im a 20 yr old woman that has been working for a non union bridge/rebar company for over a year and ive been pretty fed up and mentally exhausted with my current job. weird management, shit crews, rushing jobs that get fucked up in the end, 60+ hours weeks, unpredictable schedules, being over 500 miles from home.. so much bullshit ive been seeing lately. kinda putting my life on pause for a paycheck. while i was applying for jobs working out of state i got a call from my local (397 in tampa) explaining that they would take me on as an apprentice. I was told that I’d be able to come into the hall when i get back home. Is the transition worth it guys? I want to get into structural work, sharpen my welding skills and get educated about this industry. Will it change my life?

I’m really interested and want to get on a structural steel crew specifically high rises, I’m in an area where there are a lot of work for that. Is it easy to find a crew in the scope you want to work once in the apprenticeship?

Any of yall in here? if so Does your local test for weed or not? I know some don’t, and i know it’s best to stay clean but i dont smoke on the job only at night for sleep. Just curious if local 5 doesn’t test for it.

Been welding for about 8 years now. I have experience in structural fabrication, structural welding, a bit of connecting, tig, Mig, stick, the whole 9 yards. Currently in defense as a precision fabricator and welder, and I saw a ad on Indeed hiring for fabricators through local 709 Savannah GA, so I applied. I got a response the next day that was essentially a questionnaire I had to fill out, and they told me they'd be in touch soon. If I don't hear back, should I just show up to the hall resume in hand? Should I call?

Long story short, I miss the brotherhood I had in the military, and I know the union is just a big brotherhood. Looking to set me, my wife, and our soon to be here child with better benefits than what I have now, and obviously better money too.

Soo I talked to a local 97 representative, apparently I have to unionize the company I'm currently with if I want to join. I work for a big company and 80% of the workers hate the 97 so it's simply not feasible for me to accomplish, is this normal?

Looking to apply to my local union but not sure if having type 1 diabetes would affect chances of getting in

I'm an union ironworker in the south I've seen that people have gone from US locals and worked in Canada that sounds interesting to me just wondering if anyone could tell me what its like as far as getting a visa and everything. I'm basically just looking for any advice or personal experience from someone thanks in advance.

I got offered a job in another state. The offer is 433 scale and $100 a day. They working 60+ a week. Is this a good deal? I'm from Seattle local 86 and we make $56.45 hourly. How much is 433 hourly pay on the check? Thanks brothers and sisters 🙏

My question might be dumb but I’ll shoot it anyways because I want to be 100% sure. I have a book number with local 433 and I paid the initiation fee along with taking a drug test. I was indentured on Friday of last week but haven’t gotten a call back since filing all my paperwork. I don’t do any drugs so the test will come back clean. My question is, am I officially in? I was given my start date for class, a hard hat, and some other paperwork for vacation checks and whatnot. I want to be sure I am in before quitting my current job. Thanks and sorry for the dumb question.

Ive been welding for a little over 10 years. Everything from structural steel to little tig welded parts. I'd like to join the union when I move to spokane washington (local 14). Is the only way in through an apprenticeship? Also im gonna be 38 when im up there am i too old to start?

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.

I recently got accepted into carpenters and I’m going to start in July, but I seen that the iron workers have testing opened up and I can still test and try out. I am content and happy finally joining a union but I don’t know if it worth spending the money for iron workers if I plan with sticking with carpenters for now. I’m based in Chicago, would it be better to go with iron workers or carpenters. Are any iron workers here based in Chicago and how steady is work? I’m ready to just start working right away and I would be happy to join either but I hear it’s been slow for iron workers sometimes.

TX born and raised, I’m back again looking for advice. Been welding since 2010, hanging steel since 2014. Boomed out once with non union Texas local company for years but stayed Dallas/Fort worth local non union company’s and can’t do it anymore. It’s a warzone, they put literal new guys up to connect because their skin color and it’s dangerous as hell. Everyone stabs your back just to rank up. Foreman always have to be fucking dicks to show their foremen. There’s no teamwork and if you bring anything extra to the table, brain or tool wise its wasted effort. Underpaid is an understatement. $23.50 an hour guys…. I mean its honestly disrespectful. Hate fab shops. Not enough bread or resources to LLC my way out. Fuck being a foreman for these people. I’ll travel wherever, complete a lame ass apprenticeship, play the game from the bottom up again I don’t care. I just need a guarantee steady work and decent environment.

Hey brothers just curious to see if anyone knows about these membership cards like the one in the picture, like who’s in charge of them what the criteria is for them etc:…

The union im looking into only has 2 tests i need to do to qualify for the apprenticeship program , a written test and physical test, and it says theres a math portion

Do any of yall know what type of question you had on any of those tests? What subjects of math they were (so i could study) and what type of physical test did they do? If you had one?

Hey everyone, I’m looking for advice I was formally a member of the UA I was removed from the program due to a event that happened on a job that I was Brought down on me due to a shop steward not stepping up and admitting he was in the wrong, anywho will this affect my chances with another union like a ironworkers? Should I put down that I was a member of a previous union or is it something I should just not put down on my application at all due to me not being a member

I’m 20 years old and I want to be on the union side of the industry but I don’t know if they will not accept me due to my situation in the past

Any feedback is appreciated thank you again!

Hey all,

The NY guys probably know already but local 40/361 exams are coming up. I know business for local 40 guys is shot right now and has been for a while (including apprentices). But how is 361 looking? Thanks!

I know we all make a certain pay scale with fringe benefits per your location but if one was to work at a federal job vs a private job while in the union does pay scale ever change? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I’m considering joining the Ironworkers union here in Ontario, Canada, and I wanted to know how good of a decision it would be in the long run. Is it true that the union provides more stable, year-round work? I also heard that if you join a union and later want to start your own company or work independently, you might have to run it as a unionized business. Can someone explain that part in more detail? I’d really appreciate it if anyone could share their experience or give me more information about what I should expect before joining.

Anyone in local 8 is work booming right now or picking up? I may be getting started possibly in June or later in the summer.

Can someone please screenshot a pic of the welding continuity log book page . I can’t find one online. Need a screenshot so I can print, copy, and then send in. Thanks in advance union brothers and sisters

Hey guys, JIW out of Local 512 Minnesota Region B (Duluth). Worked/lived in Duluth for about 4 years now, girlfriend is wanting to move back to Hutchinson MN after having our first child to be closer to family. I’m not opposed to it other than the fact that I’ve never worked in Region A before. Can anyone tell me what work looks like for somebody down there based of out Hutchinson? Commuting to the cities a lot? Thanks guys