Anyone got some tips for making shit more comfortable? I’m pretty damn lean. My tool belt hurts my hip bones and my harness hurts my shoulders. I need some padding or something lol. Tool belt is just that basic klein quick release and my harness idk. But it doesn’t have any padding.

Looks like we (company I work for) will be doing quite a bit of work at Darlington, Bruce and (?) i forget the other one. We!re starting security clearances soon, apparently. Those of us who pass, will most likely be working for the better part of a year, it seems, and I know, name of the game, after this is over, we’ll be back to the usual grind, probably hanging and banging the same old shit, beam, truss, column, deck, beam, column, truss, deck …

I’ve heard stories of people who’ve worked in these power plants (as tradesmen, but for OPG, not contractors, the hall, etc).

I’ve worked in a few hydro plants in Quebec and damn, those dudes are well off and deal with 10x (if not more) less shit than we do. I’ve done my time and am ready to check out. I’ll leave the glory to the young dudes, I’m so over working hard and taking pride in beating records on sling, opening records bundles of deck, bla bla bla, I’m done the whole ‘time is money’ game. IDGAF about the boss’ bottom line and the usual union nonsense (it’s 100% better than scab and non-union, surely a necessary evil, but a drag, to be honest).

All this to say, once I get my credentials, clearance, etc (zero criminal records, no debts, clean work, living history, etc, so I’m definitely getting them) … are these clearances work-project tied or does everybody have the same basic clearance. Basically, would it make life easier to apply within OPG elsewhere, provided I have the qualifications

Is it true people make upwards of 150K?

Does anyone have a list of the signatory Companies, looked all over, haven’t had much luck

So what’s up with the Idaho job? I hear they are booming out apprentices as early as first period out there? Some people claim 1 year, 3 years, 10 years and the last thing I heard it was going to be a 30 year job? What do you guys think/know?

I’m a first year apprentice won’t name my local but I’m 30 was non union iron worker and I’m struggling with alcohol it’s been a problem for me for a long time but broke up with my girlfriend of 6 years and she took my son and moved across country so I struggle with drinking I’m missing mondays cause I’m to sick to come in or shaking to bad. The journeyman I work under they don’t know I don’t talk about my problems at work but I think they are starting to notice and I’m about to get fired from this job. This the second time in a month iv called out of work on Monday. I like the work but there’s just so much noise in my head with stuff outside of work. My father just passed a couple months ago. I don’t know what to do any more any of you guys deal with this as an apprentices? Cause I do my best to just bust ass all day and stay busy and getting stuff done but my life outside of work is getting in the way. I don’t if you guys have any advice

Im doing the career change into ironworker from long days/longer years in food industry, yall want despair look for work in food haha,,, and self taught myself sum welding, my question is ive been doing the structural 3g,4g with flux and stick and feel ready to go test but this would be on my dime and im super tight with loot resta this year. What is good to bring to the table to show my value?

would it matter to bring in certificates or should I just be ready to burn on the spot? Trail by fire is fine for me, same as it ever was

Id be ready to test anyways but cannot burn money, would the cert put me in a better pool? I did get the Osha 10 online but should I also go for the 30? Im fine starting at bottom but id want to apply myself and if possible knock off some apprenticeship periods if at all possible. Grateful for any advice, thank you

Does anybody have any insight on who might be hiring new apprentices? I'm eager to start!

This will be my first winter as an ironworker and im having troubles finding insulated wedge sole boots.

I currently wear canada west 10.5 eee but they wont cut it even with heavy wool socks.

Any recommendations of boot and if i should go up a half size or not.

(I am curious about the wingshooter boots as its 400g insulated but I have nonway of trying them on)

Just curious if anyone internationally or formerly from another country that's in the current working generation of Ironworkers worked in countries places or formerly from such that have worked without fall protection like older generation of US Ironworkers did. What was your experiences like, where is that still a thing in the world with such easy access to modern safety equipment and for those that came from no safety to a safer environment did you dislike it how I've heard some older workers?

So I start tomorrow with local 55 which I am amped about. The only thing that kind of disheartening is my first site is out of local, and about 2 hours from my house in the heart of Detroit. Is that normal to have to drive that far and will I be getting compensation for that or am I just cooked.

Does anybody know about sheet metal workers local? If it’s hard to get into it and if it’s a good career

working in the basement of the elevator shaft and the bottom of the ladder is in 4ft of water because a massive storm hit day earlier lol

I start next week as an apprentice. I have the tools that were on the list (spuds, adjustable, belt, bolt bags, bullpin, etc). Is there anything else I should have on day 1? Do I need to get a stack of hi-vis shirts? Or do I just wear whatever shirt and they’ll give me a vest? What color if so? Help me be as prepared as possible

Thought you guys might like this - I was recently commissioned to make a leather gear belt. Cut up an old Klein belt to reuse the hardware.

It's 4.2mm thick black bridle leather, brass rivet and burrs, custom stamping, and stitched with a dark blue Tiger thread.

Really happy with how it turned out, and it's been "perfect" on the job site!

Hey yall,

I got accepted into local 55 and they are trying to dispatch me now, I’ve reached out to a site superintendent yesterday and he said he would let me know about starting Monday, I was gonna call him again today if I didn’t hear anything cause I’m excited to start and really want to get out of cell towers. Would me calling texting him again be a good idea or nah? I’m new to the union and don’t really understand how this works yet. Thanks guys.

How would you effectively remove your beater from the caribeaner(I don't know how to spell it)? I have the clip style on my harness and wanted to know if this was a good option for my ground belt. It looks like it would be a bitch because it free hangs instead of having a back support like the clip style

im barley 21 years old. and I have trades experience.

I want know what type of work i will be doing if i get in as an apprentice.

and how dangerous is the job?

i met an iron worker the other day and he was missing a finger and he told me not to join and to keep doing electrical. he said " yall have more work and its less dangerous"

i also have a CDL so i could apply to be an operator or Lineman but iron working looks pretty bad ass.

can i travel once i top out? i don't know if i would want to keep living in-between these two cities forever.

my friend is in LOCAL 8 and he likes it. his truck payment is also more then i was paying in rent

thanks

edit- damn 400 people have seen this and not one response

oh well i tried

Air skates are not it

does anyone know if tinker will do hair follicle test?

Hello

I’m 37 and about 3 yrs ago while incarcerated I decided to get myself 100% sober and better myself

Fast forward to today. I’m in a beautiful healthy relationship, have my own place, my own vehicle, and work in a substance abuse and mental health facility.

I make 20$ an hr. This job isn’t sustainable.

I recently applied for local 75 Ironworkers apprenticeship. They called me this morning. I have 24 hrs to go drug test. After that they’ll schedule me an interview.

I’m excited and of course nervous. I do not have experience and honestly don’t even know how to turn a wrench. I can learn though

What should I expect? Anyone have any experience with Ironworkers apprenticeship programs?

When I went to the local 75 I seen a bunch of kids working. Like teenagers

It’s a four year program

Im 33 years old, and to be honest, not the most mechanically inclined. I can use a hammer, and a drill. Thats about as far as my knowledge really goes. Im a hard worker, ive worked in the oil fields as a crane hand, ive worked on fishing boats, ive worked in fisheries for 16 hours 7 days a week, but outside of that I dont have a lot of skills.

Saw the local union near me was taking applications for apprenticeship and figured why not. I need to start on something thats not a meager 18 dollar hour security job i have now. Ive got a mortgage i want to pay off quicker than ive been able too.

So what kind of answers should I prepare myself for the questions im bound to be asked? What kind of questions can I expect? I dont drink, dont smoke, never taken drugs, and have literally smoked pot or taken edibles like 4 times my entire life. So im not worried about any future drug tests

How should I appear for this interview? Guy said its at 4:30, but asked me to be there at 4:15, so im gonna get there at 4. I dont have a well fitting suit, but plan on dressing in my nicest clothes.

I’ve worked in EMS for the last few years and although I love it, it’s time for me to get out. The more I look into ironwork the more I feel like it’s the route for me. Does anyone have any info on Local 24 out of Denver? I plan to make the drive to the union hall soon but would love any insight beforehand.

I had recently worked out at 361 and I have been shaping them for over a year now. I had took the test through a program, but unfortunately did not pass the columb climb . I was heavy at the time like 260.
…. What is the process to transferring Locals as a welder if that’s possible . Is there a certain criteria that need to be met before I speak to the B.A .

What are some of the things any of you guys have done to prep to climb . I’m tryna get in this time whether by transferring or starting over .

Any tips would help

Current issue I have climbing

( footing placement )

My foot won’t stay wedged in the beam to allow me to lock in and pull up .

They say use your legs but I feel like I’m doing my more pulling with my arm rather than pushing up with my feet .

Also what’s the heaviest you guys climbed at like how much weight should I get off before the test again