Director of Communications for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Amy Wiser, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what Boilermakers do.
The Boilermakers Union was founded in 1880, and is one of the oldest building trades in America. Originally founded on the demand for steam power, they have since evolved into multiple different industries. The Boilermakers have two parts to the union, heavy construction and industrial. Heavy construction represents the welders and riggers who build and maintain power generation plants, refineries and pressurized containers. The industrial group is made up of the following industries: restaurants, rail, cement, forgers, marine construction and shipbuilding.
With the push for a clean energy future, the Boilermakers have been on the leading edge Wiser said. The union has promoted carbon capture technologies for over a decade, which allow for burning fossil fuels without releasing the harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Throughout history, the Boilermakers have been major supporters of the use of new technologies with a common sense approach, Wiser said.
The Boilermaker shipyards across the country have been busy despite a lack of new military ship productions. However, the U.S. military has announced new marine building projects that will return to the shipyards for production. The Boilermakers also produce vessels for many marine industries, such as icebreakers, fishing vessels and the new all-electric Maid of the Mist ships that provide tours of Niagara Falls.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.