Local 1620 shares union history with employer

Members present “Grace Under Pressure” to company for centennial anniversary

L-1620 Pres Bill Coleman (r.) presents the Boilermakers’ history book to Portland Forge President Pat Bennett.

MEMBERS OF LOCAL 1620 (Portland, Ind.) have a long history with their employer, Portland Forge. Local 1620 has represented its workers since 1949. When the Boilermakers published a history of the union for the 31st Consolidated Convention, Local 1620 members were so impressed by the book that they decided to purchase a copy for their employer’s upcoming centennial anniversary.

“The members of Local 1620 thought it would be proper for the company to learn a little about the history of the Blacksmiths who do the work for them,” explained Local 1620 President Bill Colemen. “So we presented this book [“Grace Under Pressure”] to Portland Forge, as they will be celebrating their 100th year in business in 2009.”

Local 1620 was chartered in 1941. Portland Forge, in business since 1909, produces custom-made, impression-die hot forgings and high quality carbon-and-alloy steel forged components for a multitude of industries.