how to join ironworkers?

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it seems to be damn near impossible to get in without knowing anybody on the inside. every time i run into somebody that is an ironworker and i ask them how they got in, so and so helped them out. and its usually family members. ive been trying for the past year now and nothing. any advice for a newb wanting to become the first ironworker in his whole family?
Reply:You don't go down to the union hall and fill out the application?   I've been down to the local union here, I think it's #239, if I remember right.  Anyways, if I wanted to join, that's the first step, fill out the application, just like any other job.   If they have no work, they may not accept any new people, in which case, even if you were to get in, there may not be any work for you.  When I last went down to check it out, there was very little work for the guys they already had.  This was a couple years ago.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:go to the local's website, & look up the companies that are in that Local.  Apply to all of them until you get into one.  They will get you into the union if you bust ***.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:ive already done both of those things. when i went to the apprenticeship school, they gave me a list of companies that were part of the local. but the list is soooo outdated. some companies were even out of business. one phone number i even talked to some chinese lady. hahaha that was pretty funny actually. busting my @$$ is part of my daily life. im not afraid to get dirty. im a diesel mechanic, and trust me its dirty work. but its not what i want to do anymore. ive been in the automotive industry for the past 10 years. and i want out.
Reply:For some reason, I read the subject line and thought "You mean, like, weld two Gekas together?  Why would you want to do that?"The guys that join the sheet metal workers apply at the shop first.  If you can't lay a bead of weld, they send you out to the hall first.  If you can weld, they'll help you out.  That is just my limited experience, though.
Reply:I would have to agree with Fegenbush. If you can weld and pass the in-shop weld test or have some welding certificates, then the shop will sent you to the hall to get "sworn in" so to speak. If you have no experience or are unable to lay some nice welds then you may have to try learning at a non union shop or go back to school for more welding practice. Best advice I can give is keep trying, you will eventually run into someone that can help you out or a shop willing to take you on. All depends on how hard you look and try.You may have to refine your job interview skills. In job interviews be open to any challenges that you can take on and dont say the word NEVER... bad word... "I have never welded pipe, I have never run a sheer.Last edited by oxygen454; 12-22-2010 at 11:52 PM.
Reply:You may find a contractor that uses both union and non union people. We have a contractor in this area that uses union pipefitters and sheet metal guys but there general labor is non union. If they work as general labor and do well, they are sent to our Local UA hall or will be directly admitted to the sheet metal union. It may depend on your area if the ironworkers have a contractor like this. Good luckUA Local 598
Reply:PM me BP!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by sky hy ironmanPM me BP!!!!
Reply:Hey Bp, go on their website in your town, International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Ironworkers.  They take apprentices every year.  Go take the test, get through the apprenticeship, and good luck.  It helps to talk to the apprenticeship co-ordinator.  The journey men and business agents may help, but not always.  I work with ironheads every day, they are a great bunch. I am an old operator out of local 66, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Reply:Well Bp, my PM didn't go thru  what a major azzuckf!!!!  Tell me  what state or part of Canada you are from. I can tell you what the scale & bennies are for your area.
Reply:You have access? I have been wondering as well. Vancouver BC Canada  (Western Canada)
Reply:Originally Posted by sky hy ironmanWell Bp, my PM didn't go thru  what a major azzuckf!!!!  Tell me  what state or part of Canada you are from. I can tell you what the scale & bennies are for your area.
Reply:Originally Posted by oxygen454I would have to agree with Fegenbush. If you can weld and pass the in-shop weld test or have some welding certificates, then the shop will sent you to the hall to get "sworn in" so to speak. If you have no experience or are unable to lay some nice welds then you may have to try learning at a non union shop or go back to school for more welding practice. Best advice I can give is keep trying, you will eventually run into someone that can help you out or a shop willing to take you on. All depends on how hard you look and try.You may have to refine your job interview skills. In job interviews be open to any challenges that you can take on and dont say the word NEVER... bad word... "I have never welded pipe, I have never run a sheer.
Reply:I read advice for a newb so I figured you had next to no welding experience. In that case, keep looking lol.
Reply:the way i got into the iron workers was going straight to the b.a. and telling him i wanted in, gave him a resume of my welding background. Found another job and forgot about it until  we found out we were having our first son, so i went back and asked what happend and they said they have been waiting on me lol. but i had to start out on a "probationary" trial for a year but i  only did it 6 months and was excepted into the apprenticship.everyone i talked to said you have to know someone, even the b.a. told me that during the interview. but i squeked in and made a name for my self and had more people pulling for me. just dont give up keep bugging them, even though work is slow and they may not take any in for a while make you the first they call.
Reply:Originally Posted by bodydroppedon20the way i got into the iron workers was going straight to the b.a. and telling him i wanted in, gave him a resume of my welding background. Found another job and forgot about it until  we found out we were having our first son, so i went back and asked what happend and they said they have been waiting on me lol. but i had to start out on a "probationary" trial for a year but i  only did it 6 months and was excepted into the apprenticship.everyone i talked to said you have to know someone, even the b.a. told me that during the interview. but i squeked in and made a name for my self and had more people pulling for me. just dont give up keep bugging them, even though work is slow and they may not take any in for a while make you the first they call.
Reply:What does b.a. Stand for?
Reply:Originally Posted by rjmbusiness agent.where are you?how well can you stand the cold?you might try local 720 edmonton, but your going to freeze.
Reply:Apply for everything you can. Ironworkers, pipefitters, sheet metal etc. It may take a little time because its all a little slow right now.UA Local 598
Reply:i would even apply for laborers, you might be able to get into it easier and then work your way to iron workers. just a thought.
Reply:definitely. A friend of mine did just that. First he was able to get in with the Laborers, then that made it easier to get in to the Ironworkers. Then with that experience, he got in to the Pipefitters. It does help to already belong to a union.UA Local 598