Workers at General Dynamics NASSCO in Bremerton, Washington, voted 24-12 in favor of joining the Boilermakers. Western States Organizers connected with workers through text messages and parking lot visits. “They needed a better quality of life and better pay, the Boilermakers can make that happen,” said Western States Director of Organizing Manny Valenzuela. Workers will be represented by Local 104 (Seattle).
Look for the full story in the Fall issue of The Boilermaker Reporter.— Jul 31
After 18 years of contract extensions with no base wage increase, union workers at Ingalls Shipbuilding negotiated an impressive contract offering an 18% wage increase for the first year alone. The agreement was inked in February, after nearly six months of negotiations.— Jul 28
SB Energy and Softbank Group recently announced a unique public-private partnership to construct the world’s largest artificial intelligence data center. The PORTS Technology Campus will be constructed on leased land at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Portsmouth site in Ohio. Work is now underway on one of the largest infrastructure and energy projects ever announced in the United States.— Jul 28
Martina Taite walked into Ingalls Shipbuilding in 2008 as a 25-year-old welding apprentice, looking for a way to build a better life for her family. What she found surprised even her. She went looking for a job; instead, she found a calling. Today, Taite serves as president of the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council, representing thousands of workers at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She made history as the first woman and first African American ever elected to the position.— Jul 24
Timothy Simmons has been elected as International President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Also elected: International Secretary-Treasurer, Clint Penny; IVP-Western States, J. Tom Baca; IVP-Great Lakes, Eric Davis; IVP-Northeast, John Fultz; IVP-Southeast, Jeff Campbell; IVP-Canada, Arnie Stadnick.— Jul 21
