News Archive
Canadian Affairs Report: A stronger future
Director of Canadian Affairs message
Real conspiracies: The war on working people
Throughout the past several years, SMART members and working families across the United States have made one thing clear: The system just isn’t working. Or at least, it isn't working for working people. For the rich and powerful, things are going just fine — and that's no accident.
Education Department, Organizing Department hold course on organizing contractors
The Education Department, in collaboration with the Organizing Department, held its Organizing III class during the week of October 6–10, 2025, in St. Louis. This redesigned class focused on the “top-down” organizing strategy, with a specific emphasis on developing organizing campaigns targeting nonunion contractors.
Two new leaders elected to SMART General Executive Council
Following the retirement of Thomas DeBartolo and Lance Deyette’s hiring as assistant to the general president, the SMART General Executive Council (GEC) voted to elect two new members: Local 19 Business Manager Bryan Bush and Local 33 Business Manager Corey Beaubien.
Canceled federal funding threatens SMART members’ jobs at port projects
In late August, President Trump’s Department of Transportation canceled $679 million in federal funding for 12 offshore wind projects across the country. That included fully taking back hundreds of millions of dollars in grant money for infrastructure work at Humboldt Bay Harbor District in Northern California — immediately throwing Local 104 members’ work opportunities into question, in the short and long term.
From the archives: Sheet metal workers rally for fair trade policies and respect for workers at 1999 World Trade Organization meetings
SMART members and labor unions across the world have been fighting for workers’ rights throughout their history. Case in point: The January–February 2000 issue of the Members’ Journal, which covered sheet metal workers’ participation in now-famous rallies at the World Trade Organization’s 1999 meetings in Seattle.
What is the Tennessee Valley Authority? (And why do we need to protect it?)
The Tennessee Valley Authority recently made headlines and prompted hundreds of SMART members to write letters to their senators. Why? Reports that the Trump administration was considering privatizing the public power utility.
SMART members win big in New Jersey on Election Day
SMART members were front and center throughout New Jersey's campaign season in 2025. That paid off when union allies won in key races, including for governor.