THE NOVEMBER 2018 Proud to Serve Country and Union Ironworker Veterans Honoring Our Veterans · 10 IN THIS at Tomb of the ISSUE Unknown Soldier · 5 Veteran to Ironworker · 19 45752_IW_Nov_2018.indd 1 11/7/18 8:04 PM 1750 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006 THE p (202) 383-4800 · [email protected] ironworkers.org VOLUME 118 | NOVEMBER 2018 | NUMBER 10 INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS ERIC DEAN STEPHEN SWEENEY General President Fourth General Vice President 1750 New York Avenue, NW P.O. Box 49 Suite 400 Westville, NJ 08093 Washington, DC 20006 p (856) 456-1156 · f (856) 456-1159 p (202) 383-4810 · f (202) 638-4856 KEVIN BRYENTON JOSEPH HUNT Fifth General Vice President General President Emeritus 1434 Chemong Road North FEATURES 1750 New York Avenue, NW Unit 12-13 Suite 400 Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6X2 Washington, DC 20006 Canada 5 Ironworker Veterans at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier p (202) 383-4845 · f (202) 638-4856 p (705) 748-3099 · f (705) 748-3028 WALTER WISE ROBERT BOSKOVICH 10 Honoring Our Veterans General President Emeritus Sixth General Vice President 1750 New York Avenue, NW 2700 South River Road 18 Active Ironworker Military Members Suite 400 Suite 118 Washington, DC 20006 Des Plaines, IL 60018 p (703) 627-0401 p (847) 795-1710 · f (847) 795-1713 19 Veteran to Ironworker RON PIKSA DON ZAMPA 20 Serving Country and Union General Secretary Seventh General Vice President 1750 New York Avenue, NW 1660 San Pablo Avenue Suite 400 Suite C Washington, DC 20006 Pinole, CA 94564 p (202) 383-4820 · f (202) 347-2319 p (510) 724-9277 · f (510) 724-1345 KENNETH “BILL” DEAN JAMES MAHONEY DEPARTMENTS General Treasurer Eighth General Vice President 1750 New York Avenue, NW 22 West 46th Street Suite 400 4th Floor Organizing News Washington, DC 20006 New York, NY 10036 24 p (202) 383-4830 · f (202) 383-6483 p (212) 302-1868 · f (212) 302-1914 26 Departmental Articles MARVIN RAGSDALE STEVE PENDERGRASS First General Vice President Ninth General Vice President IMPACT 3003 Dawn Drive 110 Main Street 38 Suite 104 Suite 100 Georgetown, TX 78628 Edmonds, WA 98020 41 Lifetime Members p (512) 868-5596 · f (512) 868-0823 p (425) 771-4766 · f (425) 771-4769 Official Monthly Record DARRELL LABOUCAN FRANK MARCO 42 Second General Vice President General Counsel #8-205 Chatelain Drive Gregorio Marco St. Albert, Alberta T8N 5A4 2 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1650 Canada Chicago, IL 60602 p (780) 459-3389 · f (780) 459-3308 p (312) 263-2343 · f (312) 263-2512 International Office BERNARD EVERS JR. p (202) 383-4815 · f (202) 638-4856 Third General Vice President 191 Old Colony Avenue ORGANIZED. SKILLED. PROFESSIONAL. P.O. Box 96 S. Boston, MA 02127 p (617) 268-2382 · f (617) 268-1394 INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENTS On the Cover Apprenticeship and Training LU/DC Staff Retirement Iron Workers’ (IW) military veterans Zachery p (202) 383-4870 and Shopmen’s Pension Fund Carr of Local 89 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), p (844) 276-1288 Computer Department f (630) 230-3966 Wallace Phillipson of Local 14 (Spokane, p (202) 383-4887 Wash.), Christopher Stewart of Local 720 f (202) 383-4895 Magazine p (202) 383-4842 (Edmonton, Alberta) and Darold “Kirby” Davis Bacon Office Sutphin of Local 549 (Wheeling, W.V.) were p (202) 834-9855 Mailroom selected as the winners of the 2018 IW f (202) 393-0273 p (202) 383-4855 f (202) 638-1038 Veterans Trip to Washington, D.C. Department of Canadian Affairs p (780) 459-3389 Maintenance and Jurisdiction f (780) 459-3308 p (202) 383-4842 f (202) 347-1496 Department of Ornamental, Architectural & Miscellaneous Organizing Metals (DOAMM) p (202) 383-4851 EDITOR: Scott Malley, 1750 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006 | ASSISTANT to the EDITOR: Nancy Folks p (847) 795-1710 f (202) 347-1496 f (847) 795-1713 THE IRONWORKER ISSN:0021163X Published monthly, except for a combined summer issue, for $15.00 per year by the Safety International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, 1750 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC Department of Reinforcing p (847) 795-1714 20006. Preferred periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC and additional mailing offices. Printed on union-made paper. Postmasters: Ironworkers f (847) 795-1713 p (866) 336-9163 Send change of address to Ironworker, 1750 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006. Canada Agreement Number 40009549. f (386) 736-9618 Shop Department p (202) 383-4846 Ironworkers Political f (202) 783-3230 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Action League INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, p (202) 383-4803 STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS 45752_IW_Nov_2018_X2.indd 2 11/8/18 4:40 PM Why Organize? hen we started our great union Enough is enough. We lost our way W in 1896, trade unionists came and our stomach to organize the com- together with a common purpose to panies who exploit workers utilizing the organize those workers engaged in the factors mentioned above. Many iron- ironworking industry and to establish workers who are fortunate to become collective bargaining agreements with members now believe once they are a employers by various means and meth- member that no one could possibly per- form the tasks associated with our trade. ERIC DEAN ods. Prior, other forms of unions came General President and went; ultimately, we have endured. Well, I am asking then how the other Te founders of our union banded 87 percent are managing to build and together to improve working conditions, fabricate those buildings? provide fair wages for our members and Today, we enjoy great relationships provide a decent burial for our mem- with our signatory employers. We can bers as safety was nonexistent back then. and should level the playing feld for Many were descendants of Europe’s labor guilds and looked to recreate them here We have grown and shrunk as a movement, in North America. During our history, we have improved both the AFL-CIO and our sector, the jobsite safety, improved wages and estab- building trades, have lost market share lished fringe benefts to provide retirement as a percentage of all construction work and security and health care for our members and their families. We have honed and fabrication being performed. Experts say perfected our training programs. We union membership hovers at 13 percent of have grown and shrunk as a movement, the total market. both the AFL-CIO and our sector, the building trades, have lost market share as a percentage of all construction work and fabrication being performed. Experts say those companies who have signed collec- union membership hovers at 13 percent tive bargaining agreements and attempt of the total market. to organize those companies through As general president, I fnd that to be traditional bottom-up organizing, which unacceptable and so should you. I for is bringing members engaged in the one do not believe, nor am I willing to industry into our union, and top-down accept, our best days are behind us. organizing, which is bringing in willing Let’s look at the factors many use employers into a collective bargaining as an excuse or cop-out of why we are relationship. Ten there is the unwill- where we are: modularization, ofshoring ing; we must use leverage and pressure to 2018 NOVEMBER of fabrication, right to work, attempts at come to an agreement. Tis all requires Davis-Bacon repeal or elimination of state resources (money and staf) and an atti- prevailing wages, illegal immigration, tude of militancy and defance. Simply guest worker expansion, stock market col- put, we must not take no for an answer, lapses, “we don’t sell books here,” “laws are nor just wait for the phone to ring at stacked against us,” and on and on. the hall. We must add both signatory 3 45752_IW_Nov_2018_X2.indd 3 11/8/18 4:40 PM CONTINUED contractors and members to gain market fnd any more people; let’s try looking at the share or future members will be report- 87 percent of open shop workers engaged ing further declines of market share. Our in the construction industry. Contractors very survival depends on it. at capacity won’t bid more work if we are The delegates to the Iron Work- tapped out. Our KPIs will look at locals to ers 42nd Convention in Chicago 2011 see they have active organizing ongoing in passed a resolution to allocate ¼ of their locals. “No” is not an option—our 1 percent of your wages to fund orga- survival depends on our strength and sig- nizers at the local, district council and nifcantly increasing our bargaining power “ No” is not international level. These dedicated by improving our position in the industry. resources will only be successful with Your obligation as a member relies on an option— your cooperation and willingness to your willingness to buy into organizing all our survival see the campaigns through, to work those carrying a lunchbox, wearing work and welcome those who haven’t had depends boots and performing ironwork. Period. the privilege of being in our union Please watch the COMET video found at and allow them to see the benefits of on our the QR code to the lef. our collective bargaining agreements, strength and fringe benefits and training. significantly We are at a critical point right now where increasing our many halls are near full employment. I Eric Dean have heard bull crap excuses that we can’t General President, 1051885 bargaining power by improving our position in the industry. ironworkers.org/get-organized/ why-organize- IRONWORKER ! THE 4 45752_IW_Nov_2018_X2.indd 4 11/8/18 4:40 PM Ironworker Veterans Place Wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ron Workers’ (IW) military veterans Zachery Carr of Zachery Carr—Local 89 I Local 89 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Wallace Phillipson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) of Local 14 (Spokane, Wash.), Christopher Stewart of Zak Carr joined the United States Navy in 1991 with Local 720 (Edmonton, Alberta) and Darold “Kirby” Sut- consent from his parents as he was only 17.