← workroom · research lane FACTS · seat kimi (kimi-code/k3) · 2026-09-21 00:44Z

FACTS — the design-brief fact sheet distilled from all research lanes

Every external fact on this page is a dated observation and gets re-verified before it is used on a sticker.

• # FACTS.md — Boilermakers Local 13 × ZYN-lid parody stickers Research editor's fact sheet · compiled 2026-09-21 from five digests: union-field, sticker-culture, x-vocab, zyn-anatomy, local13-sources, zyn-market-sources. Every fact decays; re-verify at execution.

## Local 13 and the IBB — facts a sticker can carry

1. IBB "organized in 1880" — October 1880, nine lodges met in Chicago, formed the National Boiler Makers Protective and Benevolent Union (~1,000 members). Verified. [union-field §1.1; x-vocab §2 gives Oct 1, 1880]
2. Modern IBB founded September 1, 1893, Chicago, by merging the 1880 brotherhood with the National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers; consolidation completed Nov 1, 1893. Verified. [union-field §1.1]
3. First HQ: one room in the Wyandotte Building, Kansas City, Kansas. Verified. [union-field §1.1]
4. "Boilermakers" became one word in March 1906. Verified. [union-field §1.2]
5. Full name: International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO. Verified. [local13-sources §Source 4; union-field §1.2]
6. Affiliated AFL-CIO (US) and CLC (Canada). Verified. [union-field §1.2]
7. Emblem: ship + boilermaker at a boiler + blacksmith's anvil, ringed by "Unity, Progress and Protection". Verified. [union-field §1.3]
8. Emblem commonly rendered dark blue/gold/white — no published colour codes. Likely (observed, not codified). [union-field §1.3]
9. Current IBB slogan: "Forward Thinking... Together". Verified. [union-field §1.3]
10. IBB HQ: 12200 N Ambassador Dr, Suite 303, Kansas City, MO 64163; moved from KC, Kansas July 2023. Verified. [local13-sources §Source 4; union-field §1.4]
11. International President: Tim Simmons, elected after Newton B. Jones retired August 2024. Verified. [union-field §1.4]
12. Membership: "more than 60,000" (AFL-CIO, IBB case studies) vs "nearly 50,000" (boilermakers.org/about) and "over 50,000" (Local 13 about page). Verified as reported; sources conflict — likely stale site copy. [union-field §1.4; local13-sources §Source 3, §Source 7]
13. Lodge count: "more than 200 local lodges" (current IBB) vs "420" (Local 13 about page). Verified conflict — use 200+. [local13-sources §Source 7 vs §Source 3]
14. Local 13 chartered April 23, 1924. Verified. [union-field §2.3; x-vocab §2; sticker-culture §5]
15. Hall: 2300 New Falls Road, Newportville, PA 19056; (215) 785-5536. Verified. [local13-sources §Source 1; union-field §2.1]
16. Jurisdiction: Eastern Pennsylvania + New Castle County, Delaware; jurisdiction page lists 40 PA counties (secondary sources say 41). Verified, with 40-vs-41 discrepancy. [local13-sources §Source 2; union-field §2.2]
17. Membership: ~650 active (BM Martin Williams letter; Salary.com) vs "about 400 active members and some 65 apprentices" (BM Brad Mickatavage, June 2025). Verified as reported; figures date differently. [union-field §2.2; local13-sources §Source 6]
18. Current leadership per local site: BM/ST Brad L. Mickatavage; President James P. Jordan, Jr.; Business Agents Scott A. Werkheiser, Robert J. Cryder III; Training Coordinator James P. Jordan, Jr. Verified from site (fetch date 2026-09-21). [local13-sources §Source 3] — older digest names Martin Williams (BM) and Matthew Fink (training) [union-field §2.1–2.2]; treat as superseded, confirm by phone.
19. With Local 154 (Pittsburgh), 1,800+ boilermakers statewide in PA. Verified. [union-field §2.2]
20. Field-construction lodge; apprenticeship = 4 years, ≥6,000 hrs OJT + 576 classroom hrs (144/yr); applicants 18+, HS/GED, driver's license, welding cert recommended; online application since Jan 1, 2024. Verified. [local13-sources §Source 5; union-field §2.4]
21. Notable work: Trainer Refinery (Monroe Energy) turnaround with ~400 L-13 boilermakers + travelers, 450-ton reactor lifts (Boilermaker Reporter, Spring 2024); members work nuclear plants, refineries, shipyards. Verified. [x-vocab §2; local13-sources §Source 4, §Source 6]
22. L-13 won the John F. Erickson NACBE Safety Award, announced 2024-02-26. Verified. [x-vocab §2]
23. Monthly meeting: 3rd Friday, Sept–May, 7:00 pm at the hall (effective March 2025; summer = Wednesday before 3rd Friday). Verified. [local13-sources §Source 1]
24. Site news headline: "100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION" (1924 charter ⇒ 2024). Verified as headline. [local13-sources §Source 1]
25. Rowan University partnership (June 26, 2025): discounted construction-management certificates/degrees for members. Verified. [local13-sources §Source 6]

## The trade — vocabulary and icons

25 words/phrases (tag: who says it) 1. the hall — union-wide: the local hall; "see the hall" [x-vocab §2] 2. the list / out-of-work list — union-wide: dispatch queue [x-vocab §2] 3. traveler / tramp / boomer — union-wide: member working outside home local [x-vocab §2] 4. "2 County Boomer" — union-wide: only travels two locals over [x-vocab §2] 5. shoppie / shop rocket — union-wide: never leaves one contractor [x-vocab §2] 6. stew / steward — union-wide: shop steward [x-vocab §2] 7. rat / rat shop — union-wide: non-union worker/contractor [x-vocab §2] 8. BM — union-wide: business manager [x-vocab §2] 9. "the eagle lands" — union-wide: payday [x-vocab §2] 10. "8 and skate" — union-wide: hoping Saturday is only 8 hours [x-vocab §2] 11. salting — union-wide: taking non-union jobs to organize (Philly Local 98 history) [x-vocab §2] 12. drum / mud drum / steam drum — boilermaker: boiler interior work; live in-joke [x-vocab §2] 13. rigging — boilermaker: "riggers who weld," per L-13 contractor quote [x-vocab §3] 14. burn rods — welder/boilermaker: get welding, stop talking [x-vocab §3] 15. 6010 — welder: cellulosic root rod; keep OUT of the rod oven [x-vocab §3] 16. 7018 — welder: low-hydrogen code rod; lives in the rod oven ~225–300 °F [x-vocab §3] 17. hood down — welder: "When the hood drops, the bullshit stops" [x-vocab §3] 18. "grinder and paint will make you the welder you ain't" — welder [x-vocab §3] 19. porosity — welder: Swiss-cheese weld [x-vocab §3] 20. sky hook / pipe stretcher — boilermaker/rigger: imaginary tool apprentices get sent for [x-vocab §3] 21. "hit it with your purse" — rigger/boilermaker: you're tapping like a coward [x-vocab §3] 22. "It's a tack, not a hinge" — welder: yelled at fitters [x-vocab §3] 23. jawn — Philly: any noun [x-vocab §5] 24. youse — Philly: plural you (NOT "yinz" — that's Pittsburgh) [x-vocab §5] 25. wooder / hoagie / wit-witout / drawlin' / boul / oldhead — Philly: water / never "sub" / cheesesteak onions / out of line / guy / older guy [x-vocab §5]

10 icons 1. Anvil (IBB emblem) — boilermaker [union-field §1.3] 2. Ship silhouette (IBB emblem) — boilermaker [union-field §1.3] 3. Worker on a boiler/pressure vessel (IBB emblem) — boilermaker [union-field §1.3] 4. Liberty Bell — Philly (already in client's ZYN-lid design) [zyn-anatomy §1] 5. Welding hood — welder [x-vocab §3] 6. Crossed tools / stinger + rod — welder (in client's lid) [zyn-anatomy §1] 7. Grinder — welder [x-vocab §3] 8. Bug-eyed green monster rat (original, Fink-adjacent) — kustom kulture [zyn-anatomy §1; x-vocab §4] 9. Flames / pinstripe / "Kustom" misspelling — kustom kulture [x-vocab §4] 10. Hard hat — trades-wide [sticker-culture §1]

## ZYN can anatomy — the spec we parody

• Dimensions: ~70 mm diameter × 20–22 mm high. Verified-live (2026-09-21, smartinches.com). [zyn-anatomy §2]
• Lid ratios: wordmark ≈45–50% of diameter, centered; "NICOTINE POUCHES" + count trace top rim; strength roundel below/offset; flavor on bottom rim; warning occupies bottom 30%; alignment arrows on rim; matte/satin label. Needs-verification (synthesized from memory + partial data). [zyn-anatomy §2]
• Typeface: heavy condensed sans wordmark; geometric sans secondary. Needs-verification. [zyn-anatomy §2]
• Warning: "WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical." ≥30% of principal display panels, high-contrast. Verified-live (fda.gov, us.zyn.com). [zyn-anatomy §2; x-vocab §1]
• Flavour colours: Wintergreen green, Cool Mint blue, Cinnamon orange, Citrus yellow/orange, Peppermint light blue. Verified-live (us.zyn.com). [zyn-anatomy §2]
• Classic lineup: 13 flavours (Cool Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen, Menthol, Citrus, Coffee, Cinnamon, Smooth, Chill, Black Cherry, Peach, Dragonberry), 3 mg & 6 mg, 15 pouches/can. Verified-live. [zyn-market-sources §Source 1, §Source 2; x-vocab §1]
• 2024–2026 changes: (a) ZYN Ultra launched US 2026 — moist "hydro-boosted" pouch, 9 mg & 11 mg, 20 pouches, built-in disposal compartment, 8 varieties (Arctic Mint, Fresh Spearmint, Wintergreen Blast, Peppermint Frost, Citrus Zest, Menthol Ice, Signature Smooth, Chill Mist); FDA PMTA Aug 21, 2026. Verified-live. (b) MRTP claim authorized June 30, 2026 on 20 dry SKUs. Verified. (c) Classic expanding to 1.5 mg & 8 mg; 3/6 mg cans move to 20 pouches Q4 2026 — a "15" lid is pre-transition. Verified per PMI; retail reality needs spot-check. (d) Classic can has NO catch lid; open = break side perforation, align arrows, lift. Verified (FAQ). [zyn-market-sources §Source 1–2; x-vocab §1]
• Side band: continuous wrap with flavor, mg, warning, wordmark, barcode; breaks at child-resistant perforation. Wrap verified (FAQ); contents detail needs-verification. [x-vocab §1; zyn-anatomy §2]
• Back: QR / alphanumeric Rewards code (11- or 16-digit). Verified. [x-vocab §1]
• Sister tins (Copenhagen, Skoal, Grizzly, Kodiak): metal/fiberboard lid, embossed rim, curved central logo, cut named centrally, warning in lower 30%. Needs-verification (memory synthesis). [zyn-anatomy §2]
• Key parody hook: 13 mg is NOT a real US strength — the client's "13mg" is the Local 13 joke riding the mg roundel. Verified. [x-vocab §1]

## Copy bank

Union pride 1. "For the Union makes us strong!!" — Etsy reviews 2025-12/2026-02 [x-vocab §2] 2. "Solidarity Forever" [x-vocab §2] 3. "Never Cross A Picket Line" [x-vocab §2] 4. "There is Power in a Union" [x-vocab §2] 5. "When We Fight, We Win" — 2026 strike-sticker packs [x-vocab §2] 6. "Unity, Progress and Protection" — IBB motto [union-field §1.3] 7. "If it was made by a Boilermaker, you can bet it was made right." — boilermakers.org [local13-sources §Source 7] 8. "I've been a Boilermaker since I was 18… I'm proud to be one—especially at Local 13." — Dave Gototweski, 2023-02-21 [x-vocab §2] 9. "Your Projects. Our Members. Professional Results." — boilermakers13.org [local13-sources §Source 1]

Apprentice self-deprecation 10. "Everyone knows boilermakers are illiterate…" — Rj Lindsley short, 2025-12-06 [x-vocab §2] 11. "…couldn't make it as a millwright helper." — same [x-vocab §2] 12. "Climbing into a drum at Sun Coke… No fun zone. #boilermaker." — Mychael T. Renn, 2026-01-09 [x-vocab §2] 13. Nicknames: "Poet, Squirrel, Dr. Death, Stinky, Bullet, Stump… 'Hey damn it.'" — IBB YouTube, 2025-02-19 [x-vocab §2] 14. "SCUMBAG Apprentice" — client's own die-cut [zyn-anatomy §1] 15. "When the hood drops, the bullshit stops." — WeldingWeb classic [x-vocab §3]

Rivalry 16. "A fitter puts his ass where a plumber puts his face." — r/pipefitter, 2019 [x-vocab §2] 17. "Know how to get a boilermaker to [oral sex]? Tell 'em it's fitter work." — same thread; old, filthy, still the template [x-vocab §2] 18. Pipefitter nicknames: "pipefighter, pipestein, counterfitter, turd puncher" [x-vocab §2] 19. Millwrights: "millwrongs, millbillies, shim shiners" [x-vocab §2] 20. Ironworkers: "rodbuster, pinheads, steel monkey, ironhead" [x-vocab §2] 21. "W.A.S.P. — Welders Against Stupid Pipefitters." — WeldingWeb [x-vocab §2]

ZYN jokes 22. "My Zyn pouch is like a unicorn—rarely empty." [sticker-culture §Copy bank 15] 23. "All jokes aside they needa make a 30mg zyn" — @plattidaddy5.9, 2025-10-17, #welding [x-vocab §1] 24. "upper decky lip pillows, ferda, ferda!" — Cheddy origin post, 2022-08-23 [x-vocab §1] 25. "6 milly gum-pillies" — Cheddy glossary via Bloomberg, 2025-01-02 [x-vocab §1] 26. "Zynbabwe / Zynjamin Franklin / Forgive Me Father For I Have Zynned" — KYM list [x-vocab §1] 27. "smoke-free, spit-free" — us.zyn.com [zyn-market-sources §Source 1]

Philly 28. "Philly is a union town." [sticker-culture §Copy bank 25] 29. "More than 150,000 Philadelphians are represented by dozens of labor and trade unions." [sticker-culture §Copy bank 26] 30. "We represent approximately 650 Boilermakers across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania." — BM Martin Williams [sticker-culture §Copy bank 28; union-field §2.2]

## Risk notes

• ZYN trademark/trade dress: owned marks; parody sellers steal the layout (concentric text, flavor chip, mg roundel, warning banner) and do not redraw the PMI wordmark. Safe default: no "ZYN" letters, no can photography; riff the grammar only. [x-vocab §1; sticker-culture §3]
• Nicotine-warning parody: warnings are legally required, adult-21+ messaging; parody that makes warnings illegible or trivial, or that reads juvenile, cuts against the brand's own framing. Safe default: keep the parody warning box clearly fake and clearly adult. [sticker-culture §3; zyn-market-sources §Source 1–2]
• Rat Fink / Moon Eyes / Von Dutch: all owned marks (Ed Roth, Inc. licenses via Ilene Roth; ratfink.com footer ©2008–2026). Safe default: original Fink-adjacent monsters, never photocopied Roth line art. [x-vocab §4]
• Union official marks: IBB emblem and Local 13 branding are the lodge's identity; boilermaker-specific sticker vendors already sell "With Your Local – Union" customized art, suggesting customary tolerance, but official-mark permission is unverified. Safe default: member-internal run, lodge blessing before any sale. [sticker-culture §2; local13-sources §Source 3]
• Profanity: NSFW/gallows-humour packs are a real market, but several rivalry lines are old and filthy; jobsite rules vary. Safe default: clean variants for anything going on a helmet at a nuclear or refinery gate. [sticker-culture §1, §4; x-vocab §2]
• OSHA sticker myth: stickers aren't banned outright; keep them ¾" from helmet edge, don't conceal damage, follow manufacturer/employer rules. [sticker-culture §1]
• No legal conclusions above — observations and defaults only.

## Gaps

1. Official IBB colour codes (Pantone/HEX) — unverified; ask the International or local for brand guidelines. [union-field §1.3]
2. Current vs stale leadership/membership: Williams→Mickatavage, Fink→Jordan; 650 vs ~400 active; 50k vs 60k+; 200 vs 420 lodges — verify by phoning the hall, (215) 785-5536. [local13-sources §Source 3, §Source 6; union-field §2]
3. County count 40 (site list) vs 41 (secondary); apprenticeship page says "Delaware County, Delaware… CT" vs jurisdiction page's "New Castle County, Delaware" — verify with NEAAC, 860-569-8368. [local13-sources §Source 2, §Source 5]
4. ZYN lid ratios, typeface, side-band contents — memory-synthesized; measure a physical can + macro photos before final art. [zyn-anatomy §2]
5. Sister-tin anatomy — unverified; buy/photograph one Copenhagen and one Grizzly tin. [zyn-anatomy §2]
6. Ultra "Deep Freeze" / "Wintergreen Chill" retail status — unknown; re-check us.zyn.com at execution. [x-vocab §1]
7. "Book 1 / Book 2" is IBEW dispatch slang, NOT verified for IBB Local 13 — do not put it on an L-13 lid. [x-vocab §2]
8. Etsy/retail price points — Etsy fetches were blocked; price claims are inferred. [zyn-market-sources; sticker-culture §2]
9. Philly UA fitter local number — unverified this pass (memory says UA 420; memory — unverified). [x-vocab §2]
10. "Duty cycle" as a current meme phrase — real spec slang, unverified as 2025–26 sticker language. [x-vocab §3]

Word count ≈1,740. All facts trace to the six digests; nothing added beyond them except item 9's flagged memory note.