Iron Workers Local 477 Business Manager Jeb Miles joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the current construction boom in Huntsville, Ala. and his Local’s efforts to grow in order to meet the demand.
Local 477’s jurisdiction covers northern Alabama. Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama and one of the fastest growing cities in America, Miles said. NASA has been there since its inception. Local 477 currently services Blue Origin, the private aerospace company owned by Elon Musk that uses NASA’s rocket test stands and other NASA infrastructure, he added.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring additional federal funding and work to the Huntsville area. Local 477 and its signatory contractors are well positioned to compete for the construction work, Miles said.
To meet the demand caused by Huntsville’s construction boom, Local 477 is working to expand its apprenticeship program. The last three years have averaged 20 apprentices but the program has recently grown to 60 apprentices, Miles said. The Local also has had good success bringing non-union ironworkers into the union, he added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.