The Boilermakers’ National Transient Division held its first-ever conference this year, drawing 30 contractor representatives for a positive and productive meeting, Director of NTD Services Shon Almond said.
“I’ve been around 30 years in the NTD, and this is our first conference,” Almond said. “It was very positive, and I have a great relationship with most of my NTD contractors.”
The division, founded in 1944, now counts 571 members — a number Almond said is steadily rising. Recent outreach to Universal Pack Services brought 36 to 40 new members from the nonunion side into the NTD, with more potential recruits possible.
Almond highlighted upcoming initiatives, including training on MBDS data sheets to make the process easier for contractors, and Zoom sessions on using the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund. There are people from various contractors with interest in the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund.
The division has also planned tank training classes in Hartsville, Tennessee, taking place in December and January. There’s also an interest in developing a “train the trainer” program to expand tank skills across the union.
Tank repair negotiations are scheduled for Sept. 9, in Birmingham.
Almond thanked International President Tim Simmons and the IEC for their support. “With the work NTD does, you might never see a union contractor there,” Almond said. “That’s why the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund and these efforts are so important."