Iron Workers Local 377

Organized Labor

Climmie Hines, Apprentice, Local 377
I went to the City Build program in San Francisco and was introduced to one of the union reps and then got sponsored by Cal Erector. I've been here since April. Before this, I was a union painter for two years and did other miscellaneous things. There are so many things I like about iron work, and things I haven't even tried yet. I like putting up beams and taking out beams, cutting and grinding and reinforcing stuff. I even like fire watching. When someone is welding, you have to secure the whole area and make sure nobody gets burned or that anything catches on fire. It is a real important job, because if somebody got hurt, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. I like looking after people. We have to look after each other as iron workers. There is a lot of brotherly love. Everyone helps you out, giving you advice about everything from tools to which companies to work for and which ones to look out for. I never thought I would have as much fun at a job as I do here.