This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up are the Ironworkers.
Name of Union: International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
Mission: To empower and protect the men and women of our trade through solidarity, skill and strength. We demand the highest craftsmanship, safety and training standards while advocating for fair wages, equitable employment and secure working conditions. Rooted in brotherhood and sisterhood, we promote unity and respect on and off the jobsite. We back the rights of working families, invest in the education and well-being of our members and their communities, and uphold our proud legacy of leadership in the labor movement. We do more than build structures; we build opportunity, purpose and power for working people.
Current Leadership of Union: Eric Dean serves as general president, a position he has held since 2015. Prior to that, he served as general organizer, general secretary, general vice president and president of the Iron Workers District Council of Chicago and Vicinity, and in numerous positions for Ironworkers Local 63 in Chicago.
Other officers include General Secretary Kevin Bryenton, General Treasurer James Mahoney, and General Vice Presidents Stephen Sweeney, David Beard, Michael Baker, Kendall Martin, Gregory “Jack” Jarrell, David Osborne, James Gardiner, Shawn Nehiley and Colin Daniels.
Current Number of Members: 125,000
Members Work as: Ironworkers are highly trained professionals who raise, place, weld, and reinforce structural building components—working with steel, precast concrete, and other critical materials essential to modern construction. Our members install architectural, ornamental, reinforcing, and miscellaneous metals in a wide range of settings, from high-rises to infrastructure and industrial plants
Industries Represented: Ironworkers are employed by every industry that needs construction and have worked on nearly every major construction project in North America, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the Gateway Arch, the expansion of the oil sands plant in Alberta, the World Trade Center and Freedom Tower, among many others.
History: The International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America was formed in 1896, when 16 delegates came together for the founding convention in Pittsburgh. By that time, steel had become the primary material used in the erection of bridges and buildings, and the abrupt change from wood and stone drove demand for ironworkers. Ironworkers became known as “cowboys in the sky” for their daring and dangerous work. They joined together to ensure that their voices were unified and heard.
Current Campaigns: The Ironworkers promote standards of excellence for the industry. Countdown to Zero promotes safety and prevention of death and injury. Iron Worker Women provides news and resources for women in the trade. Iron Worker Projects spotlights major projects completed by union Ironworkers.
Community Efforts: The John H. Lyons Sr. and Eric S. Waterman scholarships help the children of ironworkers go to college. The Ironworker magazine is the primary communication tool for ironworkers across North America. The Ironworkers maintain a job line on their website. They also provide training for members and apprentices. The Ironworkers sell branded merchandise in their online store.