History of
Atomic Projects & Production Workers,
Metal Trades Council, AFL-CIO
Sandia National Laboratories was established as an offshoot of the Los Alamos Laboratory called the "Z" division in 1945.  As everyone should know, Los Alamos is the birthplace of the atomic age.  In 1949, Western Electric took over administration of the laboratory and in 1950 the Metal Trades Council was established at Sandia National Laboratories.

The Council is made up of 11 affiliated unions at Sandia National Laboratories, which include:  Boilermakers Local #338; Carpenters Local #1319; Chemical Workers Local #387; I.B.E.W. Local #1988; Laborers' Local #16; Machinists Local #1689; Operating Engineers Local #953; O.P.E.I.U. Local #251; Plumbers Local #412; Sheet Metal Workers Local #49; and the Teamsters Local #492.  We are one of three bargaining units at the Laboratories.  The other two are OPEIU Local #251, and the Security Police Association Local #7002.

Since the signing of our charter on December 17, 1948, there have been 15 different individuals that have assumed the duties of President of the Council.  They include:

                                        1950 - W.G. VanderLaan (IBEW)
                                        1951 - C.W. Eggert (Plumber)
                                        1955 - W.F. Leverenz (Machinists)
                                        1958 - Harold Burrell (Plumber)
                                        1960 - Edward  Peterson (Machinists)
                                        1962 - Merle Alexander (Sheet Metal)
                                        1963 - Henry Welch (Machinists)
                                        1964 - Lee Pierce (Teamsters)
                                        1965 - Walter Myers (Machinists)
                                        1966 - William Minser (Machinists)
                                        1967 - Henry R. Welch (Machinists)
                                        1968 - Jake Young (Machinists)
                                        1971 - Merle Alexander (Sheet Metal)
                                        1973 - Glenn Haycock (Boilermaker)
                                        1977 - Conrado Otero (IBEW)
                                        1994 - George Paul (Laborer)
                                        1995 - Douglas Wilfon (IBEW)
                              1999 -  Bill Sena (Teamster)