What is an Ironworker???

Ok, I know what you are thinking. Just what the heck IS an Ironworker? Well, next time you are walking downtown in your favorite city and you come across a construction site look up. If you look real hard, and you see a person walking across a steel beam then you are looking at a rare breed of worker called..... an Ironworker. Yep, that is what I do. I walk on those beams of steel that vary in width from a couple of inches to up to 2 feet wide. . I just LOVE my job! To me there is no better thrill (well, almost no better thrill) than being on the edge. And the best thing about it is that I get PAID to do it. My wife says that "I used to just THINK that he was crazy, now I have proof of it!" I will be placing some images on this page in the near future of all aspects of Ironworking for others to view.

You may be wondering what other aspects of Ironworking that there are besides post and beam construction. Ironworkers also place re-inforcing bars (re-bar) in concrete structures, do ornamental ironwork (such as handrails), welding operations, machinery moving, rigging, and other aspects of heavy construction. All of these aspects require highly skilled workers that are devoted to giving top rate work for top pay. I know of no other trade where the workers take as much pride in their work as do Union Ironworkers.

This is a very intensive profession that requires many skills of its' workers. If you are interested in becoming a Union Ironworker contact your local Ironworker's Union hall and inquire about the availability of apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships vary in lengths of time from 3 to 5 years. Apprentices are paid according to a percentage of the prevailing journeyman rate. These rates vary according to regional contractual agreements. All this information is readily available from you local union hall. Or you can visit the links below to get more information....

Click here to go to Mad Jack's Examples of Ironworking Series.....