More than 60 unions represent more than 14 million workers across the United States. Union membership comes with various perks, including higher pay, better benefits, safer work environments, and a voice on the job. We’ve covered the history of unions across America and their impact on Chicagoland. Unions set the standard and bring stability and equality to industries from both the public and private sectors. Vogelzang Law is proud to work with unions from a wide variety of industries; here are the top seven:
Insulators represent a notable portion of the unions that VL serves. These skilled professionals play an essential role in the construction and maintenance of buildings by expertly managing the installation, replacement, and demolition of various insulating materials. Their work is vital for regulating indoor temperatures, ensuring comfort, energy efficiency, and overall building performance.
For 115 years, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (IAHFIAW or Insulators) has operated in the United States and Canada. It started in 1903 as Pipe Coverers Union No. 1 in St. Louis, MO, and quickly drafted and approved its constitution in July 1903.
For over 100 years, through good times and bad, the IAHFIAW has endured and expanded. They were one of the first unions to sound the alarm on the hazards of asbestos exposure, setting the standard recommendations that established, enacted, and enforced regulations surrounding exposure to carcinogens on the job. Through economic depression and prosperity, the IAHFIAW continues to set the bar and flourish.
Pipefitters play a crucial role in maintaining the comfort and functionality of our modern living and working spaces. They are responsible for installing and repairing piping systems that transport water, gas, and other essential fluids. However, despite the significance of their work, they faced serious health risks due to asbestos exposure.
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The trades associated include pipefitters, pipeliners, plumbers, steamfitters, welders, metal trades, sprinkler fitters, and HVACR service technicians.
The UA prides itself on its Built on Excellence initiative, which grounds itself in three fundamental pillars: Excellence, Productivity, and Safety. Additionally, the UA prides itself on community involvement and the true spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Education is at the forefront for the UA. Members can access state-of-the-art training programs for specialized processes, accelerated welding training, management courses, certification programs, college degree programs, and more. Being a lifelong learner and supporting growth are core benefits of the UA.
The work of boilermakers is essential for maintaining and constructing the world around us. These skilled tradespeople specialize in assembling, installing, and repairing heavy metal structures and machinery and constructing and repairing electric power plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and steel mills. They engage in projects involving building naval ships, commercial buildings and tankers, industrial facilities, ships, and vehicles, repairing locomotives, and ensuring these structures are safe, functional, and durable.
Boilermakers possess specialized skills in operating various welding equipment, allowing them to securely join metal pieces. Additionally, they are proficient in fabricating metal components according to precise specifications. Their expertise is vital across various industries, including manufacturing, shipyards, railway companies, and chemical plants, where they contribute to the efficient operation and safety of complex systems and machinery.
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has over 50,000 members working in heavy industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining, and other related industries. The union was organized in 1880 and grew from the industrial revolution’s demand for steam power. What started as two different unions of boilermakers, one in Chicago and one in the south, soon joined forces to become the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO.
Headquartered in Kansas City, KS, the IBB is the oldest union in the US and has more than 200 local lodges across North America. The union has been active in federal and local government, fighting against increasing globalization that sends American and Canadian manufacturing overseas to produce cheaper goods. Even though union membership and creation have waned in the last century, the Boilermakers continue to offer education and protection. They created the Boilermakers National Funds, MOST Trust, and the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program. Our neighbors to the north have also created a robust apprenticeship program as well as offering extensive training and education.
Sheet metal workers play a crucial role in the construction and maintenance of buildings, ensuring they are both safe and functional for occupants and users alike. These skilled tradespeople specialize in working with thin sheets of metal, which they meticulously shape and assemble to create a wide range of products, including ductwork, roofing, siding, and other essential components found in residential and commercial structures.
Their work involves fabricating these metal items and installing them in various locations, ensuring they meet specific design and safety standards. Given the intricacies of their tasks, attention to detail is vital, as even minor errors can lead to significant issues in construction.
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) is one of the country’s most diverse and dynamic unions. With more than 230,00 members, the union comprises sheet metal workers, service technicians, bus operators, railroad engineers, conductors, sign workers, welders, production employees, and more.
As SMART has expanded, its membership has become more diverse, encompassing various industries and professions, such as bus operators, HVAC technicians, sign installers, and freight and passenger rail conductors. Today, you will find SMART members in construction, rail shops, shipyards, nuclear power plants, rail yards, and all over America’s transportation network.
Carpenters play a vital role in our communities by remodeling and renovating commercial buildings and residential homes, helping to keep them standing and beautiful.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) is one of America’s largest building trade unions, founded 140 years ago. With over half a million members, the UBC represents those working in the construction and wood products industries.
The UBC has over 26 regional councils, which are the administrative units for more than 450 local unions. The councils collaborate with members from the local, state, and regional construction industry, helping to ensure more winning bids, better union market share, and respect across the nation.
Today, the UBC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., just across from the White House. The UBC has also invested in its members through training and education at its International Training Center in Las Vegas. Through decades and change, the UBC has maintained its “unwavering commitment to helping carpenters improve their lives, their futures, and their trade.”
Bricklayers are fundamental to the construction of our environment, shaping the very structures we inhabit. Their skilled craftsmanship extends from the backbone of load-bearing walls that support buildings to the intricate design of chimneys that enhance both form and function. Additionally, they create walkways that provide safe passage and accessibility, along with various other elements that contribute to our surroundings’ overall functionality and beauty. By meticulously laying each brick and ensuring precision in their work, bricklayers lay a strong and enduring foundation upon which our communities thrive, reflecting their vital role in shaping our everyday lives.
The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) was founded in 1865 and has furthered its mission to improve members’ quality of life through higher wages, safer working conditions, and solidarity and camaraderie among members. BAC is the oldest continuous union in North America and represents workers from various industries including bricklayers, stone and marble masons, plasterers, cement masons, tile setters, terrazzo and mosaic workers, and pointers, cleaners, and caulkers.
The dedicated and persistent work of laborers has played a crucial role in facilitating the development of new structures that prioritize safety and incorporate innovative designs. This effort has significantly transformed the city of Chicago, and its neighboring regions, and even extended across the entire nation. Through their skill and commitment, laborers have not only built modern buildings but have also contributed to creating safer environments that enhance the quality of life for communities. These advancements reflect the collaborative spirit of various trades and the unwavering determination of those who lay the groundwork for progress in both urban and rural settings.
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) has over half a million members across the United States and Canada, working in the construction and energy industries. Laborers build and maintain infrastructure, including roads, bridges, skyscrapers, and transit. They are also critical to the energy industry as they build solar plants, wind farms, natural gas and oil pipelines, and maintain nuclear and coal plants.
LiUNA also represents the public sector with over 70,000 public employees. These members provide critical services ranging from health care to sanitation to road maintenance to emergency response. The National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), representing 47,000 mail handlers, is also a part of LiUNA.
#UnionStrong
Vogelzang Law is proud to partner with unions across Chicago and the State of Illinois. We are honored to count numerous unions representing bricklayers, steelworkers, insulators, pipefitters, laborers, sprinkler fitters, carpenters, and many more as valued partners, colleagues, and friends.
