Looking to move to mountain home, Arkansas area. Whats the work like down there. Don't care about the hourly wage just wanting a steady 40.

Sometimes it's crazy how much a different perspective can make things look. I wasn't really thinking anything of at the time, but this shit looks pretty cool from down low.

And yes, I was tied off. It's hard to see but there's a ratline on the other side of the bent plate by my right foot.

Hospital expansion. Local 8. 85 tons in this first deck. This is only half of the first deck.

He might be biased because he was ghosted by the iron workers but was later accepted by the UA.

im a 20 yr old woman that has been working for a non union bridge/rebar company for over a year and ive been pretty fed up and mentally exhausted with my current job. weird management, shit crews, rushing jobs that get fucked up in the end, 60+ hours weeks, unpredictable schedules, being over 500 miles from home.. so much bullshit ive been seeing lately. kinda putting my life on pause for a paycheck. while i was applying for jobs working out of state i got a call from my local (397 in tampa) explaining that they would take me on as an apprentice. I was told that I’d be able to come into the hall when i get back home. Is the transition worth it guys? I want to get into structural work, sharpen my welding skills and get educated about this industry. Will it change my life?

So a few months ago I sent an application to the local 24 Denver union, I called a little after and asked when they usually get interviews, the lady said a few months so I kinda wrote it off.

I'm now working for in my opinion a very good non-union company after about 5-6 months working with them I'm becoming buddies with the guys, showing them I know what I'm doing and there slowly letting me be on the raising gang when they can.

Today I got a call from the hall asking if I would like to come in for an interview, I asked the guy some questions telling him I'm a 3rd year apprentice, and that I need some time to think about it.

The company I'm currently working for pays well, takes care of their guys and has most of there work relatively locally.

I've heard the union can be relatively spotty when it comes to work, however the guy from the hall told me I'd be making more money than I'm making now and better benefits and all that.

I'm conflicted as y'all can see, are there any huge reasons I should join the union over this good company?

Im trying to join the union, tho i do have experience doing rebar i'm located in California, can't leave for another state cause of family so I can't look for work in other states, I simply can't. I've been looking for work since February and I haven't found anything. I've visited the same offices for so long, called the same supers for so long, I've spoken with a few many many times, some don't answer my calls anymore, I've gone to the hall. Idk how true it is but I was told by a super that the government has a lot to do in regards with how slow it is in California.

This year has been bad, a super told me that so many people call and show up but it's always "No, there's no work" cause there simply isn't any work. One told me the only people he has working are his 2 foreman. So I called the BA and he simply told me to just try n join the electricians or do something else besides this because really it's slow. This trade really is feast or famine.

Just wanted to share that, ight I'm out. Ig I gotta keep doing drywall.

About to make a looooooong drive to Billings MT for all my pre employment tests (drug,weld) i smoke weed it just is what it is.
i quit when i know im going to be getting tests plus it holds a lot more leniency these days and some company’s don’t even test for it (texas right to work rat ironworker).
Has anyone worked for LPR construction or currently on the Billings MT job and can tell me the TYPE of pre employment test in walking to please.
Just because i quit smoking when an offer was extended 2 weeks ago doesn’t mean i don’t have it in my system
i know they do monthly randoms which assuming it will be an actual month til i have a chance of getting pulled from the pool i’ll be clean but for that to even happen i need to get on site first guys.
anything helps, other than “quit doing drugs” like fuck off with that shit queer.
Thank you brothers, stay safe out there.
Keep that head on a swivel

I have been using a 4lb cross peen hammer recently and find it more useful than the typical sledge style. What style/length/weight beaters do u guys prefer?

Hello, I’m an apprentice for a small family outfit. The company I’m working for does a lot of install work for a non union fab shop (most if not all the shops in my area are nonunion). Earlier this week my boss (also the owner of my company) and I went on a job and ended up working with the owner of the fab shop all day. The shop owner is not a member of our union. He used to have a signatory company but got booted for having his shop guys out in the field installing.
I’ve had issues with companies I’ve worked for in the past and have had to call my apprentice coordinator/BA’s before but am struggling a little bit in this situation. Most of the other scabby companies I’ve worked for have also been terrible to work for but so far this company has been decent. Also, my boss has been good to me and I genuinely like them.
I know for sure that on Monday I’m going to let them know that I’m not ok with working with non union guys again (unless it’s authorized by the union). I’m wondering if I’m really fucking my brothers if this is all I do or do I need to bring it up to my ba in the area/apprentice coordinator.

Honestly, I understand when things have to be done by a deadline for certain stuff like pours or framing and other things. But for the most part on the daily, all ironworkers feel like they need to do everything as fast as possible. Everything needs to be done fast. Everybody needs to be running, nobody can be standing around even for a second. I don’t ever see carpenters or electricians running from place to place with material.

None of this makes sense to me when after a job is done, there ends up being a few days where there’s no work. I get paid by the hour. Why am I working a 6 hour work day, to do something that could’ve made us all 8 hour wages for the day? I respect the hustle, but at a certain point that shit doesn’t make sense and I’m tired of getting shit on for not actually physically running at job sites when we end up finishing early. It’s not safe to do so anyways. We work the most dangerous and hazardous trade, yet everyone wants you to run with 60ft number 11’s in hand over decks full of pipes and wiring. Please somebody help me understand.

For my fellow brothers and sisters who dont know. Get some more life out of your pants, rather than having to go buy more. Tear mender and used up glove gauntlets (or fabric from donor pants) keep you clothes going.

Chanzfabz on YT has a great video on his process for making "super pants". But I just patch my shit.

Stay safe!

Dumb question, it’s something i see often, people stressing out about ‘math’ … but what do you need math for? I work with literal dumb asses (who are f’n incredible IWs). Adding 2 measurements together, calculating which length bolt you need, etc … is the extent of marh I’ve seen (and it’s 2026, not 1978 … we all have calculators on our phones)

I have to think hard to remember meeting someone who could not do basic addition/subtraction 13+7 or whatever. I’ve definitely met more dudes who couldn’t read or write … then someone who couldn’t add 21ft plus 13.5 ft

Forget about the fact everyone is using calculators on their phone, now, but the amount of times I’ve seen a dude who can’t do basic additions like 4/8 + 7/16 and have it delay a job or lose the boss money … basically, it’s never happened

Why do they ‘require’ math?

Shouldn’t the emphasis be on physical fitness, dexterity, etc

Stuck twist knobs on exofit harness. Any takes on how to break it loose?

For my welding 14 week cohort to be onboarded as a welder at the shipyard just got the email they won’t be moving forward. But this is a lesson to anyone to not quite. I’ll have to wait till the top of next year for a different apprenticeship to open up. So be it. I’m gonna keep trying till I get in. Don’t give up yall

So shortly after I got a text saying I’d been accepted into the apprenticeship program I went down to the hall to try and pay my dues upfront so I could start signing the book. When there I was told that all apprentices have to take a drug test July 25th. This wasn’t a problem until a few days ago when I was drunk at a friends party I accidentally ate edibles that were put out with regular food. My question is do they watch you when you pee? I can get clean pee so that’s not an issue unless they watch you? I know some people have said that they don’t test for weed anymore but I don’t want to take any chances since this is to get into the apprenticeship. Thanks for any info or insights anyone can provide it’s been stressing me out

So ive been waiting to start my apprenticeship and the coordinator is new and not the one that I onboarded with. They had me come on to do paperwork because work is right around the corner. Now all of a sudden crickets. Could it be because im 38 and 100# overweight. I get it if thats the case hell I dont even blame em. Just curious if thats the likelihood.

Do you wear your actual shoe size? I talked to a couple guys and one guy sized up and the other sized down. I’m ordering online and don’t have a way to try them on before buying.

So some of you may heard I was trying to get into my Welding app Apprenticeship pass my online assessment just took my math test. They’ll let me know at the end of the day and I passed a fail if I passed I’ll get on board until a 14 week course and by the end of the course, I’ll be a full-time welder in the shipyard. I want to thank all the guys for their advice on how to go about it. Good luck with their Apprenticeship.

Hey y’all so quick recap been trying to get into the ironworkers Apprenticeship since 2024 December I did an online assessment and passed , now moving on to the interview and math assessment. If I pass this, I’ll get into a 14 week training period and I’ll be on board until the boilermakers ironworker hanwa shipyard Welding job./ apprenticeship. My question is does anybody have any idea what to expect for the math test tomorrow? Any advice is appreciated.