Member Highlight: Justin Mason

Justin Mason, a member of Local 1260 in Iowa City, IA, was once drawn to the idea of joining the military. He wanted to travel and work hands-on. However, a heart condition prevented him from enlisting. So, he turned to construction, starting his career with a non-union company.

For 10 years, Justin worked non-union, enjoying the work but facing mounting bills and the responsibilities of raising a growing family. He realized he needed better benefits—specifically health insurance. After a decade in non-union construction, Justin made the switch to the union.

Now, with 11 years as a union carpenter, Justin has surpassed his time as a non-union worker. He currently works for industrial contractor Seither and Cherry Co., where he has been employed for the past five years. Reflecting on his transition, Justin said, "Going from non-union to union was a huge shift. Safety was a big change. The union really emphasizes safety, while non-union didn’t prioritize it the same way."

As a carpenter foreman, Justin’s daily responsibilities include overseeing permits, managing materials and tools, and collaborating with other trades. He also serves as a working foreman, wearing his bags every day. Throughout his career, he’s worked on projects across Iowa City and Des Moines, Iowa, and even in Indiana.

“I’ve worked a lot of hours and am trying to find a good balance between work and home life,” Justin shared. “If I have something important to attend to for my family, Seither and Cherry is flexible, and the union benefits that help my family are awesome. The brotherhood and sisterhood is a tight-knit community, and it’s about everyone’s success in the union.”

Justin’s favorite project will always be Kinnick Stadium, where he worked for about six months. As a Hawkeye fan, this was a memorable experience, but for Justin, it also held a personal connection to the stadium and its nearby neighbor, the University of Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital.

In Iowa City, it’s tradition that after the first quarter of a Hawkeye football game, over 70,000 fans turn to wave at pediatric patients and families watching from behind the stadium at the hospital.

Justin’s son also had a heart condition and spent time at the children’s hospital while Justin was working at the stadium. Both he and his son were aware of the ‘Hawkeye Wave’ and even though it wasn’t during the football season, Justin wanted to wave to his son. One day, he went home and painted a large hand on the reflective vest he wore every day at work. "I wanted my son to know that I was always waving to him," Justin explained.  Justin’s wave caught the attention of a local news station in Iowa City, which featured his story and the meaningful gesture.

Hawkeye fans waving to the children at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital during a football game in 2021. (Photo Curtesy of Grace Smith, The Daily Iowan.)

In addition to his work on the job site, Justin serves as a delegate for Local 1260. He enjoys meeting new people and bringing back valuable information to his local. He said, "I didn’t realize how important it was until I went to Las Vegas for the delegate training. If this is what I can do to give back to the union that has helped me so much, I’ll do it."

After over a decade in the union and two decades in the industry, Justin’s advice to any tradesperson is simple but powerful: have a good attitude and work hard. "These things will take you farther than you think,” he stated. He emphasizes that success in the trades is about more than just technical skill—it’s about showing up with a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. Justin knows firsthand that being a union member means more than just a job; it’s about professionalism, pride in your craft, and being part of a community that values the dignity of hard work.