When it comes to building our communities -whether it’s the roads we drive on or the infrastructure that keeps everything moving -there’s one question that cities, developers, and taxpayers should be asking: Who’s doing the work, and how are they trained to do it?
The difference between union and non-union contractors goes beyond wages. It’s about safety, skill, accountability, and the long-term integrity of the project. Anyone who’s spent time on a job site knows – cutting corners on safety or quality rarely ends well.
Safety: More Than a Slogan
Safety isn’t just a tag line on a poster – it’s a culture. Union job sites are built around it. The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) found that union sites have 34% fewer OSHA violations than non-union counterparts. That’s not a small gap. That’s the difference between going home safe and not at all.
“We wear PPE for more than compliance. We wear it because someone’s waiting for us to come home.” – PT Ferro Foreman
Union crews are also empowered to speak up because they’re protected. On union sites, safety is everyone’s job, not something enforced by fear.
Quality That Shows
You can see quality in the details: a good concrete finish, a tight centerline joint, a ditch that drains. Union training ensures consistency and craftsmanship that reduces costly rework.
ILEPI reports that union contractors are more likely to finish on time and with fewer post-inspection deficiencies. That’s not just good construction – it’s smart risk management: fewer delays, longer service life, and better return on investment for public dollars.
Built by the Community, for the Community
Union contractors hire locally. They invest in apprenticeships, pay prevailing wages, provide healthcare, and build economic stability into every project.
For PT Ferro, this isn’t just a business model – it’s a legacy.
Every road we lay carries our name. That means something.
Bottom Line
Union vs. non-union isn’t just a hiring choice – it’s a values decision.
At PT Ferro Construction, we believe safety, quality, and community responsibility are the standard, not the exception.
When your name is on the road, that standard matters.
