About Us
Local 97 Mandate
Ironworkers Local 97 is a part of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers. Its area of coverage includes all of British Columbia, and the Yukon. Since 1906, Ironworkers Local 97 has fought to better the lives of Ironworkers through collective bargaining. Our mandate is to raise wages and working conditions for Ironworkers, and to ensure that Ironworkers receive the training they need to be safe, productive, and professional at work.
What We Offer
Local 97 is a member-driven organization. We support our members in becoming the safest, best-trained, and most productive Ironworkers in the province. In addition to providing representation in the workplace and the benefits of collective bargaining, we provide extensive opportunities for training.
The core of Local 97’s training is our apprenticeship. We offer comprehensive apprenticeship support, a network of employers to work and get experience with, and support at all stages for any challenges you may have.
We also offer a variety of training courses, such as safety training, welding training, and various other professional development programs.
What We Do
The men and women of Ironworkers Local 97 build this province and have built many landmarks along the way. We place rebar, erect structural steel, weld, and rig. We have built the bridges that connect our cities, the stadiums we come together in, and the ports that serve our economy. We have built the high-rises you live in, the schools you attend, and the hospitals you get help in. Outside of the cities, we work to bring in new industries and infrastructure as we build mines, windmills and dams.
projects that matter
Do some of these sound familiar?
All Four Skytrains
Vancouver Convention Center
Ironworkers Local 97 was granted its charter in 1906. For over 112 years the members of Local 97 have worked together to help each other out, understanding that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. We have fought for the men and women who put their lives on the line, and that fight continues in the spirit of those we have lost.
With a long history, there are always many moments to ponder; however, one always seems to come to the forefront: the collapse of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge on June 17th, 1958.
On that fateful day we lost 17 of our brother Ironworkers, and we have honoured them every year, on the anniversary. We recently held the 60th memorial of the event, and it was a touching testament to the conviction of our members to remember those who came before us, and the continual need to press for safer workplaces.
As we look to the future, we are looking to you! Ironworkers Local 97 is working to grow its membership and train new ironworkers to meet the needs of this growing province. There are many large, long-term projects which are coming up in the near future, and they are going to require highly skilled and certified Ironworkers.
A snapshot of a few of the significant projects you may want to put your mark on include:
- Site C Hydroelectric Dam
- LNG Canada
- Pattullo Bridge
- Broadway Subway