Capabilities / History

On July 18, 1901, the forefathers of Iron Workers Local 25 formed a bond of brotherhood to fight for shorter work weeks and safer working conditions for an honest days’ pay. As a result of many organized demonstrations over the years, each Local 25 administration has contributed to the improved working conditions & benefits that all of our members enjoy today. Our predecessors struggled on, fought against our foes, and overcame obstacle after obstacle. This is our legacy. They blazed a trail for others to follow.

The Iron Workers are quite often referred to as the “Sky Cowboys;” sharing the adventure & excitement which frontiersmen and explorers enjoyed. Falling in line with one of the 10 most dangerous jobs in the world, these men and women of steel are unique. They take a blank canvas of sky and erect a steel skeleton on which a city is formed.

One of Michigan’s greatest landmarks is the Mackinac Bridge. Before there was a bridge, the ironworker was there to run those enormous spools of cable and helped build the caissons into the treacherous cold waters that the columns set on in the Straights of Mackinaw. Before the first car ran down the assembly lines, the ironworker was there to erect the building that housed the line. The ironworkers took many Architects’ dreams and turned them into Cobo Hall, Joe Lewis Arena, The Renaissance Center, One Detroit Center, Comerica Park, CompuWare, Ford Field, and many others.

The pride our members have as union trades-people and what they have build is like no other. Our members have fought not only for improved working conditions for themselves, but believe it is our responsibility to fight and uphold the rights of fellow Americans and Union Brothers & Sisters.

With the completion of every job, it has been a tradition of the Ironworkers 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, an American Flag, and an Ironworkers banner which are hoisted and displayed on the final beam. Additionally 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. “This is always the proudest day for the Ironworkers,” states Jim Hamric, Business Manager. As quoted in the December 1984 issue of the Ironworker Magazine …“The nice thing about Topping Out, is that no two ceremonies are exactly alike. For some, the evergreen symbolizes that the job went up without a loss of life, while for others it is a good luck charm for the future occupants. More often, the flag represents structure built with pride, patriotism and the American dream.”

I myself would like to think that the evergreen means no lives were lost due to the conscience efforts and skilled training of all the ironworkers on the job. As for the flag, let it stand for the patriotism & the pride of the American Union Brothers & Sisters. I am proud to be part of the Organized Union Labor force and hope to instill in you how proud you too should be as members of the Brotherhood of Ironworkers.

by Greg Hicks, former Business Manager/FST of Ironworkers Local Union No. 25 and General Organizer of Ironworkers International.