To be an ironworker means being connected to a type of labor that's more than 5,000 years old. Ancient Egpytians worked with iron from meteorites. Iron ore, carbon and limestone are combined in a blast furnace to make usable iron.

In this episode, ironworker Francisca Pamela shares her perspective on union labor, managing family and work, and the strength of women in the trades.

Link to Ironworkers Local 580

Discussion Questons:

1. What are your fears at work?
2. What is dangerous about your job?
3. Would you work a job that requires being at high elevations?
4. Some professions attract mostly men or mostly women. Which of these non-traditional jobs are you interested in?
5. How do you think having children changes your work?
6. Where is iron present in your life?
7. What would happen if you got hurt at work?
8. What something you learned by doing it, but prior to that, it was very difficult?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

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Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

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