Letters to the Editor

IN MARCH, LOCAL 128 (Toronto) faced a dilemma when the Humber College instructor for advanced boilermaker apprenticeship classes went on medical leave.

THE MIDDLE CLASS is in crisis because rich politicians help rich industrialists move our industries overseas to cheap labor.

We would like to thank Local 83 and all the Boilermakers for their kindness during these trying times. This is a long, rough road [for Dale Hunt and his family, due to his serious illness], and if not for the union, I don’t know where we would be. Even during a difficult economy, the Brotherhood still stands strong and united. We are so thankful for the union and all its benefits. So if anyone ever gets to wondering if it’s all worth it, trust me, it is — and your brothers have got your back.

All of your cards and heartfelt prayers mean so much to our family.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the reception held on March 18th to celebrate my 50th year as an active Boilermaker. Special thanks to Glen Aker, Ernie Aker, [L-73 BM-ST] Kevin Chaisson, and “Big” Joe Linthorne, for providing music. Thanks also to Derek Carey, Kevin Chaisson, [L-73 President] Marcel Losier, [IR] Kent Oliver, and [retired IVP] Sandy MacDonald for the gifts presented on behalf of Local 73 and the International.

MY DAD, HENRY Royce, was a shipyard Boilermaker out of L-614 (New London, Conn.) for 30 years before his retirement in 1981. When he died on Jan. 28, 2011, at 92, he left behind two generations of Boilermakers — and a legacy of inventiveness.

L-29’s Moffatt thanks Boilermakers

MY BIG BROTHER, Dave, got me started as a Boilermaker in 1975. At age 54, I could not continue in the trade [due to health reasons]. Just before Christmas, a couple of my friends from Local 29 took up a collection, and I received $4,072. I can’t explain how much it meant to me.

Local 29’s Giannone vows to beat cancer

I retired in March 2010 at age 55, and am so proud to have been a union Boilermaker. I worked all over the country, and I know there are no better brothers and sisters in the world than the field members I have met [since joining Boston Local 29 in 1980].

Riveting is not a completely-lost art

I read the article in the Boilermaker Reporter about riveting [“Film captures story of Boilermakers,” p.3, Jan-Mar issue] and would like to let you know it’s not a completely-lost art. I’m a journeyman out of Local 85 [Toledo, Ohio]. My brothers, Tim [a former 10-year L-85 member], Terry [an active member who joined L-85 in 1992 with Todd], and I still drive rivets on Great Lakes’ freighters, as well as on high-pressure digesters in the Canadian paper mills.