Ironworkers Local #5 was chartered in 1901 and has over 1000 active journeymen and apprentice members as well as 150 retired members. Local 5 is a progressive Local Union with a vision to move the industry to the future. We have a promising future because of strong active membership, aggressive recruitment of organized open shop ironworkers, and energetic new apprentices.
The Union Hall is located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The heart of our jurisdiction is Washington DC; we cover parts of Maryland, Virginia, and small portion of West Virginia. We are privileged to be in the middle of the “Nations Capitol, Washington DC” known for its architecture. Our members have worked on many of these projects old and new, going back to 1901 replacing the old wooden trusses with steel ones in United States Capitol, to topping out the new Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium in 2008. The skyline of Washington and surrounding suburbs are ever changing and Ironworkers Local 5 has been there every step of the way.
About Washington DC
We invite you to visit Washington DC and see the beautiful monuments, historic buildings, museums and new innovative buildings. Members of Local 5 played a large part in the construction of these wonderful sites. If you do plan a site seeing excursion in Washington, look at the craftsmanship that Ironworkers performed on these landmarks. If you visit Washington D.C., come by the Local Union and say Hi, and purchase a shirt or hat.
About Ironwork
Ironwork is the most diverse trade in the construction industry. Ironworkers are most notably known as those nuts that walk on the steel beams on building and bridges. This is just a part of the Ironworker trade.
You stroll past a portion of ironwork everyday and don't realize it. Here are just few examples of what Ironworkers do:
- Structural Steel Erection is a demanding occupation made up of hard working, physically fit Ironworkers. There work stands as a skeleton silhouette of new structures in there infancy.
- Miscellaneous and Ornamental Ironwork is a very diverse portion of the trade, thus the name infers. Stairs and handrail of every shape, made of several different metals fall under miscellaneous. Support iron which is never seen; support everything from bathroom partitions to the elegant chandelier etc... You name it, if it’s heavy and hanging, miscellaneous iron is usually supporting it. The installation of fancy metal, such as bronze, brass, and stainless seen in lobbies and throughout buildings, ironwork is performed by the miscellaneous ironworker.
- Curtainwall and Window Wall Installation, . Every where you look you see buildings framed in glass in different shapes and colors. The day of just looking out windows is gone. Today they make up the architectural design of every building.
- Rigging is probably one of the most technical and under appreciated aspect of ironwork. In a manner of speaking riggers "do the heavy lifting." Rigging consist of making large picks, sometimes in the mega tons with the use of cranes, hoists, jacks, helicopters or what is necessary to do the project. They appear to do the impossible, moving large machinery, artifacts, etc. under the most difficult conditions.
- Precast (Stone) Erection is a part of many buildings. There are a few types of precast. Structural precast which is used for the structure of buildings such parking garages, bridges, or stadiums. Probably the most widely known is architectural precast, which adds to the exterior esthetics of buildings.
- The installation Safes, Safety Deposit Boxes, ATM’s and other Bank Equipment, yes Ironworkers do that too!
I think you the get idea; Ironwork has a multitude of facets. An Ironworker must have a ton (no pun intended) of knowledge. This work has to be done in a safe and efficient manner. Training, such as blueprints, welding, rigging, safety and more, is provided by Ironworkers Local #5 to apprentices and journeymen. You’ve got to have it all together to be an outstanding Ironworker, period.