the Boilermaker Reporter

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Delegates re-elect officers, amend constitution

MORE THAN SIX hundred delegates to the 32nd Consolidated Convention met at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas July 25-28 to elect International officers and reaffirm the Boilermakers’ Constitution. Over 70 resolutions — from local lodges, the International Executive Council, and the Constitution and Law Committee — were considered, along with motions from the floor.

Agency picks 16 R&D projects by companies, universities

THE DEPARTMENT OF Energy announced Aug. 25 that it has committed $41 million to promote cost-cutting technology for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture at coal-fired power plants. While carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has advanced in recent years, commercial implementation has been hampered by parasitic loss — the amount of energy diverted to capture and compress CO2. Current CCS technology requires 20-30 percent of a plant’s net electricity generation.

Dustin O’Shea hurt on powerhouse job

A DINNER AND auction held July 9 at Local 85 (Toledo, Ohio) raised money for probationary apprentice Dustin O’Shea, 23, who suffered severe injuries from a fall Feb. 15, 2011. The accident occurred while O’Shea was working on catalyst change-out boxes at a power plant in Michigan.

Fills position vacated by IVP Sean Murphy

DELEGATES TO THE 32nd Consolidated Convention elected D. David Haggerty to a five-year term as International Vice President for the Northeast Section July 26.

Case could affect Boilermaker members

A U.S. SUPREME Court ruling June 23 has implications for rail workers — including Boilermakers — who become injured on the job and seek compensation in court under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). In a 5-4 decision, the high court upheld lower court rulings that granted railroad engineer Robert McBride $184,000 in damages for a debilitating hand injury.

Recall votes keep focus on anti-union aggression

MADISON, WIS., THE epicenter of the far-right’s strategy to blame unions for the nation’s economic woes, while slashing the collective bargaining rights of public workers, has held national media attention for months. And the state’s capital city continues to be a lightning rod for union solidarity.