Sheet Metal News
Minnesota sheet metal worker: “I’m proud to be union”
“Being a union member isn’t just about having a job — it’s about being part of something bigger than myself. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with my coworkers, knowing that together, we have the power to demand fair wages, safe working conditions and respect on the job."
More Than a Story: SMART-TD’s Women’s History Month Highlights Legacies in the Making
Our Women’s History Month celebration highlighted the leadership and perseverance of only a few of the women who are making history in the labor movement, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. SMART-TD thanks all our sisters for their contribution and leadership within our union family.
SMART solidarity leads to unanimous contract victory at Tri-Rail
In so-called “right-to-work” states like Florida — the home of commuter rail service Tri-Rail — union workers are often forced to overcome multiple obstacles during contract negotiations. On the one hand, they’re trying to make gains on pay, benefits and working conditions. O [...]
Local 435, North Florida Building Trades win big on Jacksonville Jaguars stadium
Thanks to the advocacy of SMART Local 435 and the North Florida Building and Construction Trades Council, locally hired apprentices will help build the new Jacksonville Jaguars stadium — a more than $1-billion project. “Jacksonville has not seen a project this size in decades [...]
SMART GP Coleman statement on tariffs impacting North American workers
“We need trade policies that strengthen North American industries, protect union jobs and reinforce the shared success of the United States and Canada. What we are getting instead are policies that weaken the U.S.-Canada relationship, threatening the industries that put union members to work."
Eli Baccus to lead SMART Education Department
Former local union organizer and SMART International Instructor Eli Baccus has been named director of the SMART Education Department — another step in a career dedicated to advancing the interests of union workers across North America. “Eli’s extensive experience, dedication [...]
National Careers In Trades Week spotlights opportunities in construction
To raise awareness for the abundance and evolution of trade careers, building trades unions and skilled trade associations, including SMART, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) and International Training Institute (ITI), have come together to launch the first national Careers In Trades Week, April 7-11, 2025.
Department of Defense halts PLAs on construction projects
Project labor agreements, or PLAs, represent one of the greatest achievements of the unionized construction industry, benefiting taxpayers, contractors, union members AND nonunion workers alike. PLAs have been lifting working families into the middle class for generations — e [...]