Local 73 sets turnaround record

Local 73 sets a turnaround record at the Irving Oil Refinery, earning the project name “Operation Quarterhorse ‘98,” due totheir speed, agility, and teamwork.

R e p o rt e rthe Boilerm a k e r Vol. 38 No. 2Mar • Apr 1999

The Official Publication of theInternational Brotherhood of

Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders,Blacksmiths, Forgers, and

Helpers, AFL-CIO

Members’ speed andagility earn project name‘Operation Quarterh o r s e ’MEMBERS OF LOCAL 73, Halifax,Nova Scotia, Canada, working forDelta Catalytic Industrial Services, Ltd.,have completed the biggest turnaroundin the history of the Irving Oil Refineryin Saint John, New Brunswick.

An explosion in the charge furnaceon June 9, moved the turnaround dateforward, prompting the project man-ager – Fluor Daniel Wright Ltd. – toobtain components from Canada, aswell as the U.S., in order to completethe project in as short a time as possible,with final assembly completed on site.

Local 73 members earned the projectname “Operation Quarterhorse ‘98,”due to their speed, agility, and thetremendous amount of teamworkinvolved in completing this record-setting turnaround. ❑

With impeachment out of theway, they can get some re a lwork done – if they choose toFOR MORE THANa year, our federalgovernment has been at a virtual stand-still while House Republicans tried toremove President Clinton from office.The 105th Congress was the least pro-ductive Congress in decades, unable topass any laws of great import – in fact,barely able to pass a budget so the gov-ernment could continue its work.

Now the House has had its say, theSenate has rejected their charges, andWashington observers are wonderingwhat Congress will do next.

Some pundits are predicting thatCongress will accomplish very little,because the impeachment process hasinduced so much animus among its

members. Others suggest that they willaccomplish a great deal, because bothpolitical parties and the president willwant to show the American people thatthey are not just gossip hounds, butthat they truly care about the welfare ofthe citizenry and are willing to workhard to pass the laws we need.

The citizenry, meanwhile, are verycautious. We would like to believe thatboth parties can come together in thespirit of bipartisanship and solve someof the significant issues our nation facesif we are to remain a world leader –keeping Social Security and Medicaresolvent without reducing benefits,improving air and water quality with-out overburdening some businessesand communities, reducing the grow-ing wage gap which threatens to shove

Labor law violator pays$775,000 in back payand other expensesWHEN BROWN & ROOTrefused tohire union members at their Rhone-Poulenc construction job, Local 667fought back. The Charleston, W. Va.,local started a picket line. UnemployedBoilermakers did something different.They applied for jobs.

When Local 667 members weredenied work because of their unionaffiliation, the local filed unfair laborpractice charges.

Nine years later, Brown & Rootagreed to settle, ending the lengthylegal battle by paying the 47 workers$625,000 in back pay, promising not toviolate workers’ union rights in thefuture, and paying attorney’s fees andorganizing costs to the union.

The victory was long in coming, butsweet nonetheless. In 1989, Rhone-

Poulenc gave Brown & Root a $30-mil-lion contract to perform constructionwork at its Institute, W. Va., chemicalplant. Despite promises from both

companies to use local workers, thenonunion company from Houstonbegan hiring low-wage workers from

NACBE safety index Shows decline; L-204 earns national safety award . . . . . . . .3Shipbuilding newsCommitment to Puget Sound local union workers; Justice at Avondale Campaign . . 4Equal pay alert . . . . . . . . . 6LEAP IssuesTime to get some realwork done . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7S e t t l e m e n t s . . . . . . . . . . 1 0L e t t e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2

S F E AW Div. Dir. Othal Smith’s stepdaughter is first runner up in Miss USA Pageant . .1 3

IN THESE PAGES

These Local 667 members fought back and won. They each received a $12,500back-pay settlement check from Brown & Root after a judge ruled the nonunioncontractor used discriminatory hiring practices.

Local 667 members win settlementwith Brown and Root in W. Virginia

Continued on page 7

Continued on page 2

What will Congress do now?

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Accident rates decline

Tr a n s p o rtation Dept. announcesexpansion of Southeast corr i d o r

out of state. According to a report in theCharleston Gazette, this change began atrend that saw DuPont and UnionCarbide turn over construction andmaintenance work once performed byin-house, unionized workers to Brown& Root contractors.

To stop this trend, Local 667 joinedforces with the Charleston Building andConstruction Trades Council to organ-ize the Brown & Root workers. BuildingTrades members picketed the job site,and members of Local 667 filed jobapplications.

Brown & Root refused to hire or inter-view the Local 667 members becausethey had put on their applications thatthey were “volunteer union organiz-ers.” In addition, Brown & Root’s fore-man told an employee that “. . . if theunion gets in here . . . we’ll all be out of ajob.” Based on these violations of theNational Labor Relations Act, the unionfiled unfair labor practice chargesagainst Brown & Root.

In April 1994, Administrative LawJudge Robert G. Romano ruled againstBrown & Root and ordered them tostop these unfair labor practices. Heordered them to offer employment andmake the applicants whole for anylosses of earnings they may have suf-fered had they been considered for hireand hired without discrimination.

Brown & Root appealed the decision,but on December 18, 1998, agreed to set-tle the case. Brown & Root paid $625,000

in back pay to the workers (after taxes,each received a check in the amount of$12,500) and $150,000 to the union forlegal expenses. Local 667 BM-ST RonBush said he was happy to reach the set-tlement, but is saddened that WestVirginians ultimately lost out when itcame to jobs they could have had.

Bush said, “Everyone knows howbad West Virginians need work.Unfortunately, hundreds of out-of-state workers were brought in byBrown & Root to take jobs local work-ers could have done.

“Both companies (Rhone-Poulenc andBrown & Root) said local workers wouldbe hired. But when Local 667 membersapplied for the jobs, they were turneddown. Our members are highly skilled,productive employees and we believethe only reason they were deniedemployment was because of their unionmembership,” explained Bush.

Director of Organizing Bill Creedensaid, “I’m pleased to see our membersfinally get some compensation forBrown & Root’s actions. It’s a shameour labor laws allow companies to dragthese cases out for so long, but wearen’t going to give up just becausethey stall us. When our members’rights are violated, we don’t quit untilwe get justice for them.”

The action taken at Local 667 waspart of a Fight Back campaign, the inno-vative organizing program initiated byPresident Charles W. Jones and devel-oped by Connie Mobley and IVPNewton B. Jones. ❑

Continued from page 1

L-667 members win $775,000settlement from Brown & R o o t

the Boilermaker Reporter2 Mar • Apr 1999

N E W S M A K E R S

IN V38 N1, THE CALCULATIONS in “How much bigger can two more years makeyour pension check?” were incorrect. The article should have referenced memberselecting to retire at 55 after 3 0 years of service, and not 25 years as reported. It alsoshould have stated an increase of $549.04 per month, or a monthly pension benefit of$ 2 , 3 7 8 . 5 2. The correct calculations follow:

A Boilermaker whose contributions total $65,000* and who elects to retire at 55 after 30 years ofservice will receive a basic benefit of $1,829.48 per month, based on the following formula:

$65,000 x 48.25% (current pension factor) = $ 3 1 , 3 6 2 . 5 0Less age reduction of 30% (1/2% x 60 months) = - 9 , 4 0 8 . 7 5Annual benefit $ 2 1 , 9 5 3 . 7 5

Divided by 12 = $1,829.48 per month

If this typical Boilermaker works 1,700 hours over each of the next two years and receives pensioncontributions of $2.10 per hour, retiring at 57, the monthly pension benefit would be $2,378.52, anincrease of $549.04 (more than 30%), calculated as follows:

Additional contributions ($2.10* x 3,400 hours) = $ 7 , 1 4 0 . 0 0Add to previous contributions = 6 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0

$ 7 2 , 1 4 0 . 0 0

$72,140 x 48.25% = $ 3 4 , 8 0 7 . 5 5Less age reduction of 18% (1/2% x 36 months) = - 6 , 2 6 5 . 3 6Annual benefit $ 2 8 , 5 4 2 . 1 9

Divided by 12 = $2,378.52 per month

* The figures given here are based on a typical Boilermaker’s trust balance and hourly contribution rate. To geta more accurate picture of your own situation, recalculate the benefits based on the contribution rate for yourlocal lodge, your age, etc.

C O R R E C T I O N

L-549 members re c e i v enearly $72K settlement

High-speed trains will runf rom the nation’s capital toJacksonville, FloridaTHE U. S. DEPARTMENT o fTransportation announced an extensionof the Southeast High-Speed RailCorridor in December 1998, which isprojected to serve an urban populationof 20.6 million persons by the year 2005.

The continuation and expansion ofthe successful public-private partner-ship to extend the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor will linkWashington, D. C., Richmond, Va.,and Raleigh, N. C., to Columbia, S. C.,Savannah, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla. Itwill also link Charlotte andGreensboro, N. C., to Spartanburg andGreenville, S. C., and Atlanta andMacon, Ga.

States and cities along the route willwork with private railroad companiesand the federal government to gradu-ally upgrade existing railroad rights-of-way to speeds of 110 miles per hour andgreater. Plans are also underway for anew Intermodal Terminal at Five Pointsin Atlanta to link high-speed rail with aregional transportation system.

According to the department’sDecember 1 news release, the SoutheastHigh-Speed Rail Corridor should pro-vide comfortable and reliable travelwhile relieving congestion in this rap-idly growing area.

High-speed trains already demon-strate on the Northeast Corridor howtrain travel can be safe, reliable, econom-ical, and comfortable. Trains on theNortheast Corridor travel at speeds of125 mph and will ultimately travel at150 mph in certain segments.

Currently, California, Florida, Illinois,Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina,New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania,Virginia, and Washington are investingin upgrades to existing rail corridors inorder to provide improved passengerrail service.

The Federal Railroad Administration(FRA) is actively engaged in severalpublic-private partnerships in order todefray implementation costs. The FRAis also working with the private sector todevelop a high-speed, non-electric loco-motive by the year 2000, as well as a newsatellite-based, train control system andan innovative grade-crossing protectionsystem. ❑

R e p o rt e rthe Boilerm a k e r The Boilermaker Reporter is the official publi-cation of the International Brotherhood ofBoilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths,Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO. It is publishedbimonthly to disseminate information of useand interest to its members. Submissions frommembers, local lodges, and subordinate oraffiliated bodies are welcomed and encour-aged. This publication is mailed free ofcharge to active members and retiredmembers holding a Retired Members Card.Others may subscribe for the price of $10 forthree years. Standard Mail (A) postage paidat Kansas City, Kan., and additional mailingoffices. ISSN No. 1078-4101.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

The Boilermaker Reporter753 State Avenue, Suite 565Kansas City, KS 66101(913) 371-2640; FAX (913) 281-8104w w w . b o i l e r m a k e r s . o r g

Printed in the USA

A prize-winning newspaper

Mar • Apr 1999 Vol. 38 • No. 2

Charles W. Jones, International President

Jerry Z. Willburn, Intl. Secretary-Treasurer

International Vice PresidentsLawrence McManamon, Great LakesMichael S. Murphy, N o r t h e a s tNewton B. Jones, Southeast George Rogers, Central Jack Sloan, Western States Richard Albright, Western CanadaAlexander MacDonald, Eastern CanadaJim Hickenbotham, A t - L a r g e

Editorial staffDonald Caswell, Managing EditorCarol Dillon, Asst. to the Managing Editor

A g reement adds writtenselection pro c e d u re forhead mechanic positionMEMBERS OF LOCAL 549,Pittsburg, Calif., who work in the in-plant unit at Chevron, have negoti-ated a settlement agreement for a1994 grievance concerning the selec-tion process for the head mechanicp o s i t i o n . The grievance had gone to a

third-party arbitrator who remandedthe case back to the two parties.

Through negotiations, Chevronagreed to a written selection procedurefor the head mechanic position and topay a monetary settlement of$71,838.29 to the bargaining unit forpast damages.

Chief Steward Val Parik reports thateach member of the bargaining unit(including ten nonunion employees)received their share of the monetaryaward in September 1998. ❑

G reenspan: Strong economyd o e s n ’t end job insecurityTHE STRONGEST JOB market indecades hasn’t brought job security toU.S. workers, Federal Reserve BoardChairman Alan Greenspan told a meet-ing of the American Council onEducation.

Rapid change in the economy,including the threat of productionmoving overseas and technologicaladvances, keeps workers worryingabout the future of their jobs.

The fed chief based his remarks onthe results of a survey of 405,593employees which shows that 37 per-cent of workers are concerned aboutlosing their job, compared with only12 percent in 1981, though unemploy-ment is only half what it was then.

The study, by Chicago-basedInternational Survey Research (ISR),suggests that dissatisfaction with cur-rent pay has started to swell and work-ers may soon begin demanding higherwages. Economists often have arguedthat very tight labor markets give riseto inflation, prompting workers to

demand higher pay and consequentlydriving up consumer prices. Althoughconsumer prices have increased onlymoderately in recent months, ISR’slatest data could fuel speculation of areturn of wage-based inflation.

Doctors unionizeFOLLOWING A GROWING t r e n d ,physicians at New York City’s LincolnHospital chose union representationwith SEIU Local 1957/United SalariedPhysicians and Dentists, February 11.

The unit of 280 doctors began organ-izing in November 1997, after LincolnHospital, a public facility, began con-tracting services from St. BarnabasHospital, a private facility thatrecently had slashed its staff by 40 per-cent, prompting concerns about qual-ity of care there.

In recent years, doctors, dentists,college professors, and other profes-sional and technical occupations oncethought beyond the need for unionshave begun organizing for the samereason all workers have always union-ized – to protect their intereststhrough collective bargaining.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Local One, Hayes Mechanical pre s e n tp roject perf o rmance award to ComEdLOCAL ONE, Chicago, Ill., and HayesMechanical Inc. presented a project per-formance award to CommonwealthEdison (ComEd) in recognition of zeroaccidents during the CollinsGenerating Station economizer headerreplacement and vestibule repair job.

On December 7, 1998, L-1 ABMRobert Schwartz and Hayes Pres.Richard Mooney presented theNational Association of ConstructionBoilermakers Employers’ (NACBE)award to Emerson Lacey, ComEdFossil Division vice president.

Mooney told Lacey and his staff thatthe award represents the concertedefforts of the tripartite philosophy ofComEd, Hayes Mechanical, and LocalOne in their continued emphasis onsafety. ❑

Local One and Hayes Mechanical present a NACBE award to ComEd’s Fossil Divisionfor the Collins Station repair job. Front, l. to r., Hayes Asst. to the Pres. RichardVanDerway, Hayes Vice Pres. Robert Bolek, and Collins Station Plant Mgr. Mike Bales.Standing, l. to r., Fossil Const. Mgr. Greg Kern, Hayes Pres. Richard Mooney, Fossil VicePres. Emerson Lacey, Hayes Const. Mgr. Larry Grieff, Fossil Safety Dir. Carlos Diaz, L-1ABM Robert Schwartz, Collins Station Boiler Process Spec. John Mulligan, and FossilSite Const. Spec. Don Schiereck.

the Boilermaker Reporter3 Mar • Apr 1999

N E W S M A K E R S

Local 204, Honolulu, earns NACBE’snational safety award NACBE safety index shows decline in injuries

A p p rentice graduatesp rove success dependson training, educationA CREW OF LOCAL92 journeymen,Los Angeles, Calif., have earned kudosfrom both the contractor and customerfor a job well done. ARB and Fiber-Canboth wrote to Local 92 BusinessRepresentative Eddie Marquez com-mending the crew for their superiorskill and craftsmanship.

Marquez notes that the crew was ledby recent apprentice graduates JoeyCollins, foreman, and Bob Traister, gen-eral foreman. He said, “The key toBoilermaker success depends upontraining and educating journeymenthrough upgrades and apprentice pro-grams, and this project is a perfectexample.” The crew, working for ARB,erected a new papermill for Fiber-Canin Riverside, Calif. ❑

Both customer and contractorcommend Local 92 for job well done

This Local 92 crew, headed by recent apprentice graduates Joey Collins, foreman,and Bob Traister, general foreman, earned kudos for a job well done from ARB andF i b e r - C a n .

Kudos to Local 40f rom We s t l a k e

IN APPRECIATION OFand recog-nition for exemplary work per-formed by members of BoilermakersLocal 40 (Elizabethtown, Ky.) duringa recent shutdown, this commenda-tion is being extended toBoilermakers Local 40.

Recently, we did modifications to astripping column in our plant. As in allchemical manufacturing facilities,equipment downtime is a criticalissue. The downtime associated withthis column work idles two-thirds ofour facility. In preparing this workscope, management accepted the timeframe of 42 hours in which to completethe required work, with the columnbeing the critical path. Craftsmen fromLocal 40 performed the work. Theentire job responsibility, consisting ofpreparing for vessel entry, columnmodifications, deblanking and work-site cleanup, was placed upon theBoilermakers from Local 40.

The entire job was completed in25.5 hours. Needless to say, everyonein the entire plant was extremelypleased that we could resume pro-duction 16.5 hours, or 40 percent,ahead of schedule.

As supervisor for the column mod-ifications, we found your member-ship to be OSHA compliant andsafety conscious. Their skills and pro-ficiency in their craft were apparent.Job attitude and willingness to workwith plant personnel in meeting spec-ifications for job completion werevery good. The productivity of yourmembers was second to none. Interms of work quantity and workquality, nothing was found to be lack-ing. It was a pleasure to work withyour people on this job.

The efforts of your members helpus to meet our goals, remain competi-tive, and provide local jobs. Upon jobcompletion ahead of schedule, termssuch as “fantastic,” “excellent,”“great job,” and “outstanding effort”were used to describe your members’efforts. You have our complimentsand those of our superiors as we say,“Thank you, job well done.”

DO N WI T T I G, maint. specialistDO U G NI E W O E H N E R, plant mgr.CH A R L E S ME H L,op. mgr. PVC

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Since the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers (NACBE) begancalculating its annual NACBE Safety Index in 1990, the national average for lost-time injuryrates has dropped 90.91 percent, from 13.54 in 1990 to 1.23 in 1998. The compensable injuryrate has also dropped 70.85 percent, from 83.02 in 1990 to 24.20 in 1998. This reductionmeans less Boilermakers are being injured on the job. Less injuries means Boilermakercontractors and owners can be more competitive as they save millions of dollars in directand indirect injury costs.

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Hawaii local has no lost-time accidents, zerocompensable rateTHIS YEAR’S NATIONAL s a f e t yaward went to Local 204, Honolulu,Hawaii, of the Western States Section.John Erickson, executive director forthe National Association ofConstruction Boilermaker Employers(NACBE), presented the award at thecombined Boilermaker ConstructionDivision and Winter BusinessManagers Conference meeting at theCrown Plaza, North Miami Beach, Fla.,March 1-5.

Erickson told the conference dele-gates that Local 204 had close competi-tion this year with the other areawinners – Local 60, Peoria, Ill., of theGreat Lakes Area; Local 28, Newark,N.J., of the Northeast Section; Local 79,Lake Charles, La., of the SoutheastSection; and Local 592, Tulsa, Okla., ofthe Central Section. Each lodge had nolost-time accidents.

In fact, Erickson reported that 30 ofthe 56 construction lodges had a lost-time injury rate of zero in 1998, with 17of those lodges qualifying for theNACBE safety awards competition.

That means the deciding factor had tobe the compensable injury accident ratein determining the award winners.

For the second time in the award’snine-year history, the winning locallodge had a zero lost-time injury rateand a zero compensable injury rate.Local Lodge 69, Little Rock, Ark., wasthe first lodge to set this record byworking accident free in 1995. Locals 69and 204 are the only lodges to achieve aperfect accident-free rating sinceNACBE began recording its safetyindex in 1990.

Erickson has seen a steady decreasein the lost-time injury rate since thesafety award’s program began in 1991;however, for the first time in theaward’s history, the lost-time injuryrate in 1998 increased (from 1.04 in 1997to 1.23 in 1998). But the compensableinjury accident rate (which includes thenumber of injuries on a job that do notresult in lost-time) is still on the decline,from 28.71 in 1997 to 24.20 in 1998. Theaccompanying graph reflects the his-tory of NACBE’s safety index from1990 through 1998, showing a drop inthe lost-time injury rate from 13.54 in1990 to 1.23 in 1998, and a drop in thecompensable injury rate from 83.02 in1990 to 24.20 in 1998. ❑

Lost-Time Injury Rate

Compensable Injury Rate

SW Marine Team and Metal Trades Councilsign labor agreement in Puget SoundAgreement symbolizescommitment to localunion workersREP. NORM DICKS(D-6th WA) hasjoined company and union leaders insigning an agreement to preserve jobsin Puget Sound, Wash.

Rep. Dicks and Intl. Rep. and MetalTrades Council Rep. Tom Kendalljoined members of the SouthwestMarine Team – United States MarineRepair (USMR) President and CEO B.Edward Ewing and Pacific Ship Repairand Fabrication (PacShip) VicePresident Jim Coleman, at an officialsigning ceremony in October 1998,where they signed a giant labor agree-ment to symbolize their commitmentto local union workers. At the cere-mony, Ewing announced his com-

pany’s intent to use organized labor inPuget Sound. He also spoke of his life-long respect for organized labor, whichhe learned from his father while grow-ing up in a small town in Indiana.

In December 1998, USMR signed aletter of intent to purchase PacShip,which recently signed its first laborcontract with the Puget Sound MetalTrades Council. PacShip has facilitiesin San Diego, Calif., as well as the PugetSound area.

PacShip will join USMR’s family ofshipyards, which includes SouthwestMarine, Inc. (located in San Diego andSan Pedro, Calif., and Ingleside, Texas),San Francisco Drydock, Inc., and theNorfolk Shipbuilding and DrydockCorporation (NORSHIPCO) inNorfolk, Va. USMR is America’slargest non-nuclear ship repair, conver-sion, and modernization company. ❑

The Southwest Marine Team and the Metal Trades Council sign a labor agreementto preserve jobs in Puget Sound, Wash. L. to r., Rep. Norm Dicks (D-6th WA), USMRPres. and CEO B. Edward Ewing, Intl. Rep. and Metal Trades Rep. Tom Kendall, andPacShip Vice Pres. Jim Coleman.

the Boilermaker Reporter4 Mar • Apr 1999

S H I P B U I L D I N G

THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE a tAvondale continues. The New Orleansshipyard, where workers voted five yearsago to organize, is still refusing to recog-nize and negotiate with the New OrleansMetal Trades. Lately, they’ve been refus-ing to cooperate with Occupational Safetyand Health Administration (OSHA)inspectors as well as hiring foreign work-ers in apparent defiance of Department ofLabor restrictions.

Judge rules Avondale must giveOSHA inspectors re c o rd sON JANUARY 23, 1999, Avondale lostwhat should be the final round in itsbattle to stonewall OSHA over access toemployee accident, illness, and injuryrecords when a federal district courtjudge in New Orleans refused to blockOSHA’s request.

The judge’s action clears the way forOSHA inspectors to take possession ofthe disputed personnel records.Reportedly, the Solicitor for the U. S.Department of Labor has been con-tacted by Avondale to work out detailsfor “unrestricted access” to the records.

A week earlier, a federal magistratehad ordered the company to make therecords available, sweeping away com-pany claims that access to the recordswould violate the privacy of its workers.Workers at Avondale have been tryingto get these records into the hands ofOSHA inspectors, because many of

them believe they will illustrate seriousviolations of health and safety regula-tions over a period of several years.

The disputed records cover the years1995 through 1998. The complaint ask-ing for the records was filed by theMetal Trades Council of New Orleans.It alleged 65 safety and health charges,including a charge that Avondale doesnot accurately report work-relatedinjuries and illnesses.

After a two-week OSHA inspectionlast fall, Avondale barred further accessby federal safety inspectors on October26th, and denounced OSHA’s informa-tion requests as a “fishing expedition.”It took ten weeks for a federal magis-trate to throw out Avondale’s claims.

Senator Kennedy calls for Navyinvestigation AVONDALE’S BEST CUSTOMER i sthe U.S. Navy. The terrible fact that U.S.taxpayers may be paying forAvondale’s attempts to keep the unionand OSHAinspectors out of their ship-yard has not gone entirely unnoticed.

On January 11, 1999, Sen. EdwardKennedy (D-MA) released a letter toNavy Secretary Richard Danzig, urg-ing the Department of the Navy toinvestigate Avondale’s wages, safetypractices, and dealings with the Navy.

In his letter, Kennedy cites depressedwages, deplorable safety standards,and the company’s active opposition toworkers’ efforts to organize and asksthe Navy to “take immediate steps toinvestigate Avondale Industries’ con-duct and implications for the Navy’srelationship with Avondale.”

Specifically, Kennedy wants an item-ized review of Avondale’s requestedreimbursements for legal fees andactivities. If that review finds thatAvondale has been improperly reim-bursed for union-busting activities, herecommends that the Navy take actionto recover those costs.

Kennedy wants Danzig to arrange ameeting with top officials at OSHA andthe NLRB “to ensure that the Navy is fullybriefed on ongoing legal proceedingsinvolving Avondale, and is prepared totake any action that may be appropriate.”

Avondale defies Department ofLabor on alien workersIN RECENT WEEKS,Mexican workershave begun appearing at Avondale

Avondale defies OSHA inspectors, DOL’s alienworker re s t r i c t i o n s

Members of Locals 290and 104 will repair U.S.Navy aircraft carriersTODD PACIFIC SHIPYARDS has beenawarded a $100 million, five-year Navycontract that will bring 200 additional jobsto the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard inBremerton, Wash., where Local 290 repre-sents employees.

The contract consists of a series ofoptions for maintenance repair on threeaircraft carriers, including non-nuclear hullmachinery and electrical maintenance.

Workers from Todd Shipyard, whereLocal 104, Seattle, Wash., represents nearly400 employees, will work side-by-side withthe Puget Sound employees to ensure thatthe U. S. carrier fleet is “Navy ready.”

The carriers may be dry-docked atPuget Sound for up to ten months eachwith additional short-term maintenance tobe conducted on board the vessels at theEverett homeport facility.

Up to 200 additional workers will behired over the five-year contract, withwork scheduled to begin in April on theUSS Abraham Lincoln, and subsequentwork to be conducted on the USS CarlV i n s o n and USS John C. Stennis.

U. S. Representative Norm Dicks (D-6thWA) said the contract to maintain andrepair aircraft carriers is an importantboost to the Kitsap County economy.

“I am proud that our local maritimeindustry could work together and step for-ward to meet the needs of the Navy whilecreating new job opportunities as well,”said Dicks.

Todd Pacific Shipyards has been build-ing and repairing ships since 1916, and hasemerged as a strong regional shipyard withthe capability to attract both national andinternational repair construction contracts.

Chartered in 1892, Local 104 has repre-sented Todd employees since 1947. Local290 was chartered in 1910, and has repre-sented Puget Sound employees since 1978.

JUSTICE AT AV O N D A L E

Todd Pacific Shipyard gets$100 million contract

Newport Newsbuys AvondaleNEWPORT NEWS Shipbuilding hasannounced that it is buying Avondaleshipyard, where workers have beenfighting for a union contract for morethan five years. Workers at Virginia-based Newport News have been mem-bers of the Steelworkers since 1978.

Workers at Avondale are hopeful themerger will mean an end to Avondale’santi-union policies. The New OrleansMetal Trades, which includes theBoilermakers, won an election atAvondale in 1994, but the company hasused a variety of legal maneuvers toavoid negotiating a contract.

Shipyards. They are working in theU.S. on H2B visas, in apparent defianceof the Department of Labor’s orders forAvondale’s use of H2B workers.

The DOL had given Avondale per-mission to bring in 100 alien “welder-trainers” for assignment to its newfacility in Tallulah, not the main yard inNew Orleans. However, observers esti-mate over 300 alien workers are beingemployed at the main yard, not astrainers, but as welders, structural fit-ters, and pipefitters. In fact, that is howthey are being recruited.

National Technologies Inc., theMorgan City welding contractor that ishandling the hiring, testing, and hous-ing of the alien workers, advertises forpeople who are “looking for a secure,well-paying welding, structural fittingor pipefitting job with a company inAmerica’s most interesting city . . . his-toric, exciting New Orleans” on its website (h t t p : / / w w w . p e t r o n e t . n e t / n a t t e c h /) .They offer dormitory style living in a“beautiful apartment” across the riverfrom “Bourbon Street and the SuperDome” for “$70 to $75 weekly, no up-front money.”

The AFL-CIO’s Campaign for Justiceat Avondale reports that National

Technologies advertises 800 slots forshipyard welders and pipefitters. Theypromise $13.50 for those who are not cer-tified, and $18.00 for those with certifica-tions. The average wage of Avondale’sdomestic workforce is $9.45 an hour.

Avondale drew criticism two yearsago for bringing in foreign workers.One group of Scotsmen complainedthat they were not being paid whatthey’d been promised, and that theirwages were so low and expenses forstaying in the company facilities sohigh that they couldn’t afford to returnto Scotland. Union activity at that timeconvinced the Department of Labor toscale back Avondale’s access to alienworkers. However, Avondale appearsto be ignoring the DOL restrictions.

Even as National Technologies buseswere bringing in the alien workers, acommittee of Louisiana legislators andmembers of the media who showed upfor a scheduled tour of the facility aspart of a “roving committee meeting”were denied entrance to the shipyard.

The company said the tour was can-celled owing to “security concerns.”

For more information on efforts ofthe Campaign for Justice at Avondale,contact 410-263-7134. ❑

TWO FEDERAL CLASSaction law-suits were filed January 13 in Californiaand Saipan against 18 high-profile U.S.clothing manufacturers and retailersaccusing them of violating federal lawby engaging in a “racketeering conspir-acy” using indentured labor.

Damages are being sought from agroup of retailers that includes TheGap, Tommy Hilfiger, The Limited,J.C. Penny, Sears, and Wal-Mart.According to the lawsuits, these com-panies purchase garments from con-tractors who use indentured servants,predominantly young women fromAsia, to produce clothing on the islandof Saipan, a part of the NorthernMariana Islands, a U.S. common-wealth in the South Pacific.

Their foreign-owned garment con-tractors in Saipan are also charged withfailing to pay overtime and allowingintolerable work and living conditions.In the last five years, contractors inSaipan have received more than 1,000citations for violating U.S.Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) standards,many of which are capable of causingdeath or serious injury.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf ofmore than 50,000 workers from China,the Philippines, Bangladesh, andThailand. The workers were allegedlydrawn to Saipan with the promises ofhigh pay and quality work in the UnitedStates. Instead, they found themselvesworking up to 12-hour days, seven daysa week, often “off the clock” withoutreceiving any pay or overtime.

In a third lawsuit, four labor andhuman rights groups (SweatshopWatch, Global Exchange, Asian LawCaucus, and UNITE) have accused theretailers and manufacturers of usingmisleading advertising and traffickingin “hot goods” manufactured in viola-tion of U.S. labor laws.

Together, the three lawsuits are seek-ing more than a billion dollars in dam-ages, disgorgement of profits, andunpaid wages.

“To allow such squalid conditions topersist on American soil is bothpatently unlawful and morally repre-hensible,” said Al Meyerhoff, one ofthe lead attorneys. “Saipan isAmerica’s worst sweatshop.”

Made in USA?GARMENTS MADE IN Saipan maycarry a “Made in the USA” or “Made in

the Northern Marianas, USA” label.These lawsuits allege that Americanconsumers are deceived into believingthey have purchased a product madeby American workers protected by U.S.labor laws, that guarantee a decentwage and a clean, safe work place. Butthe manufacturers, many of them for-eign-owned, avoid paying U.S.-levelwages as well as import duties.

Last year alone, the federal govern-ment estimated that Saipan-based con-tractors and U.S. retailers avoidedmore than $200 million in duties thatwould have been paid for the sameclothing if it were manufactured inChina or the Philippines. SomeChinese garment interests have movedtheir textile operations to Saipan virtu-ally “lock, stock, and barrel,” in largepart to avoid U.S. duties and quotarestrictions. The federal governmentestimates that this increase in Chineseapparel production in Saipan allowedChina to exceed its import quota by 250percent in 1997 alone.

Since 1996, over 200,000 apparelindustry jobs have been lost in the con-tinental United States.

Retailers re f u s ere s p o n s i b i l i t yALTHOUGH SAIPAN’Sgarment fac-tories are owned predominantly byChinese and Korean companies, qual-ity-control inspectors from The Gap,The Limited, and other U.S. retailersallegedly oversee the manufacturingprocess. They have refused to exercisetheir power to mitigate the intolerableworking and living conditions.

More than 90 percent of garmentindustry jobs in the Marianas are heldby foreign “guest workers.” Foreignworkers make up more than half of theestimated total Marianas population of70,000. Workers are lured to the islandswith promises of a good job and a newlife by recruiters who charge fees offrom $2,000 to $7,000. To get work, theyoften must sign “shadow contracts”waiving basic human rights, includingthe freedom to date or to marry.

Once in the Marianas, they arerequired to work for less than the local$3.15 per hour minimum wage, makingthe repayment of their recruitment feevirtually impossible. The crowded,unsanitary factories and shanty-likehousing compounds they work andlive in are in flagrant violation of fed-eral law. In some factories, the heat is soextreme it can cause workers to faint.

To ensure they stay until their debt ispaid, the companies often put them upin barracks surrounded by inward-pointing barbed wire. Their move-ments are strictly supervised byguards, and they are subject to lock-downs or curfews. Complaints aboutthe conditions are met with threats oftermination, physical harm, and sum-mary deportation.

G o v e rnment agenciescriticize practicesCONDITIONS IN THEMarianas havegenerated a host of highly criticalreports from federal agencies and con-gressional oversight. One recent reporton the Marianas from the U.S.Department of the Interior sharply crit-icized “the heavy and unhealthydependence upon an indentured alienworker program and on trade loop-holes to expand its economy.”

Garment production in Saipan con-tinues to increase, already exceedingthat of Malaysia and Jamaica.Although 11,000 is the legal limit onforeign garment workers, recent esti-mates exceed 15,000, and more facto-ries are being built.

The plaintiffs are represented by acoalition of law firms, includingMilberg Weiss Bershad Hynes &Lerach LLP – class action specialistswith principal offices in New York andSan Diego. The firm has successfullylitigated numerous consumer lawsuitsagainst such companies as R.J.Reynolds (“the Joe Camel” case),Prudential Insurance (for life insurancefraud), and Lincoln Savings (fordefrauding depositors).

This article was adapted from informa -tion provided by Sweatshop Watch. ❑

Lawsuits charge 18-high profile, major U. S.clothing retailers with sweatshop conspiracy

the Boilermaker Reporter5 Mar • Apr 1999

S H I P B U I L D I N G

Small banks, as well as big, pre p a re for Y2KAll banks must be Y2Kcompliant by JuneIF YOU’VE READ anything latelyabout banks preparing for the year2000, you may have gotten the impres-sion that large banks have a greaterchance at success than small banks. Butaccording to an article in the U S AT o d a y, the size of a bank or savingsinstitution has nothing to do with itspotential to be ready for the year 2000.

As regulator of the banking and thriftindustries, Edward W. Kelley Jr., gov-ernor of the Federal Reserve System,said that 97 percent of all banks andthrifts were rated satisfactory in their

progress toward year 2000 readiness inNovember 1998. Another round of Y2Kexaminations are currently underway.

According to Kenneth A. Guenther,exec. vice pres. of the IndependentBankers Association of America,“Community banks, like large banks, aretackling this national problem aggres-sively. Their small size means they havefewer Y2K problems to deal with.”

Guenther also pointed out that com-munity banks tend to use affordable,off-the-shelf software that is easy toupgrade or replace and that smallbanks are in a better position to covertadeptly to manual systems, as they didlast winter during New England’s ice

and snowstorms. He said that banks ofall sizes are required to complete alltesting and implement all systemchanges by June 30, well ahead of thedate change.

The Brotherhood Bank & Trust hasbeen working on the Y2K problemsince October 1997. They reached fullY2K compliance during the first quar-ter of 1999; however, they will continuetesting to assure compliance into theyear 2001 and beyond.

The International offices are alreadyY2K compliant. Work in theBoilermakers national funds office isproceeding; testing will occur later thisyear. ❑

M o re than $1 billion sought from 18 high-profile defendants forusing indentured servants while producing goods ‘Made in USA’

Companies in LawsuitThe Gap, Inc. (Banana Republic, OldNavy) Cutter & Buck, Inc.Dayton-Hudson Corp. (Target,Mervyn’s, Marshall Fields) J. Crew Group, Inc.J.C. Penny Company, Inc.Nordstrom, Inc.Sears Roebuck & CompanyThe Limited, Inc.OshKosh B’Gosh, Inc.Jones Apparel Group, Inc.The Gymboree Corp.The Associated Merchandising Corp. The May Department StoresCompany (Famous-Barr, Filene’s,Foley’s, Hecht’s, The Jones Store,Kaufmann’s, Lord & Taylor, L.S.Ayres, Meier & Frank, Robinson’sMay, Strawbridges)The Dress Barn, Inc.Lane Bryant, Inc.Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.Tommy Hilfiger USA, Inc.Warnaco Group, Inc.

What does indenture dlabor mean?AN INDENTURED SERVANTis alabor term which refers to someonewho agrees to work for a specificemployer to pay off a debt.Indentured servants have no free-dom, usually live on the property ofthe person holding the indenture,and are often treated like slaves.Throughout the third world, poorfamilies sell children into indenturedservitude to raise money for the restof the family. Some people voluntar-ily sign these contracts to flee extremepoverty or political persecution.

the Boilermaker Reporter6 Mar • Apr 1999

E C O N O M I C S

Equal pay

a le r tEqual pay for women – it matters to men, too!

WorkingWomen Want

Equal Pay

EQUAL PAY IS ABOUTbasic justice and fairness –and basic family econom-ics. More wives – and moremothers – work for pay

than ever before, and they are workingmore. Their earnings are essential tofamily support. Pay discriminationcosts women a lot – but it robs hus-bands and families, too.

M o re wives are workingfor pay

•In 1977, wives were working forpay in just over half (54 percent) ofmarried couple families. By 1997,wives in two-thirds (66 percent) ofsuch families worked for pay.

•Among married couples, thebiggest growth in women’s paidemployment has been in familiesin which both husband and wifework (“dual worker families”). In1977, both spouses worked in halfof married couple families. By1997, that proportion had grown to61 percent. Between 1996 and 1997alone, the number of dual workerfamilies rose by 345,000, while thenumber of families with only thehusband working fell by 144,000.

•Families with children also areworking more. Seventy-one per-cent of married couple familieswith children were dual workerfamilies in 1997, a steep rise from54 percent in 1977.

And working more hours•Wives are working more: Women

worked full time in 57 percent ofdual worker families in 1997, com-

pared with only 42 percent of suchfamilies in 1977.

•Differences are greater for workingmothers: In 1977, mothers workedfull time in one-third (34 percent)of dual worker families with chil-dren. By 1997, wives were workingfull-time in more than half (53 per-cent) of such families.

Wo m e n ’s wages make abig diff e rence to workingf a m i l i e s

•Sixty-four percent of workingwomen in the AFL-CIO’s Ask AWorking Woman Survey said theyprovide half or more of their fam-ily’s income. Yet one-third ofworking women said their jobs donot provide equal pay. AfricanAmerican women are especiallyhard hit: Half said they wantequal pay but don’t have it ontheir jobs now.

•Women’s work is the bridge out ofpoverty for many married coupleworking families. A 1997 LaborDepartment analysis found that 7.7percent fewer white families, 11.4percent fewer African Americanfamilies, and between nine percentand 25 percent fewer Hispanicfamilies (depending on immigrantstatus and country of origin) arepoor because both husbands andwives are working.

Working men deserv eequal pay, tooMEN HAVE ANOTHER STAKEin thebattle for equal pay: Many get lowerpay because of discrimination against

women. Men in jobs usually or pre-dominantly held by women – sales,service, and clerical positions, forexample – are also victims of pay bias.For these men, equal pay for womentranslates into higher pay for them.

•A recent study of several states’efforts to reduce pay discrimina-tion in state employment foundthat women and men had bene-fited from wage adjustments in atleast 12 states. In Iowa, for exam-ple, where wage adjustments foraffected workers averaged about

$3,500, men were 41 percent of theb e n e f i c i a r i e s .

•Another analysis found that imple-menting equal pay for work ofequal value nationwide wouldraise women’s wages by 13 percent– and men’s by one percent. ❑

To get more information on equalpay – and to make your voice heard– call the Working Wo m e nWorking Together Network at 1-8 8 8 - 9 7 1 - 9 7 9 7 .

1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 199750.00%

55.00%

60.00%

65.00%

70.00%

75.00%

80.00%

Dual Worker CouplesAs a percentage of married couple families

with children

1977-1997

54.3%

61.1%

64.7%

67.97% 68.9%71.1%

To join the Working Women Working Together Network

call toll-free 1 - 8 8 8 - 9 7 1 - 9 7 9 7

Wives Working for PayAs a percentage of married couple families

1977-1997

N o n -Wo r k i n gWi v e s4 6 . 1 %

Wo r k i n gWi v e s5 3 . 9 %

Wo r k i n gWi v e s6 5 . 6 %

N o n -Wo r k i n gWi v e s3 4 . 4 %

1977 1997

Asian financial crisis addsto global excess capacityU.S. STEEL IMPORTS for 1998exceeded 41 million net tons, accord-ing to the American Iron and SteelInstitute. That is an increase of morethan 30 percent over steel imports in1997, which was itself a record year.

Some 10,000 American steelworkershave lost their jobs due to the surge insteel imports over the past year. A half-dozen bills have been introduced inCongress to establish steel quotas, begina new investigation, or amend existingtrade law, with the CommerceDepartment expected to issue finaldumping determinations sometimeduring the second quarter of 1999.

The flood of imported steel is com-ing from several sources, but industryanalysts have singled out importsfrom Indonesia, Japan, and Australiaas showing the greatest increase over

1997 import levels. ThroughNovember, imports from Indonesiawere nearly six times as high as theywere through the same period in 1997.

The dumping margins of Brazil andJapan are high enough to immediatelyslash imports of these products, saidCommerce Secretary Daley, and spec-ulation abounds that Asian countriesare dumping steel in U.S. marketsbecause of serious economic problemsin their own countries. However, inthe second half of 1998, imports fromRussia, Korea, and China began tosoar as well.

Dumping refers to the practice ofselling products to foreign markets atlower rates than the products earn athome. Dumping is banned by tradeagreements as an unfair practicebecause it has the capability of drivingcompanies out of business eventhough they are offering their prod-ucts at a reasonable price.

R e c o rd steel imports crush U.S. mills

the Boilermaker Reporter7 Mar • Apr 1999

L E A P I S S U E S

What will ourC o n g r e s sdo now?With the impeachment over, they can

get some real work done, but

they’ll need guidance. We’ve

got to tell them what we need,

what we want, and what we

won’t put up with – and

we’ve got to make

sure they listen

millions of hard-working Americansinto poverty, and finding a way toensure that everyone in this countryhas access to adequate health care.

That is the real work of Congress.What we saw last year was an aberra-tion, an event that has only occurredonce before in American history. Whatwe will see this year is the norm.

Congress has no reason to avoid itsreal work this year. Throughout 1999and into 2000, we can expect to hearpoliticians tell us again and again howthey are working together in a biparti-san way to give us the representationwe elected them to provide. We need tohold them to their words.

Many difficult issues still face thenation. Some of them are explainedbriefly on these pages. We must workto get these issues discussed in ourunion halls, written about in our news-papers, and debated in Congress.

For over a year now, television, radio,and newspapers have been all-Monica,all-the-time. They have ignored thesebread-and-butter issues, the types ofissues that most significantly affectworking families, issues that hit uswhere we feel it most – in the wallet andthe bank account.

We must turn them around and getthem talking about what matters mostto us – being able to provide for ourfamilies, for our parents’ retirements,and our children’s futures. Issues likethe ones discussed here.

The issues discussed below areexpected to be brought before Congressin 1999. The Legislative Departmentwill track these bills and others, andwill issue periodic alerts when impor-tant votes on them are coming up.

We must educate our elected repre-sentatives on all of these issues. Theycannot learn the workers’ viewpointsanywhere else than from the workers.We need to use the only power a voterhas – we need to phone them and writethem and let them know where westand on all of the key issues.

Charter and BuildTHE “CHARTER AND BUILD”Program will provide the Navy withthe ability to modernize its auxiliaryfleet. This legislation is needed becausethe current fleet of supply and specialmission ships is quickly reaching theend of their useful life.

Charter and Build allows the auxil-iary ships to be purchased over a longerperiod of time rather than being pur-chased for a lump sum upon order.This program would create thousandsof jobs for American shipyard workersand enhance our nation’s strategicdefense capabilities

Clean Air Equipment Fast Ta xWrite OffCLEAN AIR ISin the best interest of allAmericans, yet not all companies arecomplying with the air emissions laws.Those who do spend the money neces-sary to comply are financially penal-ized when they compete withcompanies who resist installing effec-tive environmental control equipmentor install equipment that barely meetsexisting code. Such financial inequitiescan make the difference between acompany staying in the U.S. or movingoff shore.

We are working with several organi-zations and a law firm to develop theconcept of a tax credit or accelerated

depreciation method for companiesthat install clean air equipment. Taxincentives would hasten the speed withwhich private industry updates theirequipment, creating jobs while improv-ing our air quality.

President Clinton has pledged to“work closely with industry andCongress during the upcoming year onlegislation to reward companies takingearly, voluntary action to reduce theirgreenhouse gas emissions or increasecarbon sequestration.”

Independent ContractorsCONGRESSMAN JERRY KLECZKA(D-4th WI) plans to introduce a bill toensure that independent contractor sta-tus is voluntary and that workers havelabor law protection when becomingan independent contractor.

Last year, Senator Kit Bond (R-MO)introduced an anti-worker misclassifica-tion bill. His bill would give employersgreater latitude in misclassifying work-ers as independent contractors, ratherthan employees, thereby avoiding theircurrent obligations under the tax codeand the labor and employment laws.

Davis-Bacon WE EXPECT THATa straight up ordown vote to repeal Davis-Bacon thisyear will not occur. Instead, we expectthe GOP to circumvent Davis-Bacon byamending money bills; i.e., school con-struction. We have requested that theBuilding and Construction TradesDepartment develop education materi-als for all crafts.

Electric Dere g u l a t i o nTHE CHAIR of the Energy and PowerSubcommittee of House Commerce

gave up on legislation last year after afutile effort to craft a consensus bill onderegulation. Now RepresentativeSchaefer (R-6th CO) is retired. The newchair is Representative Joe Barton (R-6th TX) who may pick up whereSchaefer left off.

The Boilermakers worked hard aspart of the Alliance to Protect ElectricityConsumers (APEC) to kill the bill in the105th, and we will be monitoring theactivity closely in the 106th. The newsubcommittee chair in the House wantsto move forward on this issue.

The President is interested in push-ing deregulation because of the envi-ronmental aspects. The Department ofEnergy is crafting its own bill, whichmay lend some momentum to theissue. It remains to be seen whether allparties can agree on a comprehensivebill that can make its way out of com-mittee.

While we remain opposed to a fed-eral mandate, most action is occurringon the state level. We are telling ourlocals to get involved on the state leveland carefully examine worker protec-tions, reliability, worker safety, costs toconsumers, tax revenues, strandedcosts, and universal coverage.

Federal Retire m e n tCoverage Corre c t i o nWE HAVE SEVERALmembers at thePortsmouth Naval Shipyard whoseagencies placed them in the wrongretirement system nearly 14 years ago.They are now facing financial burdensand will have less take-home pay in thefuture because of the correction proce-dures inflicted on them. H.R. 416would provide comprehensive relieffor thousands of federal employees.

Continued from page 1

Continued on page 8

H.R. 416 was marked-up in theGovernment Reform and OversightCommittee on February 3, 1999. H.R.416 is expected to pass the House. Lastyear, identical legislation was passedunanimously in the House.

However, the real battle is in theSenate, where they believe the Housebill is too generous and would cost toomuch. The Senate is expected to intro-duce their version sometime thismonth. Last year, the Senate’s versionnever made it out of committee.

Global Wa rm i n g / K y o t oP rotocol IF THE KYOTO PROTOCOLis ratifiedby the U.S. Senate, electric power gen-erating companies will have to signifi-cantly reduce their consumption ofdomestic coal and increase the con-sumption of foreign gas.

Economic models have shown thatmore than one million American jobscould be lost, household energy costscould increase by more than $1,000annually, and the U.S. economy couldlose hundreds of billions of dollars eachyear in Gross Domestic Product.

The protocol will devastate the U.S.economy and will do little or nothing tostabilize the atmospheric concentra-tions of carbon. Affiliates of theBuilding and Construction TradesDepartment are working on a draftenergy policy. The Republicans areviciously opposed to implementingthis treaty, but some are linking theissue to electricity deregulation.

The Kyoto Protocol calls for all indus-trialized nations to reduce their carbonemissions to below what they wereproducing in 1990. Although air-clean-ing technology has gotten much betterin the intervening nine years, the grow-ing U.S. population prohibits us frommaking this reduction without greatlyaltering our economic landscape.

Although the goal of this protocol isvaluable – the reduction of green housegas emissions – its implementation isinadequate. Developing countries suchas Mexico and China are not requiredto reduce their emissions. The amount

of greenhouse gas emissions from thesecountries is growing far more rapidlythan emissions from the U.S., yet theywill be free to continue to pollute.

Considering that China has thelargest population of any country in theworld – five times the size of the U.S. –and that developing nations havelarger, more rapidly growing popula-tions than developed countries, itseems ridiculous to relieve them of anyrestrictions indefinitely into the future.

P rotecting Multi-EmployerPension BenefitsWE WILL PUSH heavily to change aprovision in federal pension law thathurts our Building Trades members.Section 415 of the U.S. tax code, origi-nally written to limit the ability of high-ranking executives to take largepensions, is now hurting our memberswho retire early and whose pensionfunds are well-off.

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) wants tosponsor a bill doing away with thatpenalty if a representative can be foundto introduce a parallel version in theHouse.

We are looking into the possibility ofusing the Social Security bill or the taxbill as a vehicle to move this legislation.

Social Security A WIDE RANGEof bills have beenintroduced in Congress which includeeverything from partial privatization tobenefit reductions to wholesale dis-mantling and replacement withmandatory Individual RetirementAccounts.

We agree with President Clinton’sState of the Union message to put thefederal budget surplus to work forworking families by using it tostrengthen Social Security and to rejectplans to replace Social Security – or anypart of it – with private investmentaccounts.

The AFL-CIO has convened a policywork-group to address both the realeconomic issues raised by the fundingproblem and the political atmospherewhich surrounds it. Our union is com-mitted to the preservation and

strengthening of the existing SocialSecurity system. It is America’s mostimportant and comprehensive familyprotection system, the foundation ofretirement income for workers andtheir families, and the principal insur-ance against family impoverishmentdue to death or disability.

A n t i - Worker LegislationWORKERS CAN EXPECTto againplay defense against business-backedanti-worker bills that died in the lastCongress. The “TEAM Act” wouldamend the National Labor RelationsAct to legalize company unions.Another bill to let employers forceworkers into taking compensatory timeoff (not overtime) is expected; this billstrikes to the heart of one of our mostcherished worker protections – over-time after 40 hours.

New versions of paycheck deception,the bill designed to further limit unions’political involvement, are expected tobe introduced. They will target uniondues rather than paycheck deductions,as a way to weaken those unions whoget involved in politics. Workersdefeated paycheck-deception efforts in

32 states during 1998. Legislaturesnixed them in 28 states, and voters infour states faced ballot initiatives,which they soundly rejected.

We also expect more attempts to gutOSHA and limit worker protections byunderfunding other agencies in theDepartment of Labor.

That’s not all, folksTHESE ARE NOT ALLof the issues wecan expect to take action on in the com-ing year. As happens every year, billswill be introduced that we don’t knowabout yet as new circumstances evolve.

Keep current on the issues that affectBoilermakers and our families by read-ing this newspaper, visiting our website at h t t p : / / w w w . b o i l e r m a k e r s . o r g,attending local lodge meetings, anddiscussing issues with your fellowmembers and coworkers.

The Legislative Department isalways ready to answer your questionsor send you information regardingupcoming legislation. Contact Directorof Legislation Ande Abbott at 2722Merrilee Drive, Suite 360, Fairfax VA22031, Phone: (703) 560-1493. ❑

Legislative issues for 1999Continued from page 7

the Boilermaker Reporter8 Mar • Apr 1999

L E A P I S S U E S

Two out of threeelderly Americans rely on S o c i a lS e c u r i t y for most of their income

What do workers want? Social SecurityTHE RESULTSof a poll conducted byPeter D. Hart Research for the AFL-CIO show that union members rankedtheir concerns about Social Securityand pensions as the most importantissues in the 1998 elections.

That really shouldn’t be a surprise.Social Security is the bedrock for nearly

every worker’s retirement. Althoughunion members are more likely to havea retirement pension than nonunionworkers, Social Security still pays a sig-nificant portion of their retirementearnings. Without Social Security, veryfew workers would be able to retirewith dignity. ❑

Moral Decline

Crime/Drugs

Taxes

Health Care

Economy/Jobs

Education

Retirement/Social Security

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Second Most Important Most Important

Social Security:A critical issue in elections for union members

I s s u e s :

When union members were polled in a post-election survey, 67 percent chose theabove issues as being the most or second most important issues. Of those, 41 percentput retirement and Social Security at the top of their list.

Source: Peter D. Hart Research for AFL-CIO

4 1 %

2 1 %

2 1 %

1 6 %

2 0 %

1 5 %

1 5 %

6 %

4 0 %

3 4 %

2 8 %

2 1 %

1 7 %

1 6 %

30%

18%

66%

Paycheck Deception Initiativeshave been defeated in the 32 states colored blue

THE MOST RECENT BALLOT DEFEAT for a paycheck deception initiative came inOregon on November 3, 1998. To date, voters have defeated paycheck deception pro-posals in four ballot initiatives. In 28 other states, similar initiatives have been defeatedin the legislatures or through legal action in the courts. Paycheck deception initiativesseek to add further barriers to union participation in politics. Unions are already moreregulated than any other group, but that isn’t enough for our enemies, who recognizethat union members vote in greater percentages than other workers. They want to barus from educating our members, their families, and the public on legislative issues.

rely on Social Security forhalf or more of their income.

Of these . . .

rely on Social Security for 90percent of their income

rely on Social Security forall of their income

Source: Social Security Administration

Demandthat they

protectSocial

Securityfirst!

Most benefits go to best-offtenth of all taxpayersIN ANSWER TOPresident Clinton’sstate-of-the-union address promise touse 60 percent of the budget surplus tokeep Social Security viable, theRepublican Party (GOP) proposed aten per cent across the board tax cut.They claim they can reduce everyone’staxes and still have enough to keepSocial Security solvent.

When Citizen’s for Tax Justice (CTJ)analyzed the GOP plan, they came to adifferent conclusion. Their analysis ofthe ten percent income tax rate cut asproposed by GOP House and Senateleaders shows that the plan wouldreduce federal revenues by more than atrillion dollars over the next decade.That would be one trillion dollars theU.S. government would be unable tospend on the many programsAmerican families have come todepend on, including Social Security.

Meanwhile, 62 percent of the pro-posed tax cuts would go to the best-offtenth of all taxpayers. The majority oftaxpayers – 60 percent – would seesavings of less than $99 a year, whilethe one percent of taxpayers makingmore than $300,000 would see a reduc-tion of over $20,000.

CTJ director Robert S. McIntyreexplained, “The proposed ten percentincome tax rate cut is billed as an even-handed tax cut, but that’s not the case atall. In fact, this plan would reduce thefederal government’s most progressivetax, the income tax, while leaving other,generally regressive taxes in place. Thatapproach, by definition, has to favorthe best-off taxpayers at the expense ofeveryone else.”

CTJ’s analysis concludes that spend-ing more than a trillion dollars on taxcuts is irresponsible because it wouldjeopardize such government pro-grams as Social Security and

Medicare, programs designed to pro-tect working families, while providingsignificant tax cuts only for the verywealthy, who can afford to retire with-out these programs.

House Ways and Means CommitteeChairman Bill Archer (R-TX) releasedfigures on February 16 that confirmCTJ’s analysis. His figures demonstratethat the more income a person has, thegreater the role income taxes pay in hisoverall tax payments.

For workers making less than$100,000 a year, federal income tax rep-resents only 38 percent of their total taxburden. For those making over$100,000 a year, however, income taxmakes up 75 percent of the burden.

The reason for the difference is thatmany federal taxes are regressive.Social Security taxes, for example, arecollected only for the first $64,800 awage earner makes. That means thatthe worker making $35,000 a year paysSocial Security taxes all year, but hisboss, making $136,000 a year stops pay-ing Social Security taxes in June. Thusthe worker pays six percent of hiswages toward Social Security, but hisboss only pays three percent.

The federal income tax is the mostprogressive federal tax on the books.As your income increases, the percent-age of your income that you pay intaxes also increases, in large steps. Anacross-the-board cut of the federalincome tax provides more benefit tothose with higher incomes.

Meanwhile, this tax cut would eataway at what President Clinton is call-ing a surplus. That so-called surplus isactually all Social Security money.Congress has no business using it foranything other than making sure theSocial Security program stays strong. ❑

Sources: Citizens for Tax Justice and theInstitute on Taxation & Economic PolicyMicrosimulation Tax Model, Jan. 20, 1999.

L-549 members supportCalifornia Governor DavisDavis campaign promises include promoting job-site safetyand protecting union wages and training programs

GOP tax cut pro p o s a lre w a rds the wealthy

GRAY DAVIS has beenelected governor ofCalifornia, thanks inlarge part to the effortsof union members likethe members of Local549 in Pittsburg, Calif.Not only will Davis’selection affect all work-ing people in California,but construction work-ers will be particularlyaffected because somuch of the construc-tion industry is con-trolled by state boardsand commissions.

Local 549 BM-ST FredFields said Davis earnedLocal 549’s support, notbecause of his politicalaffiliation, but becauseof his philosophy underwhich he will makeappointments that affectthe members’ liveli-hood, such as those tothe Department ofIndustrial Relations,whose division enforcesand interprets the laws, rules, and reg-ulations of the California Labor Code.

Workers in California have three bigreasons to celebrate Davis’s election –safety, wages, and training. Davis haspromised the Building Trades that hewill promote job site safety and protectunion wages and training programsduring his term in office. Field says, “Ifwe compare the Gray Davis adminis-tration with the Pete Wilson adminis-tration, Davis could look like a reallabor hero.”

According to Fields, the last twoCalifornian governors tried to lowerthe prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon)

requirement so nonunion contractorscould continue to pay low wages onpublicly-funded jobs. The last two gov-ernors also greatly weakenedCalifornia’s Occupational Safety andHealth Act in California by underfund-ing the program so badly that it becameineffective.

The California Building Trades havebeen struggling for 16 years to maintaintheir apprenticeship programs whilenonunion contractors have waged alegal battle to eliminate union competi-tion by diluting the concept of a univer-sal training system that produceshighly-skilled workers. ❑

the Boilermaker Reporter9 Mar • Apr 1999

L E A P I S S U E S

I RECEIVEDthe Sep-Oct issue onNovember 6 and read with interest theelection recommendations (which bythen were three days too late).

On page seven, I noted with interestthe endorsement for Republicanincumbent Congressman JohnShimkus in my Illinois 20th congres-sional district. On page ten, under“House Scorecard,” CongressmanShimkus had a 50 percent 1998 votingrecord on labor issues and a lifetimerecord on labor and working familyissues of 38 percent.

If I had received this issue beforethe election, I would have been quiteconfused since there was aDemocratic candidate in this race.

Surely there is some sort of explana-tion. Rather than endorse a candidatewith a lifetime record on labor issuesof 38 percent, wouldn’t it have beenbetter to make no recommendation atall? As an elected leader in this local, Ineed some sort of answer to take tomy membership.

CH U C K GO O D I N, L-486 presidentLitchfield, Ill.

Legislative Director Abbott re s p o n d s

I AM SORRY your B o i l e r m a k e rReporter arrived three days after theelection. The paper went to press onOctober 19 – we were obviously anx-ious for our members to receive thepaper before they voted Nov. 3rd.

When making recommendations forpublic office, we consider a number offactors, including whether or not a can-didate has been accessible and whetheror not he or she has voted correctly onour issues. Our committee debatedmore on Congressman Shimkus thanon any other candidate.

Congressman John Shimkus waselected in 1996 to serve in the 20thDistrict of Illinois – formally held by afriend of workers, Richard Durbin,who maintained a score of 80 percenteach year or higher on worker issues.

It is true that Shimkus, a Republican,has a lifetime voting record of 38 per-cent. During his first year, he votedwith big business 70 percent of the timeand 30 percent with workers. But in1998, several Illinois LEAP committee

members told us Shimkus wanted todiscuss our issues. The Washingtonlegislative office began contactingShimkus’s office, and his voting recordimproved during 1998. Shimkus haspromised to do better in the future,saying he will work for many of ourissues rather than simply vote forthem. He has also joined theRepublican party’s labor caucus, agroup that meets with labor represen-tatives to discuss our issues.

In addition, he has kept his word onvoting for many of our issues: he hastaken an active role in trying to changeSection 415 of the tax code (whichpenalizes workers’ pensions for earlyretirement), and he has supported suchworker issues as Davis-Bacon prevail-ing wage rates, and ensuring workersvoices are not silenced by the“Paycheck Deception Act.”

We must get 218 votes in the Houseand 51 votes in the Senate in order topass our issues. The labor movementmust draw votes from bothRepublicans and Democrats to get amajority of the votes on most of ourissues. We do have some Democratsthat vote wrong on worker issues andwe must pick up Republicans to offsettheir votes. It is also important that wegive candidates a chance to do the right

thing. Congressman Shimkus seemssincere in his commitment to supportworkers in the future. In fact, his 1998vote record is better than severalDemocrats. We did not endorse thoseD e m o c r a t s .

We must attempt to stay non-parti-san as much as we can. It is true thatmost Democrats are good on workerissues and most Republicans are verypoor. However, we must reach out toanyone who shows improvement onour issues and honestly tries to workwith us. I can promise you this – eitherwe continue to see improvement inShimkus’s performance, or we supporthis opponent in the next election.Under the circumstances, the LEAPcommittee decided to support him thistime and re-evaluate his performancebefore the next election.

The chore of the legislative office is togain a House of Representatives that willprovide enough votes to win on issuesthat benefit our members and retirees.

I understand that we will never get100 percent approval of our recom-mended candidates from our ownmembers. However, you should knowthat the list is far from being arbitrary.There is a great deal of thought, discus-sion, and research that goes into eachrecommendation.

We strive to be fair and non-partisanin our selection while keeping theinterests of Boilermakers, their fami-lies, and our retirees in mind whileconsidering each candidate for office.

AN D E AB B O T T

Legislative Director

How does the International decidewhich candidates to support?

California Governor Elect Gray Davis, at left, thanksBusiness Manager Fred Fields for Boilermaker Local549’s support in his election victory.

Sure, we look at their voting records, but sometimesthat isn’t enough – as this member’s letter and theLegislative Department’s response illustrate

DNCL – NationalCement Lodge

CH A R L E S HU N T B A C H, CLGAWDivision director, reportscontract ratification, e f f e c-tive Jan. 16, 1999 to Jan. 14,2002, for seven members ofthe National Cement Lodgewho produce PortlandCement at the L a f a r g eC o m p a n y in Waukegan, Ill.

L-5 – New York City

IN T L. RE P. RO C C O DERO L L O a n dL-5 ABM Jack Mellon, NewYork City, N. Y., reportcontract ratificationeffective Nov. 1, 1998 toOct. 31, 1999, at F r e d r i c kCowan & Co., Inc., whereLocal 5 membersmanufacture electronicsfor industrial boilers, andeffective Jan. 1, 1999 toDec. 31, 2000, for Local 5members at Q u i c k w a yMetal Fabricators, Inc.

L-6 – Oakland, CA

MI C H A E L GR A B O W S K I, bus.mgr./sec.-treas. of Local 6,Oakland, Calif., reportscontract ratification,effective July 15, 1998 toJuly 1, 2001, for 20 L-6members who fabricatesteel at the D i a m o n dManufacturing Corp.;effective July 16, 1998 toJuly 15, 2001, for 75 L-6members who producecommercial cookingequipment at Heat andControl, Inc.; effective May18, 1998 to May 17, 2001, for25 L-6 shop members whowork at the P a c i f i cGalvanizing Co.; effectiveSept. 1, 1998 to Aug. 31,2001, for two L-6 memberswho manufacture tools atTerry Steel and Supply,I n c .; and effective Sept. 1,1998 to Aug. 31, 1999, for 25

L-6 members who forgeflanges at Western Forgeand Flange.

S8 – Equality, IL

IN T L. RE P. GA R Y ME Y E R SR.reports contract ratifica-tion, effective July 1, 1999 toJune 30, 2004, for 234 mem-bers of Local S8, Equality,Ill., who work at C o a lMiners Inc.

M24 – Kokomo, IN

IN T L. RE P. JE R R Y HU N T r e p o r t scontract ratification,effective Dec. 16, 1998 toDec. 17, 1999, for 85 membersof Local M24, Kokomo, Ind.,who produce unfinishedcabinets at Cannon ValleyWoodwork, Inc.

L-37 – New Orleans

IN T L. RE P. DE N N I S KI N Greports contractratification, effective Jan. 1,1999 to Jan. 1, 2000, for 24members of Local 37, NewOrleans, La., who fabricatetank and heat exchangersat the Gulf Engineering Co.,in Harahan, La.

S56 – S. Pittsburg, TN

IN T L. RE P. GA R Y DO N BR Y A N Treports contract ratification,effective Jan. 25, 1999 toDec. 31, 2003, for 48members of Local S56, S.Pittsburg, Tenn., who work att h e United States Stove Co.

D69 – Waco, TX

IN T L. RE P. NI C K AD A M Sreports contractratification, effective April1, 1998 to March 31, 2003,for 40 members of LocalD69, Waco, Texas, whowork in production and

maintenance at the L e h i g hPortland Cement Company.

D78 – Quanah, TX

IN T L. RE P. NI C K AD A M S r e p o r t scontract ratification,effective August 1, 1998 toJuly 31, 2004, for 137members of Local D78,Quanah, Texas, whoproduce sheetrock(wallboard) at the G e o r g i aPacific Corporation, GypsumDivision, in Acme, Texas.

S100 – St. Louis, MO

IN T L. RE P. GA R Y ME Y E R SR.reports contractratification, effective Jan. 6,1999 to Jan. 5, 2002, for tenmembers of Local S100, St.Louis, Mo., who work in abuilding supplieswarehouse at the T h r e eStates Supply Co., Inc.

L-101 – Denver, CO

FR E D ST E E L E F E N, Local 101,Denver, Colo., reportscontract ratification,effective Jan. 1, 1999 toDec. 31, 2001, for 22members of Local 101 whoproduce tanks at E a t o nMetal Products.

L-104 – Seattle, WA

CH U C K HU G H E S, businessrepresentative of Local 104,Seattle, Wash., reportscontract ratification,effective Sept. 30, 1998 toOct. 1, 2002, for 45 Local 104members who producemiscellaneous steelfabrication at Wayron, Inc.in Longview, Wash.

L-106 – Cincinnati

IN T L. RE P. RO N LY O N r e p o r t scontract ratification,

effective Feb. 1, 1999 to Jan.31, 2002, for 11 members ofLocal 106, Cincinnati, Ohio,who work at the J o s e p hHonhorst Company.

S106 – Compton, CA

IN T L. RE P. HE N R Y JU A R E Zreports contractratification, effective Nov.9, 1998 to Nov. 8, 2000, for170 members of Local S106,Compton, Calif., whoproduce commercialcooking stoves, stove tops,and cooking pots at theWolf Range Company.

L-128 – To ro n t o

JI M TI N N E Y, secretary-treasurer of Local 128,Toronto, Ontario, Canada,reports contract ratification,effective Sept. 1, 1998 toAug. 31, 2002, for 14 L-128members who producepressure vessels andfabricate structures at G r e a tLakes Fabricating; effectiveSept. 1, 1998 to Aug. 31, 2002,for 66 L-128 members whoperform pressure vesselfabrication at Kel-Gor Ltd. ;effective Sept. 1, 1998 toAug. 31, 2002, for four L-128members who producepressure vessel structuresat the MacKenzie BlackFabricating Co.; andeffective Aug. 14, 1998 toAug. 14, 2002, for 15members of L-128 whofabricate structural steel atPro-Mart IndustrialProducts Ltd.

L-146 – Edmonton

IN T L. RE P. JO H N RO W E r e p o r t sunion recognition andratification of a firstcontract betweenmembers of Local 146,Edmonton, Alberta,Canada, and A l b e r t a

Exchanger, Ltd. Twentyemployees work in thefabrication unit at AlbertaExchanger, producing HPheaters and exchangers.

L-146 BM-ST DeanMilton reports contractratification, effective Jan. 1,1999 to Dec. 31, 2001, for 22L-146 members who workin fabrication at Melloy andAssociates Ltd.

L-199 – Jacksonville

IN T L. RE P S. DE N N I S KI N G a n dMike Peterson reportcontract ratification,effective Dec. 17, 1998 toDec. 16, 1999, for 24members of Local 199,Jacksonville, Fla., whoproduce dryers atI r v i n g t o n - M o o r e.

L-242 – Spokane, WA

LY N N RA W L I N S JR., bus.mgr./sec.-treas. of Local242, Spokane, Wash.,reports contract ratification,effective Nov. 16, 1998 toNov. 15, 2002, for 90members of L-242 who worka t E-Z Loader Boat Trailers.

L-398–E. Stro u d s b u rg

IN T L. RE P. MI C H A E L SH A F F E Rreports contract ratification,effective Jan. 1, 1999 toDec. 31, 2002, for 35members of Local 398, EastStroudsburg, Pa., who workin the office and clerical unitof Patterson Kelley Co.

L-486 – Litchfield, IL

IN T L. RE P. JA M E S PR E S S L E Yreports contractratification, effective Oct.15, 1998 to Oct. 15, 2001, for

39 members of Local 486,Litchfield, Ill., who producefarm equipment atWorksaver, Inc.

L-661 – Florence, N.J.

IN T L. RE P. MI C H A E L SH A F F E Rreports contract ratification,effective Feb. 9, 1999 to Jan.31, 2003, for 45 members ofLocal 661, Florence, N. J.,who work in production andmaintenance at D. C.F a b r i c a t o r s, currentlyperforming Navy contractwork for the Sea Wolfs u b m a r i n e .

L-677 – Kingston, PA

IN T L. RE P. RO C C O DERO L L Oreports contractratification, effective Jan.13, 1999 to Jan. 12, 2002, formembers of Local 677,Kingston, Pa., who work atthe R & H ManufacturingC o m p a n y.

L - 9 0 3 – West Point, MS

IN T L. RE P. MI K E WI L S O N a n dL-903 Pres. Robert Shaffer,West Point, Miss., reportcontract ratification,effective Aug. 1, 1998 toJuly 31, 2003, for 610 Local903 members who produceboilers and repair parts atBabcock & Wilcox.

S1994 – Harr i s b u rg, IL

SFEAW DI V. DI R. OT H A LSM I T H reports contractratification, effective Nov.9, 1998 to Dec. 9, 2003, formembers of Local S1994,Harrisburg, Ill., who work inconstruction, erection, anddemolition at L a n eErectors, Inc.

the Boilermaker Reporter1 0 Mar • Apr 1999

S E T T L E M E N T S

New contract summariesA brief listing of recent agreements signed and ratified by Boilermaker local lodges

Contract adds newo v e rtime pro v i s i o n ,wage increases, ando p p o rtunity for gro w t h

INTL. REP. ALAN SCHEERreports contract ratificationon January 14, 1999,effective throughDecember 31, 1999, forBoilermakers employed bythe National RailroadPassenger Corporation(Amtrak). Increases will beretroactive to Jan. 1, 1995.

The contract coversmembers of Lodge 51,Indianapolis, Ind.; Lodge197, Albany, N.Y.; Lodge651, Somerville, Mass.;and Lodge 1032,Cumberland, Md.

Through the negotiatingsessions, the employeeswere able to reach anagreement with Amtrak,which settles theirNovember 1994 SectionSix notice. In addition, theagreement includes a pro-rated $400 signing bonus,continued cost-of-livingadjustments, and aperiodic wage increase of13.25 percent over the life

of the agreement.The contract also

establishes a laborproductivity council,which will give employeesa voice in work practices,safety, training, workplacequality, etc. Scheerbelieves the council’sprovision for contractingwork will present anopportunity formembership growth.

The contract alsoincludes a new provisionfor compensatory time,called “Bank Time,” inwhich an employee canchoose to be paidcompensatory time off inlieu of the overtimepremium. Through banktime, an employee wouldbe paid straight-time forovertime worked, with theovertime premium goinginto a compensatory timebank. Employees may notaccrue more than 40 hoursin the compensatory banktime. Compensatory timeoff can then be taken ineight-hour segments (tenhour segments foremployees working thefour-day, ten-hour shift).

R a i l road memberssettle with Amtrak

Prepared by the Research andCollective BargainingDepartment of the InternationalBrotherhood of Boilermakers

THIS ANALYSIS of the 33agreements outlined above(excluding the Amtrak settlement) isbased on information provided in theContract Summary and TransmittalReport forms, covering a total ofapproximately 2,222 employees.

Wage Increases

T W E N T Y - T H R E E facilities receivedpay increases in 1998, averaging$0.45 per hour or 3.13 percent. In1999, 26 facilities will receive payincreases averaging $0.52 per hour or2.94 percent. Twenty-three facilitieswill receive pay increases in 2000,averaging $0.46 per hour or 2.82percent. Nineteen facilities willreceive pay increases in 2001,averaging $0.51 per hour or 2.97percent. Seven facilities will receivepay increases in 2002, averaging$0.36 per hour or 2.92 percent. Threefacilities will receive pay increases in2003, not enough to average.

Pension

T H I R T Y - O N E facilities participate insome type of pension program. There

are 15 facilities which participate inthe Boilermaker-Blacksmith NationalPension Trust. Their contributionsrange from $0.25 to $2.50 per hour.Average benefits are: first year –$1.43; second year – $1.44; third year– $1.45. These reflect annualincreases of about one percent.

Eleven facilities offer a 401(k), ninehave company-sponsored plans, twohave profit sharing plans, and oneparticipates in the BoilermakersNational Annuity Trust. Threefacilities participate in Canada’sRegistered Retiree Savings Plan,which is similar to the 401(k) plan.

Shift Differential

TWENTY-SIXagreements providefor a second-shift premium. Theircents-per-hour premium rangesfrom $0.10 to $1.00. The average is$0.35 per hour.

Twenty-six agreements provide fora third-shift premium. Their cents-per-hour premium ranges from $0.10to $1.00. The average is $0.40. Theremaining agreements pay on apercentage basis or provide full payfor a reduced shift.

Sickness & A c c i d e n t

THIRTEEN agreements provideweekly sickness and accident

indemnity. Of these, 11 pay a setdollar amount ranging from $100 to$300 per week. Average rates are:first year – $204; second year –$207; – third year $209. Theremaining agreements provide apercentage of the employee’searnings. The length of time offranges from 13 to 52 weeks. Themost common is 26 weeks, found innine agreements. Canadianagreements are covered under ShortTerm Disability (26 weeks at $384per week), or Long Term Disability($1,000 per month until age 65).

Life Insurance/AD&D

T W E N T Y - F O U R agreements providelife insurance. In 22 of theagreements there is a set dollaramount ranging from $10,000 to$25,000. The average benefit for thefirst year is $16,114.

Seventeen agreements provideAccidental Death andDismemberment (AD&D)insurance. In 15 of the agreementsthere is a set dollar amount rangingfrom $10,000 to $50,000. Theaverage is $22,467.

The remaining agreementsmultiply wages by 2080 hours for thebenefit amount.

V a c a t i o n

T W E N T Y - F I V E agreements provide aone-week vacation. Thirty-oneagreements provide a two-weekvacation. Twenty-seven agreementsprovide a three-week vacation.Twenty-two agreements provide afour-week vacation. Nine agreementsprovide a five-week vacation, and oneagreement provides a six-weekv a c a t i o n .

Paid Holidays

ALL OF THE agreements provide forpaid holidays. The number of paidholidays ranges from four to 12. Theaverage is ten.

Other Provisions

THIRTY-TWO agreements providefuneral leave. Paid leave for j u r yd u t y is found in 26 agreements.Union leave language is found in 13agreements. Sixteen agreementsprovide all or partial reimbursementfor the purchase of safety shoes.Four agreements provide paid leavefor those persons who spend twoweeks at military encampmenteach year. Two provide a s e v e r a n c epayment package, and three havea Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) clause.

A summary analysis of these contract settlements

Local 199 dedicates building at annual picnic

Mrs. Kelley holds a plaque she received at the dedication of the Local 199 sub-officein honor of her late husband, Elliott Nathan Kelley. Attending the dedicationceremony are Kelley family members, l. to r., L-199 member Gary Kelley, JenniferKelley, L-199 member Mark Kelley, Mrs. Kelley, L-199 member Jerry Kelley, and L-112member Jimmy Kelley. Not pictured is L-199 member Shannon Kelley.

Local 199 Bus. Rep. B. R. Davis Jr., Mike Hales, and Billy Horne enjoy eating rawoysters at the local’s annual picnic.

the Boilermaker Reporter1 1 Mar • Apr 1999

L O C A L N E W S

Local 40’sJoseph Cecilre t i re sJOSEPH F. CECIL,pictured in center ofphoto at right, a 37-year member ofLocal 40, Elizabethtown, Ky., receiveshis final paycheck from foremen BillGrumbley (l.) and Glen Williams.Before Cecil left his last job site onDecember 22, 1998, he also received aretirement collection from the unionmembers at a NOx conversion of Karn#2 in Essexville, Mich., where he tubewelded and helped new tube weldersout of Local 169, Detroit, Mich. ❑

Names Panama sub-o ffice for Elliott KelleyMEMBERS OF LOCAL 1 9 9 ,Jacksonville, Fla., held a building dedi-cation ceremony at their annual picnic,naming their Panama City sub-office inhonor of Elliott Nathan Kelley, a long-time member and former assistantbusiness manager. Attending the cere-mony was Kelly’s widow and severalof his family members and friends.

Six generations of Kelleys havebelonged to the Boilermakers union.Elliott Kelley joined Local 746, PanamaCity, Fla., in 1943, when he began hisBoilermaker career at the Wainwrightshipyard. In Sept. 1945, Local 746 con-solidated with Local 112 in Mobile,

Ala., where some of Kelley’s familymaintain their union membershiptoday. In 1976, Kelley transferred hismembership to Local 111 in PanamaCity, Fla., which consolidated withLocal 199 in 1985.

Kelley served several years as a Local199 assistant business manager. Duringhis office term, he was instrumental inestablishing the Local 199 sub-office inPanama City. In 1998, Local 199 mem-bers overwhelmingly voted to honorKelley by renaming this office complexthe Elliott Nathan Kelley MemorialBuilding. ❑ Local 199 members and families at the annual picnic and building dedication

ceremony in Panama City, Fla.

L-73 celebrates25 years

CHARTERED IN 1973, members ofLocal 73, Halifax, Nova Scotia,Canada, celebrated their 25th anniver-sary in 1998. Business RepresentativeKent Oliver reports that over the yearsone thing has not changed, and that istheir goal: “to make our union betterand stronger and something we can allbe proud of.”

One change the members cananticipate in 1999 is more work.Oliver predicts his local will beincluded in new construction proj-ects over the next few years as theNatural Gas Industry moves intotheir area. Oliver also commends thecharter members for their initiativeand foresight in starting Local 73,and all the members who work tobetter “our union.” ❑

Local 1 re t i re ehonors veteransKEN GRUDIS,a 36-year member ofLocal One, Chicago, Ill., and a mem-ber of VFW Cantigny Post 367, par-ticipated in Joliet, Illinois’s salute toVeterans Day. Grudis joined mem-bers of area veterans and ROTCgroups in a march across theJefferson Street bridge to the WillCounty Courthouse after first meet-ing at the Bicentennial Park, whereVFW commanders solemnly rang ablack bell to recognize the contribu-tions of men and women who servedin the armed forces.

Grudis, a veteran of World War II,retired as a Boilermaker in 1994. ❑

Mobile L-112 celebrates Labor Day

MEMBERS OF LOCAL112, Mobile,Ala., participated in the 1998 LaborDay parade. Family members joinedboth active and retired members byriding in the Boilermaker van or on afloat and throwing candy to the paradespectators.

Business Manager David Klug saidthere were over 40 participants repre-senting Local 112 at the parade, whichtraveled the streets of downtownMobile celebrating Labor Day. ❑

A T LEFT:Over 40 participantsrepresenting Local 112 threw candyfrom this float as they rode throughMobile in the annual Labor Day parade.

BELOW: Family members join activeand retired Local 112 members atMobile’s annual Labor Day parade. L.to r., L-112 BM David Klug, Lydia Klug,Mattie Smith, Reynolds R. Smith, DeanGilley, and Leroy Gilley.

the Boilermaker Reporter1 2 Mar • Apr 1999

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Our only hope is our voteOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVEStake an oath to support theConstitution of the United States. Dothey support all the people they repre-sent, or do they shut their doors tolabor unions?

This question comes after reviewingthe voting records and finding thatsome of our representatives never votefor labor. Surely the bills labor sup-ports aren’t so bad that we can’t evenget at least one vote from these people!Are these members of Congress fulfill-ing the obligations of their oath?

The only hope we have as unionmembers is to vote. We can’t outspendour enemy, but we can outvote them.Let us go forth as union families,encouraging everyone we meet to reg-ister and vote. Solidarity forever.

ST A N L E Y CO M B S, L-40 retireeJeffersonville, Ky.

L - 3 5 9 ’s Grace: surf in solidaritySOME MONTHS AGO, my local TVnews showed a brief blurb about aleaking gasoline pipeline in Nigeria,which blew up and killed 700 peoplein that country. The news said that thelocal people were stealing gasolinefrom a ruptured pipe, owned byChevron of Nigeria.

Later that night, CNN added thatthe local people were very poor andthat gasoline was expensive there. Iwas left with the impression that thoseNigerians should be ashamed of them-selves for stealing from the Trans-National Corporations (TNCs).

A while later I did an Internet searchon Chevron and Nigeria. It came upwith a series of BBC reports on thew h o l e picture. This conflict is actuallypart of an ongoing battle between atin-pot military dictatorship in leaguewith large oil companies vs. the localpeasants. The oil companies areallowed to “rent” the Nigerian mili-tary whenever the locals protest anddemand some sort of compensationfrom their own national resources.

On one occasion the military arrivedin c o m p a n y boats and c o m p a n y h e l i c o p-ters, and opened fire on protesters.This is a classic “rape and run” tech-nique; i.e., the TNCs buy off the localstrongman who in turn sells out on hiscountry. He gets rich, the TNCs getrich, and the locals get shot.

This article is meant to point out thevalue of the Internet. We’re no longersolely dependent on any one media’s,government’s, or corporation’s slant asto what is going on in the world. TheTNCs are already global; isn’t it timewe started boycotting some of theworst TNCs in support of the workerson a global basis? Surf in solidarity.

KE R R Y GR A C E, Lodge 359 Surrey, B.C., Canada

L - 4 5 5 ’s Kent says thanksI JUST WANT to say thank you to allmy brother and sister Boilermakers forall the phone calls and financial helpthat I have received since I had toretire. It sure means a lot for a man toknow that he is not forgotten aboutjust because he is gone. As I look back

over the past 25 years, I see lots ofthings that I wish that I could do differ-ently, but the one thing that I wouldnot change is the type of work that Ichose to do. My union and my broth-ers are a very important part of my life.

I would also like to say that I amvery pleased with my pension, andwith the short time frame that thetrustees took to make sure that Ireceived everything that I had comingto me. In the past I heard some nega-tive statements made by one of ourretirees about his pension. Now that Ihave gone through this retirementprocess myself, I can assure you thatwe are paid by the amount we pay inas an individual. So if a person is nothappy with his pension, maybe it isbecause he or she didn’t pay in muchfor some reason.

Thanks again for everything. Seeyou on the big one.

DW A Y N E KE N T, L-455Dover, Tenn.

Local D414’s Burn s h i rea p p reciates political coverageDEAR PRES. JONES: Thank you verymuch for your interest in Oklahomapolitics. A number of our memberswould not have voted if they did notread our R e p o r t e r. Thank you verymuch for the foresight you are giftedwith to be such a grand leader.

WI L M E R BU R N S H I R E, D414Pryor, Okla.

L - 3 7 4 ’s White on job well doneI WOULD LIKEto thank theBoilermakers of Local #374 for a jobwell done during the fall outage atTanner Creek Power Plant inLawrenceburg, Ind.

There was a lot of demolition work,heavy rigging, and welding to do in aminimum amount of time. However,with foremen Ron Brown, MitchWood, Larry Schmitt, Mark Snedeker,Jim Rink, and Gary Hamblin, this jobwas completed on time.

Also, this job would not have beensuch a success without the hard workof the following:• The welders for their .0025% weldrejection rate• The B & W safety team• Superintendents Craig Haney andJoe Dana• The Boilermakers from Locals 105,40, and NTL.

Thanks again for a job well done.GE O R G E W. WH I T E, L-374 gen. foremanHammond, Ind.

L - 6 4 7 ’s Graff wants uniform listI AM WRITING in response to L-433’s Lee Devereaux’s letter in theSep-Oct 1998 issue about the ruderesponse he often gets when callingother locals looking for work. We allrealize how busy these local represen-tatives can get when work breaks, butbeing rude doesn’t help them findgood people or help us looking for ajob to make a living when times areslow in our home local.

As Lee said, every local has differentB-list rules. Having to drive to another

local to sign their book and then waitin a motel room hopeful of getting ajob puts a financial burden on a mem-ber who is already on the road tryingto make a living.

We rely on the International to helpour brotherhood. Why can’t theycome up with an equal and uniformway for locals to run their B-lists? Iknow more members in my localwould travel if this could get workedout. I also realize our members have tohelp police these B-lists by pullingtheir names off any list once they get ajob so the other locals don’t waste timeand money trying to call them. I thinkthe 15- or 30-day call-back is good. Ifyou don’t check in, your name getsdropped. This is an important prob-lem, and I hope you will look into it.

CL Y D E A. GR A F F, L-647Bismarck, N. D.

C o n s t ruction Division JoeM e redith re s p o n d sYOU STATE INyour third paragraphthat “our members have to help policethese B-lists by pulling their names offany list once they get a job so the otherlocals don’t waste time and moneytrying to call them.” It is exactly forthis reason that some locals have rulesrequiring “B-Listers” to re-register inperson. I am aware of one local dis-patcher who called over 100 telephonenumbers on the B-List, and the indi-viduals were either not at the numberor did not return the call. IfBoilermakers had been more diligentin notifying locals about their avail-ability, the “re-register in person rule”would not have been implemented inthose locals.

Although the local referral officeshave to comply with uniform referralstandards, each local joint referralrules committee has the authority tonegotiate rules, such as confirmationof availability, that apply to local cir-c u m s t a n c e s .

L - 1 5 4 ’s Talbot wants earlyre t i rement optionI AM WRITINGto support a change inthe retirement age. There appears to bea swell of sentiment existing betweenthe rank and file members who sup-port this belief. I strongly propose thatunion management look into the bene-fits assured by accepting this modestchange in the current retirement poli-c y .

Having been a boilermaker for thepast 31 years, I have seen the detri-mental effects to the health and wel-fare of dedicated brothers over theyears by the prolonged intensivework. I have seen men who havestrived to maintain solid principlesand high ideals in the work force bytoiling for 30 to 40 years. These goodhard working, proud men have hadtheir retirement years cut shortbecause of the pressure and stressplaced on them by working exorbitanthours and demanding physical sched-ules as they approach their goldenyears. Unfortunately, as a currentbrother accrues the qualified numberof working hours for retirement, hemay not meet the required retirementage, thus requiring that he workanother four or five strenuous years.

Many boilermakers nearing theretirement guidelines of 30,000 hoursand 60 years of age, should be giventhe opportunity to exercise the optionof early retirement.

WI L L I A M E. TA L B O T, L-154Freedom, Pa.

Grisco: No clean sweepIF YOU THINK the North AmericanFree Trade Agreement is good for theworking people, kindly read the fol-

lowing that some silly lawmaker haswritten up:

Citing Sections 201 (b), 202 (c, d, e),203 (a) (1) (A, M, N, O), and 204 (b) (1)(A, B, F) of the Trade Act of 1974,Subheading 96031840.14 of theHarmonized Tariff Schedule of theUnited States, Section 311 (a, b) of theNorth American Free TradeAgreement Implementation Act, andSection 332 (g, h, l) of the Tariff Act of1930, President Clinton has made iteasier to buy imported brooms! Exceptwhisk brooms.

I wonder how that is printed up?GE R A L D GR I S C O, L-1 retireeChicago, Ill.

L - 6 0 ’s Gum on the re w a rds ofbeing a Boilerm a k e rI WOULD LIKEto express my appre-ciation for all of the Boilermakersaround the country whom I haveworked with, especially the ones frommy home local, Lodge 60 (Peoria, Ill.).I also appreciate the pension and theannuity that have been managed forme over the years and the patience ofthe people in the pension departmentwho helped me get my pension start-ed. I could not have done it alone. Iwill miss everything about theBoilermakers; but, after 40 years andwith a very good pension, it is time toretire. If you take the jobs, you will berewarded with a good living and agood retirement.

EA R L GU M, L-60 retireeE. Peoria, Ill.

L - 3 7 4 ’s DuFault wants earlyre t i rement penalty adjusted IF A MEMBERhas to have 42,000hours to receive full pension benefitsat 60, then gets penalized 15 percentfor retiring at age 55, why not adjustthat penalty by giving a credit of onepercent for every 1,000 hours theyhave over the 42,000 hours?

WI L L I A M L. DUFA U L T SR., L-374Schererville, Ind.

Editor’s Note: A year of pension creditequals 1,200 hours. There is no penaltyif a member retires at age 65 with 1,000unbroken hours.

Members can also retire early with-out penalty if they are 62 years of ageand have at least 25 years (30,000hours) of pension credit, or are age 60with at least 30 years (36,000 hours) ofpension credit.

Other early retirements will requirea reduction, because the chances arethe member would receive pensionbenefits for a longer time. For example,a member with at least 15 years of pen-sion credit and 1,000 hours of work incovered employment could retire atage 55, but would only receive 49 per-cent of the pension he would havereceived if he was 65 years of age.

An early retirement reduction of one-half of one percent for each month thatthe member is younger than age 60with 30 years, or age 62 with 25 years, isalso applicable. If a member has 25years of service, but wishes to retire atage 55 instead of 62, he would receive58 percent of his pension. If a memberhas 30 years of service, but wishes toretire at age 55 instead of age 60, hewould receive 70 percent of his pension.

Tell your fellow memberswhat you think!SE N DL E T T E R ST OT H EE D I T O RT O :

The Boilermaker Reporter753 State Ave. Suite 570Kansas City KS 66101FAX: (913) 281-8104E-mail: dcaswell@boilermakers.orgor cdillon@boilermakers.org

Wo r k e r s

Memorial Day

Honor the millions of Americans

who have lost their lives while

working to feed their families.

April 28th

the Boilermaker Reporter1 3 Mar • Apr 1999

H I G H L I G H T S

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of theBoilermakers National Health &Welfare Fund announce theestablishment of the First Health PPOInfo Line and expanded medical andsurgical benefits for mastectomies.

Just call 1-800-331-8761

BEGINNING DECEMBER1, 1998, aFirst Health PPO Info Line became

available to plan participants 24 hours aday, seven days a week.

This expanded service allows partici-pants to locate network providers any-time medical services are required. Tolocate the nearest First Health NetworkProvider, simply call the PPO Info Lineat 1-800-331-8761.

Participants can increase their med-ical benefits and save money by using

the First Health Network providers.(See the box below for an illustrationof money saved by a Boilermaker par-ticipant who utilized a First Healthprovider.)

Limitations modified tocomply with law

A NEW FEDERAL LAW r e q u i r e sgroup health plans which providemedical and surgical benefits inconnection with a mastectomy toprovide benefits for certainreconstructive surgery.

This covers reconstruction of thebreast on which the mastectomy isperformed, surgery on the otherbreast to produce a symmetricalappearance, prosthesis, and physicalcomplications of all states ofmastectomy, including lymphedema.

The Boilermakers National Health& Welfare Fund already providesbenefits for mastectomies and recon-structive surgeries, subject to certainlimitations.

Effective January 1, 1999, the planhas modified these limitations tocomply with this new law.

Please direct any questions aboutthis coverage to the AdministrativeOffice at 913 342-6555. ❑

MEDICARE BENEFICIARIEScan nowchoose from a variety of options forreceiving health care. These optionscomplement the original Medicare planand make health care choices forMedicare beneficiaries similar to thoseavailable to individuals not in Medicare.

A small number of people, who willreceive specific notices from their cur-rent health plan choice, will be requiredto make a change, but most Medicarerecipients will have the choice of keep-ing their benefits exactly the same orchoosing one of the new plans.

Medicare health care choices nowinclude the original Medicare plan,which has not changed; the originalMedicare plan plus a supplemental

insurance policy, commonly known as“Medigap;” and a number of managedcare plans (such as Health MaintenanceOrganizations or HMOs).

Additional managed care plans andother options may become available inthe future, such as preferred providerorganizations, private fee-for-serviceplans, Medicare savings accounts, andreligious fraternal benefit society plans.

Managed care plans differ in cost,benefits offered, and choices of doctors,hospitals, and other health careproviders; however, each managedcare plan provides all Medicare cov-ered services.

To be eligible for the new Medicarehealth plan choices, you must have

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)and Medicare Part B (medical insur-ance), you must not have end-stagerenal disease, and you must live in thegeographic service area the health plancovers. All health plan choices may notbe available in your area.

In November 1998, Medicare recip-ients received a copy of the publica-tion, “Medicare & You,” whichexplains more about the health planoptions and provides the telephonenumber of the state health insuranceassistance program.

This agency can answer questions onthe health plan choices available inyour area and help you decide if a planis right for you. You can also find a copyof “Medicare & You” and a list of theplans in your area on the Internet at:w w w . m e d i c a r e . g o v. ❑

New options for Medicare beneficiaries

MORGAN TANDY HIGH, stepdaughter of Othal Smith, director of the Stove,Furnace, Energy, and Allied Appliance Workers (SFEAW) Division, has earnedthe title of First Runner Up in the 1999 Miss USA® Pageant. She is pictured aboveas winner of the Miss Tennessee pageant with her mother, Charlotte (l.), Smith,and sister, Carrie.

In the 1999 Miss USA® Pageant, High also won the evening gown competition(see center photo). In the photo at far right, High extends her congratulations toKimberly Ann Pressler as she is named Miss New York USA 1999. ❑

A rchaeologists willdig at the site of theLudlow MassacreP roject hopes to reveal whatthe daily life of a miner was likeTHIS SUMMER, archaeology stu-dents will learn field work by dig-ging up the site of one of the mostviolent episodes in labor history –the Ludlow tent colony, nearTrinidad, Colo.

On the morning of April 20, 1914,Colorado National Guard Troopsopened fire on a tent colony of 1,200striking coal miners and their fami-lies at Ludlow, Colo. The minerswere striking for better pay andworking conditions. An exchangeof gunfire continued into theevening, when the colony was setaflame. When the smoke cleared, 18to 20 of the colony’s inhabitantswere dead, including two womenand 11 children.

The Ludlow Massacre was themost violent and best knownepisode of the 1913-1914 ColoradoCoal Field Strike, and a seminalevent in U.S. Labor history. Thedeaths of women and childrenshocked the nation, and led to sev-eral reforms in labor relations thatturned corporate management poli-cies away from direct confrontationwith strikers to more negotiated set-tlements. Today the UnitedMineworkers of America (UMWA)maintain the Ludlow site as a monu-ment to the struggle of organizedlabor in America.

Although many historical worksexist about the Coal Field Strike, littleis known about the everyday lives ofthe striking miners and their fami-lies. The archaeological research atLudlow is dedicated to understand-ing these everyday lives.

The field school is a joint project ofthe University of Denver, Fort LewisCollege, and the State University ofNew York at Binghamton.

Undergraduate or graduate stu-dents interested in taking partshould contact: Mark Walker,Department of Anthropology, 2130South Race Street, University of Denver,Denver CO 80208. Phone 303-871-2406;email m a r k w a l k @ d u . e d u. Or contact Dr.Dean Saitta at the same address (phone303-871-2680; email d s a i t t a @ d u . e d u) .❑

Boilermakers save money when theyuse a First Health Network providerPARTICIPANTS IN THE Boilermakers National Health & Welfare Fund can increase theirmedical benefits and save money by using a First Health Network provider. To locate aprovider near you, call the new First Health PPO Info Line at 1-800-331-8761.

Following is an illustration of money saved by a Boilermaker participant who utilized aFirst Health provider.

Hospital Claim Costs Using First Health Provider Out-of-Network Costs

Billed Charges $ 6 , 5 5 4 $ 6 , 5 5 4PPO Rate $ 4 , 2 6 0 N / AS a v i n g s $ 2 , 2 9 4 N / AFund Co-Pay $3,834 (90%) $5,243* (80%)Patient Co-Pay $ 4 2 6 $ 1 , 3 1 1Savings to Patient $ 8 8 5 $ 0

* Assumes deductible has been met

NOTE: Because Medicare has its own rules and contracts with health care providers, the FirstHealth Medical Network is not available to individuals for whom Medicare is the primary payor.

Most recipients can choose between new plans orkeeping their existing coverage

Health & We l f a re board makes announcementsAdds PPO Info Line, upgrades mastectomy benefits for national fund participants

S m i t h ’s stepdaughter is first runner up

Union Member Flower Service off e r ssavings and convenience with new web site

UNION MEMBERS who order floralarrangements through the UnionMember Flower Service may nowplace those orders online and receiveadditional savings, thanks to a newweb site link.

The new Flower Service web site,which comes complete with an onlineordering form, is located at w w w . f l o w e r -club.com/unionpriv/ and can be reachedeither directly or through a link on UnionPrivilege’s web site under the UnionMember Flower Service section (seew w w . u n i o n p r i v i l e g e . o r g / b e n e f i t s / f l o w e r . h t m).Members who order floral arrange-ments online receive the 15 percentunion-member discount plus an addi-tional $2.00 off the program’s service andtransmission fee.

In addition to the extra savings, theFlower Club web site offers detailsregarding floral selections, pricing,ordering procedures, and the companyitself. Members may view floralarrangements on the site and placetheir orders directly online using acredit card.

Other Union Member Flower Serviceadvantages include: • a wide selection of floral arrange-ments, green and blooming plants,wreaths, and gift baskets;• same-day service (if ordered beforenoon in recipient’s time zone);• international service (with three-daydelivery guarantee);• an unconditional 100 percent satisfac-tion guarantee;

• expertly designed floral arrange-ments; and• the “talking bouquet” option, whichincludes an offer to send a personalvoice greeting along with the florala r r a n g e m e n t .

Of course, members who preferusing the telephone still have theoption of calling the program’s toll-freenumber at 1-888-667-7779 when plac-ing their floral arrangement orders. Theadded online ordering capability sim-ply makes the process even easier andmore convenient.

So don’t wait. To have flowers or giftbaskets delivered by the UnionMember Flower Service – anywhere inthe country or the world – just call thetoll-free number or log onto the website – today! ❑

You can save money and time by ordering online

How to gain controlof your finances andpreserve your creditFEELING OVERWHELMEDby debt?If so, you’re not alone. Millions ofAmericans have money problems. Andmost are middle-income wage earners,with jobs and families, who simplywant to pay off what they owe.

The good news is that there are waysof digging out of financial difficultieswithout resorting to drastic measures.The trick is to act before you’re toodeeply in debt.

A financial check-upHOW DO YOU KNOW w h e t h e ryou’re headed for financial trouble? Ifyou answer yes to three or more of thefollowing questions, you most likely dohave a debt problem that will requireaction on your part:• Do you routinely spend more thanyou earn?• Can you afford to pay only the mini-mum, or less, on your credit cards eachm o n t h ?• Do you juggle other bills to keep upthe minimum monthly payments oncredit cards?• Have you reached the credit limit onyour credit cards?• Do you find yourself borrowing forregular day-to-day expenses like gro-c e r i e s ?• If you lost your job, would you havedifficulty paying next month’s bills?• Have you taken money from yoursavings account to cover your creditcard bills?• Would you have a tough time gettingby if you didn’t have credit cards?

Healthier altern a t i v e sTO GAIN BETTER CONTROLof yourfinances, consider the followingo p t i o n s :• Take inventory. The averageAmerican carries month-to-month bal-ances on five to six credit cards. Withthat many credit cards, it’s easy to losetrack of how much you owe. To find outyour total debt, gather copies of yourmost recent statements and make a listof all your cards, total balances due,interest rates and required minimummonthly payments. If you owe moneyon a car or student loan, call your lenderfor a current balance. And be sure tofind out what interest rate you’re pay-ing, if you don’t already know.• Devise a payment plan. Add up theminimum required monthly payments

on all your debts, then total the totalamount, including any amount aboveand beyond your required payments,which you can afford to pay eachmonth on all your bills. Then start pay-ing as you can afford each month to getyour debt level down.• Consolidate your debt . Millions ofAmericans are still paying interest ratesof 18 to 21 percent on their credit cardsand similar amounts on bank loans. Toavoid paying extra interest, you mightwant to consider consolidating yourdebt by transferring higher-rate bal-ances to a lower-rate credit card or bycombining them all into one low-inter-est loan. This will leave you with justone payment each month and you’llsave money in finance charges.• Seek debt-management counseling.If you’re feeling overwhelmed by yourfinancial troubles and need advice as tohow you might best pay off your bills,counseling may be the answer.Nonprofit organizations, such as theConsumer Credit Counseling Service,can offer advice and may be able tohelp you and your creditors arrange apayment plan that you can handle.Call 1-800-388-2227 to find the officenearest you.

Understanding bankruptcyA FINAL SOLUTION to financial trou-bles – and one that is on an upswing – isto file for bankruptcy. In fact, a record1.35 million Americans filed for bank-ruptcy last year.

But even though declaring bank-ruptcy may seem like an easy way out,it is still considered a drastic measurethat is reserved for drastic circum-stances. Plus, it can be costly and com-plicated, which is why professionalcounseling is advised.

Two kinds of bankruptcy exist. Thefirst is Chapter 7 bankruptcy, alsoknown as “liquidation;” the second isChapter 13 bankruptcy.

Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, youlose all assets that are not exempt inyour state, including your home inmost states. Exempt property mayinclude such items as work-relatedtools and basic household furnishings,among others. The rest of your prop-erty may be sold by a court-appointedofficial or turned over to your creditors.This filing stays on your credit reportfor ten years.

Chapter 13, or “reorganization”bankruptcy, allows you to keep most ofyour assets by paying your debt backthrough a court-approved paymentplan. But this declaration still shows upon your credit report for seven years.

Neither form of bankruptcy is adesirable alternative and neither erasesdebts such as taxes, alimony, or childsupport. You’re still obligated to paythose items, regardless of the state ofyour finances.

Bankruptcy and cre d i tTHERE ARE SEVERALdrawbacks todeclaring bankruptcy, but the mostimportant is that it gives you a badcredit rating. Put simply, a bankruptcynotation on your credit report meansyou most likely won’t be approved fora standard bank loan, an auto loan, or ahome mortgage – at least for the sevento ten years that a bankruptcy filingremains on your credit record. And youprobably won’t be considered a goodcandidate for renting or even someforms of employment until the bank-ruptcy notation is gone, either.

Of course, if you’re like most people,you probably would not feel comfort-able living without most forms of creditfor as long as ten years. But even if youdo choose to tough it out through bank-ruptcy, it still doesn’t guarantee freedomfrom money troubles afterwards. You’llstill most likely have to pay higher ratesfor lower loan amounts, at least until youre-establish your credit record.

Finally, since many people who file forbankruptcy often find themselves backin the same place within a few years,only without bankruptcy as an option(Chapter 7 bankrupts must wait six yearsbefore they can file again), it’s often bet-ter to learn how to avoid running intomoney problems in the first place.

Additional organizations andresources you can turn to for helpi n c l u d e :• Bureau of Consumer ProtectionOffice of Consumer & BusinessEducation, which features advice forconsumers at the Web addressh t t p : / / w w w . p u e b l o . g s a . g o v. Phone: (202)3 2 6 - 3 6 5 0 .• National Center for FinancialEducation (NCFE), which offers theDo-It-Yourself Credit Repair andImprovement Guide for $10 plus $2postage and handling. To order, send acheck to NCFE Credit Guide, Box34070, San Diego CA 92163. To order bycredit card, call (619) 239-1401.

the Boilermaker Reporter1 4 Mar • Apr 1999

P A G E I DC O N S U M E R N E W S

UNION PLUSCREDIT CARDA credit card isa v a i l a b l e .For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 5 2 2 - 4 0 0 0

LEGAL SERVICEF ree and discountedlegal services. Includesa free consultation (upto 30 minutes).For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 4 5 2 - 9 4 2 5

LIFE INSURANCETe rm insurance isavailable for mem-bers; spouses andc h i l d ren may bei n c l u d e d .For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 9 9 - 2 7 8 2

DENTAL SERVICEO ffers pre d e t e rm i n e ddiscount fees fordental services andp ro c e d u re s .For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 5 7 - 8 3 5 2

M O RTGAGE & REALE S TAT EBuying, selling,refinancing madee a s i e r, more aff o rd a b l e .Special savings on re a lestate agent serv i c e s .For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 4 8 - 6 4 6 6

A C C I D E N TI N S U R A N C EWorkplace accidentaldeath insurance isa v a i l a b l e .For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 9 9 - 2 7 8 2

UNION FA M I LY$ AV E R SSavings on every d a yconsumer pro d u c t sand services –including Hertz carrentals, Disney Wo r l dhotel stays, hearingaids, and more .

For information call: 1 - 8 0 0 - 4 5 2 - 9 4 2 5

For more information on thesemembers-only benefits, call

1-800-452-9425BOILERMAKERS UNION

PRIVILEGE BENEFITS

*Includes retired members. Parents andchildren of members and retired memberswith retired member cards are eligible forthe mortgage program and union family

savers directly; they are eligible for otherprograms through the Boilermaker member. Program restrictions may apply to membersoutside the continental United States. Phone1-800-452-9425 for clarification of eligibility

and more information on how you can apply.

The money-saving pro g r a m slisted below are available onlyto Boilermaker members and

their immediate families.*

Members Only

Breaking free from debt

I n t l . Evans, Winifred M. $ 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Banos, Joseph R. 6 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Brown, Huey P. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Cornell, Timothy W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Dolan, Otho E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Fussell, William C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Hayes, Aubrey H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Holt Jr., Buril O. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Landry, Riley J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Napper, Wylie J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Thomas, James H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Vann, Otis A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0N T L Wade Sr., Leonard D. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 Altman, Joseph E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 Gradek, John J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 Kilty, George M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 Errichiello, Frank 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Alonzo, Angelo M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Baca, Conrad A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Clausen, Leo M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Gobert, John W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Howard, Clifford W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Hurlburt, Edwin A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Jolliff, John R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Lacer, Harold P. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Maggini, Alfonso 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Sharp, Edward E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Shelton, Jack W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 Upchurch, J. W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 Knott, Raymond 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Baer, John F. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Barnosky, Felix S. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Brochet, Nicholas 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Dunn, Alfred L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Jurus, Louis N. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Oshetskie, Charles J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 Shupp, Robert L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 6 Quinnelly, Robert T. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 7 Manning, Richard A. 9 0 7 . 0 32 7 Wyatt, Flynn 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 8 Berkey, George W. 8 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 8 Liberty, Norman R. 8 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 9 Cobb, Stephen A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 9 Rees, Charles M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 Mohrmann Sr., Eugene 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 0 Durbin, Bernard S. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 0 Warren, John M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 9 Price, Bennie E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 9 Pritchett, Ivison 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Dahn, Peter J. 3 , 9 9 6 . 0 67 2 Jackson, Dorman H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Kilness, Jarvis 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Knutson, Bert I. 1 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Krout, Jesse E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Messner, Martin 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Parker, Lester E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0

7 2 Rhine, Dewiel L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Straw, John H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 Weed, Leon O. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 4 Johnson, Willie B. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 3 Admire, William K. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 3 Lister, James 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 3 Scott, Lonnie Zeno 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 5 Hensley, Clyde 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Carl, David E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Chevrier, Antonio P. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Clack, Raymond D. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Graves, Richard G. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Herrera, Epifanio 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Knight, Kenneth K. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Kovach, Frank 1 , 5 0 0 . 0 09 2 Olness, Julian E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Smith, James M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 09 2 Wade, Lloyd R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Beilke, Charles W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Brandolini, Mario 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Brown, Earl C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Chinella, Frank 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Clark, Howard E. 3 0 4 . 2 51 0 4 Forde, Charles J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Frick, George W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Gardner, Delbert A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Griffith, Denver D. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Johnson, Henry M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Lambert, George E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Shepperd, Leslie 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 4 Simpson, Francis M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 5 Chambers, Donald A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 5 Christy, James R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 5 Rainey, Don E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 5 Sorrell, Amos 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 7 Walker, Kenneth J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 8 Hatley, Larry W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 1 2 Brown, Walter R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 1 2 Bryant, Thomas J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 1 2 Olney, John R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 1 3 Goff, Loyd L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0

1 1 3 Young, Wendell 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 1 7 Liljander, Carl H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 2 4 Brown, Robert 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 2 4 Greene, Emmett G. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 3 2 Mancillas, Eugenio G. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 4 Stocks Sr., William T. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 4 Swegman, Bernard 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 9 Strobel, Joseph 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 9 Dodson, Willard L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 9 McLaughlin, Donald J. 1 3 8 . 5 21 8 2 Jones, Steven 2 2 0 . 5 01 9 3 Dipietro, Alfonzo C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 0 4 Higa, Seiichi 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 0 4 Iida, George S. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 3 7 Argetsinger, Steven E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 3 7 Wohlforth, Edmund R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 02 6 3 Edwards, Jesse L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 2 9 Bezotsky, John C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 5 7 Walker, Howard E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 6 3 Campbell, Raymond O. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 6 3 Miskell, Charles O. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 6 4 Bogosian, Victor 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 4 Dull, Jack L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 4 Fulk, Bert 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 4 Hembree, Clyde C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 4 Mericle, Paul M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 03 7 4 Socci, Peter L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 3 3 Haire, LeRoy C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 3 3 Howell, George E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 3 3 Lariscy, Robert B. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 3 3 Sierra, Mario P. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 3 3 Smith, Clyde W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 5 3 Buell, Paul E. 1 , 5 8 8 . 0 64 5 3 Vaughn, Wallace C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 5 4 Harper, John L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 5 4 Hill, Eugene 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 5 4 Knight, Earl E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 04 5 5 Privett, Roy L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 0 2 Verebi, Steven 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 0 3 Simpson, Billy T. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 4 9 Cooper, Milton L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0

5 6 8 Garrett, Anson E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 2 Burns, Vernon E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 2 Watson, Robert D. 8 6 3 . 8 35 8 7 Anderson, Bobby G. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 7 Bergeron, Lenics 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 7 Broussard, Andie 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 7 Nash, Paul A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 8 7 Perkins, Anderson 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 05 9 2 Robinson, Earl N. 8 3 2 . 0 06 2 7 Richardson, George L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 4 7 Beasley, Ronald A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 4 7 Etheridge, Brandon J. 1 8 . 0 06 4 7 Etheridge, Brandon J. 1 8 . 0 06 4 7 Olofson, John H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 6 7 Hurlow, James L. 5 5 8 . 4 36 6 7 Jennings, Randy R. 5 5 1 . 3 86 7 9 Morgan, William J. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 7 9 Strickland, James C. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 9 6 LaPierre, Wesley 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 9 6 Smith, Peter F. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 06 9 7 Oestreich, Arnold M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 2 9 Eisenhauer, Harry T. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 4 4 Jones, Paul 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 4 4 Redman, Norman R. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 07 4 8 Sliwoski, Charles E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 0 2 Armstrong, Robert 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 0 2 Catania, Edmond 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 0 2 Gans, Charles S. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 0 2 Henderlite, Charles W. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 08 0 2 Johnson, David T. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 8 6 Leitch, Clarence L. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 0 8 6 Sczerbowicz, Joseph G. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 0 9 Kulinski Jr., John H. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 0 9 Maloney, Stanley M. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 0 9 Newkirk, Gordon 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 5 0 9 Schwader, Leroy A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 0 0 Christensen, Harold B. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 0 0 DeBates, Henry F. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 7 0 Bouga, William E. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 7 0 Davis, Edward A. 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 01 6 7 0 McDaniel, Randall L. 1 , 0 7 7 . 1 3

THE DEATH BENEFIT PLAN under the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust haspaid the beneficiaries of the following deceased members who were covered by the plansince the last issue of our publication.

IF YOU HAVE NOT yet been furnished this information, contact your local lodge, secure the beneficiaryforms, complete the required information and forward to the Administrative Office of the Pension Fund,754 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 522, Kansas City, KS 66101, at the earliest possible date. NOTE: Theseadditional death benefits can only be derived for members who worked under a collective bargainingagreement with an employer contributing to the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust.

L O D G E , N A M E & B E N E F I T

D E A T H B E N E F I T S

N T L Napper Jr., WylieN T L Thomas, James H.1 Altman, Joseph E.1 Gradek, John J.1 Logan, Gary M.1 Powers, Jesse1 Rodway, James W.5 Gambitsky, Edward6 Booth, Byron R.6 Creamer, George T.6 Denison, Walter E.6 Hurlburt, Edwin A.6 Lacer, Harold P.6 Rohrs, Howard A.7 Caplick, Joseph L.7 Evoy, James G.7 Stroh, Everett W.M 7 Forward, Stanley R.9 Weishaar, William C.1 0 Buttrum, Edgar J.1 0 Jasmann, Robert E.1 1 Chism, Harold G.1 1 Dascher, Eugene P.1 3 Barnosky, Felix S.1 3 Brochet, Nicholas2 6 Beckham, Earl R.2 6 Evans, Hanry E.2 7 Baker, Joe W.2 7 Keilty, Joseph R.2 7 Tsolainos, Deborah 2 7 Watterson, Thomas 2 8 Berkey, George W.2 8 DiLorenzo, Aldo A.2 8 Erickson, Edwin H.2 9 Johnson, Michael A.3 5 Burkhardt, RobertS 5 4 Watson, Charles O.

S 5 6 Matthews, Johnny7 2 Griffin, James A.7 2 Judd, Paul L.7 2 Marquez, Fred G.7 2 Williams, Theodore 7 3 Burbine, Emerson7 3 Mitchell, Merton H.7 3 Morrisey, Gerald E.7 4 Johnson, Willie B.7 4 Symms, Robert V.7 9 Burr, Walter L.7 9 McCollister, William 7 9 Vincent, Abel E.7 9 Watkins, Percy R.S 8 2 Daucher, Ronnie M.8 3 Admire, William K.8 3 Geer, Jess K.8 4 Trinkle, Eugene8 5 McLane, David G.8 5 Part, William9 2 Carl, David E.9 2 Chevrier, Antonio9 2 Hoops, Robert9 2 Kovach, Frank9 2 Selcer, Leo A.9 2 Smart, Elmer E.9 6 Morse, John A.1 0 0 Stegall, Bird R.S 1 0 0 Strickland, Alan D.1 0 4 Arndt, John A.1 0 4 Brown, Earl C.1 0 4 Chinella, Frank1 0 4 Earles, Roger L.1 0 4 Forde, Charles J.1 0 4 Griffith, Denver D.1 0 4 Kuberka, Michael A.1 0 4 Roberts, Haywood A1 0 4 Simpson, Frank1 0 5 Chambers, Donald

1 0 5 Christy, James R.1 0 7 Drzewiecki, Z.F.1 0 8 Boyd, K. C.1 0 8 Hatley, Larry W.1 0 8 Johnson, Curtis L.1 1 2 Bryant, Thomas J.1 1 3 Jurus Jr., Louis N.1 2 6 Spanier, Jack1 2 8 Annesley, John C.1 2 8 Larocque, Joseph R.1 2 8 Maloney, Michael1 2 8 Ste. Croix, Kerry1 3 2 Reck, Louis1 3 8 Durand, Andre1 4 6 Campbell, Albert G.1 4 6 Drader, George E.1 4 6 Nielsen, Paul R.1 5 4 McAvoy, John F.1 5 4 Smith Jr., George E.1 6 9 Hon, Cecil D.1 7 4 Warpehoski, JohnD 1 7 4 Sheehan, James W.1 7 5 Wells, Kenneth E.1 8 2 Hagadorn, Larry C.1 9 3 Haddle, Woodrow 1 9 9 Lord, Albert T.2 0 4 Higa, Seiichi2 1 0 Lovett, William A.S 2 3 0 Cosey, Willie3 2 9 Bonarrigo, Jay3 2 9 Holton, Merv3 5 3 Ford, Edward B.D 3 5 7 Harris Jr., James D.3 6 3 Campbell, Raymond 3 6 3 Hartung, Robert L.3 6 4 Bogosian, Victor3 7 4 Beech, William E.3 7 4 Dull, Jack L.3 7 4 O’Brock, Joseph R.

4 3 3 Hair, Leroy C.4 4 5 Broutin, Kressie L.4 4 9 Hawkey, Charles C.4 5 3 Giles, Tommy R.4 5 5 Brown, Roy M.4 5 5 Owens, Robert L.4 5 5 Purnell, Ronald C.4 6 3 Luhr, Chester A.4 8 0 Alexander, Jerry B.4 8 7 Blahnik, ErnestD 4 9 4 Biehn, Ken5 0 0 Dodge, Donald J.D 5 4 7 Hugo, Alfred C.5 6 8 Craig, Eugene P.5 6 8 Garrett, Anson E.5 7 7 Haggstrom, Cliff C.

5 8 2 Burns, Paul C.5 8 7 Silvernail, Arthur R.5 8 7 Williams Jr., Joseph 5 9 2 Blaire, Homer D.5 9 2 Tiffey, Sherman C.5 9 5 Hulsewek, Sydney6 1 9 Marshall, Francis D.6 4 7 Durst, Ralph K.6 6 7 Kridle, Roger A.6 7 9 Harding, Farris J.6 8 4 Crotts, Roger L.6 8 7 Belcher, Thomas6 8 7 Grooms, Ernest R.6 9 6 Dunse, Greg W.S 6 9 9 Chespeck, Joan7 4 4 Brown, Dave

8 0 1 Campbell, James H.8 0 1 Schomber, Herman 8 0 2 Dicave, John8 0 2 Fiander, Frederick N.1 0 8 0 Lagowski, Anton1 0 8 6 Kornokocich, Paul 1 1 4 7 Lukie, Edward V.1 2 1 2 Mathews, Lilmon E.1 2 5 2 Kelly, Raymond J.1 5 0 9 Johnson, George W.1 5 0 9 Kulinski Jr., John H.1 6 0 0 Christensen, Harold 1 6 0 0 DeBates, Henry F.1 6 2 0 Fultz, George H.1 6 6 7 Lumberson, Michael 1 6 6 8 Beagle, James A.

WITH DEEP SORROW the International Brotherhood records the death of these members as reportedto the Intl. sec.-treas.’s office and extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families.

L O D G E & N A M E Hutchinson and Jens alsoLocal D6 charter membersWILLIAM HUTCHINSON a n dWilfred Jens, founding members ofthe National Council of UnitedCement Workers Union and chartermembers of Local D6, Buffalo, Iowa,have passed away.

Both Hutchinson and Jens were bornin 1910, and worked at DeweyPortland Cement, where in 1936 theyplayed an active role in the formation ofthe National Council of United CementWorkers and the chartering of Local 6.

Both men served the union in vari-ous capacities in the following years.

In 1984, the United Cement, Lime,Gypsum and Allied WorkersInternational Union (formerly knownas the National Council of UnitedCement Workers Union) merged withthe International Brotherhood ofBoilermakers, and Local 6 becameknown as Local D6 (the D indicatingthat the local is part of theBoilermakers’ CLGAW Division).

Local D6 Vice President Dan Kempreports that Hutchinson passed awayon December 26, 1998, and Jens passedaway January 11, 1999. He said thatboth members “will be sorely missedand fondly remembered for their self-less contributions, wise counsel, andgenerous hearts.”

Founders of Cement union pass away

the Boilermaker Reporter1 5 Mar • Apr 1999

I N M E M O R I A M

M o v i n g ? Tell us where . . .N a m e

New Address

C i t y

State or Province Z i p

Local Lodge No. Register No.(Also please notify the secretary of your local lodge.)

Mail form to:Publications Department

753 State Avenue, Suite 565

Kansas City, KS 66101

(Allow five weeks for change of address.)

EVENTS IN WASHINGTONover the past six months havediscouraged many Americans.

Voters sent a clear message toWashington in November, but it wasignored. The Republican majority inthe House chose to spend months bela-boring their case for the president’sremoval, despite clear signals that theSenate would not convict. Their col-leagues in the Senate could have endedthe matter quickly, but they choseinstead to drag it out for weeks, only toend up where they began.

Meanwhile, the business of runningour country was ignored. For most of ayear now, no one in Washington saidmuch about the issues that affect work-ers and our families every day of ourlives – issues likeSocial Securityand Medicare,trade policies,w o r k p l a c esafety, andhealth care.

It has seemedlike no one inWashington cares what the averageworking American wants or needs. Intimes like these, it is easy to become sodisgusted with Congress that we writethem off and stop paying attention towhat they are doing.

That would be the worst thing wecould do.

Our old nemesis Newt Gingrich isgone, along with his buddy BobLivingston, but the House ofRepresentatives is still being run by agroup of anti-labor conservatives, peo-ple who would love to do away with

all protections for working people andgive free reign to corporations.

The new Speaker of the House,Dennis Hastert, has never been afriend of labor. He consistently votesagainst our objectives. His record onBoilermaker issues is only five per-cent; the AFL-CIO rates him at zero.If we stop paying attention to himand his colleagues, we may be in fora sad surprise.

We can expect to see an effort to fed-erally mandate the deregulation of theelectric power industry nationwide.Not only would that threatenBoilermaker jobs, but it would threatenthe availability of electric power. In atotally free market, the big consumers– factories owned by large corpora-

tions – would getlower rates and

more reliableservice, but theaverage con-sumer wouldbe left out inthe cold.

We canexpect another attempt to make it eas-ier for businesses to classify workers asindependent contractors, strippingthem of protection under the NationalLabor Relations Act and other federallaws protecting workers.

We can expect to see attempts to pri-vatize Social Security, a ploy thatenriches stockbrokers, but does notguarantee Social Security benefits willbe waiting for you when you retire. Wecan expect to see proposals to requiresharp cuts in Social Security benefits, to

raise the retirement age, and to reducecost-of-living adjustments.

We can expect to see the usual bat-tles over budget allocations for theDepartment of Labor, theOccupational Safety and HealthAdministration, and other agenciesthat protect workers and their families.We can also expect more attempts tolimit workers’ participation in thepolitical process.

These are issues we must be pre-pared to oppose vocally, vehemently,and with solidarity. Even more impor-tant, though, are the issues we’d like tosee Congress take action on.

If this Congress ever puts the Clintonscandal aside and gets back to govern-ing the nation, we have a lot of workwe’d like to get done. We’d like to seeNeil Abercrombie’s (D-1st HI) Charterand Build program get underway. Thisprogram provides a way for Americanshipbuilders to build supply and spe-cial mission ships for use in the U.S.Navy’s auxiliary fleet. It would createthousands of jobs for American ship-yard workers while strengthening ourdefense system.

We must also address Article 415 ofthe U.S. Tax Code, which limits theamount of pension benefits some work-ers can make in retirement, regardlessof how much money is in their pensionfund. This unfair regulation singles outworkers in multiple-employer pensionplans such as the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust.This unfair limit must be eliminated.

We must change the way we areattacking the problems of air pollutionand global warming. Current policiesask Americans who work in coal-firedpower plants to sacrifice their jobs inan effort to solve a problem that isinternational in scope. We must

demand that Congress find a betterway to reduce greenhouse emissions,one that spreads the burden of provid-ing cleaner air across our entire econ-omy, instead of forcing one sector tomake all the sacrifices.

And we must provide a means tosecure the future of Social Security andMedicare without weakening or com-promising the social benefit our coun-try gains from these programs. There isno doubt that they must be adjusted toaccount for our country’s changingdemographics. Our challenge is tomake sure that Congress enacts modi-fications that secure the future of theseprograms without sharp reductions inbenefits or the wholesale privatizationof the trust funds.

It’s time to remind Congress of whatwe elected them to do. We must con-tact our senators and representativesand talk to them about these issues.Get them moving. Get them working.

We cannot give up the fight simplybecause last year they decided to dragus through the mud. ❑

D o n ’t give up on political actionWe must participate in the process if we want tosee our government work for us, not against us

It’s time for Congress to getback to the business we elected

them to do – the business ofg o v e rning our country.

the Boilermaker Reporter1 6 Mar • Apr 1999

C O M M E N T A R Y

Charles W. JonesInternational President

by Oren M. Levin-Waldman

WE HAVE A STRANGE WAYof set-ting our minimum wage in this coun-try. Every increase requires an act ofCongress, which means anotherdebate over the wisdom of even hav-ing a minimum wage.

Those who point out that it is impos-sible for families to survive at the cur-rent wage are pitted against those whobelieve that raising it will do moreharm than good.

And the battle drags on for so longthat by the time Congress finally doesmanage to act, inflation has eroded thevalue of the new minimum wage, leav-ing it insufficient to live on, and thefight must begin all over again.

It also gets steadily fiercer, for thelonger the battle drags on, the largerthe increase needed to bring the mini-mum wage to an acceptable level, andthe greater the shock is bound to be tothat sector of the economy that hiresmost minimum-wage workers.

There is, however, a way out of thisendless political loop. If we were toinstitute a mechanism for automati-cally adjusting the minimum wage,regularly and incrementally, Congresswould no longer be forced to revisit theissue, employers would not be con-

fronted by sudden and large increasesin labor costs, and those who earn theminimum wage would not see its pur-chasing power repeatedly eroded.

This is what voters in the state ofWashington have just had the goodsense to inaugurate at the state level. Indeciding to remove this issue from thepolitical arena once and for all, theyhave set a precedent that I hope thenation follows.

But I’d like to suggest a variation. The measure the

voters passed inWashingtonwill get theirstate’s mini-mum wage upto $6.50 overthe next twoyears, and fromthen on tie it to increases in theConsumer Price Index (CPI).

But there are problems with linkingminimum wage levels to the CPI.Studies have shown that the CPI over-states the rate of inflation, and increas-ing wages at a rate greater than theactual inflation rate will exacerbateinflationary pressures.

A better index would link the mini-mum wage to productivity (the econ-

omy’s output per worker). This wouldensure that wage increases reflect realeconomic growth and are in line withwhat the economy can afford. Betteryet would be an index that wouldallow the minimum wage to rise withthe productivity gains of minimum-wage work itself.

It wouldn’t even be hard to createsuch an index. Most minimum-wageworkers are employed in the lowest-wage sector of the economy (essen-

tially, the foodservice and retail

sales indus-tries), and themedian hourlywage in thatsector fairlya c c u r a t e l y

indicates what pri-vate industry thinks its productivitygains have been. If each year we wereto measure the percentage increase inthe median wage of the country’s low-est-wage industries, and then automat-ically raise the minimum wage by thesame rate, we would have an economi-cally sound mechanism.

Equally important, this index wouldbe very appealing to employers –based as it is on their own economic

judgments. And at the federal level, ano-politics approach to the minimumwage will not go forward withouttheir agreement.

Between 1983 and 1997 (the years forwhich numbers are available), themedian wage in the country’s lowest-wage industries increased more or lesssteadily from $4.70 an hour to $7.29.But minimum wage workers, ratherthan sharing in the fruits of their indus-tries’ productivity gains, were kept atthe same $3.35 per hour wage yearafter year and then at the same $4.25for another five years. If the index I’mproposing had been in place since1983, their wages today wouldn’t bemuch higher than they are, but theywould have gotten to this point lessp a i n f u l l y .

If the minimum wage had first beenbrought up to a more reasonable leveland then indexed to their productivity,the results would have been fairer still.

The states, Justice Brandeis oncesaid, are the laboratories for democ-racy. In Washington state’s laboratory,voters have decided to take the politicsout of the minimum wage. To the otherWashington, that should look like afirst step in exactly the right direction.

Oren M. Levin-Waldman is a resident scholarat The Jerome Levy EconomicsInstitute of Bard College. This article is distrib -uted by The American Prospect S y n d i c a t e .

Washington tackles the minimum wage

Guest Editorial

Linking minimum wageraises to productivity gains wouldbe less painful and political than

our current system.