For almost all of human history, stone & wood were the most commonly used building materials. Understandably, these materials were plentiful and highly workable. Although iron has been utilized for a millennia, it wasn’t until the dawn of the Industrial Revolution that iron’s true usefulness became realized, and America’s skylines began to soar.

Early ironworkers experienced immensely exciting, albeit dangerous, work as the nation built itself skyward. With perhaps a scant decade of service possible due to job hazards, these “cowboys in the sky” helped transform our nation into the industrialized juggernaut that further cemented our reputation as the “land of opportunity”.

The inherent risks of this burgeoning profession led to the formation of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America on February 4, 1896. Sixteen delegates founded the union in Pittsburgh in order to establish protections and rights for their hard work, a tradition which continues today.

The Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development (CREED LA) proudly supports environmentally-responsible construction projects throughout Los Angeles that not only have a positive impact on the local community, but support LA’s working families as well.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA at (877) 810-7473.