JANUARY 2007 TheThe Sky’sSky’s TheThe LimitLimit President’s Page The Time Is Right s you can see by the cover, this is a special edi- about 12 years there will be more money going out tion of The Ironworker and I believe the most than there is coming in. Unfortunately, our active A important one you have ever received. During membership today has dropped to 3.06 working the first five years as your general president, the members for every retired ironworker reflecting the majority of my time and your general executive same kind of deficit. Coupled with a steadily drop- board’s efforts were dedicated to rebuilding our rep- ping market share, this has created the greatest utation and regaining our status as leaders in the challenge our organization has ever faced. industry. With the help of our general executive Half the battle is recognizing the problem and council and staff, an unprecedented level of financial then attacking it with a strategic plan. After two transparency, the formation of IMPACT, a new part- days of meetings with our full staff reviewing the nership with our contractors and most of all your statistical data and being totally honest and objec- trust and support, we can proudly tell you we have tive, we have formulated a plan and are taking reclaimed our role as a leader in the building trades. action. However, we must have you and our entire The bad news is that although we have gained membership arrive at the same conclusion for it to respect, we have actually lost membership and mar- work. Ironically, one of the biggest obstacles to ket share and stand at a crossroads that will define solving the problem is resistance from our own our future. Our findings are daunting to say the members. I have had more than one business man- least. We knew the situation was grave after General ager tell me he understands the problem, but if he Secretary Mike Fitzpatrick submitted his report at actively began to organize, he would be voted out of JOSEPH HUNT the convention. He found that in the five years since office by a landslide in the next election. We must General President the last convention we took in 55,166 members. not be shortsighted. We are in a battle with no mid- However, over the same period we lost 61,931 for a dle ground. We organize or we die. Our apprentice net decrease of 6,765 members. General Treasurer programs cannot be solely responsible for growing Walt Wise has supplied us with additional statistical our membership and our market share. data contained in this issue giving a very clear pic- As I said, we have formulated a strategic plan to ture of what is happening to us and why we must give every local union the support they need to take action now in order to survive. The JOURNEY- ensure our future. The cornerstone of the plan is MAN DEMOGRAPHICS he supplies on pages 2-3 accountability. We have developed a list of “key per- ’’ are hard numbers and reflect the baby boomer effect formance indicators” to assess the needs of every being felt throughout North America. Nearly one- local. I promise an unprecedented level of support half of our organization will and commitment from our officers in the field, in Ironically, one of the biggest obstacles to be eligible to retire in the next the district councils and at headquarters. I have solving the problem is resistance from ten years. As he states, even if appointed a committee to establish a new way to our own members. I have had more than it were possible to double our recruit members to deal with the manpower short- one business manager tell me he under- apprenticeship enrollment over- ages we are already experiencing in many of our stands the problem, but if he actively night, we would still lose market locals. I have insisted this recruitment tool be very began to organize, he would be voted share over the next ten years. simple, straightforward, and reasonable. out of office by a landslide in the next As I have stated in the past, There is also another incentive to swell our election. We must not be shortsighted. we are on the verge of one of the ranks. We are on the verge of a huge manpower We are in a battle with no middle largest construction booms in shortage in the construction industry. Make no mis- ground. We organize or we die. Our the history of our union. While take–the trade able to supply the manpower will win apprenticeship programs cannot be presenting a tremendous oppor- the jurisdiction. We are formalizing a very aggres- solely responsible for growing our tunity to increase membership, sive plan for our “Bridge to the Future” and I will membership and our market share. in an odd way, it becomes part of continue to keep you informed of the particulars. I the problem. When work is will give you more specifics in upcoming issues of plentiful, we’’ become lulled into a sense of security The Ironworker. Your local union officers will be given that cannot be justified. When you look at the chart complete details at the annual officers’ strategic on page 4 entitled TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 1980- planning meetings in February and will be given all 2006, it demonstrates how we can grow membership the support necessary to increase our membership, during a boom and still lose market share. The increase market share and guarantee our pensions. graph entitled GROWTH–IW vs. CONSTRUCTION Once again, the only thing stopping us from winning puts us at half a million members if we had kept up the battle is ourselves. I have been an ironworker all with industry growth. my life and never wanted to be anything else. I will Perhaps the most attention-grabbing statistic do everything within my power to ensure our future. General Treasurer Wise has provided is the compar- Your general officers and general executive board ison of ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP to retirees on page members are the most dedicated people I have ever 4. It is true our multiemployer pension plans, with worked with, and are committed to our organization, few exceptions, have weathered the 2001 stock mar- but it’s really up to you. We have the plan, ket storm, and are on their way back to the funding resources, and the leadership, but we need your levels ensuring your retirement. However, this level full support and involvement to guarantee your of funding can only be maintained if we grow our future and the future of our organization– the membership at least as fast as we are growing our greatest labor union in North America. pension rolls. I am sure everyone is well aware of the problems we are facing with Social Security. A few Fraternally, decades ago there were over a dozen workers paying into Social Security for every retiree receiving bene- fits. Today there are only 3.4 workers for every retiree. Unless Congress addresses the situation, in Official Publication of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS 1750 New York Ave., N.W. • Suite 400 • Washington, D.C. 20006 • (202)383-4800 JOSEPH J. HUNT RICHARD WARD www.ironworkers.org E-mail: [email protected] General President Fifth General Vice President Suite 400 5964 Dayton Boulevard Volume 107 January 2007 Number 1 1750 New York Ave., N.W. Chattanooga, TN 37415 Washington, DC 20006 Office: (423) 870-1982 Office: (202) 383-4810 Fax: (423) 876-0774 Fax: (202) 638-4856 Email: [email protected] MICHAEL FITZPATRICK FRED MARR CONTENTS General Secretary Sixth General Vice President Suite 400 1350 L'Heritage Drive 1750 New York Ave., N.W. Sarnia, Ontario N7S 6H8 Washington, DC 20006 Canada Office: (202) 383-4820 Office: (519) 542-1413/1414 Fax: (202) 347-2319 Fax: (519) 542-3790 Features WALTER WISE General Treasurer EDWARD J. WALSH Suite 400 Seventh General Vice President 1750 New York Ave., N.W. 505 White Plains Rd. Washington, DC 20006 Suite 200 2 The Sky’s The Limit for Ironworkers Office: (202) 383-4830 Tarrytown, NY 10591 Fax: (202) 383-6483 Office: (914) 332-4430 Fax: (914) 332-4431 ROBERT J. SPILLER Email: [email protected] First General Vice President 5 Joseph J. Hunt Elected ULLICO Chairman 2106 Washington Road JAY HURLEY Suite 400 Eighth General Vice President Canonsburg, PA 15317 191 Old Colony Ave. Office: (724) 745-5893 P.O. Box 96 Fax: (724) 745-5863 S. Boston, MA 02127 6 American Bridge Repairs Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tel: 617-268-2382 GORDON STRUSS Fax: 617-268-1394 Second General Vice President E-mail: [email protected] P.O. Box 319, 122 Main Street Luck, WI 54853-0319 JOE STANDLEY 7 Pride Counts, Too Office: (715) 472-4250/4251 Ninth General Vice President Fax: (715) 472-4253 1660 San Pablo Ave., Suite C Pinole, CA 94564 EDWARD C. McHUGH Office: 510-724-9277 Third General Vice President Fax: 510-724-1345 12 A Year of Education and Training 2849 Andrea Drive Allentown, PA 18103 RONALD C. GLADNEY Office: (610) 776-1063 Fax: (610) 776-1660 General Counsel Bartley, Goffstein, L.L.C. GEORGE E. KRATZER 4399 Laclede Avenue Fourth General Vice President St. Louis, MO 63108 Departments Franklin Square Office Center Office: (314) 531-1054 8401 Claude Thomas Road Fax: (314) 531-1131 Suite 37 Headquarters Office: Franklin, OH 45005 (202) 383-4868 Office: (937) 746-0854 Headquarters Fax: Fax: (937) 746-0873 (202) 638-4856 8 Contractor’s Perspective INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENTS Apprenticeship and Training Magazine 10 IMPACT Tel: (202) 383-4870 Tel: (202) 383-4864 Fax: (202) 347-5256 Fax: (202) 347-2318 Computer Department Mailroom Tel: (202) 383-4886 Tel: (202) 383-4855 11 Departmental Reports Fax: (202) 383-4895 Fax: (202) 638-1038 Davis-Bacon Department Maintenance and Jurisdiction Tel: (202) 383-4854 Tel: (202) 383-4860 On The Cover Fax: (202) 347-1496 Fax: (202) 347-1496 16 Local News The conditions are right for Department of Ornamental, Organizing Architectural & Miscellaneous Tel: (202) 383-4851 ironworkers to recapture market Metals (DOAMM) Fax: (202) 347-1496 Tel: (630) 238-1003 28 Official Monthly Record share and guarantee our futures Fax: (630) 238-1006 Safety as union ironworkers.