermakers worked at the shipyard and at the smaller Tallulah shipyard until last fall, when the company began laying off workers. The firm ceased operations at Tallulah in late 2010. By early February 2011, only about 550 L-1814 members remained at Avondale.