Sheet Metal News
General President Coleman’s Thanksgiving message to members
"Today is a day to gather with those we hold dear. From the essential workers who manufacture, build and install the HVAC systems that keep our air clean and healthy, to the railroaders and transit operators who literally keep our supply chain moving — and who, even today, are transporting passengers and freight where they need to be — we know just how valuable these moments are."
National Apprenticeship Week spotlight: Dee Lee
Dee Lee, a second-year Local 85 apprentice out of Atlanta, Ga., has already plunged head-first into life as a union sheet metal worker — from working in the field at Warner Bros. Studios to organizing multi-trade charity projects. Learn more in her SMART Women’s Committee National Apprenticeship Week spotlight:
National Apprenticeship Week spotlight: Brandi Hartung
First-year Local 206 (San Diego, Calif.) apprentice Brandi Hartung has only just started her sheet metal career, but she already has a concrete goal of becoming a foreman one day. Read more in her SMART Women’s Committee National Apprenticeship Week 2024 spotlight.
National Apprenticeship Week spotlight: Zenobia Clark
The SMART Women’s Committee is highlighting female apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024. That includes third-year Local 85 (Atlanta, Ga.) apprentice Zenobia Clark, who says she loves her current job “because I can show my daughter my daily grit and endurance.”
National Apprenticeship Week spotlight: Areesa Willie
Each year during National Apprenticeship Week, SMART highlights the life-changing power of a union apprenticeship — from stellar pay and benefits to lifelong solidarity and fulfilling career paths. As part of the SMART Women’s Committee’s National Apprenticeship Week spotlight series, Local 17 (Boston, Mass.) sister Areesa Willie, a fourth-year apprentice, talks about how much she enjoys learning new things in the sheet metal trade (and getting paid to do it).
National Apprenticeship Week spotlight: Lily May Gibson
The SMART Women’s Committee is highlighting female apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2024. And in St. Louis, second-year apprentice Lily May Gibson is getting her career off to a strong start, founding the first Local 36 Women’s Committee and doing her part to bring more sisters into our trade.
SMART launches “Be Excellent” challenge; members encouraged to share stories of solidarity
As union sheet metal workers, SMART members practice excellence every day in our craft. Now, as part of the I Got Your Back campaign, we are challenging members to Be Excellent. The Be Excellent challenge asks SMART members to incorporate small but important practices into their routines to build camaraderie with each other and reinforce union solidarity.
Local 5 members build beds for Tennessee kids
The SMART Army showed out in force for kids in need in Bradley County, Tennessee, last October: Local 5 members partnered with the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building 30 beds for children forced to sleep without them.