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August 2, 2011

32nd Consolidated Convention Report

Boilermakers from across North America gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 25th to 28th, 2011, for the 32nd Consolidated Convention of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.

The purpose of the convention was to reaffirm the Boilermakers Constitution and to elect the International officers. The delegates were elected by their home lodge to represent them at the convention.

The delegates voiced their approval of the current International Executive Council by unanimously electing them to five more years in office. The candidates stood together for office as the Proven Leadership Team and ran unopposed.

(Pictured Right) Business Manager Phil Halley seconding the nomination for the International Executive. Halley said, "When the Executive Council addresses a problem involving a Canadian local, they don't think of it as a Canadian problem, they think of it as a Boilermaker problem. They serve us all, and they serve us well."

International President:
Newton B. Jones

International Secretary - Treasurer:
William T. Creeden

International Vice Presidents:
Great Lakes - Lawrence McManamon
Western Canada - Joseph Maloney
Eastern Canada - Edward Power
Western States - Tom Baca
Southeast - Warren Fairley
Industrial Sector - James Pressley
Northeast - David Haggerty

[Click to Enlarge] Delegates from Eastern Canada

The delegates also had opportunity to hear from labour leaders from other unions; Cecil Roberts of the Mine Workers, Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO, Mark Ayers of the BCTD, Manfred Warda of the ICEM and Gary Doer the Canadian Ambassador to the US.

[Click to Enlarge] IVP Joseph Maloney introducing Canadian Ambassador to the US.

The report of the committee on Constitution and Law stirred up some discussion on more than one issue. One resolution that was submitted called for the Canadian International Vice-President to be elected by delegates from Canada and U.S. IVP's to be elected by U.S. delegates. The majority of the delegates made it perfectly clear "The Boilermakers are one union, not two nations." Even the two lodges that made the resolution were not in agreement with each other on the issue.

[Click to Enlarge] Lodge 555 delegates

[Click to Enlarge] Delegates from Lodge 451 & 600

To learn more about what took place at the convention click here.