The spring 2024 Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) challenge asked SMART members to tell their union story, prompted by the question: Why are you proud to be a SMART member? For Paul Garner, a longtime Local 55 sheet metal worker out of Boise, Idaho, who won the challenge-entrant raffle, the answer boils down to our union’s tradition of mentorship and solidarity:
“My story begins in May of 1998. As an aimless young man, I applied for a shop clean-up job at a sheet metal shop. But it became an experience in guidance-by-exposure to the materials and parts the shop created. As well as gaining friendships with mentors (both gruff and patient), that guidance encouraged me to pursue this career. It occurred to me then that I admired their knowledge and would seek to be that source of knowledge and mentor the generations that followed me.
Paul Garner, right, with his brand-new BE4ALL champion jacket, presented by Local 55 Regional Manager Kolby Hanson.
“In my four-year apprenticeship, I gained more friendships with classmates of varying ages and backgrounds. But we were brought together in this program, and we bonded over a shared set of struggles. Learning to be good workers, having a good income for ourselves and our families, and gaining knowledge for our careers ahead. Back then, you could tell who would coast through easily, and who would have a harder time doing HVAC work. But the folks who were doing better helped those who weren’t getting the understanding as easily. And we all had different strengths to lend in that experience.
“So, 26 years later, I have mentored and taught. Bought tools, meals and drinks for young workers, shared travel expenses, beat up my body and learned what not to do, to keep myself able to return to work each day. I am sought after by different foremen to help guide their workforce. I am approached as a person that others want to learn from.
“In a decade, I will be able to retire with an income comparable to or better than my weekly income. My parents didn’t have that stability. And I have guided my kids to understand the true benefits of unions and the trades.”
Thank you, Brother Garner, for embodying the best of our union!
BE4ALL (Belonging and Excellence for All), a joint initiative of SMART, SMACNA and the International Training Institute, launched in December 2021.
When the leadership of the three organizations — along with the member-driven BE4ALL committee — first conceived of the initiative, they had a vision for a unionized sheet metal industry that is welcoming to ALL people. The word “all” was important. The goal was to create workplaces where every member — regardless of race, religion, gender, political affiliation, etc. — feels welcomed and supported. Leadership knew that if we could create this type of environment, it would help build stronger organizations. Stronger organizations would, in turn, build a stronger industry.
The BE4ALL Committee meeting in Washington, DC in November 2024.
There are two parts to the work of BE4ALL: the human side, and the business side. The human side is about practicing the values of kindness, respect and solidarity: “I got your back.” Simply put, it is about being a better human being to one another.
The business side is about helping every member achieve excellence in their craft. It is also about recruiting and retaining more members. More members translates into job security and a strong pension.
The business side and the human side of BE4ALL go hand in hand. In order to bring in more workers and ensure that they are excellent in what they do, we have to create workplaces that will support everyone. This is what BE4ALL is about.
As we settle into 2025, please read this recap of the work we did last year, and where we are heading in the future.
2024 BE4ALL accomplishments
BE4ALL calendar: Published the second BE4ALL calendar. The calendar highlights dates and events of cultural and historic significance for our members.
Rapid Response Protocol: Developed a Rapid Response Protocol. The protocol provides guidance and best practices on how to properly handle complaints of bias in the industry. It also includes steps that organizations can take to prevent bias and proactively create environments that are welcoming.
Toolbox Talks: Published six BE4ALL Toolbox Talks. Each one contains tips, tools and strategies for how to create a more welcoming and respectful workplace and how to be better human beings to each other.
RISE Committees: Launched the SMART RISE Committee. RISE (Representation, Integrity, Support and Empowerment) provides a space for celebrating the experiences and addressing the needs of underrepresented members of our industry. The committee also supports our recruitment and retention efforts within underrepresented communities.
Learning Journeys: BE4ALL conducted several Learning Journeys in 2024, helping raise awareness about topics, events and issues important to SMART members, including mental health, addiction and recovery.
Bias and Belonging Trainings: As of August 2024, over 1,000 individuals — across all three organizations — have received some form of bias and belonging training. The content is designed to train apprentices, journeypersons, leaders and contractors in evidence-based strategies for reducing biases and stereotypes.
Communications: Throughout 2024, BE4ALL produced podcasts, social media content, articles, member contests and videos aimed at raising awareness of BE4ALL and why this work is important. On the SMART side, awareness of BE4ALL among the membership grew from 14 to 45% as of summer 2024.
Pedal to the Metal: Pedal to the Metal is an aggressive campaign to recruit new workers in response to the overwhelming demand created by megaprojects and unprecedented growth within our industry.
BE4ALL website: Launched a standalone website to compile all BE4ALL resources and content in a single location. Breakout sessions for industry leaders: Breakout sessions were held at SMART, SMACNA and Partners in Progress conferences to educate leadership across the industry about BE4ALL.
Plans for 2025
As 2025 gets underway, BE4ALL is continuing much of the previously described work. In addition, we recognize that we must have a stronger presence in the places where members live and work. Five new efforts will help accomplish this:
BE4ALL ambassadors and local BE4ALL committees: BE4ALL will recruit and train a network of “ambassadors:” committed members and leaders who will help promote the work of BE4ALL on the ground. Complementing the ambassadors will be a push to establish local BE4ALL committees. Local committees will help replicate the successful programs and partnerships that have been built at the International level.
Leadership town halls: It is important that members hear directly from leadership on why BE4ALL is important. To facilitate this, the initiative will organize at least three town hall meetings — two in-person, one virtual — featuring the leadership of SMART, SMACNA and the ITI. These town halls will enable members to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the vision for BE4ALL.
Community Outreach and Resident Engagement (CORE): There are thousands of nonprofit organizations in North America. Many are in communities — and work with populations — that are untapped markets for worker recruitment. CORE will seek to partner with these organizations to advance SMART and the unionized sheet metal industry’s recruitment goals.
Culture change: For BE4ALL to be successful, every member must be able to see, feel and engage with the work. To make this a reality, SMART, SMACNA and the ITI are rolling out a set of practices and behaviors that ALL members can practice on a regular basis. They include simple but important things like expressing gratitude to coworkers and acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries and other important events in the lives of fellow members.
Bottom line: When you add up everything discussed in this article, you have a roadmap to building a stronger union. This is how we transform our industry. This is how we practice being better human beings to one another. Not for some members. For ALL members.
As union sheet metal workers, SMART members practice excellence every day in our craft. And as union members, we have the backs of our brothers and sisters, on and off the job.
Now, it’s time to demonstrate that solidarity. As part of the I Got Your Back campaign, we are challenging members to Be Excellent.
Launched on Monday, November 18, 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.
In the first phase of this challenge, members can practice excellence by taking the time to greet each other every day. When you see a fellow member on the job, try saying “Hello,” “Good Morning,” “How Are You?” or another greeting of your choice. To kick this off, we are challenging SMART members to try giving a daily greeting to at least five people every week. For an extra challenge, try seeking out at least one person whom you do not talk to often.
Small acts can have a big impact, and we are strongest when we show that every member is valued in this union. Let’s continue to pull together, be excellent to each other, and show our fellow members – I GOT YOUR BACK!
Be Excellent leadership tip: notes of appreciation
Strong and effective leaders express their appreciation and gratitude to their officers and staff on a regular basis. That’s why SMART is encouraging leaders to write individual notes of appreciation to fellow officers, staff, and members on a regular basis to express gratitude for something specific they have done or the impact they have had on you. It doesn’t need to be formal — you can send your message by email, text, a physical note or verbally in conversation.
This practice improves morale, boosts productivity and motivation, and builds solidarity within your team and in our union.
“I absolutely love the notes of appreciation initiative, and I believe it has been well received,” said SMART Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department Director Peter Kennedy. “I sent several notes to employees and staff, and folks responded with appreciation, and reciprocity.”
On Monday, July 15th, during an instructors’ meeting at the SMART Local 177 (Middle Tennessee) JATC, Organizer David Larue presented a BE4ALL Toolbox Talk to instructors, describing the need to support apprentices’ mental health (Toolbox Talk #8) as they attend training. The group discussed the role of an instructor being much more than just a teacher, Larue said.
“We are on the front lines of the well-being of our apprentices and often serve as counselors, life coaches, social workers — and friends,” he explained. “It is our duty as union brothers and sisters to look out for each other and show a sense of understanding, compassion and guidance when we see a fellow member in need.”
In attendance: JATC Training Coordinator Joe Maloney, Instructors Aaron Brown, Tony Easley (retired Local 177 business manager), Russ Hawkins, John Lloyd, Dave Morgan, Aroldo Pedrero, Danielle Piper (Local 177 recording secretary), Michael Smith, Casey Stanley, Jason Street (Local 177 president) and Luther Tate (Local 177 business manager).
The spring 2024 Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) challenge asked SMART members to tell their union story, prompted by the question: Why are you proud to be a SMART member? For Paul Garner, a longtime Local 55 sheet metal worker out of Boise, Idaho, the answer boils down to our union’s tradition of mentorship and solidarity:
“My story begins in May of 1998. As an aimless young man, I applied for a shop clean-up job at a sheet metal shop. But it became an experience in guidance-by-exposure to the materials and parts the shop created. As well as gaining friendships with mentors (both gruff and patient), that guidance encouraged me to pursue this career. It occurred to me then that I admired their knowledge and would seek to be that source of knowledge and mentor the generations that followed me.
Paul Garner, right, with his brand-new BE4ALL champion jacket, presented by Local 55 Regional Manager Kolby Hanson.
“In my four-year apprenticeship, I gained more friendships with classmates of varying ages and backgrounds. But we were brought together in this program, and we bonded over a shared set of struggles. Learning to be good workers, having a good income for ourselves and our families, and gaining knowledge for our careers ahead. Back then, you could tell who would coast through easily, and who would have a harder time doing HVAC work. But the folks who were doing better helped those who weren’t getting the understanding as easily. And we all had different strengths to lend in that experience.
“So, 26 years later, I have mentored and taught. Bought tools, meals and drinks for young workers, shared travel expenses, beat up my body and learned what not to do, to keep myself able to return to work each day. I am sought after by different foremen to help guide their workforce. I am approached as a person that others want to learn from.
“In a decade, I will be able to retire with an income comparable to or better than my weekly income. My parents didn’t have that stability. And I have guided my kids to understand the true benefits of unions and the trades.”
Thank you, Brother Garner, for embodying the best of our union!
At the jobsite, senior members of the crew often tell us how important it is to speak up if we see an unsafe act. We all want to return home in the same condition we arrived. But when we fail to look out for one another while performing our work, incidents happen, and these can have lasting and devastating effects.
The same goes for workplace behavior. SMART wants our members to speak up for themselves and others when they are uncomfortable or witness others who are in the compromising position of being bullied or harassed. As with safety, it is crucial to create a culture that encourages members to say something when they observe harassment or bullying. We all deserve to return home from work unharmed — physically, mentally and socially.
In fact, discrimination and harassment on construction sites can endanger the physical safety of members on the job. Due to the dangerous nature of our work, you need to be able to trust that the member next to you will keep you safe. If your coworker is harassing you, it is hard to trust that they will ensure your safety.
As members of SMART, we have the moral duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our fellow members and to encourage each other and build morale while on the job. The concept of a workplace free of harassment and discrimination should be owned by each member at every worksite. Intervention is an effective tool to curb and hopefully eliminate harassment and bullying in the workplace.
With all this in mind, SMART announced the expansion of the I Got Your Back Campaign — “Speak Up, Speak Out” in May. We seek to create and reinforce a culture where members Speak Up, Speak Out when they see something wrong. Therefore, we ask every member to do the following:
1. If you witness a fellow member being bullied, harassed, discriminated against or mistreated on the job, please Speak Up, Speak Out.
2. If you are being bullied, harassed, discriminated against or mistreated on the job, please Speak Up, Speak Out if you are comfortable doing so, or ask a trusted ally for help.
What does it mean to Speak Up, Speak Out? This can take many forms depending on the situation:
Ask the offender to stop. Here are some examples of things you can say: “This needs to stop right now.” “This is wrong, and you need to stop.” “This is not right. Leave [name] alone.”
Ask the individual if they are okay and if they would like to report this incident. Emphasize that they did not deserve to be treated this way and that you have their back.
Approach other bystanders and encourage them to Speak Up, Speak Out. Every voice matters, and there is power in numbers.
If you are not comfortable saying something in the moment, you can report the incident to your union rep or the employer.
In turn, we ask all of our union officials to commit to the following:
Ensure each of our members receives the best quality union representation when they are facing harassment, bullying, discrimination or mistreatment on the job.
Ensure there is no retaliation for speaking up and reporting an issue. Communicate repeatedly with your members that retaliation is not tolerated, ask members to report retaliation if it occurs, and take swift and decisive action if a member is retaliated against for speaking up.
This campaign expansion is designed to encourage our members to intervene when bullying or harassment occurs on the jobsite with the same sense of urgency as if a fellow member were facing unsafe work conditions. We believe the expansion of the I Got Your Back Campaign will help ensure this practice becomes universal throughout our union.
On August 1, 2024, Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) launched its brand-new standalone website, beforall.org — fulfilling a need the BE4ALL Committee had heard numerous times from SMART members and signatory contractors, and providing visitors with a one-stop shop for information, resources and more.
“Our duty as a union is to represent our members – to ensure they are protected and safe, from the job to the union hall,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “The new BE4ALL website expands our ability to provide welcoming, inclusive environments for all members of the unionized sheet metal industry, providing our members with needed information, resources and avenues for officers to protect their well-being.”
Members of the BE4ALL Committee meet in Chicago.
Launched in 2021, BE4ALL is a joint effort of SMART, SMACNA and the International Training Institute (ITI), created to ensure that all current and future members of the unionized sheet metal industry experience welcoming, belonging and inclusion. By better recruiting and retaining SMART members from all backgrounds, BE4ALL aims to grow and strengthen our union – both today and well into the future.
The new BE4ALL website is part and parcel of that goal. In the past, SMART members and officers noted that information about the initiative felt scattered, and resources were difficult to track down. The BE4ALL website stores information about BE4ALL, progress updates, frequently asked questions and much more in one place; in addition, past BE4ALL resources can be easily accessed by visitors, including Toolbox Talks (many available in Spanish), recorded BE4ALL Learning Journeys and the BE4ALL Calendar, to name a few.
But that’s only the beginning. A BE4ALL Member Portal gives SMART members, local union and regional council officers and SMACNA contractors the ability to log into the website and access resources tailored specifically to them and their jobs, from Toolbox Talks on difficult conversations with coworkers to guidance on how to use the BE4ALL Rapid Response Protocol. Importantly, the website also provides the ability for members to submit Rapid Response Protocol complaints to their local union or regional council through a web form – offering a secure avenue for members to detail incidents of harassment, discrimination, hazing, bullying or other inappropriate behavior on the job or at a union event.
“We are strongest when every single member, no matter who they are or where they’re from, knows that they have a home in our union and in our industry,” Coleman concluded. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal, including the new BE4ALL website, to create environments that foster welcoming and belonging as we move forward.”
On August 1, 2024, Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) launched its brand-new standalone website, beforall.org — fulfilling a need the BE4ALL Committee had heard numerous times from SMART members and signatory contractors, and providing visitors with a one-stop shop for information, resources and more.
“Our duty as a union is to represent our members – to ensure they are protected and safe, from the job to the union hall,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “The new BE4ALL website expands our ability to provide welcoming, inclusive environments for all members of the unionized sheet metal industry, providing our members with needed information, resources and avenues for officers to protect their well-being.”
Members of the BE4ALL Committee meet in Chicago.
Launched in 2021, BE4ALL is a joint effort of SMART, SMACNA and the International Training Institute (ITI), created to ensure that all current and future members of the unionized sheet metal industry experience welcoming, belonging and inclusion. By better recruiting and retaining SMART members from all backgrounds, BE4ALL aims to grow and strengthen our union – both today and well into the future.
The new BE4ALL website is part and parcel of that goal. In the past, SMART members and officers noted that information about the initiative felt scattered, and resources were difficult to track down. The BE4ALL website stores information about BE4ALL, progress updates, frequently asked questions and much more in one place; in addition, past BE4ALL resources can be easily accessed by visitors, including Toolbox Talks (many available in Spanish), recorded BE4ALL Learning Journeys and the BE4ALL Calendar, to name a few.
But that’s only the beginning. A BE4ALL Member Portal gives SMART members, local union and regional council officers and SMACNA contractors the ability to log into the website and access resources tailored specifically to them and their jobs, from Toolbox Talks on difficult conversations with coworkers to guidance on how to use the BE4ALL Rapid Response Protocol. Importantly, the website also provides the ability for members to submit Rapid Response Protocol complaints to their local union or regional council through a web form – offering a secure avenue for members to detail incidents of harassment, discrimination, hazing, bullying or other inappropriate behavior on the job or at a union event.
“We are strongest when every single member, no matter who they are or where they’re from, knows that they have a home in our union and in our industry,” Coleman concluded. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal, including the new BE4ALL website, to create environments that foster welcoming and belonging as we move forward.”
As part of the Spring 2024 BE4ALL Contest, union workers across the country submitted their answers to the question: Why are you proud to be a SMART union member? In his answer, Local 206 (San Diego, Calif.) member Gustavo Orozco discussed the broad nature of his union pride, from collective power at his local to the history of the labor movement at-large.
“First and foremost, I am proud of the collective strength and solidarity that our union represents. By joining forces with my fellow workers, we have a powerful voice to advocate for our rights, interests and well-being in the workplace. Together, we have the ability to negotiate fair wages, benefits and working conditions that ensure our dignity, security and prosperity.
“Moreover, I take pride in the history and legacy of the labor movement that our union embodies. Throughout history, unions have been at the forefront of fighting for social and economic justice, championing equality, fairness and opportunity for all workers. Being part of this tradition of activism and advocacy fills me with a sense of pride and purpose.
“Furthermore, I am proud of the support and camaraderie that our union provides. Whether it’s through access to resources, representation in disputes, or solidarity during strikes and protests, knowing that I have the backing of my union brothers and sisters gives me confidence and reassurance in facing challenges at work.
“Additionally, I am proud of the opportunities for empowerment and engagement that our union offers. From participating in union meetings and committees to taking on leadership roles and driving change within our workplace and community, I am able to actively contribute to shaping the future of our union and making a positive impact on the lives of my fellow workers.
“Lastly, I am proud of the progress and achievements that our union has accomplished. From securing fair wages and benefits to promoting safer working conditions and ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all workers, our union’s successes are a testament to the power of collective action and solidarity.
“In conclusion, I am proud to be part of our union and to stand in solidarity with my fellow workers. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to fight for a more just, equitable and prosperous future for all.”
SMART General President Michael Coleman reads a BE4ALL Toolbox Talk in front of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Join the Talks On Tour contest to show the BE4ALL committee where you read your Toolbox Talks!
We want to see you holding up a BE4ALL Toolbox Talk wherever you read it, whether you’re at a jobsite, in an office, the union hall or even on vacation. Group photos okay? Absolutely! Show us your team spirit for a chance to win big – the whole group will be eligible for the prize! Just make sure your photo is taken in a safe and appropriate setting.
Snap your pic and email it directly to be4all@smart-union.org with the subject line “Talks On Tour” to be screened and entered to win. Let’s unite to champion safety and education within the industry. We can’t wait to see where Toolbox Talks take you!
Contest prize: A BE4ALL-branded tool pouch.
Read the latest BE4ALL Toolbox Talk, entitled “Courageous Conversations,” in English and in Spanish, and view all existing BE4ALL Toolbox Talks here.
