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The Ironworkers Political Action League (IPAL) serves the Iron Worker membership in two crucial capacities. The first is the raising of funds to be used in efforts to elect pro-union and pro-worker candidates to public office. The second is to lobby critical legislation, keep legislatively informed, and review legislative matters that affect the livelihood of ironworkers and their families. Both of these functions serve to achieve the same objective: increasing the political and legislative clout of the Iron Workers.

The success of these efforts absolutely depends on the Iron Workers membership contributions. It is clear that the battle for work, wages, safety and retirement will be waged not only at the collective bargaining table, but in the political arena as well. The combined challenge of the new economy and the increasing practice of anti-union politics must be recognized as a grave threat. If the Iron Workers are to excel in the 21st century, they must continue to build political power and be prepared to wield it. Building this power will be accomplished through organizing to increase membership, raising funds via the IPAL contribution checkoff, and becoming – and staying – politically active. Our livelihood depends on it.

Ironworker Facts

In its 123-year history, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers has been led by just thirteen general presidents-Edward Ryan, John Butler, Frank Buchanan, Frank Ryan, James McClory, Paul Morrin, John Lyons Sr., John Lyons Jr., Juel Drake, Jake West, Joseph Hunt, Walter Wise and Eric Dean.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of ironworkers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The need to rehabilitate, maintain, and replace a growing number of older bridges is expected to drive employment growth, as will the ongoing construction of large projects, such as high-rise buildings. Job opportunities should be best in metropolitan areas, where most large construction projects take place.
With the completion of every job, it has been a tradition of the Iron Workers to celebrate with a “Topping Out” ceremony when the last beam of the building or bridge is set in place. The tradition is usually done with a Christmas tree, a flag, and an Iron Workers banner, which are hoisted and displayed on the final beam. Traditionally, the last beam is signed by all the ironworkers who worked on that project, representing both their skills employed and their pride in the completed structure.
The first shop local of the International, Local 40 (Newark, N.J.), was chartered in 1902 and was designated as "Inside Architectural Bridge and Structural Iron Workers."
Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren’t union members. On average, union workers’ wages are 28 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts.

While only 19 percent of nonunion workers have guaranteed pensions, fully 78 percent of union workers do.

More than 84 percent of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits, but only 64 percent of nonunion workers do. Unions help employers create a more stable, productive workforce—where workers have a say in improving their jobs.

Unions help bring workers out of poverty and into the middle class. In fact, in states where workers don’t have union rights, workers’ incomes are lower.
Over 10,000 participants have completed approximately 400,000 hours of training during the 30 years of the Annual Ironworker Instructor Training Program.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 22 percent increase in ironworker employment opportunities from 2012 to 2022.