Why Join?
Whether you’re looking to start your career as an apprentice or you’re an experienced journey worker ready to live the union difference, Local 48 is the strongest advocate for skilled, trained sheet metal workers in Central and Northern Alabama. Our apprenticeship program offers you the ability to earn while you learn, training you for a fulfilling, well-paying career with no debt. Our collective bargaining agreements provide higher pay, better healthcare benefits for you and your family, and a pension you can depend on when you retire to spend more time with your loved ones. And the combination of our state-of-the-art training and our strong bargaining puts safety first on the jobsite — our highest priority is ensuring every member returns home safe to their family, each and every day.
Facts about the union advantage:
- Median weekly earnings for union members in the U.S. construction industry are $1,530 versus just $1,051 for nonunion workers. That’s a difference of $479 per week and $24,908 per year!
- Entry-level pay starts at $16.30/hour with excellent benefits, empowering you to start your career with no debt.
- We negotiate strong guarantees around overtime pay and work-life balance, ensuring members are paid what they deserve — and that they have plenty of time to spend doing what they love with families and friends. Journey-level workers often make more than $100,000 per year
- Nonunion workers often take drastic cuts from their take-home wages in order to pay for their benefits. Most union workers pay NOTHING or minimal costs for healthcare, prescription drugs and dental insurance.
- While many nonunion workers don’t have a retirement plan, Local 48 sheet metal workers have a defined benefit pension, 401(k) and SASMI, allowing them to retire with time to spend with their loved ones.
How to Join
If you’re interested in joining Local 48, please fill out the form linked below. A Local 48 representative will contact you to provide more information.