September 1 - The Boilermakers

Labor History in 2:00 · Sep 1, 2026 · 1m

On this day in Labor History the year was 1893.

That was the day that the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Iron Ship Makers of America was founded in Chicago.

This joined two earlier boilermaker unions into one.

They decided to establish their headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas.

Two years later, the Boilermakers affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.

The union represents members of 250 lodges in the United States and Canada.

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Boilermakers had about 8,500 members.

But the membership expanded, especially during World War II, as…