Catherwood LibraryILR School

Construction workers in New York City and the surrounding area, many of whom lost friends and coworkers in the attacks on the World Trade Center and/or assisted in rescue efforts, have returned to their normal jobs. In the aftermath of September 11, hundreds of members of the ironworkers union and other construction unions rushed to the remains of the WTC to lend their skills in the search and rescue efforts, often working round-the-clock with fire and rescue teams. Although many construction workers share the sentiment that it still does not feel like business as usual, the surest sign that things are returning to normal is the reappearance of pickets and giant inflatable rats at non-union construction sites.