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Washington, DC—Today, President Biden signed an executive order on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). In response, SMART issued the following statement.

“SMART commends President Biden for signing this executive order. It will help ensure that our federal tax dollars spur middle-class job creation and directly benefit our communities as well as both union and non-union workers. Project Labor Agreements are a tried-and-true way of building our nation’s infrastructure so that projects are completed on time and on budget and workers are paid good wages. When these agreements include provisions to utilize registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs with strong diversity and inclusion language, they serve as gateways for local residents, women, people of color and transitioning veterans to gain access to a quality career. PLAs are a gold standard, and this executive order serves as a model that should be widely adopted by our federal, state and local governments.”

 

Washington, DC—Today the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the launch of a coalition of states and local governments to strengthen building performance standards. In response, SMART issued the following statement.

“SMART commends the Biden administration’s strong commitment to making sure our buildings serve as a vehicle to address the climate crisis and create good middle class, family friendly union jobs. For decades, SMART members and our training programs have set the standard for the work that will be required. SMART sheet metal workers are highly skilled and trained to achieve safe indoor air quality and ensure HVAC systems operate properly to improve building energy efficiency and safety.  We stand ready to support our local, state and federal law makers to develop, adopt and implement building performance policies with strong workforce standards to create union jobs and achieve environmental sustainability.”

Washington, DC—Today the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the launch of a coalition of states and local governments to strengthen building performance standards. In response, SMART issued the following statement.

“SMART commends the Biden administration’s strong commitment to making sure our buildings serve as a vehicle to address the climate crisis and create good middle class, family friendly union jobs. For decades, SMART members and our training programs have set the standard for the work that will be required. SMART sheet metal workers are highly skilled and trained to achieve safe indoor air quality and ensure HVAC systems operate properly to improve building energy efficiency and safety.  We stand ready to support our local, state and federal law makers to develop, adopt and implement building performance policies with strong workforce standards to create union jobs and achieve environmental sustainability.”

 

Washington, DC—Today marks the first year of the Biden-Harris administration. In response, SMART issued the following statement.

“Our union proudly endorsed Joe Biden for President because he promised to be the most pro-union president in history, and he has delivered on that promise. In his first year, he stood with SMART union members by appointing pro-labor candidates to important posts in his administration and swiftly removed anti-union staff at the Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board. He saved current and retired union member pensions with the passage of the American Rescue Plan. The legislation ensured that full benefits are paid for the next 30 years, without any benefit reductions or any repayment obligation. Further, this historic legislation rebooted our economy by maintaining and creating jobs for SMART members to improve indoor air quality in our public schools and buildings.

President Biden established a Made in America Office to ensure our federal procurement and American taxpayers’ dollars support American workers. He also passed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which will create good, union jobs and put SMART members to work improving indoor air quality in our schools and in commercial and residential buildings. It also makes long-overdue railroad safety improvements and will help school districts across the country buy clean, American-made, zero emission buses that will drive demand for the products and services provided by SMART sheet metal workers.

President Biden has demonstrated his unwavering support for union members through numerous executive orders that repealed union busting executive orders and reversed an anti-worker IRAP initiative supported by Trump, reinstated federal diversity and inclusion training, established a Task Force to empower workers and increase union density and established a $15 minimum wage for federal contractors.

These actions are historic and a victory for workers. Moving forward, we will continue to work with the Biden administration and Congress to deliver on the entirely of President Biden’s agenda to further boost the economy, advance racial equity and rebuild the middle class. This includes quickly passing the Build Back Better Act, voting rights legislation, establishing two-person crew requirements, and expanding worker organizing and labor protections.”

In September 2021, Langley Meals on Wheels contacted SMART Army Canada Local 280 to assist them with obtaining a donation of 3 stainless-steel prep tables for their new facility. Langley Meals on Wheels is a charitable, non-profit society providing affordable menu plans and social meal programs throughout the community. It is anticipated that the new facility will double the number of meals per day and community reach. The new facilities cafe, run by Langley Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers, will be open to the public by December 2021.

After a site visit, business representative Jeff Lind and organizer Steve Davis realized they could do much more in helping such a great organization. They saw an opportunity for SMART Army Local 280 and SMACNA to help the community as well as promote the Sheet Metal trade. Among the many community partners, Langley Meals on Wheels has a strong relationship with School District 35 and its community partners such as Encompass. Through the trade discovery programs and job fairs within the School District 35, the Local is pursuing the next generation of Sheet Metal Workers as they graduate high school. Encompass is a community partner that focusses on youth and provides access and resources to job opportunities.

SMART SM Local 10 held a series of suicide prevention workshops for members through the Construction Working Minds Program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) men in construction die by suicide at a rate four times higher than the general adult population along with similar figures in the transportation industry.

Rather than being a once-a-year subject, suicide in our industries require our attention all year long. One of the ways we do this is with Construction Working Minds with a one-hour training available to members.

Construction Working Minds was established to increase industry awareness and provide valuable resources and create a network that seeks to let people know that suicide affects everyone and all of us have a shared responsibility to prevent it.  According to Local 10 Business Manager Matt Fairbanks, “We all know the traditional tools in our tool box, this program delivers our members new tools in the box around Mental Wellness/Suicide Prevention to build our local network and ensuring that not only are we all there for each other, but also that each member knows their brothers and sisters have their back.” 

Effective January 1, 2022 SASMI will offer two new COVID related benefits. A Vaccination Benefit and an Interference with work Benefit

Vaccination Benefit

To encourage all participants to receive a vaccination to protect against COVID-19, members ($200.00) and their covered eligible dependents (spouse and/or children $100.00) may be eligible for a vaccination benefit.

Interference with Work Benefit

If a member became ill and could not work due to significant side effects from a first, second and/or booster vaccination for COVID-19, they may be eligible to receive a benefit. Up to 24 hours of wages at your home local union wage rate, per vaccination.

How to Apply for Both Benefits:

If eligible, members need to complete the application on the member portal via SASMI’s website (www.sasmi.org). A separate application will be required for each benefit. A separate application is required for each of the member’s dependents. Each application must include: A copy of their individual vaccination card (front and back), Manufacturer information,Vaccine lot number, A Vaccination Card ID (number on the back right corner of their card).

Finally, they will need to consent that SASMI can verify their status with the CDC and that SASMI can verify dependent eligibility with their local health fund (Vaccination Benefit ONLY). Receipt of the Vaccination Benefit does not limit a participant’s eligibility for other active benefits under the Plan and is not considered when calculating Severance or HCRA benefits. However, the Interference with Work Benefit will be included when calculating Severance or HCRA benefits as well as the 200% Rule.

SMOHIT has released the latest version of its safety handbook.
Focused on workplace safety, the handbook covers a variety of workplace hazards, scaffold and ladder safety, shop safety, ventilation and fire safety, among a multitude of other possible dangers faced by sheet metal workers.   The handbook is packed with illustrations and easy-to-read guides. There are directions for reading safety data sheets for hazardous materials and guidance on interpreting pictograms for common workplace personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safety and health on the job is of paramount importance to everyone in the sheet metal industry. Construction workers represent approximately 7% of the American workforce, but they account for 17% of all work-related deaths. This handbook can help create a culture of safety in the workplace.
 
Much of the content is geared toward quick reference, allowing for members to easily locate and digest the material. The handbook can be used to help contractors with toolbox safety talks and is available to signatory contractors for free.
To order copies contact Elizabeth Musick at emusick@smohit.org

Washington, DC—Today the House passed the Build Back Better Act. In response, SMART issued the following statement.

“We commend the House for passing the Build Back Better Act. This legislation is a monumental investment in American families, will revitalize our economy and create good union jobs. Our union members stand ready to rebuild and construct our nation’s infrastructure and will be the boots on the ground to make the Build Back Better agenda a reality.

“This legislation will support our members by applying labor standards to clean energy tax credits, expanding registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, investing in high-speed rail projects, addressing indoor air quality in schools, commercial and residential buildings and supports workers’ right to organize by making consequential reforms to the National Labor Relations Act.

“We can’t delay on delivering for the American people. The time to act is now. We call on the Senate to immediately pass this bill and send it to the President for his signature.”