Author: lpoling

Helms: “We’re not done” bringing veterans into the trades

Delegates gave a warm welcome to Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director Martin Helms. Helmets to Hardhats works to bring United States military veterans into the unionized building trades, helping those who served to find good, family-sustaining careers. SMART has partnered with the program for more than 20 years.

In his remarks, Helms thanked SMART for playing its part by participating in Helmets to Hardhats and with programs like SMART Heroes. SMART had the third-highest number of “known successful transitions” (Helmets to Hardhats applicants who successfully begin their career in the building trades) in 2023, and is on pace to garner even more interest in 2024.

“SMART and Helmets to Hardhats are amazing teams,” he concluded. “Thank you for the last two decades of collaboration. I am motivated by what the future holds, and the H2H team looks forward to working with each one of you to increase our veteran recruitment. Thank you, God bless, and let’s continue to build America!”

Progress in partnership: Duncan and Hilger address delegates Convention delegates heard from SMACNA President

Carol Duncan and CEO Aaron Hilger on Thursday, August 15, with both speakers extolling the virtues of partnership in the unionized sheet metal industry at a time when enthusiasm for organized labor is skyrocketing.

“The power of progress and collaboration [is] shaping our industry’s future,” Duncan told delegates.

During her Thursday morning remarks, Duncan overviewed the important, trailblazing work SMART members and leaders are performing to make sure the unionized sheet metal industry is positioned for growth. Only by working together on initiatives like recruitment and retention, Belonging and Excellence for All and beyond, she told delegates, can union contractors and members make sure those projects are completed by high-road signatory employers and workers.

Hilger took the podium Thursday afternoon, speaking to the convention crowd about four challenges met by SMART and SMACNA in the last several years — and the work that still needs to be done.

The first challenge: the BE4ALL initiative and our organizations’ broader focus on making the unionized sheet metal industry more welcoming and inclusive of all. Another: strengthening government relations at the state and local level, winning legislation and ordinances that create work for SMART locals and SMACNA chapters.

That, Hilger went on, relates directly to the third challenge that SMART and SMACNA worked together to meet: indoor air quality (IAQ) work. The pandemic revealed to the North American public just how important proper ventilation is to staying healthy and safe. Now, he said, local unions and contractors need to collaborate intensely to increase IAQ market share.

Finally, Hilger discussed the ongoing opportunity and difficulty posed by the surge of megaprojects across North America, with 260 being actively tracked by the SMART-SMACNA megaprojects task force. Union sheet metal contractors and workers are staffing those projects — an enormous victory. Now, he said, we need to maintain our progress and continue staffing our core work.

“It’s a wonderful time to be a union contractor and a union member,” he concluded. “Thank you for your partnership as we continue to work together.”

Director Reports

Benson details organizing challenges met — with more growth to come

SMART Director of Organizing Jason Benson provided delegates with an overview of the department’s structure before detailing the challenges our union has met through organizing: recruiting, organizing nonunion workers, engaging in job actions to flip nonunion projects to signatory status, and much more. Over the last five years, there have been more than 29,000 new members organized into SMART, Benson said.

He also offered a preview of the work we have yet to do, with billions of dollars of work coming down the pipeline.

Dodd reports on SMART Governmental Affairs Dept.

Over the last several years, the SMART Governmental Affairs Department has partnered with pro-union legislators and federal officials to pass and implement policies that benefit SMART members and working families. After thanking staff members Tiffany Finck-Haynes, Ben Donnelly-Fine, Shareka Bannerman, Angela Watson and Jackie Meisner, Department Director Steve Dodd presented to delegates on the progress that has been made in the last several years — and the dangerous, anti-union policies members can expect from a second Trump administration.

“I know you’ve heard all week long about the damages that [Donald Trump] did when he was in office,” Dodd declared. “What we have now is an unbelievable situation like we’ve never had in our lives … you better fight like hell for your country and do whatever you can to get Kamala Harris in office in November.”

SMART-TD legislative efforts

Transportation Division National Legislative Director Greg Hynes and Alternate Legislative Director Jared Cassity presented their departmental report to the convention delegates. Their report emphasized the department’s efforts to engage the membership in advocating for SMART-TD legislation. Multiple bills currently in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are pivotal to freight rail members’ safety and quality of life.

Financial report details current strength, opportunity ahead

SMART General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel, Controller Warren May and SMART-TD Director of Administration Matt Dolin delivered a report on the financial state of the union, validated by an independent auditor to ensure transparency and accountability at every step. Daniel overviewed SMART’s meticulous financial processes before May and Dolin presented — in great detail — the union’s finances, which show significant growth and stellar overall health.

SMART’s assets are more than six times greater than its liabilities. Daniel noted that this strong position is one we need to build on to ensure further success.

“Together, we will build a future our members and their families deserve,” Daniel said. “The future looks bright, brothers and sisters.”

This was May’s final convention, as the steward of SMART’s Financial Department is set to retire at the end of 2024. General Secretary-Treasurer Daniel thanked May for his tireless work and thoughtful administration, calling him “instrumental” to SMART’s success.

“I know that you aren’t a sheet metal worker, a roofer, a railroader, a bus operator or a transit operator by trade, but you are truly one of us, and you’re part of our family,” General President Michael Coleman added.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve this great International,” May told delegates.

SASMI benefit continues to support participating locals

Administrator Ken Colombo presented to delegates on the ongoing success of the Stabilization Agreement of the Sheet Metal Industry (SASMI). Now in its 50th year, SASMI continues to offer unemployment/underemployment benefits to participating local unions and members, Colombo said. But the fund has also expanded and innovated, using the SASMI incentive to help sheet metal workers travel to megaprojects in other locations, for example, and continuously introducing new perks — including a new paid sick leave benefit.

NEMI administrator presents to delegates on resources, victories

National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) Administrator Lisa Davis presented to delegates on the work the fund has pursued since 2019, including developing new resources for affiliates and updates to Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau (TABB) certifications. Davis also explained how NEMI has helped local unions and regional councils win policy and regulatory victories across the United States, creating more work for sheet metal members, as well as efforts to turn back attacks on our fire life safety and indoor air quality work jurisdiction.

Greficz recaps SMART-TD organizing successes

SMART-TD Organizer Nick Greficz (TD Local 278, Jackson, Mich.) presented the Transportation Division Organizing Department’s report. The report included a breakdown of the success TD’s organizing has experienced in the recent past and the importance of continued growth for the strength of our union. Methodologies to achieve this growth include the continued implementation of tools such as the Action Builder platform and the organizer portal on SMART’s website.

Brother Greficz summed up his vision in saying, “Success is the result of dedication, commitment and the collective participation of everyone involved. Every member, local officer and general committee officer is an organizer!”

Delegates, leaders recognize SMART Army award-winners

On Friday, delegates and recently elected leaders paid tribute to the winners of the 2024 Joseph J. Nigro SMART Army Service Award: SMART Local 85 (Atlanta, Ga.) Apprentice Dee Lee and the late Sam Nasca, former SMART-TD New York state legislative director.

The first Joseph J. Nigro awards were given at the 2019 SMART General Convention. The tradition has flourished since, recognizing SMART members who devote themselves to the principles of service, solidarity and unionism.

It’s hard to think of someone who embodied those principles more than Nasca, whose long life and even longer list of achievements read like a laundry list of labor accomplishments. Nasca’s award was accepted on his behalf by New York State Legislative Director Luke Deleskiewicz.

Preceding his death in February 2024, Brother Nasca (TD Local 318, Hornell, N.Y.) was an active part of the rail labor movement for 64 years. From the day he hired onto the Erie Railroad in 1959, Nasca was involved in donating to PAC to effect a positive change in the lives of his brothers and sisters. His passion for this cause and his political activism guided his long life dedicated to protecting these same people — the members.

“Throughout my training, there was one constant source of guidance, wisdom and support, and that was my friend Sam Nasca,” Deleskiewicz said.

Sam was an engaged leader through a lot of history in this union. As a frame of reference that freight rail members will appreciate, Brother Nasca’s employee ID number was 83!

His efforts to champion fair treatment of bus, freight and passenger rail members in his state are legendary; however, his legacy goes far beyond the borders of New York. In Sam’s 32 years as legislative director, he shared his knowledge and passion for creating positive change with multiple generations of leaders. His experience and institutional memory molded the success of many UTU/SMART-TD leaders. The achievements of legislation and movements all around the United States were built on the bedrock provided by Brother Nasca.

“For those of you who knew him, I think you’d agree he’s an absolute legend,” Deleskiewicz concluded. “I’m extremely honored and humbled to accept this award on his behalf.”

The sheet metal Nigro award-winner, Dee Lee, only recently started her career in the trade — but she has already demonstrated a commitment to the values of our union that all of us should aspire to.

Lee first got involved in her union via the Local 85 Women’s Committee in January 2023, slowly increasing her participation under the mentorship of Local 85 President Jan Chappell. Her motivation to serve her union and her community only grew later in the year, when she attended the 2023 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference in Washington, DC. After participating in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) all-tradeswomen hike, she returned to Atlanta determined to unite the area building trades around a community service project.

The result? One of the largest cross-trade events in Atlanta labor history, a “Unions Unite” day of service in collaboration with the USA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After recruiting 30 volunteers and raising $70,000, Lee and her crew helped replace an aging boat dock at Lake Allatoona in Atlanta, providing community members with a safer and more accessible way to enjoy the natural world.

“The Unions Unite project in Atlanta started out with an idea and a text message. It turned into one of the largest union volunteer events in Atlanta history,” Lee said. “For that I would like to say challenge met — but I’m not done.”

Lee is already working on her next project, an effort to improve inner city parks in Atlanta.

“This is a project that will continue … for years to come,” she concluded. “There is so much more to do, but I’m here for it.”

Through their actions, Nasca and Lee exemplified what it means to be a trade unionist and a member of the SMART Army. Thank you, brother and sister!

General Secretary-Treasurer Daniel and General President Coleman: “We’re just getting started.”

Following the SMART Army Member of the Year awards, General Secretary-Treasurer Daniel and General President Coleman delivered closing remarks to delegates.

“At the beginning of this convention, I challenged you to think about how we will be remembered,” Daniel said. “I asked you, ‘what do you want your union to look like?’”

Throughout the week, he said, delegates showed what they want their union to look like. A strong union. A united union. A union that accepts, welcomes and fights for ALL members.

“Thank you for this opportunity to serve you,” Daniel said in closing. “I look forward to fighting with you, I look forward to supporting you; brothers and sisters, we’re certainly not done. We’re just getting started.” Coleman told delegates how filled with pride he was; how speechless he was at their dedication to serving this union. And he closed by urging them to continue to fight for the members who build and move our two great nations.

“We don’t pick fights. But I’ll tell you what we do — we finish them,” Coleman declared. “We don’t back up, and we don’t back down from anybody.”

“You’re my brothers and sisters, every single one of you. You’re my family. I will now take a motion to adjourn.”

And with that, the Third SMART General Convention came to a close.

Throughout the Third SMART General Convention, various convention committees delivered reports to delegates.

Rules Committee

Committee Chair Bill Kenyon (Local 54, Southwest Gulf Coast Regional Council) and Committee Secretary Mark Hall (Local 473) presented the committee’s report. Secretary Hall presented 33 rules that the committee proposed, outlining the conduct and procedures that the convention and its participants would adhere to. All 33 proposed rules were passed unanimously through a voice vote.

Production Committee

The Production Committee report was given on the convention floor by Committee Chair Derek Evans (Local 540) and Secretary Jesse Buell (Local 565).

The report included recommendations on topics such as education, organizing, regional councils, union labels and so-called “right-to-work.” The Production Committee report was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Roofing Committee

Committee Chair Jose Manso (Local 30) and Trent Todd (Local 20) reported on the committee’s findings and recommendations. The roofing sector represents an area of potential burgeoning work hours for SMART local unions and regional councils — that being said, Manso and Todd noted, differing factors and challenges face our union across the United States and Canada, and must be confronted.

HVAC/Service Committee

Committee Chair Jon Alvino (Local 9) and Secretary Brian Noble (Local 16, Northwest Regional Council) delivered the HVAC/Service Committee’s report, which outlined the challenges in this sector of the sheet metal industry — from rival organizations to new regulatory outlooks — and the opportunities presented by a newfound emphasis on HVAC service work. They also pointed out existing initiatives local unions and regional councils can take advantage of to increase service market share.

GEC Committee

Second General Vice President Art Tolentino (Local 293) led the nine-member General Executive Council Committee, with 10th General Vice President Steve Langley serving as secretary of the committee and presenter.

The committee’s report highlighted personnel changes at the GEC level and appointments made by the GEC to staffing positions at the SMART International and at the Transportation Division.

The GEC summarized its work to improve and restructure its educational efforts, organizing, adopt technology, recruit new members, retain current members and to keep SMART strong with the cooperation of interviews with General President Michael Coleman, TD President Jeremy Ferguson and General President Emeritus Joseph Sellers Jr.

Railroad and Airline Committee

Railroad and Airline Committee Chair Buddy Piland (TD Local 1205) and Secretary Jason Luscombe (TD Local 785) presented their committee’s report. They presented 14 recommendations in total to address seven unique challenges. The challenges included local officer training, membership retention and preparation for the 2025 National Rail Agreement. The recommendations were approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Wellness and Mental Health Committee

Wellness and Mental Health Committee Chair Patrick O’Leary (Local 15) and Secretary Ted Ramsdell (Local 36) presented the committee’s report. They prepared three recommendations to assist SMART members with their struggles and to promote the services SMART provides. The three recommendations were passed unanimously by voice vote.

Transit and Bus Committee

The Transit and Bus Committee report was given to the delegates by Chair Jerome Johnson (TD Local 60) and committee member Cecilia Lopez (TD Local 1701), who was standing in for Secretary Anthony Petty (TD Local 1594). The committee presented four resolutions for approval. All four resolutions were passed unanimously by a voice vote.

Compensation Committee

Compensation Committee Chair Thomas De Bartolo (Local 27) and Secretary Matt Fairbanks (Local 10) submitted their committee’s report to the convention delegates. They proposed altering the amount of compensation SMART will provide to both convention delegates and convention committee members. The proposals were approved by voice vote.

Grievance and Appeals Committee

Grievance and Appeals Committee Chair Robert Butler (Northeast Regional Council) and Secretary Robert Gougeon (Local 285) gave the report of their committee. They presented their committee’s findings on multiple cases of SMART members who had appealed the findings of the General Executive Council.

Apprenticeship Committee

Apprenticeship Committee Chair Bryan Bush (Local 19) and Secretary Jason Dammon (Local 10) offered their committee’s report to the convention delegates. They discussed the importance of continuing SMART’s support for developing and fostering apprenticeship programs. The report was adopted by a unanimous voice vote.

Credentials Committee

Credentials Committee Chair Russell Bartash (Northeast Regional Council) and Secretary Joe Cook (Local 219) presented the GST credentials report. Along with credentialed convention delegate information, the Credentials Committee reviewed the current financial records and five-year projections of SMART’s sheet metal and Transportation Divisions. The Credentials Committee proposed changes to membership International dues amounts and allocation of members’ dues. An increase to monthly per capita dues was proposed. The motion passed.

Industrial and Automotive Committee

Committee Chair Rodney French (Local 24) and Committee Secretary Scott Knocke (Local 18) presented the report of the Industrial/Automotive Committee. The report addressed the importance of recruitment, retention, expanding jurisdictions, education and marketing.

Organizing Committee

Committee Chair Brian Masters (Local 104) and Committee Secretary Devin Leingang (Northwest Regional Council) presented the Organizing Committee report. The committee’s report described their efforts to tailor SMART’s organizing strategy to the specific needs and dynamics of each local union.

Union Label Committee

Union Label Committee Chair Eric Meirhaeghe (Local 91) and Committee Secretary Don Dunne (Local 44) presented their committee’s report. In their report, they stated the importance of continuing the “Label It, Scan It, Report It” campaign and five additional initiatives aimed at ensuring union labels continue to represent a commitment to fair labor practices, quality production and the protection of workers’ rights.

General President’s Committee

Chair Jason Pedersen (Local 276) and Secretary Gregory Blose (Local 12) presented the summary of the General President’s Committee report, which emphasized forward-thinking leadership and progress on a variety of fronts within SMART — legislative lobbying on the implementation of pro-union laws and a federal two-person crew regulation; expanding and bolstering important initiatives like Belonging and Excellence for All and the SMART Women’s Committee; strengthening both internal and external organizing across our union; and close collaboration and solidarity across sheet metal and transportation, among other subjects.

Constitution Committee

Committee Chair Rick Werner (Local 104) and Committee Secretary Lance Deyette (Northwest Regional Council) presented proposed amendments, reviewed by SMART’s Constitution Committee, for debate and voting by delegates. These amendments were submitted by local unions, councils, regional councils, general committees, state legislative boards and the Constitution Committee itself.

Resolutions Committee

Resolutions Committee Chair Ray Reasons (Local 36) and Committee Secretary Isaiah Zemke (Local 49) presented their committee’s final report to the delegates. In total, the committee made three proposals. The first was a 14-point resolution. The 14 resolutions were voted on separately through the convention process, and therefore no action was needed in connection with the committee’s final report. Two additional resolutions were proposed and passed via unanimous voice votes.

Charities Committee

Charities Committee Chair Geremiah Robnett (Local 88) and Committee Secretary Jeffery Holly (Local 359) submitted their committee’s report to the convention delegates. Their report included the total amount raised since 2019’s convention: $493,342.13. The committee also reported the two benefactors of our charity funds are SMART’s Disaster Relief Fund, which helps members following natural disasters, and the United Labor Agency of Nevada, which assists union members and their families throughout the state of Nevada. Details were given as to the disbursements made by the committee from 2019 to the present.

Political Action League Committee

Political Action League Committee Chair Steve Hinson (Local 105) and Committee Secretary Pete Scaglione (Local 137) presented the PAL Committee Report to the delegates. The report described the PAL Committee’s vision for bolstering political communications between SMART’s Governmental Affairs Department and our members and facilitating member-to-member communications.