The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Union dates to the late 1800’s with the emergence of steam power. The expanded use of steam power during this era had a profound effect on the industrial sector – leading to better heated, more efficient factories and plants, improved working conditions, and the creation of thousands of new manufacturing jobs. Through this, the charter of Local 119 International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers read “the objective of the union shall be to assist its membership in securing employment, to defend their rights, and advance their interests as workingmen; and by education and cooperation raise them to that position in society to which they are justly entitled.” Since that time, leaders of the International Union took this objective to grow this small group of local unions to over 120 local unions and a membership of more than 20,000.
