Designed to address the pressing issues facing the ironworking industry, the recent North American Iron Workers/Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) conference attracted almost 1,500 union workers, contractors, owners and other industry representatives.
Held in Las Vegas, the four day event was comprised of a series of general sessions, breakout workshops, keynote speakers and networking sessions, plus a fond farewell to the Iron Workers retiring general president.
“Each year, the North American Iron Workers/IMPACT conference sets the bar for collaboration between union ironworkers, partner contractors and industry stakeholders,” says IMPACT CEO Aaron Bast.
“In 2026, we are focused on equipping our members and partners with actionable insights that drive workforce growth, strengthen labour-management partnershipsand expand opportunities in an increasingly complex construction landscape.”
Some of the sessions included the potential in sectors such as mass timber, hybrid structures, Class A office space, ornamental work, artificial intelligence, plus mental health and diversity initiatives.
A focus on mental health and addiction was the core of one of the most poignant, blunt and confessional presentations of the entire conference.
In a talk tilted The Journey of a Lifetime: Regaining My Potential, Local Union 580 peer-to peer director Chris Scattone recounted his long journey growing up in a poor household, then as a drug addict living in a car, to becoming an ironworker who is now married, owns a home and helps co-workers wrestling with substance use.
In closing his talk, Scattone asked: “What is your union doing to help its members?”
Another session titled Flying Safe, Building Strong: What Aviation and Ironworkers Can Learn from Each Other, focused on the strong correlation between the industries, as both require precession and strict safety standards.
For Canadian attendees one of the most popular seminars was the one delivered by Toronto-based Ironworkers consultant and Local 721 honourary life member Lindsay Maskell.
Her Navigating Canada’s New Federal Landscape: Major Projects, Funding and Trade Risks in 2026 presentation focused on the changed priorities of Mark Carney’s Liberal government policies and how the focus on nuclear, defence, grid expansion, clean energy and other projects will affect the ironworking industry.
In an interview after the conference, Maskell said other topics she covered included recent data polling results which indicated increased public support for nuclear and pipeline projects.
“Most of the attendees were Canadian, but we had a few American contractors as well. They were looking for advice on how to deal with their own state governments.”
Maskell used the term a “tale of two countries” to contrast the actions and policies of the Canadian and American governments and the implications for the industry.
Ottawa has created the Major Projects Office to fast-track building projects, Carney has visited the Local 725 in Calgary, while Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli has visited several of its training centres. In the United States, however, the “anti-union” Donald Trump administration has cancelled a number of projects, she points out.
The conference was also significant in that it marked a ceremonial handing of the torch.
Eric Dean
After 10 years as the general president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (Iron Workers), Eric Dean retired this past December. Now the union’s general president emeritus, Dean followed three previous generations of his family in the trade and held a number of union positions before becoming general president.
In a video, several industry representatives paid tribute to both Dean’s personality and accomplishments, such as promoting mental health training, diversity and encouraging the entry of women into the trade.
“It has been a hell of a career,” said Dean at the end of the video.
He has been succeeded by Kevin Bryenton, a second generation member of Local 721 (Toronto) and the first Canadian to hold the general president’s position.
Dean’s achievements and a dinner in his honour likely attracted a number of new attendees, says IMPACT’s Canadian representative Bert Royer.
“But once they attend they’re hooked and keep coming back,” says Royer on the success of the conference and previous ones.
Planning is already underway for next year’s session which will be held in New Orleans, he says.
The Iron Workers’ represents about 120,000 members in North America.