Construction & Industrial Trade Unions
Construction unions are organized mostly by trade. Each runs apprenticeship programs and refers members to union contractors. Industrial unions represent workers in plants, mills and refineries.
- Construction
- General Industry
The building trades
| Union | Trades |
|---|---|
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) | Electricians, linemen |
| United Association (UA) | Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, welders, HVAC service |
| United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) | Carpenters, millwrights, pile drivers, drywall and floor layers |
| Laborers’ International Union (LIUNA) | Construction craft laborers |
| International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) | Heavy equipment and crane operators, stationary engineers |
| Iron Workers | Structural, reinforcing (rebar) and ornamental ironworkers |
| SMART | Sheet metal workers, roofers in some areas, transportation workers |
| Bricklayers (BAC) | Bricklayers, stone, tile, terrazzo and plaster workers |
| Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) | Painters, drywall finishers, glaziers |
| Roofers and Waterproofers | Roofers |
| Insulators (Heat & Frost) | Mechanical insulators, firestop |
| Elevator Constructors (IUEC) | Elevator installers and mechanics |
| Boilermakers | Boilermakers, industrial maintenance |
| Cement Masons / Plasterers (OPCMIA) | Cement masons and plasterers |
| Teamsters | Truck drivers, including construction haulers |
Most belong to North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), and local building trades councils coordinate on big projects.
Hiring halls and referral
Many locals keep an out-of-work list. Contractors call the hall for workers, and members are referred according to rules in the agreement. Ask your local how its referral system works.
Project labor agreements (PLAs)
A PLA is a pre-hire agreement covering a single large project, setting wages, work rules and dispute procedures for all contractors on the job.
Industrial unions
In plants and refineries, unions like the United Steelworkers (USW), United Auto Workers (UAW), and others represent production and maintenance workers, often with strong health and safety committees.
Standards & references
Last updated: