International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

The birth and growth of the Boilermakers union in the 19th Century goes hand-in-hand with the birth and growth of the United States and Canada. Emergent industries needed to harness steam, transport people across the nation, as well as power a growing manufacturing sector. Skilled craftsmen were in demand.As the 1800s chugged along, industry’s need for higher pressure vessels increased. The use of steam power expanded as well as the need for craftsmen who could build boilers. Designs became more complex, and the need to build safe and practical vessels grew more specialized. During this time, boiler making had evolved into its own craft, requiring precise skills and creativity to meet the ever-growing challenge for more powerful machines. Ships, trains and plants to power the two nations required the skills of boilermakers.