Sheet Metal News
Georgia sheet metal worker says Local 85 has given him “countless blessings”
In January 2024, Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) announced the winner of its fourth-quarter contest, which asked members to answer the question: Why are you proud to be a SMART union member? For 16-year Local 85 (Atlanta, Georgia) member Matthew Beckham, the contest [...]
Department of Labor issues final rule on classifying workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act
On Tuesday, January 9, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final rule to help workers and employers better understand how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This rule will make it harder for co [...]
A year of progress: Looking back on BE4ALL’s 2023
The Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) Committee is a joint venture between SMART, SMACNA and the International Training Institute (ITI), with members of the committee pursuing one crucial goal: to create a diverse, inclusive, unionized sheet metal industry that is wel [...]
SMART Local 16, Northwest Regional Council lead the way on indoor air quality in schools
More than ever, Americans are demanding clean air in public buildings, especially schools. Mitigating and eliminating virus spread, wildfire smoke and other air pollutants while reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential, as data overwhelmingly demonstrates retrofits are [...]
SMART statement on implementation of President Biden’s executive order on PLAs
On Monday, December 18, the Biden-Harris administration announced regulations that will implement President Biden’s executive order requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects costing $35 million or more. In response, SMART issued the following [...]
Local 27 training coordinator honored with Patriot Award for support of the National Guard and Reserve
Note: This article was originally published by Eye On Sheet Metal, a resource for the unionized sheet metal industry. John Espinos has mentored many apprentices in his time as training coordinator at SMART Local 27 in central and southern New Jersey, but receiving a Patriot A [...]
Buffalo sheet metal worker discusses his “purpose” and pride as a SMART member
The last Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) challenge of 2023 asks SMART members to share their stories in response to the question, “Why are you proud to be a SMART union member?” For Local 71 (Buffalo) sheet metal worker and organizer Andre Mayes, the answer to that [...]
Local 12 retiree tells BE4ALL contest-winning sheet metal story
Local 12 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) retiree Jeff Matthews was recently announced as the winner of the Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) fall challenge, which asked members to answer the question: “How did you become a SMART member?” Read Brother Matthews’ story below: “When I [...]