The Boilermakers have what is known as the MOST program...
Ask your husband to join it so he can get his pin# and call the 800# to find out about the closest jobs going on near your area such as from the local's in Cleveland, or Columbus, or even Pittsburgh if you live in certain parts of eastern Ohio but nothing is going to be going on right now until the holidays are finished with.
Also tell him to get himself listed @ all of the local's so when the work fire's up again. He'll get called in short order. If he's good, he'll have no trouble working steady because, he'll earn a reputation of being dependable so, advice for him from a long retired Boilermaker is to listen to the mechanic's, and if you do'nt know about something, ASK!!!
Do NOT have a questionable attitude... DO NOT NOT MISS ANY ASSIGNMENT or become absent during any assignment... In other words, show up even if you feel or look like you're dying!!! Only let your foreman send you home if you're sick!!! Otherwise you'll not be considered as DEPENDABLE!!! Call Kansas City Headquarters to enroll @ 913-281-5036. This is their database # but, if you do'nt have a pin#, you ca'nt search for jobs so, I believe you need to call KC in order to enroll first... Sheesh it' been so long that I don't remember how I joined but if my memory serves me correct then, calling the KC # first is the way to enroll into the MOST program.
Another important thing for your husband to have is a COMMON ARC welding certification because, some of the main contractors will accept that cert instead of having to constantly recertify from one job to another so long as the contractor is a COMMON ARC program company participant.
The Boilermakers, The Pipefitters, Ironworkers, and most of the other union locals are really hurting for welder/mechanics so, I believe that your husband - if he keeps his nose clean, will be able to find steady work because, most of the local's old hands are retiring with not enough bodies to replace them!!!
If there is'nt enough work locally then, travel he must!!! It's just the nature of the business!!!
Btw, do you work for a living?
Respectfully,
Henry