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Iron Workers the latest to enjoy Washtenaw Co.’s facilities, hospitality

Date Posted: August 6 2010

YPSILANTI – The Iron Workers Training Department and 650 union instructors from around North America descended upon Washtenaw Community College July 19-23, learning the latest lessons in the trade while making Washtenaw County the destination for yet another union train the trainers program.

“We had a great week,” said Ed Abbott, an Iron Workers Local 25 member and Michigan native who works as general organizer for the International Union’s Training Fund. “There are always a few hiccups, but the people here have custom-designed their facilities for vocational education. The entire community came together to make us feel welcome. Everything from the welding areas, to the classrooms, to the lunch service, to the hotel rooms, to the restaurant staff, everything has come together to make us feel comfortable. We’re very happy with the hospitality that Washtenaw County extended to us.”

The Iron Workers had been holding train-the-trainer exercises at the University of San Diego for the last 23 years, but outgrew those facilities. Walter Wise, general secretary-treasurer of the International Union of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers, told AnnArbor.com that making the move to Washtenaw County was a “no-brainer” given the quality of facilities at WCC.

No doubt the Iron Workers also talked to representatives from the United Association of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Sprinkler Fitters, who have brought some 2,000 instructors to WCC for training in August for more than two decades. And last summer, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and National Electrical Contractors association sent 2,000 electricians to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor during its National Training Institute program, and that will also be an annual event.

Managing some of the hands-on training for the Iron Workers during the week in Washtenaw was Dick Zampa, an instructor out of Local 378 in Northern California.

“All the way around, it’s been a success,” he said. “It’s a great location for the instructors, and the vendors are happy, too. They’ve bent over backward for us.”

Attendance was down about 10 percent this year compared to last year, but Abbott said the poor economy is likely to blame. When the move from San Diego was announced earlier this year, the Iron Workers anticipated that long-term, the move would increase attendance because of Michigan’s more central location.

Erich Smith, an Iron Workers Local 86 (Seattle) member taught architectural and ornamental iron work six hours a day during the training week. “It’s a great facility,” he said of Washtenaw Community College. “They have everything set up to work very efficiently; things went really well.”

Business Manager Jim Hamric of host Local 25 said the train-the-trainer program is committed to Washtenaw Community College for next year, and a longer-term agreement is expected in the next few weeks. “Everyone I talked to couldn’t believe how well they were treated,” he said. “It was a very good week.”

Mary Kerr, president of the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the combined economic impact of the three union training groups on the community is about $12 million.

“As the labor unions strive to provide their members with education and networking, the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area and its educational facilities provide an excellent choice for their annual programs,” Kerr said. “The entire community welcomes the training participants to the Ann Arbor area and looks forward to establishing a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship for years to come. These events are a testament to the great strengths of the Ann Arbor area:  high-quality facilities, excellent partnerships within the community, and world-class hospitality.”