« Back to News

September 1, 2010

Labour Day

The purpose of Labour Day is a time for the working people of North America to sit back and enjoy the product of their labour with their family and friends. As we use this weekend to enjoy some downtime, we must find time to remember some important reasons why Labour Unions exist.

For the Boilermakers, September 1st is an important day in the history of our Union as the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers was born in 1893. Before that date there were two unions that represented Boilermakers across North America: the International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and the National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers who consolidated and created the Union we have today.

These Boilermakers that came before us have left us great opportunities that many of them were never able to enjoy like we do today; increased wages, the five-day work week, pensions, health & welfare benefits, unemployment insurance, a safer workplace, compensation for injured workers, apprenticeship & upgrading programs and career opportunities to name only a few.

The Boilermakers' forefathers had to deal with harsh measures. One example of a Boilermaker that faced these harsh measures was a man named Charles McGowan. Brother MacGowan was an apprentice at the age of 22 in the Grand Trunk Pacific shops in Edmonton. In 1911 and 1912 his union activities drew attention from his employer during a strike. MacGowan was soon fired and blacklisted for his role. But MacGowan had guts and vision. He hit the road on his own initiative to shore up the Brotherhood's position across Canada. He rode the rails from Ontario to British Columbia and by 1913 he had organized or reorganized about 80% of the Boilermakers he encountered in Canada. By 1913 Brother MacGowan left Canada to go to the United States because he was still blacklisted by the Canadian employers. In 1944 Charles MacGowan became the International President of our Union serving in that role until 1954.

We share that story because for the last (6) weeks we have been conducting a survey on boilermaker.ca asking the question "Why a member might decline to serve as a steward."

We have read the comments and there appears to be a lack of support for the steward. We understand there are challenges to being a steward as we too have served as a steward during our career. We ask that you don't ever turn down the role when you are asked to serve and support the steward on the job. The steward is the front line leader of our Union at the work place and we need members to serve if our Union is going to continue growing.

International President Charles MacGowan once said "Trade Unionism must be of the heart and of the mind. It cannot be bought across the counter like a piece of meat or pair of shoes. Trade Unionism cannot be purchased with an initiation fee or a job opportunity, but it must come from the deep seated conviction on the part of a non-member that a trade union is an honourable institution and the banding together of men with a common interest, who desire to improve their way of life by lawful means."

We wish you and your families a safe and happy Labour Day, we remain

Sincerely & fraternally,