Ironworker Facts

• In its 115 year history, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers has been led by just twelve 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, and Walter Wise.
• At the 42nd Convention in August 2011, IPAL set a new convention record of collecting over $209,400 donations to the President's Club.
• Total construction spending is predicted to rise to $817B by 2015.
• 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.
• More than 400 ironworkers, along with thousands of other workers, are on site at One World Trade Center, rebuilding the New York skyline. Many ironworkers started their work there ten years ago, doing recovery after the 9/11 attacks. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

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