International President Timothy Simmons delivered his State of the Union address, presenting a vision for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers built on unity, growth and member engagement. Speaking before delegates to the 35th Consolidated Convention, Simmons acknowledged the union’s recent struggles but said the Brotherhood has emerged stronger and is now focused on expanding membership and restoring members’ confidence in their leadership.
Developing a clear direction for the union became one of his first priorities after taking office. “We didn't need empty words or promises; we needed a vision,” he said.
That vision was shaped by his conversations with members at local lodges and jobsites across North America. They were tired of the status quo, and they wanted to be a part of change. And they wanted the union to grow, something Simmons is focused on.
“I have a vision of our union being tripled in size by our next convention,” he said. Then he detailed several initiatives already underway to move the union toward that goal.
The union has hired full-time organizers in every area, expanded recruiting efforts, introduced electronic authorization cards and launched the union’s first online membership application. Simmons also pointed to renewed relationships with the AFL-CIO and North America’s Building Trades Unions, increased legislative advocacy and continued investment in member training.
“I have made specific efforts to attend these meetings and multi-craft events because, let’s be honest, if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.”
Throughout the address, Simmons emphasized that growth is the responsibility of every member, encouraging Boilermakers to recruit new workers into the trade and extend the opportunities union membership has provided to generations of working families.
The convention's theme, “United in Purpose, Unstoppable in Progress,” served as the foundation of the International President’s State of the Union. He called on members to move beyond past divisions and work together to strengthen the Brotherhood for future generations.
“The generations before us gave us this union, and it’s worth fighting for,” he said. “They built it one job at a time, one apprentice at a time, one local at a time. They sacrificed so that we could earn a good living, support our families and retire with dignity. Now it is our turn.”
Simmons said that years from now, when a future generation gathers at this convention, they will look back on this moment and ask what we did when our union faced challenges.
“I believe they will say this was the moment the Boilermakers chose growth over fear, unity over division and action over complacency,” he said. “Together, we will strengthen this Brotherhood for those who come after us. Together, we will prove that when Boilermakers are united in purpose, we truly are unstoppable in progress.”
