For a MapQuest map to the Clay Funeral Home JH

For a MapQuest map to the Wayfaring Ministry JH

In some occupations, danger comes with the job. This is clear in the latest national census of fatal occupational injuries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released last Friday....

To read the story, or to see the list JH

IRON CITY CONSTRUCTORS of Aliquippa, PA is doing a siding job with LU 474 members at the Northern Wood Power Project in Newington, NH for Public Service of New Hampshire. Thanks to Dave "Shake" Paquette for the pictures.

To see a slideshow of the job JH

Berlin Steel of Connecticut is doing a job down at the Brayton Point power plant. Roy Coulombe forwarded some pictures from the site.

To see a slideshow of the members who are working on the job JH

NOTE: I will be on vacation until Monday, August 29th. Unless the weather is a complete bust, I will not be updating the site in the interim. On another note, the July/August edition of The COLUMN is ready for the printer, so keep your eye out for that soon.  JH

Aztec Steel is doing the reinforcing steel for the new Springfield Courthouse.

To view a slideshow of their crew in action on that job JH

Arny Krane forwarded some updated information about the upcoming Kimberly Ferrara Run. Your support of this great event would be greatly appreciated.

For more information JH

Daniel Koury Construction's crew is doing a bang-up job for the city of Lincoln RI on their new Middle School.

To ID the members (above right) JH

A record was probably set for experience when Maine honored its members for their decades of service to Local 496...

To see a slideshow of the ceremony JH

A huge crowd turned out to witness the skills and knowledge of our members first-hand when Structures Derek of Canada topped out the new Worcester Courthouse. The greatest part of the ceremony was the handmade sign that rode on the bottom of the other banners that read ONE UNION UNITED! The former Local 57 members from Worcester were recently merged into Local 7 and the signs says it all. These members did a terrific job erecting the steel and deserve accolades for the positive approach they brought to this project. Many Central Massachusetts dignitaries were there to celebrate our accomplishment and we wish to thank them for their support also. Congratulations are in order to every worker who played a part in bringing this job in.

To view a slideshow of the event JH

To see a few pictures of our members in action around Worcester JH

For more information JH

When THE REPUBLICAN, a Springfield, MA newspaper needed to dismantle a huge old newspaper press they called on Hall Steel. Hall Steel hired Local 7 members from the Springfield area and the skills of these members were highly evident when all was said and done. Thanks to THE REPUBLICAN, HALL STEEL and these members who got the job done!

To see pictures of this dismantling and rigging job JH

Adam Boudreau's death in an on-the-job accident in Boston last October shook the foundation of Local 7 to the core. He left behind his wife, Christina and their young son, Lucas. Recently, Christina found herself in need of some help around her property, and the call went out to Local 7. As usual, they responded!

To see pictures of Adam's former co-workers and friends in action JH

Local 496's 4th year apprentice Dan Pease (pictured above right) was the overall winner in this year's annual Apprentice Competition. Congratulations go out to all the participants, especially brother Pease. Thanks also to the many great instructors who make the training possible.

To see a slideshow of the event JH

Local 496 in Maine recently held their annual golf tournament to support Maine's SPECIAL OLYMPICS...

To see pictures of the event JH

Too smart to get a physical? That's not too smart!

NOTE: Reprinted from the BOSTON HERALD Joe Fitzgerald Column

Joe Fitzgerald of the BOSTON HERALD is one of the finest writers in the country. His poignant human interest stories are always interesting, but his column in today's Herald was an indictment on his own inability to get regular health checkups. After feeling less energetic than usual for over a year, he finally submitted to a physical and did not hear what he wanted to hear.

We have reprinted Joe's words in an effort to get our members to the doctor if they too have neglected to do so up until now. We have a terrific insurance plan in spite of the national disgrace surrounding health insurance. You need to take advantage of it as "An ounce of prevention is (still) worth a pound of cure." GET A CHECK-UP ASAP if you've been neglecting it!

Please also keep Joe Fitzgerald's future health, as well as the health of all our members and their family members, in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

To read Joe Fitzgerald's story JH

To read more on the history of the AFL-CIO's "A WALK TO CURE CANCER" JH

Local 7 is looking for members to help cleanup the property of the late Adam Boudreau. Adam's wife and son have had a rough year and any help you can give them would be greatly appreciated. Christina lives at 115 Newman Avenue in Seekonk, MA. Members are meeting there at 9 AM on Saturday, August 13, 2005. Please pitch in!

For directions to the Boudreau house JH

Local 7's Bob Whelan (781-447-2144) and President Paul Lynch (1-800-730-IRON 4766) are running a Poker Run and Family Day for the family of the late Tom "Tom Danger" Magee (owner of New England Steel) on September 10, 2005.

For more information JH

To see pictures of the ANNUAL CLAMBAKE JH

Building Trades officials from all over North America are in Boston to attend the convention of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the National AFL-CIO. With the recent shakeup caused by the defection of large organizations from the National AFL-CIO, it will be interesting to see what course of action the Building Trades' leaders have planned. We will update this posting with information and pictures as they become available.

To visit the official website of the BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT JH

To visit the official website of the National AFL-CIO JH

We don't know if this works, but it brings to mind the (true) story about the Local 7 iron worker (who shall go unnamed) who told another iron worker (nicknamed Rotten), "Yeah, I got a spare set of keys," when he found himself locked out of his car. "Where are they?" said Rotten. "They're in the glove compartment." True story (Rotten would never lie!).

To view the Iron Worker's International DIRECTORY online JH

This is a fantastic book about present day ironworking as well as the history of our craft. JH

To read more about author Jim Rasenbarger JH

New website for DC signatory Universal Steel Erectors...

Universal Steel out of Weare, NH has a great new website. It is important that we reach out to people in the construction industry to showcase the skills of our companies and our members and this is a great example of how to do it.

To check out the site JH

H. B. Welding of Rhode Island is building a new Super Stop & Shop at the South Bay mall in Boston.

To see pictures of the job in progress JH