2015 began the contemporary era at Local 132 as Charles Parker took over as Business Manager after the passing of Tommy Plymale. Neil Huffman became President upon Rodney Marsh’s retirement. Allen Nelson became the Apprenticeship & Training Director. The early 2010’s saw growth in the energy sector. In 2018 pipeline work was at an all-time…
There were 2,718 members in Local 132 entering the year 2000. The first decade of the 21st Century provided numerous job opportunities for our Local. Under the skillful leadership of Business Manager Ronald L. Burdette, the Local regained lost market share in the highway sector. In 2001 Business Manager Burdette hired two full-time organizers to combat…
The United States entered the 1990s, the last decade of the twentieth century, with increased concerns of environmental issues. The implementation of Acts and Standards such as The Clean Air Bill, created a large amount of work in the electrical utilities. Business Manager Tarpley recognized the need for changes to regain strength in the construction…
Entering the decade of the 1980s and Reaganomics, Local 132 faced one of their toughest challenges in its existence. The construction industry in West Virginia had fallen on extreme hard times. Fierce competition between non-union and union contractors on a smaller market share prevailed into a hard money situation. Before this most major projects were…
The 1970’s brought on a rapid growth of members to Local 132. The Interstate system was in full construction and increased demand for electricity, major power generating plants were being built at numerous sites in West Virginia. The need for skilled operators in West Virginia was at an all-time high. On the down side, a…
As the 1950’s ended and the 1960’s began Local 132 had a change in leadership, which would have a lasting impression on the Local. Joseph L. Handley was installed as Business Manager, to begin a reign of 31 years at the helm of Local 132. This was for the purpose to provide a health and…
Entering the 1950’s, Local 132 was in stable growth. At this time, Local 132 had offices in Wheeling and St. Albans. An office in Clarksburg was opened in mid-1954. The Charleston office, was located at 115 Court Street. Major projects included: DuPont Plant, Keyser Sutton Dam Pipeline Steel mills in the Northern Panhandle Phillip Sporn Power…
By the turn of the decade, 1940, I.U.O.E. Local 132 had approximately 257 members. By the mid 40’s, Local 132 had roving offices in Charleston, Point Pleasant, Parkersburg, New Haven, Wheeling, Hinton and Elkins, West Virginia. The Local utilized paid stewards in the rural areas to monitor work. Major projects included: Elkins Flood Control Dam…
On May 1, 1935, ten men organized and filed for a charter under the banner of the International Union of Operating Engineers. This was the formation of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 132, Charleston, West Virginia. By the end of the year, there were 34 members.
In October 1929, a small group of equipment operators made an unsuccessful attempt to organize and form a local union under the charter of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The Depression and high unemployment rates made organizing impossible.