Who are We ?

Randy Griffin
Business Manager

Mission Statement

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 351 is a progressive trade union representing operations, maintenance and other workers referred to as stationary engineers in building and industrial complexes and service industries throughout the jurisdictional area, which encompasses New Mexico and Texas.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 351 is dedicated to serving and protecting the needs and interest of its members and their families.
To this end, WE PLEDGE

To provide the absolute best service a Labor Union can offer by promoting dignity, a living wage and a safe working environment free of harassment and intimidation.

To promote constant and stable growth through an organizing effort.


To maximize the utilization of resources available from the AFL-CIO, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 351, and all available community assets.


To cultivate successful and friendly industrial relations with those that employs our member.


To maintain a high level of proficiency of staff members by establishing and maintaining an effective, efficient and professional continuing education program.

Building a Better Tomorrow

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) is a progressive trade union representing heavy equipment operators and mechanics in the construction industry, as operations, maintenance and other workers - all referred to as stationary engineers -  in building and industrial complexes and service industries throughout the United States and Canada. 

As the 12th largest union in the AFL-CIO and the third largest in the Canadian Federation of Labor, the IUOE is a recognized leader in organized labor's efforts to improve the standards of living of workers and their families in both countries.

Working conditions for construction and stationary workers in the late 1800s were, at best, appalling. Their wages, for 60 to 90 hour work weeks, were equally miserable. Benefits were practically unheard of. 

In an effort to change those conditions, a small group of stationary  engineers met in Chicago Dec. 7, 1896 to form the National Union of Steam Engineers of America, the forerunner of today's IUOE.

Each was from a small U.S. local union. The largest had only 40 members and all but one local was form the stationary field. The majority of these founders shared a common skill: the ability to operate the dangerous steam boilers of the day. (In fitting tribute to these early pioneers, a steam gauge even today dominates the emblem, or logo of the IUOE.)

A year later, the first Canadian workers joined the fledgling union. To reflect this expansion across the border, the union's name was changed to the International Union of Steam Engineers. 

The IUOE's growth and progress was fueled greatly at the end of the World War II when the Federal Highway Trust Program came into existence, creating thousands of jobs for Operating Engineers. 

In the intervening years, the union persevered through boom times and lean times. Today, its members are reaping the rewards of the sacrifices and foresight of their predecessors. 

More and more construction workers signed on after the turn of the century and the union changed its name at its 1912 Convention to reflect this new composition, becoming the International Union of Stem and Operating Engineers. 

As members began working with internal combustion engines, electric motors, hydraulic machinery and refrigerating systems, as well as steam boilers and engines, the word "steam" was dropped from the union's name and 1928 it became the International Union of Operating Engineers. 

Tobby Turbett
Business Rep

Stephanie Frick and Teri Hogue
Borger, TX Office Staff

Arturo Cuellar

Business Rep.

Juan De la Torre

Business Rep.

Oralia Gonzalez

El Paso, Tx Office Staff