The Wealthy Ironworker

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 listen/watch.

A couple of points worth knowing: First, health insurance and retirement are the main benefits discussed. That isn't to say there aren't others; in fact, a lot of people have a wider variety of benefits - I just wanted to focus on what I believe are the two most important.

Second, the benefits discussed are from a skilled trades perspective and union focused in particular. Why? Because they are some of the best benefits you can get and given the timeframe we are in culturally, I want to have some authenticity when discussing this important topic.

Additionally, I am 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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

"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 playing field by identifying, isolating, and flagging language that you should know. They join me on this important podcast episode to discuss all things construction contracts and how Fairbuild AI is an exceptional tool for subcontractors.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Fairbuild.ai: https://fairbuild.ai/

The Subcontractor Project: An advocacy for subcontractors to get paid net 30 on undisputed work - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-subcontractor-project/

MIT study detailing 95% of all AI has no return on investment: https://fairbuild.ai/news/news-study-reveals-95-of-broad-ai-initiatives-fail/

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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 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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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 Monthly Review - can be found in its entirety, here: https://monthlyreview.org/articles/why-socialism/

The Peter Drucker quote is found in Managing in The Next Society. My book review - which contains the quote and additional gems - can be found here: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/2024/06/17/managing-in-the-next-society-book-review/

https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/2024/06/17/managing-in-the-next-society-book-review/

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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-b498-76426792e484/86A633DDD5FA52FE03D7B3FDF1563BF2D96F17D9E96F68680E180611550A0F0B.faster-labor-contracts-act-one-pager-5-.pdf

Josh Hawley, Senator sponsor of the bill: https://www.hawley.senate.gov/new-hawley-legislation-to-speed-up-labor-contracts-earns-teamsters-endorsement-bipartisan-support/

NPR article: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/09/nx-s1-5851813/house-bill-labor-union-contract-negotiations

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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 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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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:

The Wealthy Ironworker Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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 become journeymen with a few years in and expect 15 years' worth of experience!

Listen, we need to let the apprentices work - far more than we actually do - and continue to develop journeymen after the apprenticeship. We never stop growing, now let's remember that perspective when approaching those in the workplace.

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/

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://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-cristel-5364ba244/

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 Union Made Merch (from my friends at Stars & Stripes): https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/merch/

Start and Stripes info: https://www.stars-stripes-promotional-products.com/

You can follow me on some platforms 👇

Website: https://www.thewealthyironworker.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/thewealthyironworker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewealthyironworker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewealthyironworker/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/wealthyironwrkr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-wealthy-ironworker-292487200/