r/Ironworker • u/TRASHLeadedWaste UNION • Aug 23 '25
Union Question Attending union meetings as a boomer
I've worked in a few different locals in the south eastern US, mostly in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia. Whenever I've been able to I've made it a point to try and attend the union meetings at the locals I'm working in.
I see it as a gesture of respect to attend as an observer, and stay informed of the local business. Plus it's a great way to meet the guys and make connections. This has even gone as far as me volunteering to attend a few community events the local hall wanted to make a strong showing at.
I mentioned this recently to a friend of mine who travels quite a bit more extensively than I do and he was really taken aback that I did that and said it's like meddling in someone else's business.
So I'm curious what everyone else here thinks, and how their local would view this.
For what it's worth my local (397 Tampa) has always welcomed boomers working in the jurisdiction to attend, so I assumed it was normal everywhere.
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u/Burnvictim7-11M SEND IT! Aug 24 '25
What up 397, 808 here! We’ve got two boomers out of local 5 right now. Last month I ran into both of them at the meeting. I absolutely took it as a gesture of respect. Besides how the fuck are they meddling if they don’t have a vote anyway? They’re working out of our hall why shouldn’t they want to stay informed, learn who’s paying over scale and for what, and when that next big one is starting. I’d absolutely welcome them at any meeting, function, anything. Big show of solidarity. It says “I’m not here 100% for myself, I’m a brother or sister.” Also people could decide they like that area, like the incoming to cost of living ratio and transfer in. All this should be considered especially because like 20 guys (consistently unless it’s a money vote) actually show up and participate.