Local 45's Brown wins national apprentice competition Boilermakers

24 Pages·2009·3.82 MB·English

Vol. 48 No. 4
Oct • Dec 2009
The Official Publication of the
International Brotherhood of
Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders,
Blacksmiths, Forgers,
and Helpers, AFL-CIO
http://capwiz.com/boilermaker http://www.boilermakers.org
I T P
n hese ages
MOST Tripartite Conference . . . . . . 2
Twelve million dollars is big money, as this mock, oversized check symbolizes. Celebrating the record
settlement are, l. to r., IVP-ISO Warren Fairley, Blake & Uhlig attorney Mike Stapp, IP Newton Jones, ED-CSO
Kyle Evenson, United Association Asst. Gen. Pres. Stephen Kelly, IVP-WS Tom Baca, and IST Bill Creeden.
IBB hosts USA shoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Boilermakers share in $12
million Fluor Daniel settlement
History-making payment ing the company discriminated but which does not have a sub-
ends nearly two decades against union members in Ken- stantial or direct interest.
tucky, Louisiana, and Arizona in A total of 167 union members
of litigation over antiunion
violation of the National Labor will receive back pay and inter-
hiring practices in
Relations Act (NLRA). est payments ranging from $8,000
construction industry The two other charging parties to $217,000.
include the International Broth- “The 2009 settlement agree-
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT erhood of Electrical Workers ment ends nearly two decades of
L-1814 sends off New York . . . . .12 Newton B. Jones announced in (IBEW) and the United Associa- litigation involving Fluor Daniel’s
October that 50 Boilermakers tion of Journeymen and Appren- refusal to hire voluntary union
will share in a record $12 million tices of the Plumbing and Pipe organizers,” said Jones.
settlement with Fluor Daniel Inc. Fitting Industry (UA). A fourth “This is a substantial amount
over the firm’s antiunion hiring union, the United Brotherhood of of money, and all of it will be
practices. The IBB is one of three Carpenters (UBC), joined the liti- divided among union members.
international unions that brought gation as an intervener — a party
charges against Fluor Daniel in that has some bearing on the case, See SETTLEMENT, page 5
the early and mid-1990s, alleg-
Local 45’s Brown wins national
apprentice competition
Title is first for Richmond, Ark.), placed second in the national
Va., lodge; L-69’s Tucker event, and the pair also won
the national team award for the
takes second place
Southeast Area.
GRADUATE APPRENTICE Tucker broke ground of his own this
Jason Brown broke new ground past summer by winning the South-
for his lodge Sept. 27 – Oct. 1 by east Area competition, becoming the
becoming the first L-45 (Rich- first L-69 member to do so.
mond, Va.) member to win the Results of the four-day national
651 Boilermakers’ national out- competition, held at the Boilermakers’
50
Suite s 661 stitoann.d Binrogw anp pwreans taiclseo c tohme pfiertsi-t nKaatnio.,n wale trraei anninngo cuenncteerd i na tK aann saaws Caridtys,
e, sa L-45 member ever to place in the banquet Oct. 1 at the Westin Crown
nuan Southeast Area event — he was Center in Kansas City, Mo.
eK
Avy, runner-up in that competition, Other graduate apprentices com-
e Cit held July 27-30 at L-199 in Jack- peting this year were, from the West-
3 Statnsas sonBvriollwe,n F’lsa t.eammate, Thomas Local 45’s Jason Brown e(Srpno Sktaantee, sW, aLsuhk.)e, a Lnadf Dleayv, idL oHcoaol g2e4n2-
5a
7K Tucker, Local 69 (Little Rock, works through the stud
welding exercise. See COMPETITION, page 15
2 - the Boilermaker Reporter HeADL I n e n e w S Oct • Dec 2009
Tripartite conference grapples with
energy, other challenges
IP Jones details had to learn on the proj-
“Canada is doing it
“revolutionary” manpower ect. Every one of them
has had to recover their
delivery system
[carbon capture and
[former] position.”
THE FUTURE OF coal and nuclear Hawthorne said that’s
power was a primary focus of the sequestration] right.” one of the reasons no new
24th annual National Tripartite nuclear power plants are
Alliance Conference held in — Travis McLing, scientist being built in the United
Myrtle Beach, S.C., Oct. 11-16. States. “We have in the U.S.
Idaho National Laboratory
Industry experts — including a sci- what I refer to as a massive
entist, a leader in nuclear power rush to be second,” he said.
development, and a legislative panel CCS refers to various methods of “Nobody wants to build the
— addressed emerging technolo- removing carbon dioxide from indus- first plant, because it carries
gies, political challenges, economic trial processes and confining it deep with it a lot of risk.”
obstacles, and related issues. underground or deep undersea. He said the current focus
Conference participants also McLing said that because of Wash- on wind and solar power,
received an update from International ington gridlock, industry, investors, along with the economic
President Newton B. Jones on the and state governments are uncertain recession, also work to Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones discusses the MOST
latest tripartite initiative, called the of how to proceed with new power deter owners from starting Boilermaker Delivery System.
MOST Boilermaker Delivery System. plants and the widespread applica- new projects.
Gose expressed concern that with-
MOST Administrator Bill Pal- tion of CCS technologies.
Panelists detail out specific energy legislation the
misano opened the conference with “In 2003 and 2004 in the Northwest,
Environmental Protection Agency
a tribute in absentia to Boilermaker there were about 13 advanced coal legislative push
could set regulations that would
International President Emeritus power plants that were on the draw-
Charles W. Jones. Palmisano said ing boards or had been announced,” A FOUR-MEMBER panel represent- be especially costly and difficult
Jones “had the courage and strength McLing recalled. “Currently, there are ing the tripartite partnership told for owners.
to recognize that a program such zero that are getting ready to go online, conference participants about efforts Also serving on the panel were
as MOST was sorely needed in the simply because of the uncertainty. to fashion an energy bill that takes Abe Breehey, Legislative Director for
construction industry. He is today “Canada is doing it right,” he said, into account the needs of the indus- the Boilermakers; Tony Jacobs, SAIP-
still the only international president referring to an $865 million CCS proj- try. John Gose, senior site manager for CSO; and Brad Bradford, consultant
[in organized labor] to have imple- ect in Alberta’s Athabasca oil sands Consumers Energy, said that overall to the International President and
mented a mandatory drug testing pro- region, financed by the provincial and his company supports federal leg- consultant to BWCC. These three men
gram for his members. No other craft federal governments. The money will islation . . . to control greenhouse have been working together to build a
has done that.” go toward a large-scale pilot project gases. “We want [that legislation] coalition of owners, contractors, and
to capture and store carbon diox- to be reasonable and cost-efficient,” Boilermakers with the purpose of pre-
Scientist calls carbon ide at the Shell Canada Scotsford he stressed. senting a united front on Capitol Hill.
“We’ve tried hard to make our legis-
challenge next “moon shot” upgrader. “That amount of money
lative approach a tripartite approach,”
— for this one project — is roughly
GETTING CONTROL OVER carbon equivalent to the total U.S. govern-
“We have in the U.S.
dioxide emissions in the United States ment budget for all seven regional
is a challenge equivalent to the “moon carbon sequestration partnerships
shot” effort of the 1960s, a Depart- across the country,” said McLing. what I refer to as a
ment of Energy scientist told the The U.S. partnerships are charged
conference. Travis McLing, who leads with developing the knowledge massive rush to be
the carbon sequestration research pro- base and infrastructure requirements
gram at the DOE’s Idaho National for commercialization.
second” [to build a
Laboratory, said it would take that
nuclear energy faces
kind of a national commitment to
overcome a myriad of obstacles. tough challenges, says nuclear plant].
However, the growing menace of industry expert
global warming — and an emerg- — Duncan Hawthorne,
ing threat to U.S. energy security — DUNCAN HAWTHORNE, president President and CEO
demand that the United States move and CEO of Bruce Power, discussed Duncan Hawthorne, president and
forward, stressed McLing. Among the future of nuclear energy and the CEO of Bruce Power, reports on the of Bruce Power
the primary obstacles, he said, are the challenges faced by owners, inves- future of nuclear power.
absence of a federal energy policy and tors, and contractors. He said there
the lack of an industrial-scale pilot are 440 nuclear reactors world-
program to test carbon capture and wide, with 67 under construction. The Boilermaker Reporter is the official pub-
lication of the International Brotherhood of
sequestration (CCS) methods. Also “Many of them, not surprisingly,
Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths,
called “carbon capture and storage,” [are] in China and India and Russia Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO. It is published
— places that have a desperate need quarterly to disseminate information of use
for power.” and interest to its members. Submissions
from members, local lodges, and subordi-
Hawthorne said some of the proj-
nate or affiliated bodies are welcomed and
ects his firm is involved with overseas Oct•Dec 2009 Vol. 48 no. 4 encouraged. This publication is mailed free
have suffered major cost overruns of charge to active members and retired
newton B. Jones, International President and
and delivery problems. He cited a Editor-in-Chief members holding a Retired Members Card.
Others may subscribe for the price of $10 for
new plant in Finland that is coming in william T. Creeden, Intl. Secretary-Treasurer three years. Standard Mail (A) postage paid
three years late and at twice its bud-
International Vice Presidents at Kansas City, Kan., and additional mailing
get. “There’s currently a law suit over offices. ISSN No. 1078-4101.
Lawrence McManamon, Great Lakes
who pays for it. It’s a messy story.”
Sean Murphy, Northeast POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
A refurbishment project in Greece,
“which should have cost $2.25 billion Sam May, Southeast [email protected]
Tom Baca, Western States The Boilermaker Reporter
will instead cost $4 billion,” he added.
Joe Maloney, Western Canada 753 State Avenue, Suite 565
A major reason for these problems, Ed Power, Eastern Canada Kansas City, KS 66101
said Hawthorne, is contractors have
Warren Fairley, Industrial Sector (at-Large) [phone]; FAX [phone]
lost the capability and knowledge to
editorial staff
take on large nuclear jobs. “There is Web site: www.boilermakers.org
Donald Caswell, Managing Editor
not a single contractor, not one, who CanadaPost Agreement : PM 41892512
Carol Almond, Asst. to the Managing Editor
Scientist Travis McLing describes has worked on my projects that was
Mike Linderer, Writer and Editor
obstacles to the commercial use of capable of doing what they said they Printed in the U.S.A.
carbon capture and sequestration. could do. Every one of them has Mary Echols, Publications Specialist
A prize-winning newspaper
Oct • Dec 2009 HeAD LIne newS the Boilermaker Reporter - 3
said Breehey. “We’ve identified our
shared priorities, such as reasonable
emission reduction targets, a fair share
of allowances, and financial and regu-
latory incentives for carbon capture
and storage.”
Jacobs said the tripartite approach
to lobbying has worked well, and
the coalition has held several meet-
ings with U.S. Senate staff. “We have
people who know the technology and
can explain it. We have people like
Abe that understand the workings in
Washington, D.C. We have people like
me, who as a common Boilermaker
[can speak about Boilermaker jobs].”
Bradford observed that “the lack
of regulatory certainty has paralyzed
owners, who must make decisions
on capital expenditures. It’s bad for
contractors . . . [and] it’s bad for labor.
The simple fact is the longer we delay
and the more that action is deferred,
the more difficult and expensive it is
going to be for all of us.”
Studying the rigging exhibit are, l. to r., Canadian National Training Coordinator Grant Jacobs, D-CDS Skipper
MOST Boilermaker Delivery
Branscum, and SAIP Marty Spencer.
System will increase
productivity, save millions online system, travelers can post creating hardships for travelers, the the status of the Boilermaker-Black-
themselves to as many work lists as rules create barriers to locals that wish smith National Pension Trust and the
A REPORT ON the MOST Boiler- they wish in a matter of minutes from to sign up new members. Establishing Officers and Employees Pension Plan
maker Delivery System (BDS) gener- anywhere there is access to the Inter- consistent referral rules for all con- with union participants. Because cer-
ated substantial interest among par- net — for example, at home, at the struction locals and enabling members tain provisions of the Pension Protec-
ticipants. Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones local lodge, or at a public library. to access work lists via the Internet
tion Act were not suspended in 2009
said the system will revolutionize the Jones said another major benefit is will help eliminate those problems,
as they were in 2008, substantial action
way Boilermakers are assigned to jobs that the system will discourage job- Jones said.
will be needed to strengthen both
and will generate extensive, up-to- hopping and related absenteeism by Don Powell, manager of purchas-
date information on skill sets, worker incorporating a uniform, nationwide ing and logistics for NRG Texas, funds. In addition, the Boilermakers
allocation, and trends. The Web-based penalty system, improving productiv- urged all partners of the tripartite to National Health & Welfare Fund may
computer system will store member ity, and saving the industry millions support the MOST BDS. “This is a require some adjustment. A number
qualifications, job status, and other of dollars. major effort that they [the Boilermak- of options have been identified, and
information. It will allow members to Ken Wasilewski, general manager - ers] have undertaken, and I would like union trustees were expected to make
access and update their information Eastern Operations for Babcock & Wil- to thank them. This is a great example a recommendation to the full boards
and to indicate their availability and cox Construction Co., reported that a of where something tough has been of the various trusts before year end.
work preferences. study performed by his firm showed tackled that is going to help all of us —

Under development for several the rate of absenteeism, including that the Boilermakers, contractors, and the Common Arc Executive Director
years, the BDS is based on the online resulting from job hopping, averaged owners, as we go to implement this.” John Erickson highlighted MOST
referral system developed by Cana- 6.6 percent in 2008 (for the 12 proj- safety achievements over the years.
dian Boilermakers. It will enable con- ects examined). He said the impact of Virtual campus offers He estimated that since 1991 the
tractors to place online job calls and absenteeism is so great that the rate online training industry avoided 32,800 lost-time
will allow locals to more efficiently always seems higher than it actually injuries and saved $5.7 billion in direct
dispatch members to jobs. It will also is. The actual cost of absenteeism can GRANT JACOBS, CANADIAN and indirect cost avoidance. Erickson
provide efficient access to travelers. be substantial, he noted. National Training Coordinator, dem- said on a typical project MOST pro-
IP Jones provided an overview of Jayne Clemance, MOST BDS onstrated the Boilermaker Virtual
grams save a contractor $2.5 million.
the proposed system, noting that sig- program manager, demonstrated the Campus, an online education and
He added that the NACBE board has
nificant progress has been made in system. Clemance said she has met training system hosted on the Cana-
adopted new metrics and goals to
the past year. One of the key benefits, with business managers and dis- dian Web site (www.boilermaker.ca).
he said, is that it will save travelers, patchers at Local 154 (Pittsburgh) and Since its creation three years ago, the measure safety progress. The initia-
collectively, more than $1 million Local 83 (Kansas City, Mo.) to develop campus has grown rapidly, offering tive is intended to promote safety atti-
annually in expenses related to a sense of how individual lodges numerous video and animated mod- tudes and behavior not only on the job
keeping their names on work lists. operate differently. ules that allow members to learn at but in workers’ daily lives.
Currently, travelers must pay for Adopting the BDS will first require their own pace. 
transportation, lodging, and related reforming the Boilermaker referral Jacobs said the national training MOST Safety Rep Roger Erickson
expenses incurred in going outside system. Jones pointed out that refer- trust fund has added online assess- reported on developments involving
of their home lodge to update lists ral rules are not consistent from one ment testing for the Red Seal welder’s safety training. He said OSHA has
at other lodges. Under the proposed local lodge to another. In addition to certification. Red Seal is a national made changes to the 10-hour and
certification program in Canada for 30-hour courses and is conducting
the trades. All Canadian provinces more unannounced audits to ensure
are signatory to the program. Online classes are being taught as required.
assessment testing for the boilermaker He cautioned that anyone commit-
Red Seal certification is under way.
ting fraudulent OSHA training faces
Jacobs said the online campus is
criminal prosecution. Erickson said
especially appealing to millennials
MOST-qualified trainers will benefit
(those born between 1980 and 1995),
from a new 16-volume video library
who are accustomed to using elec-
tronic forms of communication. depicting actual Boilermakers. The
library is nearing completion. He
Speakers address added that to date MOST has more
other issues than 360 OSHA-authorized trainers. It
has trained over 42,000 students in the
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS OSHA 10 course.
heard from speakers on a range of

other topics, including the national Director of Health and Safety
funds, the value of MOST, safety, Services Mark Garrett recalled his
substance abuse, and regional previous employment with a non-
tripartite meetings.
Members of the Tripartite legislative initiative panel, l. to r., Abe Breehey,
D-LA, Department of Government Affairs; Brad Bradford, consultant; John Gose, IP Jones and Tom DelFiacco, vice See TRIPARTITE, page 8
senior site manager, Consumers Energy; and Tony Jacobs, SAIP-CSO. president of the Segal Co., reviewed
4 - the Boilermaker Reporter HeADL I n e n e w S Oct • Dec 2009
“The race is on to develop and deploy carbon capture and storage technologies,” Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones tells AFL-CIO convention delegates.

IP Jones elected vice president of AFL-CIO
Convention signals change been affiliated for the last four years helped our nation progress into the
at federation with a rival union organization. 21st century,” he told convention
Delegates gave a raucous welcome delegates. “And for more than five
FOR THE FIRST time in 47 years, the to President Barack Obama Sept. 15, decades, [we] have been install-
Boilermakers will have a seat on the who told the gathering, “There is ing emission control systems. Now
AFL-CIO executive council. Inter- nothing like being back in the house of we are faced with the challenge of
national President Newton B. Jones labor.” Obama’s appearance marked global warming, and the race is on to
will serve on the council after being the first time a U.S. president has develop and deploy carbon capture
elected one of the federation’s vice addressed an AFL-CIO convention and storage technologies. Even as we
presidents during the September since 1997, when Bill Clinton spoke to meet here this week, pilot systems are
convention in Pittsburgh. the federation. being constructed to turn the energy
Jones was nominated for the four- The day before his election to these systems produce even greener.”
year post by Cecil Roberts, Interna- the AFL-CIO executive council, IP Another Boilermaker who received
tional President of the United Mine Jones addressed the convention in recognition during the conven-
Workers of America. Roberts also support of Resolution 10: Creating and tion was Local 19 (Philadelphia)
nominated Richard Trumka, who was Sustaining Good, Green Jobs. The Secretary-Treasurer Fred Chamber-
elected president of the AFL-CIO, resolution stresses the need for labor lain. He was honored for his work
taking over for John Sweeney, who to take the lead in ensuring that supporting Barack Obama’s presiden-
retired after 15 years at the helm. efforts to protect the environment tial campaign. Chamberlain was also
The convention saw other signifi- and reduce greenhouse gases will recognized at this year’s LEAP confer-
cant changes, including the reuni- create good-paying union jobs. ence for his political activism.
fication of UNITE HERE with the “For more than a century, Boil- The AFL-CIO convention drew
AFL-CIO. The union, which represents ermakers and our fellow building nearly 1,000 delegates and 2,000 Local 19 Sec.-Treas. Fred Chamberlain
workers predominantly in the hotel, tradesmen and women have been guests. The federation represents is honored at the AFL-CIO convention.
food service, laundry, warehouse, building and maintaining the power about 11.5 million workers. q Photo by Bill Burke/Page One Photography
and casino gaming industries, had generation systems that have…
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Oct • Dec 2009 HeAD LIne newS the Boilermaker Reporter - 5
SETTLEMENT
Fight Back blazed trail for
continued from page 1 construction organizing
In fact, this settlement is the largest
of its kind. The Boilermaker Fight After three decades, International President Newton B.
Jones was instrumental in the Fight Back
Back construction organizing strategy program still shows results
program, first as an organizer and later
and other building trade organizing
BY THE END of the 1970s, nonunion as Director of Organizing and Commu-
programs have once again exposed
construction and repair companies had nications. He became the program’s chief
the lengths to which some employ-
cut a deep swath in the market share architect, developing and implement-
ers will go to deny workers the right
of unionized contractors. Boilermaker ing approaches that had never before
to engage in union activity protected
leaders knew something unconventional been tried. of dollars for members — including the
under the NLRA.”
had to be done to stem the onslaught Over the years, Fight Back tested record-breaking $12 million Fluor Daniel
Unions employ innovative and to regain lost work. In 1980, three and helped establish case law. One key settlement recently announced.
of those leaders — International Vice precedent was established when the Writing back in 1993, then Director of
organizing strategies
President Charles W. Jones, Interna- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Organizing and Communications New-
tional Rep Connie Mobley, and Local 30 determined that voluntary organizers ton B. Jones observed:
DEVELOPED BY THE Boilermakers
President Barry Edwards — began a con- have special protection under the law. “We have won on many levels. We
in the early 1980s, Fight Back grew out
struction organizing strategy that became To take advantage of that protection — have won better, safer working condi-
of the need to counter a growing non-
known as Fight Back. and to preclude nonunion employers tions for many workers who have joined
union construction sector. A similar
The premise of Fight Back was simple from claiming they didn’t know an appli- our cause. Many workers have chosen
program known as COMET (Con-
and direct: send voluntary union orga- cant was a union member, and therefore to join our union even though we did
struction Organizing Membership
nizers to nonunion construction jobs to didn’t break the law — Boilermakers not achieve or win an election at their
Education Training) is promoted by
apply for jobs. If the contractors refused typically wrote “voluntary union orga- job site. Most nonunion employers have
the AFL-CIO Building and Construc-
to consider or refused to hire appli- nizer” across their applications. raised their workers’ wages during our
tion Trades. Both strategies rely on
cants on the basis of their union affilia- Like IP Newton Jones, IST Bill Creeden Fight Back campaigns. Several have vol-
volunteer union organizers to obtain
tion, they would be in violation of the also worked as a Fight Back organizer untarily recognized us as the collective
work on nonunion sites and attempt
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). and later oversaw the effort as Director bargaining representative for their work-
to organize them.
The Act specifically prohibits employers of Organizing. Others serving in various ers. Some have chosen to sign job com-
Like many nonunion construc-
from discriminating against workers who International leadership roles today also pliances, and some have even signed our
tion firms, Fluor Daniel (in the cases
engage in protected union activity such carried the Fight Back strategy forward. area agreements.”
resolved by the $12 million settle-
as organizing or promoting unions to The Brotherhood’s innovative orga- After 29 years, Fight Back is still
ment) discriminated against union
other workers. nizing approach has recovered millions proving its value.
organizers applying for work. Rarely
were the union applicants given any
consideration for employment, even
though they often possessed supe- & Uhlig law firm to stay on the case cannot lawfully be discriminated The Respondent went to substantial
rior skills and experience. Refusing to until their members got relief. against in employment.” effort and expense — paying per diem
consider or refusing to hire on the Noting that many similar cases The Big Rivers Electric Com- to nonlocals, paying for advertising,
basis of union affiliation violates have been successfully resolved over pany organizing effort was led sending mass recruitment mailgrams,
the NLRA. the past three decades (including sev- by Barry Edwards, now a retired and paying subcontractors — to avoid
However, violating a worker’s eral smaller payouts by Fluor Daniel), International Rep. considering the qualified activist
right to protected union activity often Stapp called the most recent settle- In 1994, in a case involving a project journeymen whose applications were
carries only minor penalties. Offend- ment agreement “the jewel of all Fight at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generat- still present in its office in “inactive
ing companies typically are required Back cases.” ing Station in Wintersburg, Ariz., led files.” [Fluor Daniel, Inc. 333 NLRB No.
to make the worker whole and by Gary Evenson (AIP, D-CRS), the 57 (2001), page 12]
promise not to do it again. Individ- Fluor Daniel is repeat offender Boilermakers filed similar charges of In the Palo Verde case, Fluor Dan-
uals acting alone often do not have discrimination. A year later, the IBEW iel won a contract for nuclear power
THE CURRENT SETTLEMENT
the legal resources or determination and UA filed charges against Fluor plant maintenance that had formerly
resolves three sets of unfair labor
to stay on the case until justice has Daniel for hiring discrimination affect- been held by Bechtel Corporation, a
practice (ULP) charges. The first
been achieved. ing union organizers seeking work on heavily-unionized contractor. Despite
charges, filed by the Boilermakers in
The process takes time. In the recent Exxon’s Baton Rouge, La., refinery. the established security clearances
1990, alleged that Fluor Daniel refused
settlement, the oldest of the cases took The NLRB combined the Palo held by former Bechtel workers, along
to hire union members to work power
19 years to resolve. The 50 Boilermak- Verde and Exxon cases for litigation. with their extensive nuclear experi-
plant outages for Big Rivers Elec-
ers and the other craftsmen involved Among other deficiencies in Fluor ence and established skills, Fluor Dan-
tric Company in Kentucky. In 1991,
in the Fluor Daniel cases were success- Daniel’s argument, the Board found iel denied employment to them, often
the NLRB found (and the Sixth
ful because they had the backing of the following: hiring workers with little or no nuclear
Circuit Court of Appeals later
their unions. The Boilermakers relied Staffing practices at both projects experience, according to the NLRB.
upheld) that Fluor Daniel broke the
on attorney Mike Stapp and the Blake reflected the Respondent’s [Fluor Boilermaker International Secre-
law. In some instances, the firm
Daniel’s] corporate animus against tary-Treasurer William Creeden noted
offered more difficult welding
union activist applicants. At Palo that the record settlement came too
tests to union workers than to
Verde, the Respondent failed to late for more than 12 union workers
nonunion workers.
consider the obvious and natural source who are now deceased. “Their heirs
Writing in a supplemen-
of qualified workers, the incumbent will receive the shares that would have
tal decision, Administrative
workforce, and recruited from elsewhere gone to those members,” he said. “But
Law Judge Martin J. Linksy
in the country to avoid the risk of the fact that it took nearly 20 years to
stated: “The law is crystal
hiring organized craft employees. settle the oldest of these cases points to
clear that union affiliated
Recruiters at both projects drew the need for labor law reform. Passing
applicants for employment
heavily on the national pool of former the Employee Free Choice Act would
q
employees with undesirable records. be a great start.”
BOILERMAKERS PUBLISH HISTORIC CALENDAR
Union-printed on quality, glossy paper stock, the calendar includes all U.S.
and Canadian holidays, moon phases, and quotes from one of organized
Just in time for the neW YeAr!
labor’s most renowned and articulate leaders, Samuel Gompers.
THE BOILERMAKERS’ Historic Preservation Department has announced the The calendar retails for $18.99 ($20.99 in Canada) but is available to mem-
availability of a new calendar that features historic photos of our members bers in good standing and retirees for just $12 plus shipping. Quantity dis-
and their projects. The 13-month calendar runs from January 2010 through counts are available. All proceeds go to support the Boilermakers archives.
January 2011 and includes images from a cross-section of Boilermaker For quickest service, visit www.boilermakers.org/history. Orders
industries, from railroads to power generation to shipbuilding. may also be placed by calling the Historic Preservation Department
at 913-281-8174.
6 - the Boilermaker Reporter HeADL I n e n e w S Oct • Dec 2009
Regional tripartite conferences provide local focus
WHILE THE NATIONAL tripar- d’Alene, Idaho, Aug. 17-20. Nine local
tite conference sets the direction for lodges, 17 contractors, and seven own-
owner-contractor-labor coopera- ers sent representatives. International
tion, regional meetings allow partici- President Newton B. Jones talked
pants to put those ideas into action. about the MOST Boilermaker Deliv-
In 2009, seven regional conferences ery System currently in development.
made it possible for all locals in Climate change was also a key fea-
the United States and Eastern Can- ture of this conference. On the first
ada to meet with the owners and con- day, a panel consisting of Brad Enzi,
tractors they work with most often North American Power Group; Travis
to discuss upcoming work and other McLing, Idaho National Laboratory;
regional issues. Jerry Bennett, APCOM Power Inc.;
The OhiO Valley TriparTiTe and Boilermakers Director of Legis-
COnferenCe is the longest-running lative Affairs Abe Breehey discussed
meeting of this kind, dating back to greenhouse gases. They covered a
the 1980s. It is credited with being an wide range of possibilities and prob-
early inspiration for the national tri- lems posed both by the technology
partite initiative. Meeting June 1-2 in and by the political process necessary
Lexington, Ky., this conference drew to bring it to market. On the second
10 owner representatives, each of day, McLing gave a detailed summary
whom gave a brief presentation on the of current scientific research into car-
final day. The economic uncertainty bon dioxide storage.
following last year’s housing and The easTern Canada TriparTiTe
stock market collapse was a common COnferenCe took place Aug. 11-13 in
Southeast International Vice President Sam May swears in newly-elected
theme; however, owners also high- Collingwood, Ontario. Guest speakers
Mississippi River District 5 Business Manager/Executive Secretary David
lighted several significant new and included IP Newton B. Jones; David
Hegeman as retiring BM-ES John Simoneaux looks on.
ongoing projects. Galvin, president of the Boilermaker
The Prairie State Energy Campus in Contractors Association; Stew Steven-
Washington County, Ill., being built by Because travel is expensive and Bill Terrassi, DTE (formerly Detroit son, ArcelorMittal Dolfasco; the Hon-
Bechtel Power Corporation for Prairie time-consuming, regional tripartite Edison), talked about the cap-and- orable Jack Keir, minister of energy
State Generating Company, promises conferences are often combined with trade bill currently in Congress. Boil- for New Brunswick; Duncan Haw-
to provide work for Boilermakers other meetings. The Northeast Area ermakers SAIP-CSO Tony Jacobs gave thorne, president and CEO of Bruce
into 2011. The 1,600-MW supercriti- combined their tripartite with meet- a rundown on the progress of that Power; Lloyd Rankin, Ascension Sys-
cal power plant is currently the larg- ings of the apprentice coordinators bill and discussed some of the carbon tems; James Byrne, director of con-
est electrical generation construction and lodges working under the North- capture projects that are already struction for New Build CANDU; and
project in the United States. Once east Area Agreement. The confer- in operation. Dennis Ryan, president of Compass
completed, it will provide electricity ence ended with a dinner and dance, The sOuTheasT area TriparTiTe Health & Safety.
for 1.7 million homes in nine states, at which the winner of the North- COnferenCe took place in Destin, Fla., Mark Breslin, author and owner of
producing 80 percent less carbon east Area Apprentice Competition Aug. 31 – Sept. 2. Nineteen locals and Breslin Strategies, conducted a session
dioxide than the electricity generation was announced. three district lodges were represented. on developing a leadership culture
it is replacing. The GreaT lakes TriparTiTe Speakers from the Southern Company within the union and the industry. A
A key element of the Ohio Valley COnferenCe brought together talked about productivity studies portion of his talk included a genera-
meeting each year is the compilation locals in Huron, Ohio, July 28-30. and environmental studies. Robert A. tional analysis of the tripartite par-
and distribution of manpower projec- Five owner representatives made Summers, vice president of major proj- ticipants. Breslin’s analysis illustrated
tions for participating locals. These presentations, discussing upcom- ects for the Tennessee Valley Author- the need for today’s leaders to begin
forward-looking estimates help busi- ing projects and possible future ity, gave a report on their upcoming mentoring and teaching promising
ness managers find work, fill all their work in the area. Tom Householder, and ongoing projects. Anthony members of the millennial generation
obligations to contractors, and keep American Electric Power, praised Perkins, from Applied Technical — people born from about 1980 to the
their members on the job. the safe workplace on one job, made Services, discussed non-destructive mid-1990s. Also at the conference,
The nOrTheasT area TriparTiTe possible by the tripartite approach, testing, and Dan Klingman, a trainer educator Jack Grosvenor discussed his
COnferenCe took place in Reho- saying they’d worked 795,000 with Lincoln Electric Company, concept “Play to Win,” which empha-
both Beach, Del., July 13-16. The man-hours so far this year with no talked about the advancement of sizes accountability.
meeting included presentations recordable injuries. welding technologies. The upper MidWesT TriparTiTe
from Boilermakers Director of Leg- Climate change technology took a At a district lodge meeting that pre- COnferenCe was held in Blooming-
islative Affairs Abe Breehey, MOST lead role in these discussions. Speak- ceded the tripartite conference, District ton, Minn., June 15-16. Participating
Safety Rep Roger Erickson, North- ing for FirstEnergy, Larry Wargo 5 BM-ES John Simoneaux announced were Locals 83, 107, 169, and 647.
east Area Recruiter Jay Brophy, John talked about a plant being converted his retirement effective Oct. 31. David They met with 25 contractor and
Kunkle from Waste Energy Solutions, to a biomass facility. Rick Casper, Hegeman, Local 37 BM-ST, was elected nine owner representatives to dis-
and Steve Lindauer from the Consumers Energy, said their pro- to succeed him. cuss upcoming work and identify
National Maintenance Agreement posed 800-MW clean coal power plant The WesTern sTaTes Tripar- ongoing problems. q
Policy Committee. could break ground this year or next. TiTe COnferenCe was held in Coeur
Director of Legislative Affairs Abe Long-time tripartite supporter Tom Eddie Clayton, outage planning Brad Enzi, representing Two Elk
Breehey updates NE Area Tripartite Householder, AEP, discusses manager for the Southern Company, Generating Partners, talks to the
Conference delegates on the cap-and- some significant gains in safety in talks about productivity at the SE Area Western States conference about
trade bill and other pending legislation. the workplace with the Great Lakes Tripartite Conference. greenhouse gas emissions.
Tripartite Conference.
Oct • Dec 2009 HeAD LIne n ewS the Boilermaker Reporter - 7
Boilermakers host first
annual USA Midwest shoot
Contest draws 150 Among the raffle items were a Beretta
competitors, raises Urika 2 Gold shotgun, a commemora-
tive Theodore Roosevelt Buck knife, and
$65,000 for USA, TRCP
a Lincoln Electric welder.
THE FIRST ANNUAL USA Midwest Kiewit Power Constructors served as
Sporting Clays Shoot — hosted by the safety sponsor. Targets and ammo
the Boilermakers union — drew for the shooters were sponsored by IBB
more than 150 competitors to the Local 374 (Hammond, Ind.) and Union
Kansas City area Oct. 23. The event Insurance Group, respectively.
raised nearly $65,000 to support the “Everyone had a great time, and we
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and are already looking forward to hav-
the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation ing this event next year,” said Nate
Partnership (TRCP). Whiteman, USA national director of
A Boilermaker team sponsored by recruitment. “I cannot say enough to
Local 101 (Denver) took the top team thank the International Brotherhood of
spot, shooting a combined score of 328 Boilermakers for their support and
out of 400. Team members included Tim physical help with putting on this event.
Ruth, L-101 BM-ST; Rick Hastings, L-83 No way would we have had this type of
(Kansas City, Mo.); Kyle Evenson, ED- success without them.”
CSO, AD-AAIP; and Hunter Hastings, USA Executive Director Fred Myers
L-69 (Little Rock, Ark.). A team from said, “Creating fun and memorable
the Operative Plasterers and Cement events for our members is just one way
Masons (OP&CM) Local 518 captured the USA is working to connect union
second place, and Appreciated Adver- sportsmen and women across the
tising took third. country. Through these shooting events,
In individual rankings, Ron Reiber, we hope to recruit new members while
shooting for the Brotherhood Bank & further strengthening the bond of
Trust, had the best overall record, hit- union brotherhood.”
ting 94 out of 100 birds. He was followed A program of the TRCP, the USA
by Don Campell, OP&CM; IST Bill was created exclusively for conserva-
Creeden, IBB; and Clay Rogers, Paint- tion-minded union members, retirees,
ers District Council 3. Kathy Pawlina, and their families. USA membership
Union Insurance Group, rated the high- includes an outdoor newspaper, special
est overall score for ladies, and Bernie discounts on merchandise and services,
Wicklein of Nooter Construction Com- a Web site and members-only forum,
pany “won” the — ahem — Duck and and other benefits and offers.
Cover Award. “The Brotherhood actively supports
The shoot was held at the Saddle and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Sirloin Shooting Sports Club. Contes- Partnership,” said International Presi-
tants braved unseasonably cold tem- dent Newton B. Jones, “and we are
peratures as they worked their way proud to be one of the charter unions of
through 14 shooting stations, firing a the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance. These
total of 100 rounds apiece. A hot lunch, organizations are all about creating
sponsored by Brotherhood Bank & outdoor opportunities and bringing
Trust, followed the shooting, along with people together.”
raffles, sponsored by Marco Consult- For additional information, visit www.
ing Group, and award presentations. trcp.org and www.unionsportsmen.org.
Top Boilermaker gunners at the USA Midwest Sporting Clays Shoot show their prizes.
L. to r., IST Bill Creeden, winner of the “Journeyman Class” (individual), and the first place
team, Tim Ruth, L-101 BM-ST; Rick Hastings, L-83; Kyle Evenson, ED-CSO, AD-AAIP;
and Hunter Hastings, L-69.
8 - the Boilermaker Reporter HeADL I n e n e w S Oct • Dec 2009
TRIPARTITE
Visitors from nine countries meet
at International headquarters
Kyle Evenson, ED-CSO/AD-AAIP
leads the labor caucus breakout.
continued from page 3
union construction company and the
difficulty in getting good craftsmen
who were drug free. “In my two years
with the Boilermakers, I have visited
so many construction projects and
shops, and I see such a higher level
of pride and quality. One of the main
reasons is the MOST trust.” He said
the tripartite approach offers amaz-
ing opportunities for communication
and cooperation.

L-154 BM Ray Ventrone reported
on the MOST Substance Abuse Inter-
UNION AND TRADE officials from nine countries paid a visit to International headquarters Sept . 9 to
vention Committee. He noted that
learn about organized labor in the United States . The visit was arranged by the U .S . Department of
working as a construction Boiler-
State’s International Visitor Leadership Program . Each year, the program brings about 5,000 foreign
maker can take a toll physically, and
some members resort to self-medi- nationals to the United States to meet with their counterparts and experience America firsthand .
cation. He pointed to the increased The visitors paused briefly for a photograph with members of International Brotherhood staff .
use of prescription pain killer Oxy-
Contin, which has replaced cocaine as
number two on the list of abused
drugs. “We need to extend our hand to
help our members, to make sure they
don’t fall the wrong way.”
IP Jones praised the efforts of Ven-
trone and all business managers who
are involved in getting their mem-
bers help with substance abuse. He
recommended creating a guide book
explaining the program and how it
works to reduce the apprehension French boilermakers bare The doctors are appearing at Sally Field, who won her first
members may feel in seeking help. all to save jobs rallies, where they cite their own Academy Award for her portrayal
 experiences working in a system of Sutton, said
Area tripartite alliances provided WOULD YOU POSE in the nude to
they say promotes waste, duplication in a statement,
short summaries of their annual save your job? That’s exactly what
of services, and uneven access. They “Crystal Lee Sut-
meetings. Making the presentations union workers at a boiler-making
insist that Americans have a “moral ton was a remark-
were, for the Great Lakes, IR Pat Ste- plant in northern France are attempt-
obligation to take care of fellow able woman whose
fancin; for the Northeast Area and ing. Some 200 jobs are slated to be cut
citizens,” and support a single-payer brave struggles
the Ohio Valley, IR Marty Stanton; at the Chaffoteaux et Maury factory
approach to coverage. have left a last-
for the Southeast Area, District 57 in Brittany. Thirteen workers will go
International Rep Jim Cooksey ing impact on this
BM-ES Ed Vance; for the Upper Mid- au naturel, wearing only helmets and
heard the Mad as Hell doctors’ story country and with-
west, IR Tony Palmisano; and for the masks, for photos that will appear
first hand when the group stopped out doubt, on me.”
Western States, IR Jim Cooksey. (See in a special calendar. The workers,
at Salt Lake City, Utah. Cooksey The “Norma Rae”
page 6 for detailed reports on regional members of the General Confedera- Crystal Lee Sutton
helped make arrangements for the film has been used
tripartite meetings.) q tion of Labour (CGT), hope the calen-
doctors to speak at a rally and he also in labor education
dar will fund a trip to Italy, where they
addressed the audience there. “I can’t classes to dramatize the difficulty of
can protest the job cuts before their
believe a country like this has turned organizing under U.S. labor law.
parent company, Ariston Thermo
against itself,” he said, referring to
Group. Oui, oui. J.C. Penney uses goofy logic
the often acrimonous health care
to defend T-shirt sales
‘Mad as Hell’ debate. He added, “[The doctors’
story] was a real eye-opener.”
doctors head THE LABOR LETTER recently
Additional information about
to D.C. reported on some goofy logic on
the group can be found at
the part of J.C. Penney. It seems the
MANY MEDICAL www.madashelldoctors.com and retail giant was selling T-shirts this
professionals in a video titled “Health, Money, and past summer with “American Made”
are frustrated and Fear,” which is available at the site. emblazoned across the chest. The
angry about the current Goodbye, Norma Rae problem is — the shirts were made
health care system. Some are going in Mexico.
to extraordinary lengths to change CRYSTAL LEE SUTTON, the former When the Alliance for Ameri-
it. Consider the “Mad as Hell” textile mill worker whose organizing can Manufacturing took issue with
doctors, a group of West Coast physi- efforts at the J.P. Stevens Company the retail giant, a Penney’s spokes-
Enjoying a discussion between cians who aim to drive cross-country inspired the Academy Award winning man claimed that “American Made”
sessions are, l. to r., Allegheny Energy to 24 cities before presenting their film “Norma Rae,” died at a hospice in referred to the wearer of the T-shirt —
Supply Dir. of Generation Maintenance argument in Washington, D.C. Burlington, N.C., Sept. 11. She was 68. not the origin of manufacture. q
Tony Catanese and IVP Sean Murphy.
Oct • Dec 2009 LeA P ISS UeS the Boilermaker Reporter - 9
IP Jones serves on
energy commission
energy experts make up Also representing labor interests
bipartisan group on the commission is Leo W. Gerard,
international president of the United
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Steelworkers of America.
Newton B. Jones was named to the The Boilermakers union has become
National Commission on Energy increasingly engaged in the national
Policy (NCEP) in July. The biparti- debate on climate change and energy,
san group includes 20 of the nation’s said Jones. He noted the work of Leg-
leading energy experts representing islative Director Abe Breehey, who
the highest ranks of industry, govern- has testified before Congress and has
ment, academia, labor, and consumer helped to fashion a cap-and-trade bill.
and environmental protection. “It’s vital that our union has a voice
The commission advises Congress, on energy matters,” said Jones. “The
the Executive Branch, states, and course we take on energy policy will
other policymakers regarding long- affect not only Boilermaker jobs but
term U.S. policy. It seeks to identify also how our country deals with cli-
and overcome barriers to reform- mate change. This bipartisan commis-
ing energy policy. NCEP is currently sion allows organized labor to bring
focusing on three critical, long-term its concerns and ideas to the table.” q
issues: oil security, climate change,
and energy infrastructure adequacy
and siting.
L-11 President Bob Winger reviews his testimony before addressing the
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
L-11’s Winger testifies
before U.S. Senate
Lodge president supports put people to work and aid in our
new energy bill nation’s economic recovery.”
To make that point, Winger
BOB WINGER, PRESIDENT of Local described the cancellation of a new
11 (Helena, Mont.), testified before the 250-MW fluidized bed, coal-fired
U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public power plant in Montana. “The plant
Works Committee Oct. 29 in support would have been among the clean-
of energy legislation backed by the est in the nation for those pollutants
Boilermakers union. already regulated by the Environmen-
It was something of an historic tal Protection Agency,” he said. “In
event for the union, said Abe Breehey, addition, the developers at Southern
Legislative Director for the Govern- Montana Electric were willing to com-
ment Affairs Department. “At least mit that the plant would be equipped
since I’ve been in Washington, D.C., with technology to capture and store
no other working Boilermaker has carbon emission when such technol-
testified before Congress. Typically, ogy was commercially available.”
it is a professional lobbyist who does The plant was cancelled because of
Lobbying Sen. Landrieu for Employee Free Choice are, l. to r., L-1814
that. Believe me; politicians pay spe- legal challenges and an uncertain
business agent Joe Johnson, Rev. Gilbert Barnes, AFL-CIO organizer Terese
cial attention to what constituents regulatory environment.
Bouey, and Leotha Terrell.
have to say. “The result,” continued Winger,
“It is a credit to Bob’s initiative “was that instead of a plant that would L-1814’s Johnson lobbies Sen .
and dedication to the Brotherhood’s have employed 160 Boilermakers for
broader interests that he stepped four years, the developer is build-
Landrieu for Free Choice Act
forward,” Breehey said. “This is an ing a natural gas power plant that
incredibly important bill for our will employ four Boilermakers for
union, in part because it includes three weeks.”
more than $150 billion in incentives Winger praised S. 1733’s provision Veteran shipyard employees the lengthy struggle of workers to
to spur the development of new for “early and widespread deploy- recall past struggle win a union in the face of a fiercely
clean-coal power plants.” ment of CCS [carbon capture and antiunion owner, Avondale Indus-
Winger was invited to testify by the storage] technology at coal plants, JOE JOHNSON, A Local 1814 (Bridge tries. Although the workers voted
office of Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) to including new generation capacity City, La.) business agent, met with the for union representation in 1993, the
support S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and retrofit applications.” He also staff of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu this company refused to recognize it and
and American Power Act. The sub- praised other provisions, including past summer to push for the Employee resorted to firings, intimidation, and
title for S. 1733 reads: “A bill to create a requirement that the prevailing Free Choice Act. Landrieu, a Democrat legal maneuvering to keep the union
clean energy jobs, promote energy wage (under the Davis Bacon Act) from Louisiana, has been reluctant to out. Finally, in 1999, the shipyard
independence, reduce global warm- be applied on any project that receives commit herself in support of the bill. was sold to Litton Industries, and
ing pollution, and transition to a clean an incentive under the bill. “We brought a petition with 120 the workers ratified their first agree-
energy economy.” The bill is spon- Winger also offered suggestions signatures of area ministers support- ment (negotiated by the New Orleans
sored by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). It to improve the bill, including some ing Free Choice,” said Johnson, who, Metal Trades Council). Today the
is cosponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer exemptions in the domestic cement along with two other retired Avon- Avondale shipyard is owned by
(D-CA) and Sen. Paul Kirk (D-MA). industry (which includes many Boiler- dale shipyard workers — Rev. Gilbert Northrop Grumman.
Winger told the Senate commit- maker members). He said the process Barnes, Operating Engineers Local “I requested that Joe Johnson be
tee that S. 1733 is important for of crushing limestone to make cement 406, and Leotha Terrell, Machinists assigned to this effort,” said Bouey,
the Boilermakers because it would unavoidably produces CO2, and that Local 37 — requested the meeting. who has been active in building com-
“create high-quality job opportuni- capping emissions on that process Also attending was Terese Bouey, munity awareness and support for
ties for American workers.” He could shift work overseas. assistant director of the AFL-CIO Free Choice in Louisiana. “The con-
added, “The uncertainty associated To view Winger’s testimony, go to Organizing Department. nections Joe has made over the years
with our nation’s energy and www.boilermakers.org/node/835. q The three men from Avondale (who in the religious community have been
climate policy has prevented much- together have more than 100 years of invaluable in moving area clergy to
needed investments that would service at the shipyard) spoke about support labor issues.” q
10 - the Boilermaker Reporter JOB S / K U D O S Oct • Dec 2009
Local 154 nears completion of five-year
clean-air project
Retrofit will reduce emissions Angle said. “Our B&W crew finished
at Ohio coal-fired plant absorber vessels three and one-half
months ahead of schedule.”
ONE OF THE largest-ever environ- Bechtel handled the design, pro-
mental retrofit projects for FirstEn- curement, installation, and startup
ergy is nearing completion at the W.H. for the plant’s three sulfur dioxide
Sammis Plant in Stratton, Ohio. Over scrubbers, the main components of a
450 Local 154 (Pittsburgh) members, flue gas desulfurization system. Boil-
along with Boilermakers from neigh- ermakers have been installing these
boring lodges, have been working state-of-the-art air quality control sys-
on the project in seven consecutive tems on all seven of the generating
outages. With completion scheduled facility’s coal-fired units (constructed
for 2010, the $1.7 billion retrofit is between 1959 and 1971), as well as
expected to further reduce emissions NOx control equipment.
of sulfur dioxide (SO ) by 95 percent As part of the retrofit, Boilermakers
2
and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by at least working for Pullman Power built an
64 percent. 850-ft. stack and set its liner, which
Members have been working for was spun by members employed by
several Boilermaker contractors at Ershigg’s Construction.
Located in Stratton, Ohio, the site for the W.H. Sammis Power Plant covers
the site, including the Bechtel Cor- The new stack compliments an
187 acres along the Ohio River between East Liverpool and Steubenville. Photo
poration, B&W, Patent Scaffold, Pull- already striking feature of the plant
used with permission of FirstEnergy.
man Power, Ershigg’s Construction, — two chimneys that are among the
and Enerfab. tallest in the world (according to Wiki-
“We have a great relationship with pedia). Built in 1970, each chimney
all of these contractors,” said Mark measures 1,000 feet in height.
Angle, a Local 154 business agent. The plant also has 9,000 feet of flue
“Ray [L-154 Bus. Mgr. Ventrone] and gas duct that Bechtel’s project team
our business agents are very proud has nicknamed “the Great Wall” for its
of the members who are working this size, and a tunnel for State Route 7, a
project. They are doing a great job and four-lane freeway, that runs under the
receive good reviews at labor-man- baghouse structure. (The baghouse fil-
agement project meetings.” ters particulates and toxic gases from
According to Angle, Boilermak- the plant’s exhaust before they enter
ers built the last pollution control the smoke stack.)
baghouses and precipitators at the Located on the Ohio River, W.H.
Sammis plant around 30 years ago. Sammis is FirstEnergy’s largest coal-
With new EPA regulations requiring fired power plant in Ohio. With its
FirstEnergy to install SCRs (selective seven coal-fired units and five oil-
catalytic reductors) and scrubbers on fired peaking units, the plant produces
all seven units, Local 154 was called in 2,233 megawatts (MW) of electricity
to perform the retrofit work. and uses an average of 18,000 tons of
“Our members are building coal daily, for an annual average of 6.6
knocked-down fans [fans that arrive million tons. About 25 Local 154 mem-
in pieces], vessels, and tanks, and bers work year-round for Enerfab pro-
erecting support steel and duct work,” viding plant maintenance. q
Part of the clean-air project at the Ohio coal-fired plant in Stratton includes
preparing support for the boiler penthouse roof.
Boilermakers fabricate material to install the VenteX® system for exhaust
L-154 members detail breeching duct support steel at the W.H. Sammis Plant. ventilation inside a boiler.