An operating engineer operates construction equipment that assists other trades in the construction of roads, bridges, dams, buildings both large and small and many other structures. The work of an operating engineer is divided into three general classifications.

Operating equipment – used in construction such as bulldozers, graders, backhoes and cranes. Other equipment includes the repairing and earth moving equipment – used in the building of roads, bridges, dams, and large buildings. Stationary engineer – duties include operating and maintaining building and mechanical systems.

The Boilermakers are a diverse union of workers in construction, maintenance, manufacturing, professional emergency medical services, repair and related industries. Boilermakers build and repair ships, fishing boats, ferries, barges, cranes, boilers, tanks, pressure vessels, plate and structural fabrications, among other things. These skilled workers often use acetylene torches, power grinders and other equipment for welding, burning, cutting, rigging, layout and bolting. It’s hard work, and heavy lifting and dedication to the craft is required.

The Boilermakers union consists of 63 local lodges, 1 district lodge, and 1 national lodge.

Members of the Roofers union install new roofs and remove old roofs using a variety of materials. Roofers install hot built-up and single-ply roofing systems on mostly commercial/industrial structures. Waterproofers install moisture-resistant products on below-grade structures and other surfaces to prevent water intrusion into buildings. The work is performed in all weather conditions. Members also operate a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment associated with the installation of roofing and waterproofing products.

The union includes 78 locals and 11 district councils.

BAC represents all skilled trowel trades workers, including bricklayers, tile setters, plasterers, cement masons, marble masons, restoration workers, and terrazzo and mosaic workers. Their work can be seen on many buildings, homes, stadiums, monuments and landmarks throughout the United States and Canada.
BAC craftworkers routinely demonstrate their talents at trade shows, Union Industries Shows, and apprentice contests. Members belong to roughly 155 Locals in the United States and Canada.

The IBEW represents workers in the electrical industry including construction, gas and electric utilities, telecommunications, railroads and government agencies. Construction and residential electricians work in all phases of the electrical construction and service industry. Their worksites range from single-family residences to state-of- the-art industrial plants. Inside wire workers may install and maintain conduits, switches and converters, as well as wire lighting, to complex systems incorporating computerization and high technology. Electricians work in the electric sign industry and increasingly perform more work in the installation of fiber optics and voice/data/video equipment.

Members of this union apply insulation to pipes, tanks, boilers, ducts, refrigeration equipment and other surfaces requiring thermal control of temperatures. The responsibilities of these mechanics, improvers and apprentices also include the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, molding, erection, spraying, pouring, mixing, hanging, preparation, application, adjusting, alteration, repairing, dismantling, reconditioning, corrosive control, testing and maintenance of heat or frost insulation. Workers also handle insulation materials made of fiberglass, rubber, calcium silicate and urethane. Asbestos workers also do removal of asbestos containing material.

Members of the Iron Workers assemble and erect steel framework and other metal parts in buildings and on bridges, dams, skyscrapers, factories and other steel structures. They raise, place and join steel griders and columns to form structural frameworks, including the welding for metal decking.

SMWIA members work in several industries. Sheet metal workers fabricate, install and service heating, venting, and air conditioning systems; blowpipe and industrial systems; metal roofing; coping and flashing; and stainless steel work for restaurants, kitchens and hospitals. They prepare shop and field drawings manually and with computer programs. Members also provide HVAC/R service.

The Teamsters represent 1.4 million working men and women in virtually every occupation throughout the United States and Canada – including many in the construction industry.

Two-thirds of Teamsters members work in one of five divisions: Warehouse, Parcel, Freight, Public Employees and Industrial Trades. The Public Employees sector is the union’s fastest-growing division.

Teamsters members are also spread out geographically. The largest concentrations of Teamsters are in the regions in the Central and Eastern states.

OPCMIA members represent skilled plasterers, cement masons, shophands and associated members. Plasterers finish interior walls and ceilings of buildings, apply plaster on masonry, metal, wirelath or gypsum. They also do fireproofing, soundproofing and venetian plaster.

Bridges, canals, dams, reservoirs, roads and many other engineering feats would be impossible without the skills of OPCMIA cement masons. Cement masons are responsible for all concrete construction, including pouring and finishing of slabs, steps, wall tops, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, paving and other concrete construction. Additionally, they do EFIS, concrete polishing, restoration, overlayments, and epoxy flooring.

OPCMIA members belong to 100 local unions, 4 district councils, 17 state conferences, and 3 provincial conferences.

UA is a multi-craft union that represents plumbers and pipe, sprinkler, and refrigerator fitters, as well as service technicians. All of these jobs require the installation, remodeling or maintenance of systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids or gases necessary for sanitation, industrial production, heating and air conditioning, and many other uses. Workers measure, cut, and bend pipe, as well as weld, braze, caulk, solder, glue or thread joints at residential and commercial job sites.

The IUEC represent the most qualified and trained elevator constructors in the world. Members assemble, install and replace elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Elevator constructors also maintain and repair this equipment once it is in service, as well as modernize older equipment.

IUPAT members work in one or more of several crafts: painting, wallpaper hanging, glazing (glass work), drywall and taping, floor covering, and sign and display work.

Painters and paperhangers work in industrial, commercial and residential settings, from bridges and ships to interior walls of office buildings and homes. Drywall finishers tape, fill in and smooth seams in sheets of drywall. Glaziers prepare and install various kinds of glass, mirrors, metal framing and doors/entrances to buildings. Floor coverers work with resilient floors, as well as carpet and decorative coverings. Exterior sign and display work, like billboards, is another choice. Other types of work are convention display and show decorators.

The Laborer must have a common knowledge of all work performed by building trades people for he or she is the tender or helper in the Industry. The Laborer is called upon to operate and maintain power tools such as the power grinder, chipper, tamping machine, concrete vibrator, chipping hammer, pavement breaker, jackhammer, crawler drills, welding, cutting and burning, burning bar, power curper, laser beam, laser tracking level, laser beacon, hydraulic shoring, sod cutter, power buggy, sky genie, trenching machine, asphalt screed, demolition and the use of explosives, cribbing and sheeting, traffic control, surveying and measuring equipment, all aspects of concrete and asphalt construction.

Construction craft laborers provide much of the routine physical labor at building, highhway, and heavy construction projects, tunnel and shaft excavations, and demolition sites. They clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, and clean up rubble and debris.

In addition to performing a variety of excavation, tunneling, and pipe work, construction craft laborers work as individuals on highly specialized tasks. The installation of utility pipe, for example, requires the set up and operation of lasers guidance equipment for precise pipe elevation and placement. Tunnel and shaft projects may require workers to be trained and experienced in the use of drilling equipment and explosives. In hazardous waste removal, they may operate, maintain, and read monitoring devices; perform material and atmospheric sampling; build, clean or maintain facilities for hazardous material removal and decontamination; and package and transport hazardous or radioactive materials.