The History of Local 1

1898 - 1998

In the closing days of the Nineteenth Century, steam power overtook the nation in much the same way that electricity would 40 years later. Widespread use of steam power in this era resulted in better heated, more efficient industrial plants. and created untold thousands of new manufacturing jobs. Working conditions in factories improved somewhat, and even living conditions in many homes were upgraded with the installation of steam power.

Among these side benefits of steam power came the creation from of an entire new industry — insulation to conserve the precious energy being piped from boilers to factories and offices and homes across the nation.

The insulation mechanics that provided the craftsmanship required for such a sudden -and large undertaking were, at that time, almost totally without cohesive organized representation. The workers had to endure low wages, poor working conditions, and no security.

It was under these circumstances that a group of farsighted tradesmen met on December 20^th, 1898. As a result of that meeting, there came an agreement to band together and our local union- Pipe Coverers' Union, Local No, 1, of St. Louis, Missouri, was formed. While we can't find in the few records still in existence today the names of all of those at that December meeting, among them were: Fred Cappelle, Herman Weiss, John and Rudolph Grob, Julius and Joseph Lucchesi, Peter Jessen, John Bacigalupo, George, John and John Sr. Shearns George Knoblock, Walter Juede, Charles Wittaker and George Block.

In the following years, the new local effectively served the purpose for which it was founded — to improve the future of its members, thus providing an inspiration for pipe coverers in other parts of the country.

With the St Louis union leading the way, the interested locals who had responded to the call for formation of a national union met in St. Louis for their first convention on July 7, 1903. Local No. I President J. W. Shearn called the convention to order. The 1903 convention was attended by delegates from locals in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Detroit. The results of that inaugural convention were impressive — a constitution was drafted and approved. By-laws were adopted. Brother Thomas Kennedy of Chicago was elected the first president of the national organization and our own Brother Fred Cappelle was elected the first secretary-treasurer

At the annual convention in 1904, a formal name was finally adopted by the organization — the National Association of Heat, Frost and General Insulators and Asbestos Workers of America. And on September 22, 1904 the American Federation of

Labor issued an official charter designating the Asbestos Workers as a national union

In 1905, Local 1 Brother Peter Jessen was elected national secretary-treasurer at the convention held in Boston. He served until 1909 when he resigned only to be elected secretary-treasurer of our local. At the 1909 convention in Buffalo, another active Local I member who was well known in the St. Louis labor movement — Brother Thomas J. McNamara— was elected national secretary-treasurer. Brother McNamara held the office until his death in 1934. In 1914, Brother McNamara was elected Local I's business agent and served with honor and distinction until 1930.

It was the year 1910 that several Canadian local unions added their strength to their American brothers and the Asbestos Workers applied to the American Federation of Labor for a new charter, this time as an international union under the name that the organization bears today: The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers.

The goals of the new International 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 workingmen; and by education and cooperation raise them to that position in society to which they are justly entitled."

When the International held its convention in 1917 the good news of continued expansion and work opportunities for the membership was tempered by the cold reality that the United States had entered World War I. The dark days of war, in which the nation mobilized all of its domestic resources to defeat the enemy in Europe, had created an urgent need for the skills of Asbestos Workers craftsmen.

The union, like all of the building trades, was poised to enter the 1920s in a position of strength. The boom times of the war continued, and the labor movement enjoyed much the same prosperity that was found across the country. Despite the redoubled efforts by anti-union employers; new locals were formed, existing locals expanded, and the International took on new responsibilities for protecting the rights and interests of the members.

But the boom was bound to end, and the construction industry fell as flat as the stock market with the Crash of 1929. Black Friday stretched into a black decade as all American and Canadian workers suffered the worst economic hardship ever encountered. With little work available, every union was decimated and only the strongest survived.

When America went to war in 1941, the nation was ill equipped to arm or supply or transport its fighting forces. A massive domestic effort was required to bring our armed forces up to muster, and again the craftsmen of the Asbestos Workers were called upon to apply their skills — particularly the awesome task of rebuilding a Navy that suffered such enormous destruction at Pearl Harbor. As they had in 1916, the brothers of the Asbestos Workers responded to the challenge and played a crucial role in the reconstruction of the Navy.

When world war II ended, the nation turned itself once again to the task of domestic construction. The earlier experiences of the previous generation of craftsmen were repeated in that the International gained membership by the hundreds and the members as well as the union itself embarked on a new era of prosperity.

It was not long, though before the successes of this period were tempered by frightening new evidence that confirmed long-held suspicions by the International’s leadership. For years, Asbestos Workers officials had sought hard, positive proof of what they suspected to be true - that workers who were exposed to asbestos died in hugely disproportionate numbers from cancer. It would take many years of fighting between the International and the asbestos industry for anyone other than the union's membership to listen to the pleas for a formal investigation and medical documentation. When it was finally successful, the facts proved to be even worse than had been suspected.

Medical evidence now conclusively proves that exposure to asbestos fibers produces an extraordinarily high risk of contracting cancer. In fact, studies have shown that one Asbestos Workers member in five dies of lung cancer in one form or another. Often times the diseases related to asbestos exposure do not show up for 20 or 30 years. The early outcry from the Asbestos Workers proved to be, if anything, understated. The cancer rate among the union's members as well as among members' families - is a national tragedy that possibly could have been mitigated if not avoided.

Throughout the years, our members have faced adversity in one form or another. We have persevered with the guidance of strong leaders and the united efforts of our members. Under the direction of Business Managers Thomas McNamara. William Hahm Arthur Creamer, Sidney Hanlon, Gus Smiters, Edward Durham, James Brabson, Robert Mitchell, Edgar Kling, Ovrille Keith, Thomas Walsh, William Bernard, Richard Mantias Wayne Zubiena, Lawrence Walsh, Gerald Feldhaus and Michael Walsh, what started with a handful of members has grown into the strong local we are today.

We have come a long way in the past 100 years. Because of the endurance of our first members and their relentless pursuit for a higher standard of living and better benefits and conditions, our members today enjoy a safe workplace, an excellent hourly wage, superior health and welfare benefits and a generous pension. We have an outstanding four year Apprenticeship Training Program which is one of a few, if not the only one, in the country that is self-funded and self-administered. Local No. 1 is proof that when our Brothers and Sisters stand united we are able to conquer any obstacle,

And so, tonight as we proudly celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local No. 1. We pay tribute to all of our past and present members. We thank you for your continued support and dedication over the years. We look forward to future challenges, secure in the knowledge that because of you, the members, we will continue to be a solid and effective organization.