The union's apprenticeship training program is second to none with 175training facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Pennsylvania is home to eighttraining facilities: Clearfield, Harrisburg, two in Philadelphia,Pittsburgh, Reading, Easton and Scranton. In each facility, apprenticesare taught the most up-to-date safety techniques through certified OSHAsafety training. Additionally, apprentices learn techniques that focus onwelding, tying rebar, rigging, structural steel erection and ornamentalironworking. As a result of this training, Locals can supply qualifiedironworkers to contractors for specific projects and ensures productivitythrough an industry-standard drug-testing program.

A productive work force will be required, as half of the project-spendingactivity in Pennsylvania will be in the Power Industry, which is planning128 major projects totaling more than $13 billion. The Metals & MineralsIndustry is the second largest with 70 projects totaling $3.4 billion.

Union Ironworkers are currently involved in a number of major industrialprojects in western Pennsylvania. Approximately 64 Ironworkers are involvedwith a $200 million sulfur-dioxide emissions-reduction project underconstruction for owner Reliant Energy Mid-Atlantic Power Holdings LLC(Canonsburg, Pennsylvania) and E&C firm Shaw Stone & Webster EngineeringCorporation (Englewood, Colorado) at the Keystone Power Station inShelocta, Pennsylvania. At U.S. Steel's (NYSE:X) (Pittsburgh) EdgarThompson steel mill in Braddock, Pennsylvania, about 100 union ironworkersare involved with an extended two-week maintenance shutdown. Work willinclude a rebuild of a ladle turret and bearing replacement. Both of theseprojects are being sourced by Ironworkers Union Local No. 3 in Pittsburgh.

According to a recent Industrial Info Labor Demand Analysis, the number ofrequired Ironworker journeymen for industrial construction in WesternPennsylvania in 2009 is forecast to exceed 2,800. "We have reviewed andimproved our programs within our training facilities as well asrestructured the program to accommodate the needs of our signatorycontractors so that the many projects that are currently under constructionwill be completed safely and on time. We believe that this positions ourLocal in a way that benefits both the contractors and our members," saidMark Thomas, business manager and financial secretary/treasurer forIronworkers Union Local No. 3.

Local No. 3 covers the Pittsburgh, Erie and Clearfield areas whereapproximately 65% (about $17.3 billion) of the industrial construction workin Pennsylvania is planned. Local No. 3 has 1,450 journeyman ironworkers inits ranks. "The Ironworkers Union is strategically positioned not only totrain apprentice ironworkers but, by teaming with construction contractors,can provide industrial market intelligence and access to projects throughour partnership with Industrial Info with the goal of reducing contractorcost and improving project return on investment by reducing labor costs,"Thomas said.

For more information about the Ironworkers Union, Click Here.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information servicespecializing in industrial process, energy and financial related marketswith products and services ranging from industry news, analytics,forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia services.For more information send inquiries to manpower@industrialinfo.com or visitus online at www.industrialinfo.com.

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Contact:Joe Govreau713-783-5147