Committee Report

Union shipbuilding and marine jobs in the U.S. and Canada continue to be hampered by overseas competition, limited orders for new ships from the U.S. Navy, and government policies that favor nonunion workforces. The U.S. Navy fleet is at its smallest since 1917, with only 281 ships, down from 594 ships in 1987. Meanwhile China is rapidly expanding its naval fleet and is expected to surpass the U.S. fleet in size by 2015. The construction and repair of ships purchased by the U.S. and Canadian governments should be reserved for workers in these respective countries, and shipbuilding skills and infrastructure must be protected. A change in administration and new legislation – especially laws that would preserve and expand the Jones Act – is needed. The Shipbuilding Division is working closely with the government affairs department in this pursuit.

Hurricane Katrina was a major blow to the division, affecting Locals 112, 693, 582, 1814, and 37 as well as the Mississippi River District Lodge. More than 4,000 members were seriously impacted. The committee thanked Canadian and U.S. Boilermaker members and the International for assisting those affected by the disaster.

Committee Members

Warren Fairley	Chairman
William Morrison	Co-Chairman, L-191 – Western Canada
Steve Beal	Secretary
Dave Bunch	International Staff
S.L. Cole	L-693 – Southeast
J. J. Criddell	L-693 – Southeast
Roger Deardeuff	SIIC – Great Lakes
Diane Ehlers	L-449 – Great Lakes
Phil Evans	International Staff
Charles Fleming	L-1814 – Southeast
Robert Godinez	International Staff
Len Gunderson	International Staff
Charles Householder	L-608 – Northeast
Joe Johnson	L-1814 – Southeast
John Kosinski	L-290 – Western States
Steve Lalumera	L-19 – Northeast
Larry Moore	L-90 – Western States
Betty Moulds	L-693 – Southeast
Mike Patterson	L-684 – Northeast
Gary Powers	L-104 – Western States
Joe Spears	L-6 – Western States
Garnett Stevens	L-684 – Northeast
Amanda Stinger	International Staff
George Strutt	L-614 – Northeast
George White	L-580 – Eastern Canada
Advisor: Ron Marley

Date: Sunday, July 23, 2006
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: St. Kitts

Other meeting times will be scheduled as required.