The purpose of this newsletter is to keep leaders informed of news and events of importance to SMART leaders at every level of the organization. Below are items included in this month’s version of the Loop. Please respond with any news items or suggestions for future editions of the Loop.
SMART Launches New Organizing and Recruitment Website: SMARTCareers.org On June 1, SMART launched its brand-new organizing website, smartcareers.org – a comprehensive, easily accessible tool designed to bring new workers into the unionized trades; recruit new signatory contractors; and provide accurate information on how to join or form a union in the sheet metal and transportation industries.
Please share smartcareers.org far and wide, particularly with nonunion workers who are in our industries and with your family members looking to start a rewarding career!
smart-union.org to register. Seating is limited.
United Rail Unions’ Statement Following NMB Sessions The United Rail Unions issued the following statement June 2, 2022:
The rail unions who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way/SMART Mechanical Coalition concluded their second week of compulsory joint National Mediation Board-mediated negotiations with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) yesterday.
These joint mediated negotiations, under the direction of the NMB board members themselves, resulted from the unions’ request to be released from mediation after more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class I railroads.
SMART Army Mobilizes for Wisconsin Kids On the morning of Thursday, June 9, over 120 SMART members joined the Association for the Rights of Citizens with Handicaps (ARCh) to prepare the Menomonee Park lodge for ARCh Camp Pow Wow, ensuring area adults and children with disabilities can attend the annual summer camp. Additionally, SMART pitched in with a fundraising effort that brought in $33,000 for ARCh and Camp Pow Wow, including a $5,000 donation from Milwaukee Tool Co.
Talking SMART: You’re Either At the Table Or On the Menu In this episode we continue a conversation about the importance of having working people elected to local public office. We speak to two SMART members who are currently holding elected positions.
Our first guest is Matt Cherry, a Local 33 sheet metal member from Toledo, Ohio, who serves as the president of the Toledo City Council. Among other topics, he discussed the importance of support he had from the local labor community, including more than 50 union members who helped with door-knocking during his successful campaign for city council.
Our second guest is Dan O’Connell, a long time member of the SMART Transportation Division who served as New Jersey State Legislative Director for 20 years, until his retirement in 2018. He also served as the Delran councilman and Burlington County freeholder. Dan has been a recognizable face across every part of our union as his formidable reputation in the New Jersey State House preceded him prior to his retirement.
Voting, lobbying and writing politicians are one thing, but actually being in an elected position and making decisions that affect our jobs, families and communities is also key. Dan underscored the importance of having regular working people in elected positions: “You’re either at the table, or you’re on the menu.”
In addition, listen for the open mic segment with General President Joseph Sellers at the end of this episode. He responds to a question about whether railroad workers are allowed to strike.
Rail Workers Unite To Protest BNSF at Shareholder Meeting in Omaha On April 30, while Berkshire Hathaway shareholders sat in comfort and national cable-news networks live-streamed and deified wealth hoarder Warren Buffett and his executive cronies at the company’s annual meeting, BNSF railroad workers, as always, were out in the elements doing the hard things – this time protesting.
Protesters gathered in the early-morning hours – some as early as 4 a.m. when the parking garages opened – to split up evenly to protest in five different areas outside of the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. Doors opened to the shareholder meeting at 7 a.m., and the picketers wanted to be outside as the shareholders arrived. They were joined by two LED video billboard trucks slamming Buffett and BNSF CEO Katie Farmer for their Hi-Viz attendance policy.
Nominations Are Open for
SMART University: TD Membership 101 Available In Member Portal May 24 marks the rollout of the Membership 101 portion of SMART University, an online video-based educational resource designed for new SMART Transportation Division members to get acquainted with their union.
The first flight of releases includes video primers on local meetings, the roles of local officers, how to approach a carrier investigatory hearing and other important topics for union members.
Sheet Metal/ITI Technology Resources This is a contact list of manufacturers, software developers and vendors that SMART/ITI have contacted and, in most cases, developed a relationship with on specific technologies impacting our industry today and in the future. You must sign into the Members Portal to access this list. Member Portal account creation instructions
New Issue of SMART-SMACNA Partners In Progress Magazine The newest issue of the PINP Magazine features a segment on best practices for confronting the labor and skills shortage, an article on mentorship and an interview with SM Local 464 Business Manager Mechelle McNew.
ITI Ramps Up Ventilation Verification Training Ventilation verification is a physical assessment of an existing commercial HVAC system completed by a skilled, trained and certified technician. The result is a report that design professionals can rely on when recommending adjustments, repairs, upgrades or replacements. School districts and building owners can then make educated decisions on the verification or recommended improvements to their building indoor air quality — from virus and biologic mitigation to carbon dioxide level control.
NEMIC Welcomes Newly Certified Contractors Healthy, forward-thinking companies like these are the lifeblood of our profession – and NEMIC and its certifying bodies, ICB/TABB, are here to help contractors help customers by identifying emerging technology, certifications, legislation, HVAC Fire Life Safety, indoor air quality, marketing and branding, field staff support and much more.
SMART Army Coordinators Contact Form In order to keep the flow of information accurate and ensure it reaches the correct individuals at each local, we have created this simple form for SMART Army Coordinators to add their contact information for future communications. We will begin using this list in the coming weeks for all future SMART Army Coordinator communications.
SMART Local Union Directory An updated SMART directory of local unions for June 2022.
August 2022 BA Conference Please mark your calendars for the 2022 Business Agents’ Conference.
BA/TD Regional Conference Sun. Aug. 7 – Thurs, Aug. 11, 2022
FST Seminar Fri. Aug. 12 & Sat. Aug 13, 2022
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
333 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102