Today, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. SMART General President Joseph Sellers and rank-and-file union members joined him at the signing ceremony. SMART issued the following statement after the ceremony:
WASHINGTON, DC — “Our union was proud to stand with President Biden today to sign this historic bill into law. It 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.
This legislation is a significant achievement and was made possible by SMART members who called, emailed and attended events, urging members of Congress to pass this bill. We express our gratitude to President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and all of the members of Congress who worked diligently on this legislation.
While this legislation is remarkable, the job isn’t done. Congress now must deliver on its promise and also pass the Build Back Better Act right away. We urge Congress to act and send that bill to President Biden’s desk immediately.”
Yesterday the House passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In response, SMART issued the following statement. Washington, DC— “The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a significant achievement to create and protect good, union jobs in the construction and transportation industries that will be instrumental in rebuilding our nation. Its passage comes as our labor market demonstrates signs of progress and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent. The passage of this legislation will further aid our recovery. However, there is still significant work ahead. Congress must immediately pass the Build Back Better Act. This legislation will make unprecedented investments in American families and further boost economic growth. The bill applies labor standards to clean energy tax credits, expands registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, invests in high-speed rail projects, addresses indoor air quality in schools and supports workers’ right to organize by making monumental reforms to the National Labor Relations Act. Congress must fulfill their promise to the American people and deliver on the entirety of President Biden’s agenda by swiftly passing the Build Back Better Act.”
A former manufacturing facility that was once a neighborhood eyesore was renovated and reconstructed into a new two-story, 7,200-square-foot building that today houses an expanded, updated training facility for future generations of SMART Local 71 sheet metal workers. With an expected demand for new training classes, a third adjacent property was also acquired from the City of Buffalo to be used as additional parking for the renovated structure. The nearly $1.3 million project on Liberty Avenue cleaned up and reused a former brownfield site to merge three separate properties into one state-of-the-art facility that will introduce future generations to the trade while relying on clean energy upgrades applied to the facility. To assist in the funding of this significant rehabilitation and upgrade, SMART Local 71 applied for and was awarded $377,000 through the Empire State Development Authority.
“The transformation of a previously vacant brownfield site into a modern training facility for the members of SMART Local 71 is not just a strategic investment that will strengthen Buffalo’s manufacturing sector, it also advances key goals for the broader New York State economy.”
– Kevin Younis, Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner.
“The transformation of a previously vacant brownfield site into a modern training facility for the members of SMART Local 71 is not just a strategic investment that will strengthen Buffalo’s manufacturing sector, it also advances key goals for the broader New York State economy,” said Kevin Younis, Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner. “The state-of-the-art facility gives meaningful place-making purpose to an abandoned building and underutilized property in the city and ensures current and future generations of SMART Local 71’s talented, hard-working workforce have the critical training and necessary skills in construction, sheet metal production and metal fabrication to meet the demands of the industry.” The groundbreaking was attended by a swarm of union leaders, members, staff and elected officials from every level of state government. “As we reimagine our economy for a post-pandemic comeback, it’s more important than ever to make sure that success is accessible to all,” said current New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “SMART Local 71’s expanded training center is training the next generation of skilled workers to help build the new Buffalo skyline and will further unleash the full potential of Western New York’s economy, connecting people with good paying jobs and ensuring no one falls behind during our recovery.” Local 71 Business Manager Paul Crist, in his remarks at the groundbreaking added, that, “Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 71 committed to making the City of Buffalo our home in 2000. Since then, we have worked, saved and planned for this expansion, so we can continue our mission of training the next generation of Sheet Metal Workers.”
Two SMART members were present to pay tribute to a trailblazing Indiana woman honored for her role in fighting for women’s right to vote in the early 20th century. A statue honoring suffragist Mary Stuart Edwards was unveiled Aug. 26 in Peru, Ind., in a ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Edwards was a native of the city, located about 79 miles north of Indianapolis, whose organizing work and activism at the local, state and then later a national level from 1914 to 1926 helped to bring forth the national League of Women Voters. TD Indiana State Legislative Director Kenny Edwards, no relation, and TD Local 206 (Peru, Ind.) Legislative Representative Pete Ulery were on hand for the event in a show of solidarity. “Women’s suffrage is a sibling to the labor movement. Many are unaware of the struggle and the women who fought to gain the right to vote,” Edwards said. “These suffragists are no different than the proud men and women of SMART who fight for our rights and to advance and establish rights we don’t have yet but deserve.”
“Women’s suffrage is a sibling to the labor movement. Many are unaware of the struggle and the women who fought to gain the right to vote.”
– SMART TD Indiana State Legislative Director Kenny Edwards
Artist Cindy Billingsley sculpted the statue depicting Mary Stuart Edwards, who was born in 1880 and died in 1970, as a young girl with her bicycle. Edwards was said to be the first girl in her city to ride a bike and to go to college before embarking on her journey as a suffragist. “What I hope women in particular will see when they visit this statue is what one woman can accomplish in her hometown, her state and her country,” Billingsley said. “We women must remember other countries are inspired by us, and young girls should be inspired to make a difference. That’s what this statue of a 12-yearold girl with a bicycle represents — hope — if Marie accomplished this, what can we accomplish next?” Edwards said the event was a worthwhile and memorable one. “It was a great day and SMART was a part of it!!”
In 1999, when the Navy abandoned the Concord Naval Weapons Station in California, it became a great opportunity zone for the Concord community to grow and flourish. As early as 2005, SM Local 104 had been involved in the city of Concord’s process to imagine and develop the future of the land. From attending community meetings to shape the vision of the site to speaking up in hearings in support of a local union workforce helping construct the 30-year buildout, hundreds of rank-and-file Local 104 members have had their voices heard.
The site itself is on over 5,000 acres of land and will have over 13,000 new units of housing along with millions of square feet of commercial space. Over the last five years, Local 104 members have really stepped up their efforts and engaged in the political process in Concord. This includes helping elect local working family champions to city council, engaging in community cleanups and turning out at many community events. On January 20th, 2020, there was the biggest turn-out of Building Trades members in over a decade at a city council meeting anywhere in the Bay Area. With over 200 union construction workers, community allies and family members, members let Concord City Council know that a Project Labor Agreement was essential to meeting the needs of the Concord First Policy and ensuring that local workers and apprentices from joint-labor management programs would be hired on this project. This caused the original developer to walk away from the project, and with that, three new developers submitted proposals to the city for their vision of the project.
Most recently, as of August of this year, the Contra Costa County Building and Construction Trades Council secured a Project Labor Agreement with all three prospective developers. As Business Manager Rick Werner said, “This is a huge win and reflects the hard work our officers, staff and membership have put in to making this a reality. Once this project breaks ground, it will provide decades of work hundreds of our local members.”
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million union members and 56 unions, passed away Aug. 5, 2021, at the age of 72.His death marks the passing of a legendary figure in the history of the labor movement. Brother Trumka devoted his life to working people, from his early days as president of the United Mine Workers of America to his leadership as the voice of America’s labor movement. Trumka was a relentless champion of workers’ rights, workplace safety, fair trade based on workers’ rights, and the respect and dignity all workers should be afforded. He was also a devoted father, grandfather, husband, brother, coach, colleague and friend to many across the United States. His passion for improving the lives of working families began early. He grew up in the small coalmining town of Nemacolin, Pa. Nearly all the men in his family, including his father and grandfather, were coal miners. Trumka followed them into the mines, working there as he attended Penn State and Villanova University law school. Trumka began his rise in the labor movement in 1982 at the age of 33 when he became the youngest elected president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). During his time at the UMWA, he led one of the most successful strikes in recent American history against the Pittston Coal Company, which tried to avoid paying into an industry-wide health and pension fund. He was elected AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer in 1995 and held that post until 2009, when he was elected president. His legacy is defined by his vision of an economy of shared prosperity for all working families. One that includes rising wages, equal pay, respect at work, safe jobs, secure retirement, and the freedom for all workers to form or join unions and bargain collectively. He is succeeded by Liz Shuler, the first woman to hold the office in the history of the labor federation. Shuler was raised in a union household — her father was a lineman and longtime member of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 125 at Portland General Electric and her late mother, Joyce, worked as an estimator at the company. In 1993, Shuler was hired as an organizer at the local. When energy giant Enron Corp. tried to force electricity deregulation in Oregon, Shuler worked with a broad-based coalition of labor, community and environmental activists to overcome Enron’s powerhouse lobbying campaign. In 1998, she was assigned to California where she mobilized IBEW members to help defeat Prop. 226, the so-called paycheck protection initiative that threatened to silence union members in the political process. Upon her election, Shuler stated, “I am humbled, honored and ready to guide this federation forward.” She added, “I believe in my bones the labor movement is the single greatest organized force for progress. This is a moment for us to lead societal transformations — to leverage our power to bring women and people of color from the margins to the center — at work, in our unions and in our economy, and to be the center of gravity for incubating new ideas that will unleash unprecedented union growth.”
Washington, DC—Last week, Congress unveiled a significantly scaled back version of the reconciliation bill. In response, SMART issued the following statement.
“This bill represents significant progress for working people and will create good union jobs. This legislation supports our members by applying labor standards to clean energy tax credits, supports workers’ right to organize, expands registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, invests in high-speed rail projects, and addresses indoor air quality in schools. Paired with the bipartisan infrastructure bill, these two pieces of legislation will help revitalize our economy and build back better. While this legislation is an important step forward, we still have work to do to fully rebuild our crumbling school infrastructure, strengthen rail and transit safety provisions and address other SMART priorities excluded from the package. We call on Congress to deliver on the entirety of President Biden’s agenda and pass both bills right away.”
Speakers and panels also focused on the importance of mentorship, moving a pro-labor agenda under the Biden administration, rail and transit safety, lessons learned from local SMART leaders and safe buildings post-COVID
Vice President Kamala Harris SMART conducted a virtual business agents’ conference in July 2021. More than 300 local and national SMART leaders, as well as special guests that included Vice President Kamala Harris, participated in the one-day online gathering. An in-person conference had been scheduled to take place in New York City, but due to the unpredictability of the pandemic and rising COVID cases in the summer, it was changed to virtual. The overall theme of the conference was “I Got Your Back,” with many plenary speeches and breakout sessions focused on the importance of union solidarity and working together to build a culture within SMART characterized by inclusion and mutual support. “The past 16 months caused us to reflect on what is most important,” said SMART General President Joseph Sellers in his keynote speech to the conference. “We leaned on each other to get through this crisis, and union solidarity is our foundation. That is why this year’s theme is ‘I Got Your Back’.”
“The past 16 months caused us to reflect on what is most important. We leaned on each other to get through this crisis, and union solidarity is our foundation. That is why this year’s theme is ‘I Got Your Back’.”
– SMART General President Joseph Sellers
Sellers pointed out that, at the 2019 SMART General Convention, delegates took a hard look at how their sisters and brothers were treated at work and how this impacts SMART members and industries. Delegates unanimously adopted amendments and resolutions that aimed to make the union more inclusive and added language to the SMART Constitution that makes harassment, bullying and hazing chargeable offenses. “Now, two years later, we need action,” said Sellers. “Words in our constitution are not enough. Goals and intentions are not enough. We are putting words to action… We are asking each member to stand up and look out for our fellow sisters and brothers.” SMART General President Joseph Sellers
The week of the BA conference, SMART international mailed to every local an “I Got Your Back” campaign kit that included stickers, instructions and promotional materials.
“This campaign provides our membership with the opportunity to recognize those members who were there for them — who supported them — and to pay it forward to the next generation. When members see a fellow member wearing the ‘I Got Your Back’ sticker on the jobsite, they will know they have an ally to turn to. They will know that member has their back.” SMART General Secretary- Treasurer Joe Powell, who taught hundreds of apprentices during his time as an apprenticeship instructor at Local 206 in San Diego, underscored the importance of mentorship for SMART members. SMART General Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Powell “We have all had mentors who had our backs during our careers,” said Powell. “And it is important for us to mentor and be an ally to those entering the industry behind us.” SMACNA President Angie Simon echoed SMART’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and mutual support in her video presentation, noting that the signatory sheet metal sector “continues to shine,” but still has room for growth when it comes to recruitment and keeping up to date with technology. “The future of our industry is not represented by one color, one race, or one gender,” said Simon, “but will depend upon the best and brightest being drawn to our industry by our training, our craftsmanship, the economic opportunity and unrestricted opportunity to succeed.” Many speakers noted the unprecedented challenges and stresses faced by SMART members over the past year due to the pandemic and related economic turmoil and how members had risen to these challenges time and time again. “You are the essential workers, representing our members throughout this pandemic,” said Sellers. “You have endured shutdowns, converted hospitals for COVID care, and manufactured the air handling equipment and goods that have kept our nations running and the air we breathe safe and clean.”
AFT Pres. Randi Weingarten NABTU Pres. Sean McGarvey SMART TD Pres. Jeremy Ferguson Local 265 Bus. Rep. Louise Medina
Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson underscored the impacts of COVID-19 on TD members, taking a moment to remember the 19 active TD members who had died due to COVID-19 as of mid-July. Ferguson also noted that many bus operators, freight rail members and Amtrak members were furloughed early in the pandemic as schools and offices closed, businesses slowed down and tourism ceased. He emphasized the work SMART has been doing throughout the pandemic around rail safety, rail and transit funding and coordinating with the sheet metal division to work with the Biden Administration to advance initiatives important to SMART members. He added that most Amtrak members were recalled after passage of the American Rescue Plan, which SMART actively lobbied to support. “We are continuing to battle to keep two people on every train, following the attacks on our crew consist agreements shortly after I took office,” added Ferguson. “Most importantly, we continue to fight for workplace safety, as our union has seen a startling number of fatalities and amputations in the last two years as a result of the previous U.S. president’s administration creating what I will call a ‘deplorable safety culture’ — one where profits and shareholders are valued more than our members lives or the federal safety regulations previously written to protect them.”
“We are continuing to battle to keep two people on every train, following the attacks on our crew consist agreements shortly after I took office.”
– SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson
In a video address to the BA conference, Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to standing with working families. “President Joe Biden and I are determined to be the most pro-union administration in American history,” said Harris. She noted that the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Biden, allocated nearly $31 billion toward supporting transit systems and workers impacted by the pandemic, as well as strengthening pension plans for workers across industries. “We could not have passed the American Rescue Plan without your support and leadership,” she added. Vice President Harris also addressed bipartisan infrastructure legislation, noting that SMART members know, perhaps better than most, that America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of update. Proposed infrastructure legislation, she said, “will put Americans to work in good, union jobs, fixing our roads and our bridges and modernizing our transit system.” Other guest speakers included American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and North America’s Building Trades (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey. Local 265 Business Representative Louise Medina spoke to conference participants in her capacity as president of the newly formed SMART Recruitment and Retention Council. Quoting from the council’s mission statement, she said it will help guide efforts “to recruit, retain and promote diverse groups in our organization and to ensure workplace equality within our industry; and to promote respect, inclusion and safe, non-hostile work environments at all levels of SMART.” Medina, who also serves on the SMART Women’s Committee, said the new council plans to hold meetings twice a year, hopefully in person, to discuss these issues and develop resources, trainings and other materials to support locals and regional councils in recruiting and retaining underrepresented workers. If you have questions or need information on how to affiliate with the council, email Louise Medina at louise@smart265.org. SMART Director of Education Chris Carlough, left, and Local 285 Business Manager Bob Gougeon. SMART Director of Governmental Affairs Steve Dodd discusses ventilation verification specification. The “Safe Buildings Post-COVID” panel. After the main conference plenary, delegates could choose among the following breakout sessions: Profiles in Leadership This session addressed fundamentals of leadership and featured interviews with local leaders discussing strategic thinking, challenges they have faced and leadership lessons learned. SMART Director of Education Chris Carlough led discussions with Local 285 Business Manager Bob Gougeon, NW Regional Council President Tim Carter and Local 265 Business Manager John Daniel. Beyond Bias This session featured Dushaw Hockett of SPACES introducing the concept of “implicit bias” and breaking down examples of what it can look like. The session concluded with a live Q&A session with General President Sellers and General Secretary- Treasurer Powell. Safe Buildings Post-COVID This session featured a panel discussing what every SMART leader needs to know about indoor air quality and proper ventilation coming out of the pandemic. Panelists included NEMIC Northeast Regional Representative Jeremy Zeedyk, ITI Field Representative Darrell Garrison, SMART Director of Governmental Affairs Steve Dodd and SMART Director of Canadian Affairs Chris Paswisty.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and reconciliation package, being negotiated as of press time, presents a historic opportunity for millions of Americans and for the labor movement. If and when it is passed, it will represent the largest infrastructure investment in almost a century, with the potential to create a generation of good-paying union jobs and boost economic growth thanks to the biggest labor reforms since the days of the New Deal. At the same time, SMART is working on making sure Congress gets this package right. That’s why it is essential that Congress passes the bipartisan infrastructure deal and reconciliation package together and that both contain strong labor and worker protections.
If and when it is passed, it will represent the largest infrastructure investment in almost a century, with the potential to create a generation of good-paying union jobs.
This means any project receiving federal support complies with a base of labor standards that include prevailing wage, registered apprentices, the elimination of misclassification and wage theft, and neutrality agreements so that workers are given a fair choice to form or join a union. The package includes local hire provisions, so wages stay local, and robust funding for school construction, so schools can improve and update indoor air quality and put thousands of SMART members to work. President Biden proposed $100 billion for school construction and, as of now, that number is fluctuating during negotiations. Additionally, the House reconciliation package includes rail and transit safety provisions that will keep Amtrak and transit operations fully funded while providing a jumping-off point to enhance safety for America’s railroaders. See Below For Highlights of Currently Proposed Legislation That Will Have A Direct Impact On SMART Members
HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT STATE OF BUDGET RECONCILIATION: (as of Oct. 25, 2021)
Labor standards on clean energy tax credits:
Over $180 billion in clean energy tax credits, with a bonus tax credit for paying prevailing wages & using registered apprentices.
New $4,500 tax credit for union-made electric vehicles built in the United States.
New $500 tax credit for batteries manufactured in the United States.
Labor law reform:
Some of the most significant labor reforms since the New Deal have the potential for being passed in this bill. This includes new civil monetary penalties for existing unfair labor practices committed by employers during union organizing campaigns. The penalties are a dramatic step up from current sanctions and reach $50,000-$100,000 per violation.
New civil monetary penalties for new unfair labor practices, which include the holding of captive audience meetings, striker replacements, mis classification, lockouts and compulsory arbitration with fines of $50,000-$100,000 per violation.
For the first time, sanctions can be made against individual corporate officers, so directors and company CEOs can be personally liable. For example, if a director knew about an unfair labor practice and didn’t do anything about it, he or she could be held personally liable with significant penalties.
Union dues:
In 2017, the Trump administration removed the tax deduction for union dues. In this bill, that deduction is restored with a $250 cap.
School construction:
Currently, $82 billion for school construction and modernization is included in this bill.
Registered apprenticeship funding:
An additional $74 billion is included for job training that includes the expansion of registered apprenticeships and funds new workforce training programs to fight climate change.
Health and safety that will benefit union members and families:
For the first time ever, Universal Paid Leave is included, with up to 12 weeks, along with a $3,000 per child tax credit extended to 2025. This is in addition to universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as two years of free community college.
Childcare centers:
Over $15 billion is included in this bill to build childcare centers, which includes work for energy retrofits and HVAC systems that will put union sheet metal workers to work.
Affordable housing:
There is a $50 billion increase in affordable housing, which includes building energy retrofits & HVAC systems to put members to work.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CURRENT BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION FOR SMART: (as of Oct. 25, 2021)
$550 billion over current spending on basic infrastructure, which is mainly focused on building roads, bridges, airports, electric vehicle charging stations, drinking water, transit, rail/Amtrak and power grid modernization.
Energy efficiency/HVAC upgrades:
The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes $250 million to be used for an energy efficiency revolving loan fund, which can be spent on indoor air quality.
$50 million for an energy efficiency pilot program for nonprofit buildings to conduct energy efficiency upgrades, including HVAC systems.
$500 million for school energy efficiency that can be used to upgrade ventilation.
Transportation funding:
$6 billion for Northeast Corridor grants, along with an additional $16 billion for the national rail network.
$36 billion for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, with $24 billion set aside for the Northeast Corridor.
$5 billion for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program.
$3 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.
$50 million for restoration and enhancement of the current rail system.
Amtrak reforms:
New stipulation that prohibits contracting out work if current employees who can perform that work are currently furloughed, as well as new requirement that requires Amtrak to staff station agent positions at stations that receive certain levels of traffic.
New rules requiring that Amtrak and commuter rail employees who are victims of assault must now be covered by critical incident stress plans and the benefits and protections provided by such plans.
To avoid reduction in operating service, a new rule is included that increases the difficulty for Congress to eliminate a long distance route.
Registered apprenticeship funding:
An additional $74 billion is included for job training that includes the expansion of registered apprenticeships and funds new workforce training programs to fight climate change.
Health and safety that will benefit union members and families:
For the first time ever, Universal Paid Leave is included, with up to 12 weeks, along with a $3,000 per child tax credit extended to 2025. This is in addition to universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as two years of free community college.
Childcare centers:
Over $15 billion is included in this bill to build childcare centers, which includes work for energy retrofits and HVAC systems that will put union sheet metal workers to work.
Rail safety:
The bill requires a National Academies study on the safety of trains longer than 7,500 feet, as well as the requirement that FRA incident reports include information on train length, the number of cars and the size of the crew on board. The DOT must also create a process to better involve stakeholders, including rail labor representatives, in its investigations.
Finally, a new rule requires a quarterly report on failures and functions of Positive Train Control technology.
SMART members lead in push for infrastructure
On Wednesday, September 23rd, a delegation of San Francisco Local 104 sheet metal workers delivered signatures from members living in U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s district on behalf of SMART SM and TD members across the United States. This photo was taken in front of her office prior to making the deliver y. From left to right: Danny Campbell, Business Representative; Aloysius Cummings, Apprentice; Zhi Zhu, Apprentice.
SMART Local 73 sheet metal workers were with the education secretary in Illinois on the return to school road trip. According to LU 73 President and BM Ray Suggs, “using skilled & trained workers for HVAC upgrades & repairs is the key to achieving safe indoor air quality.”
SMART Local 33 sheet metal workers joined Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in Ohio to talk about adult education and apprenticeships. According to Local 33 Business Manager Tim Miller, “increasing registered apprenticeship is critical. Skilled & trained workers are essential to safe indoor air quality & making sure our schools reopen safely.”
SMART members from across the United Sates and Canada are taking action in the I Got Your Back Challenge by posting photos of themselves with their mentors at work and displaying the solidarity that makes our Union strong. The I Got Your Back Campaign took off this August with stickers distributed to locals across North America for members to share with their mentors. Below are a few of the submissions the Journal has received. Contact your Business Manager or a local officer for a sticker to share with your fellow members and post your photos and stories online with the hashtag #SMARTIGOTYOURBACK You can also email your stories and photos to mentors@smart-union.org “This dude right here, Steve ‘El Duderino’ Hoover is who I want to hand off the Local 9 Union sticker ‘I Got Your Back’ to. I met Steve 4 years ago in the field, and he’s become a brother to me. Steve is not only a hard-working family man and veteran but he’s also a man of God, a warrior, and a philosopher. Our conversations about life, love and the pursuit of the American dream have got me through my hardest times. Having him on jobs has not only uplifted my spirit but the spirit of others. He attends Local 9 Union meetings and always pushes for “what could be better.” Today, we both received layoffs due to work reduction, and instead of panic or concern, we went and had coffee and laughed about how great God has been to both of us, looking, with generosity, to the future. Steve has my back, and I got his, not only as Union brothers, but as brothers in God, and brothers of this crazy thing we call life. Love you, Steve. I got your back.” SM LU 27 (Central and Southern NJ) journeyperson Makenzie Cromer at work for Gerard Sheet Metal. She’s been with the company since day 1 and an apprentice contest winner as well. SMART Local 177 sheet metal workers David LaRue & Aida Kruse have each others’ backs and those of their fellow brothers and sisters. SMART Local 18 Wausau members Kelsie Rigney and Bill Smith.
SMART Local 18 sheet metal workers at JM Brennan on the St. Camillus new retirement housing high rise have each others’ backs:
Apprentice Caleb Ogden w/ Journeyman Luke Hesse. SMLT Nick Caulley w/ Apprentice Dylan Mooney and Foreman Ben Norberg. Apprentice Jesse Matusek w/ Journeymen Pat Kirschbaum and Jerry Krause.
The site itself is on over 5,000 acres of land and will have over 13,000 new units of housing along with millions of square feet of commercial space. Over the last five years, Local 104 members have really stepped up their efforts and engaged in the political process in Concord. This includes helping elect local working family champions to city council, engaging in community cleanups and turning out at many community events. On January 20th, 2020, there was the biggest turn-out of Building Trades members in over a decade at a city council meeting anywhere in the Bay Area. With over 200 union construction workers, community allies and family members, members let Concord City Council know that a Project Labor Agreement was essential to meeting the needs of the Concord First Policy and ensuring that local workers and apprentices from joint-labor management programs would be hired on this project. This caused the original developer to walk away from the project, and with that, three new developers submitted proposals to the city for their vision of the project.
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million union members and 56 unions, passed away Aug. 5, 2021, at the age of 72.His death marks the passing of a legendary figure in the history of the labor movement. Brother Trumka devoted his life to working people, from his early days as president of the United Mine Workers of America to his leadership as the voice of America’s labor movement.
