Local 397 History
Projects Built or have worked on
- TECO Plant
- Big Bend
- Gannon Station
- Bartow Plant
- Progress Energy Crystal River Units 1-5
- Florida Power and Light Manatee Power Station 1 and 2
- Fort Myers Power Station 1-8
- Tampa Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Center
- Tampa International Airport and numerous Commercial Centers and Hospitals in our jurisdiction over the past 99 years.
- Mosaic Phosphate
- Tropicana Juice
- Clearwater Amphitheater- Imagine
- University Of Tampa Bell Tower
- USF Sundome
- Tampa Bay Amphitheater
In the late 1880s, steel had virtually replaced wood and stone as the primary load-carrying material in the erection of bridges and buildings. This abrupt change in structural materials brought about a demand for a new type of worker-bridge-men and architectural ironworkers. These Ironworkers became known as "cowboys in the sky."
As these daring, young, independent men, eventually aged and became husbands and providers, their thoughts turned to providing for their families during sickness, injury, and death. With the realization that by joining together, their voices would become stronger, unified, and heard.
They established the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America on February 4, 1896.
To Learn More Please Watch Our Videos Below:
• An Ironworking Tribute, (Video on the SESDC web site)
• Ironworking Documentary. (Video on the SESDC web site)
