The Standards of Excellence are one of the most significant programs recently initiated at the Ironworkers International Union. The program arose from conversations regarding the attitudes of some Ironworkers and their conduct on the job which shows a basic lack of respect for company tools and starting and/or quitting times among other similar problems. The International Association recognized an opportunity to try and address these issues internally by developing and implementing the Ironworkers' Standards of Excellence.

Once the Standards were adopted by the Ironworkers' General Executive Board, they immediately became a part of every Local Union's by-laws. They are also one of the Ironworkers' Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), a checklist of best practices that measure each Local Union to give an accurate assessment of a Local Union's strengths and weaknesses. This voluntary internal Ironworker method has begun addressing these attitude and behavioral issues.

Poster size copies of the Standards, smaller posters with peel and stick backs, and hard hat stickers are available free through IMPACT. The Standards can be placed in offices, break rooms, or any area in which Ironworkers regularly congregate. Several contractors have already placed the "poster stickers" on welding machines, gang boxes, and company trucks so that all of their Ironworker employees know that the contractor recognizes and supports the Standards of Excellence.

For more information about the Ironworkers' Standards of Excellence please contact the Ironworkers General Secretary's office at (202) 383-4820.