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Our History
A Union is Born
The Turbulent Years
The Conspiracy Trials
The Beginning of the
Morrin Era
The Depression and a New
Deal For Labor
World War II
Ironworkers Grow in the
1950's Part Two Part Three
John H. Lyons Jr.
Elected President
The Tradition Continues
Pathways to the 21st
Century Under The Leadership of General President Jake West
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Part One
As they began to see the need for defending workmen's rights against the encroachments of ruthless contractors, this mutual aid federation was no longer adequate. Also, at this time, a demand was created for structural Ironworkers and many of the old bridgemen answered the call since they would employ essentially the same skills on buildings as they would on bridges. Therefore, in 1890 the Association became known as the "Bridge and Construction Men's Union." One of these men, George W. Geary, who later became known as the "Father of the Ironworkers Union" spearheaded this union. He stated:
However, as has happened so many times in American Labor History, workers were fighting each other. Another Association known as the "Architectural Iron Workers" . working not only in shops but also on the new skyscrapers, was in competition with Geary's union. For two years they fought each other. George W. Geary said:
In 1892, the Bridge and Construction Men's Union was dissolved and became the "Bridge and Structural Iron Workers Union" consisting of 2,700 members. Today, that group is Local No. 1 of the present day International Union. The Architectural Iron Workers of Chicago would eventually become Shopmen's Local #63 of our International in 1903.
In April of 1886, ten years before they would help to organize our International Association, a small group of German-American Ironworkers assembled in Herzog's Hall on East Fifth Street in New York City and organized the Locksmith and Railing Makers' Union. All business was transacted in the German language. By June of that year a branch was started in Brooklyn. By 1889 they achieved a membership of 120, and they affiliated with the "Eight Hour League" of the A. F. of L. In March of 1890, the name was of the organization was changed to the Architectural Iron Workers' Progressive Union (AIWPU). An English speaking branch and Jewish branch were organized with a total membership of 400. This was followed by another German Branch in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Shortly after each was reorganized, "Fighting" Sam Parks assumed leadership of the Housesmiths Union in 1885. Five months later the name was changed to the Housesmith's and Bridgemen's Union. When Parks first arrived in New York he found that Ironworkers were receiving only $2 per day, and many were signing year-long contracts that turned them into slave labor. Under Parks leadership he would double the daily rate to $4 per day, and restore the strength of the union despite attempts by big business to destroy him and his reputation. The Housesmith's and Bridgemen's Union would eventually become Local No. 2 of our International Association. The Architectural Iron Workers Union of New York would become Shopmen's Local No. 42 of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America.
Representatives from six cities answered the call to convene at Moorhead Hall in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, February 4, 1896 to organize the International Association of Bridge and Structural Ironworkers. Sixteen Delegates from Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, New York City and Pittsburgh assembled. Delegates were expected from Detroit and Philadelphia as well for the five day meeting. The delegates in attendance were: Ed Ryan of Boston The out-of-town delegates stayed at the nearby St Charles Hotel. On the first day of the convention the delegates selected David McKelvey, president of the Pittsburgh local as President of the convention. Patrick Dalton of Chicago was selected as secretary. Each of the delegations reported their "estimated" membership as follows; Boston 500; Buffalo 300; Chicago 700; Clevelaand 350; New York 1,500; and Pittsburgh 350; (The rounded figures suggest that delegates guessed at short term potential membership).
It was decided to hold conventions yearly. Various obstacles faced their organizing effort. The employers, particularly the large contractors, did not like having their Ironworkers organized and there was a shortage of steel shapes that often delayed jobs. In addition. the International officers were not full-time paid officials. Very little time and energy remained after the officers put in their full day's work on the steel. If they had not lost their will and strength to run a union at night or on Sundays, they certainly didn't have the financial means for the necessary communication and transportation.
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Because
of the danger of their work, many Ironworkers lost their lives, therefore
as early as the 1880's Chicago Ironworkers formed the Bridge Builder's
Mutual Association. The Association consisted of a loose
confederation of twenty men interested in giving each other a decent
burial in the event of death on the job, and supporting one another in
times of sickness and injury.
Like
their fellow workers in Chicago before them, they struck in 1891 for the
eight hour day, but they were crushed. The AIWPU and the Housesmiths
Union were both dissolved. Management used new immigrants as
strikebreakers, and it became difficult to organize. Neither group
of workers had the strength to get together and apply for a new state
charter until 1893.
Ironworkers
Locals were also organizing at this time in Pittsburgh, Boston, Buffalo,
Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. They began to communicate with
each other and decided to meet in Pittsburgh the last week of January,
1896, but this was later postponed until the following week, perhaps
because of weather conditions at that time of year.
On
the second day the permanent officers were selected. Edward
J Ryan of Boston became our Union's first President,
and John Brady of
New York was elected First Vice-President.
M. Hanna of
Buffalo became Second Vice-President
and James G. Crowley of
Chicago was elected Secretary/Treasurer.
George W. Geary
of Chicago became the National Organizer.
Chosen as Executive Board members
were David McKelvey
of Pittsburgh, James W. Kelly
of New York City, Daniel F. McIntyre
of Buffalo and Emil Treter
of Cleveland. It seems that at the end of the first day the
Cleveland delegation returned home because their local had gone out on
strike.