Sheet Metal News

SMART’s General President Defends Our Brother

Earlier today, The Situation Room on CNN featured SMART General President Michael Coleman who appeared on their broadcast to discuss SMART apprentice Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s ongoing case and his right to due process.

SMART-TD Stands With Brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia 

The SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) expresses strong support for Brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a SMART union apprentice who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite legal protections and is now imprisoned in dangerous conditions. We are asking SMART-TD members and the public to support Kilmar and his family through donations and by raising awareness to demand his return.

Local 5 organizes enormous growth in North Carolina

When SMART Local 5 (East Tennessee and North Carolina) member Steven Ruger became an organizer in April 2023, the local had around 1,100 members — the majority in Tennessee. Today, thanks in large part to aggressive organizing conducted by Local 5 and spearheaded by Ruger, the local has more than 1,500 members, and the size of Local 5’s North Carolina membership has increased by more than 60%.

SMART statement on Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia’s right to due process

Following an April 4, 2025, press conference regarding the deportation of SMART Local 100 apprentice Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, General President Michael Coleman issued the following statement: “The principle of due process is one of the fundamental values our nation is fo [...]

SMART stands with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

On March 31, 2025, the Trump administration conceded in a court filing that it had mistakenly deported SMART apprentice Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a legally protected Maryland resident and father, to El Salvador “‘because of an administrative error,’” according to CNN. The administration is also arguing that because Abrego Garcia is now in Salvadoran custody, the government cannot return him to the United States.

SMART solidarity leads to unanimous contract victory at Tri-Rail

In so-called “right-to-work” states like Florida — the home of commuter rail service Tri-Rail — union workers are often forced to overcome multiple obstacles during contract negotiations. On the one hand, they’re trying to make gains on pay, benefits and working conditions. O [...]