Charles, Local 29
When You Need Someone in Your Corner
Local 29 Ironworker Charles has spent about eight years in the trade, working his way from the rod patch to decking and connecting. His career has taken him from major projects in Oregon to SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, but what he loves most is being up on the steel.
“Being up on the steel, connecting, there’s no better feeling,” Charles said. “You’re just up above everyone. You’ve got the crane. You guys are in charge.”
Charles heard about Ironworkers USA Credit Union almost immediately after entering the trade and became a member during his apprenticeship. Soon after joining, he financed a truck through the Credit Union. The competitive loan mattered, but the personal service is what he remembers most.
Charles was working nights and needed to complete the paperwork before his shift. Deisy stayed late to make sure everything was signed so he could drive home with his truck that same night.
“She stayed late to make sure it would happen,” Charles said. “It was pretty awesome, really.”
That willingness to help became even more meaningful when work dried up, and Charles’s unemployment benefits ran out. He found work in Texas, but did not have enough money to make the trip or cover his expenses until his first paycheck arrived. CEO Teri Robinson and the Credit Union provided the breathing room he needed to get on the road.
“The Credit Union actually, I’d say, sponsored me to get there,” Charles said. “Teri extended my loans, put the money in my account, and got me enough to drive down there, enough to eat, and survive until I started making paychecks.”
That support helped Charles reach Starbase, where he spent six months connecting steel alongside ironworkers from across the country.
Today, Charles trusts Teri and the Credit Union enough to turn to them when he needs financial guidance. For him, the difference is knowing there is always a real person ready to help.
“You never have to wait on hold. There’s always somebody there,” he said. “You end up knowing these people. When you get somebody on the phone, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’ve talked to you before.’”
His advice to other ironworkers is simple: compare the rate from a regular bank with what Ironworkers USA Credit Union may be able to offer. A competitive rate matters, but having people who understand the realities of the trade and show up when times get tough matters too.
“They’re awesome,” Charles said. “It’s no secret how much they’ll help me.”
That is what Ironworkers USA Credit Union is built to provide: real people, real support, and a Credit Union that shows up for ironworkers.
