[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15001-15002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 88th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASBESTOS WORKERS LOCAL 
                                 NO. 42

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
88th anniversary of the Asbestos Workers Local No. 42. The 
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos 
Workers and Local 42 have fought for better working conditions, health 
protection, employee rights, and to garner better wages for their 
members. They should be recognized for the work that they do.
  The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and 
Asbestos Workers Union dates back to the late 1800s and the emergence 
of steam power. The expanded use of steam power during this era had a 
profound effect on the industrial sector leading to better heated and 
more efficient factories and plants, improved working conditions, and 
the creation of thousands of new manufacturing jobs.
  The widespread use of steam power also created an entirely new 
industry--the insulation industry. Skilled insulation mechanics were 
needed to insulate steam boilers in an effort to conserve the precious 
energy being piped to residential and industrial facilities. The 
insulation mechanics who provided this craftsmanship worked almost 
totally without organized representation. By the end of the 19th 
century, a few localized associations attempted to look after the 
interests of their members in specific cities.
  The first attempt to form a national bond between insulators 
associations came in 1900, when the Salamander Association of New York 
sent out an appeal to related crafts in other cities to form a 
``National Organization of Pipe and Boiler Covers.'' The initial appeal 
did spark interest, and 2 years later a much more decisive action was 
taken by the officers and members of the Pipe Cover's Union, of St. 
Louis, MO.
  The St. Louis group sent out an announcement that it had affiliated 
with the National Building Trades Council of America, and invited other 
pipe coverer unions and related trades to join with them in the pursuit 
of better working conditions, pay that was commensurate with their 
skills, and the strength that comes from unity. The first appeal of 
unity was sent to targeted cities where other asbestos workers already 
were enjoying the benefits of union affiliation such as New York, 
Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit. In all, seven local unions from around 
the Nation responded favorably, and the hard work of laying the 
foundation for an international union was begun.
  With the St. Louis union leading the way, the interested locals met 
for their first convention on July 7, 1903, in the city of St. Louis. 
The results of that inaugural convention were impressive; a 
constitution was drafted and approved; bylaws were adopted; the first 
president was elected, Thomas Kennedy from Chicago; and a formal name 
was adopted, the National Association of Heat, Frost and General 
Insulators and Asbestos Workers of America. On September 22, 1903, the 
American Federation of Labor issued an official charter designating the 
Asbestos Workers as a national union.
  The goals of the new International Union were spelled out in the 
charter: ``The object of the International Association of Heat and 
Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers shall be to assist its membership 
in securing employment, to defend their rights, and advance their 
interests as working men; and by education and cooperation raise them 
to that position in society to which they are justly entitled.'' Since 
that time, leaders of the International Union took this objective to 
grow this small group of local unions to over 120 local unions and a 
membership in excess of 20,000.
  On July 16, 1915, General President Joseph Mullaney organized and 
delivered Local Charter No. 42 to the Wilmington, DE, Asbestos Workers. 
Temporary officers were elected and on July 26, 1915, forty permanent 
officers were elected. Mr. R.E. Mahan was elected as president and N.K. 
Whaler was elected as secretary. Meetings were held at the Irish-
American Hall on French Street every Monday. Local No. 42 began with 
just thirty members in 1915, with wages averaging $0.32 per hour.
  After World War II, the International Union's growth and prosperity 
was tempered by frightening new evidence that confirmed long-held 
suspicions by the International Union's leadership. Workers who were 
exposed to asbestos died in disproportionate numbers from cancer. Since 
this evidence was proven, the union has fought for passage of new 
safety and health laws to help protect its members as well as the 
public. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the use of 
asbestos in the insulation industry in the United States. It has also 
been banned from use in many other products as well. The International 
Union continues to provide its members with education and training with 
the latest state-of-the-art work practices in the handling of any and 
all materials used in the industry.
  Since 1915, Local No. 42 has grown to include some 130 active members 
and approximately 100 retired members. Today, the president, Jeff 
Smith, helps lead the way in protecting asbestos workers' rights as 
well as their health.
  Through its long and proud history, the Asbestos Workers 
International Union and Local No. 42 have never shied away from 
adversity or allowed negative factors to impede the achievement of 
those admirable goals set out in the international charter of 1910. 
Through the determination and commitment of their leaders and members,

[[Page 15002]]

the International Union and Local #42 continues to strive for 
employment opportunities, equality in the work place, continuing 
education, and the safety and well being of the membership.

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