It all began on Tuesday, February 4, 1896. The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers was founded right here in Pittsburgh. What better place could there be to hold the founding convention of an international bridgemen's union than Pittsburgh, the City of Bridges? Not only did this convention mark the creation of our International Union, but it also marked the birth of Local Union No. 3.

From the very beginning, the job was a challenge and not for the weak of heart. The original intent for a unionized workers group grew out of the desire for workers to provide each other a respectable funeral in the event of accidental death on the job and to care for each other during times of sickness and injury.

During the past one hundred years, the international association has evolved into a centralized training operation that provides workers with health care and other benefits, along with a systemized wage rate that ensures an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. We have come a long way!