Pipe welding unions are organizations created to protect the rights of welders, ensuring fair wages and working conditions.
The purpose of such unions is to ensure welders receive fair wages, safe working conditions and access to all the tools needed for their trade.
Welding unions in the United States have been around since 1900 when the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers was founded.
Since then, welding unions have become one of the strongest labor organizations in the country and continue to fight for worker’s rights today.
These pipe welding unions protect their members by negotiating contracts with employers that guarantee certain standards when it comes to pay rate, hours worked, safety regulations and other benefits like health insurance or vacation time.
List of Pipe Welding Unions
Pipe welding is an important trade for many people in the US. Not only does it provide a good wage and better job security, but it also has the potential to advance one’s career.
Read more: How to Join a Welding Union: Welders Guide
As a pipe welder, you should become familiar with the various unions that are available to join if you want to further your skill set and job opportunities. Here is a list of some of the most popular pipe welding unions in the United States:
1. Plumbing and Pipefitters Unions
The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, UA, is one of the oldest labor unions in the United States. Founded in 1889 in Washington D.C., it was created to protect the rights of plumbers and pipefitters across America.
Since then, UA has grown to become a leading union for skilled tradespeople and all workers whose jobs involve fitting piping systems, boilers, and related equipment.
UA union membership is open to all professional pipefitters with experience as well as apprentices who are just starting out their careers.
With its long history of protecting workers’ rights and providing good wages, benefits and job security to its members; hundreds of thousands have joined up over the years making it one of the most successful labor unions in North America.
Click here to find a local Plumbing and Pipefitters Unions in your area.
2. Ironworker’s Unions
The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers is a union that represents ironworkers in the United States. Founded over 125 years ago in 1896, it is one of the oldest labor organizations in the country. The union works to protect the rights and interests of ironworkers in all aspects of their work life – from safety regulations to wages and benefits.
Find your local Ironworker’s Union.
As one of America’s most important unions, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers plays an integral role in protecting workers throughout the US. It advocates for its members’ rights on Capitol Hill and negotiates contracts with employers across multiple industries where welders are employed such as construction sites and steel mills.
3. Boilermakers Union
The Boilermakers Union represents more than 90,000 skilled tradespeople across the United States and Canada.
Find your local Boilermakers Union.
Their members are employed in industries such as metal fabrication, shipbuilding, pipeline construction, power plant maintenance and operation, manufacturing operations and more.
Through collective bargaining agreements negotiated with employers throughout these industries they have secured better wages and benefits for their members while also maintaining safety standards that protect both employees and customers alike.
What union is best for welders?
Welders looking for a strong union to represent them have many options. Boilermakers, ironworkers and pipefitters are all unions that offer protection and support for welders.
Boilermakers provide support in a range of welding fields, including construction projects and other industrial applications. Ironworkers specialize in structural steel welding while pipefitters focus on gas and oil pipeline construction and repair.
All three unions provide excellent benefits such as competitive wages, job security, healthcare plans, retirement savings plans and legal assistance when needed. They also have extensive training programs available to help welders stay up to date with the latest technology in the industry.
