The Wealthy Ironworker

Bechtel is a large company that knows the value of a continuous workforce pipeline and wants to ensure their nuclear projects are staffed. Their solution? Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NABTU - North America's Building Trades Unions - to "advance and modernize apprenticeships." Bechtel's commitment to unions is a clear sign of the value of trade unionism and the Registered Appren...

9/11 - a catastrophic event of epic proportions. And while our first responders - our police, firefighters, and emergency personnel - were on the scene, there was another group also on the scene who took the lead: Ironworkers. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I get to sit down with the producer of "Metal of Honor: The Ironworkers of 9/11" - Rachel Maguire - where the often forgotten first responde...

Labor Day 2026 - THE sacred day for those of us who labor in the United States. In this podcast episode, I detail what I believe we should know about the holiday - and, just as important - what we should looking for going forward. Sneak peak? Labor unions are needed JUST AS MUCH TODAY AS THEY WERE IN THE PAST. I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podcast to email me. Please click...

Are you a contractor? Curious about what an actual Registered Apprenticeship Program can do for your company? You've come to the right podcast. In this episode, we discuss some of the benefits companies get from being associated with a registered apprenticeship program. I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podcast to email me. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://w...

Apprenticeships are superior to trade school in a number of ways, and in this podcast episode, I discuss them. A point of clarity here: For the most part, I am actively speaking about UNION Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podcast to email me. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ I...

While scrolling Reddit, I came across a discussion where someone asked, "What's the one thing about blue-collar work that people with office jobs will never truly understand?" In this podcast episode, I discuss some of those things from the Reddit post as well as interject my own thoughts. Here is the initial Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/bluecollar/comments/1vga316/whats_the_one_thing_abo...

Too many people focus on what they get paid in the pocket and disregard any benefits, often to their own detriment - especially later in life. No matter where you are at currently - completely disregarding benefits, get benefits but don't really understand their importance, haven't really thought about them, or simply would appreciate someone explaining them in greater detail, give this episode a...

"Notwithstanding anything to the contrary within this contract..." What?? Construction contracts are unlike any other type of contract you'll see, and yet far too many people sign confusing and difficult to understand language without a second thought. Kendall Hoyd - CEO of Fairbuild AI, and Cheryl Lewis, COO of Fairbuild AI - built Fairbuild AI to help construction subcontractors level the playin...

In this podcast episode, I discuss how the income inequality we are experiencing cannot continue; having a handful of trillionaires and massive unemployment will lead to civil unrest - and quite possibly, revolution. Here is the initial article I mention: https://www.newsweek.com/millionaire-ceo-warns-us-economy-revolution-bradley-tusk-11010360 I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the...

Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein, and while he is usually known for his scientific contributions, did you know he had economic thoughts, too? He criticized capitalism - and so did Peter Drucker, who is one of my favorite management giants. In this podcast episode, I explore in part what each said, unpack it, and offer my thoughts. The Einstein quote - taken from "Why Socialism?" written for M...

In this podcast episode, I discuss the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act - what it is, why it is proposed, and situations that have taken place, demonstrating why it's been proposed. Here are the links I mentioned during the podcast: David Norcross, House sponsor of the bill: https://norcross.house.gov/_cache/files/d/0/d05d572d-be84-485f-b498-76426792e484/86A633DDD5FA52FE03D7B3FDF1563BF2D96F17...

There seems to be a trend in the trades: The interest is there with people exploring new, viable options for a career. The difficulty, however, often is from contractors and customers; they only want people with several years of experience, often unwilling to expand their ranks and give the inexperienced a try. I believe this must change. I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podca...

Per diem, more money, the road life - whatever you've heard it called, it often turns into a trap. Many a man has sacrificed his family on the altar of the pursuit of success - only to find ruin. I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podcast to email me. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ Important bits of information about me...

Far too many people - companies, customers, and others involved believe there is "apprentice work;" where they perform menial tasks, and when they graduate, those same people believe apprentices do not have enough experience! It's precisely because you didn't allow them to actually DO THE ACTUAL WORK to gain experience. What's more, many of those same people express outrage when those apprentices...

I share some of my thoughts about the romantization of the trades culturally and how the white collar world seems to have an interest in the blue collar world of today. I am also inviting anyone who would like to be on the podcast to email me. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ Important bits of information about me: The Wealthy Ironworker Un...

Tara Cristel - Co-Owner of Total Glass - comes on the podcast to discuss the financial problems in the construction industry, how subcontractors have to fight for their money, and why things need to change. To address this structural problem, she started The Subcontractor Project - which can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-subcontractor-project/ Tara's LinkedIn profile: https:/...

OSHA - the federal agency tasked with protecting American workers - has less power than you might think. Phenix Lumber - dubbed "the deadliest workplace in America" - was allowed to operate despite numerous accidents, injuries, citations, and even three deaths. I discuss some of it in this episode. This is the Washington Post article I referenced: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactiv...

As a general rule, I believe Human Resource Departments are little more than company preservation mechanisms, and I believe there are companies - management and HR departments - who seek to turn safety departments into HR departments 2.0 This is wrong, and as a safety manager myself, I strongly advocate for genuine, authentic, and intentional safety professionals who aren't just about keeping inci...

A UPS driver joins the podcast (audio only for obvious reasons) to discuss some of the things he sees and experiences at work. I am also extending an invitation to anyone who would like to be on the podcast. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ Important bits of information about me: The Wealthy Ironworker Union Made Merch (from my friends at S...

In this podcast episode, I take a look at an article in ISHN (Industrial Safety and Hygiene News) referencing a 42% reduction in OSHA willful violations. The ISHN Article: https://digitaledition.ishn.com/march-2026/editorialcomments/?utm_medium=emailsend&utm_source=DG-ISHN-Industrial+Safety+%26+Hygiene+News&utm_content=BNPCD260312141_01&oly_enc_id=5511H8467678C0Z Right to Work and Redu...

In this podcast episode, I discuss labor force problems that we have made for ourselves; namely, educational stumbling blocks and disappearing entry-level jobs. I am also extending an invitation to anyone who would like to be on the podcast. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ Important bits of information about me: The Wealthy Ironworker Unio...

In this podcast episode, I have a fascinating interview with Mary Fogarty, from Solidaritus Health, who discusses union-run insurance. I also extend the invitation to anyone who may want to be on the podcast. Please click this link to fill out the form: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/contact/ Important bits of information about me: The Wealthy Ironworker Union Made Merch (from my friends at...

In this podcast episode, we take a look at what is happening with UPS and the Teamsters and offer some thoughts. I referenced the following articles: Supply Chain Dive: https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ups-driver-buyouts-teamsters-lawsuit-denied/812784/ Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/ups-can-offer-150000-buyouts-unionized-drivers-us-judge-rules-2026-02-23/ I also extended th...

The Wealthy Ironworker Podcast, in collaboration with Your Listener Podcast, presents a nuanced, substantive, and educational podcast focused on Socialism vs. capitalism. About John: "John Cuturilo is a counsellor, writer, and podcast host in Melbourne, Australia. He conducts therapy with a diverse range of clients and specialises in working with complex trauma and relational matters. His seeks to...

In this podcast episode, I take a look at what is going on with the Teamsters lawsuit against UPS. In the episode, I mention a couple of different sources, and they are: Teamsters Release: https://teamster.org/2026/02/teamsters-sue-ups-for-breach-of-national-contract/ Supply Chain Dive: https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ups-driver-buyouts-2026-payment-amount-lawsuit-teamsters/811911/ Important...