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More than 420 SMART sisters and allies from 47 local unions and regional councils descended on New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 27-29 for the 2024 Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference. Joined by approximately 5,000 fellow union sisters and supporters, these trailblazing women put the strength of the labor movement on full display — marching through the streets of New Orleans, spreading the word about good, union jobs and sending a resounding message of unity and solidarity as Election Day 2024 approaches.

“‘Superheroes are men,’ they say,” Acting United States Labor Secretary Julie Su told attendees during Saturday’s plenary session. “Well, standing here in a room full of tradeswomen, I know women can be anything.”

Louise Medina, Annet Del Rosario, Vanessa Carman, Natasha Scott-Lawson

Plenary speakers highlight progress, commit to further growth

Plenary speakers addressed Tradeswomen Build Nations attendees on Saturday and Sunday morning, overviewing the enormous progress tradeswomen have made in North America — exemplified by the extraordinary growth of the TWBN conference itself — and making clear that union sisters have a crucial role to play in continuing to build our two nations.

North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey discussed NABTU’s commitment to bringing more women into the unionized building trades, and the historic role recent legislation has played in helping turbocharge that effort.

“Let the good jobs roll isn’t just a catchy slogan — sisters and allies, we’re in the business of changing lives,” he said. “Each and every one of you is living, breathing proof of [our] tremendous progress.”

Led by union tradeswomen, McGarvey said, the building trades are focusing on recruiting and retaining more women in our unions. That doesn’t only include efforts to reach out to women workers across North America — it means ensuring our sisters have correctly fitting PPE, pumping stations and cleaning facilities on the jobsite, as well as ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable, quality childcare.

“Sisters, we are meeting these challenges head-on,” he declared.

But we cannot talk about the progress the labor movement has made, McGarvey continued, without talking about the historic pro-worker actions of the Biden-Harris administration. The infrastructure investments creating pathways for women in construction like never before. The clean energy jobs creating workforce demands from coast to coast. The investments in registered apprenticeship programs that make it easier for local unions to bring women into the trades. Those crucial policies from the current presidential administration are ones that we need to build on by electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, McGarvey said:

“We must make sure our progress isn’t rolled back by a tyrant dictator who doesn’t respect our Constitution or women’s rights.”

Under Biden and Harris, NABTU affiliates collectively doubled their women membership, and the building trades realized the biggest net gain in members since 1952. Now, it’s time to continue our growth.

“Our ability to make progress depends on leaders whose policies prioritize women and unions,” said McGarvey.

Acting Secretary Su has been a historic leader of the U.S. Department of Labor, both as DOL deputy with former Secretary Marty Walsh and as a trailblazing pro-worker administrator herself. For unions in general, Su’s actions — implementing Biden’s executive order requiring project labor agreements on large federal projects, repealing the sham Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs scheme, restoring OSHA capacity and beyond — are making a difference in the lives of SMART members everywhere.

Specific actions to help tradeswomen are, perhaps, even more impactful: for example, making sure gender-based violence, harassment and the like are treated as the workplace hazards that they are.

“Laws only hold if they are enforced,” Su said. “That’s what this DOL is doing.”

The last administration crushed worker organizing, rolled back worker protections and attempted to undermine union apprenticeships. Under this administration, Su told TWBN, the attitude is very different, and it reflects the DOL’s stance towards anti-worker actions of any kind: “Not on our watch.”

“You can be anything that you want to be,” she concluded. “Superheroes are not just in comic books and the movies.”

Finally, in a conference first, President Joe Biden called in live to speak to sisters and allies about the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to union workers — and the continued progress tradeswomen stand to make with a Harris-Walz White House.

“When unions do well, studies show that ALL Americans do well,” Biden said.

From project labor agreements on federal jobs to policies that protect pregnant workers, the president reminded TWBN attendees of the Biden-Harris administration’s historic pro-labor policymaking. And it’s only the beginning, he said — with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the White House, workers stand to build on the foundation laid over the last several years.

“A woman can do anything a man can do,” Biden said. “That includes being president of the United States of America.”

Tradeswomen also heard from Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; LIUNA General President Brent Booker; BlackRock Managing Director Anne Ackerly; Micron Technology Vice President of Procurement (Indirect and Real Estate) Heather Baldwin; Accelerator for America President/CEO Mary Ellen Wiederwohl; a video address from actress Kery Washington and others.

Local 105 (Los Angeles, Calif.) Organizer Angie Flores introduces the TWBN emcees on Sunday, September 29.

GP Coleman details International maternity leave program during SMART caucus

SMART General President Michael Coleman, General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel, the SMART Women’s Committee and others joined SMART sisters for the annual SMART TWBN Caucus, where Coleman announced a truly groundbreaking piece of news: SMART’s new International maternity leave benefit, jointly funded by SMACNA.

“I can tell you that we already have our maternity leave program in place, ready to launch,” Coleman said. “We believe this will provide the opportunity to not have people choose between having a career and having children.”

Coleman acknowledged the efforts of General President Emeritus Joseph Sellers, General Secretary-Treasurer Daniel and others in making this possible, specifically highlighting members of the Women’s Committee: “The work you do is incredible. You do it all on behalf of this organization and women in this trade.”

In 2019, the Women’s Committee proposed a resolution to double the union’s female membership by 2024. SMART Director of Special Projects Louise Medina reported that we have achieved that goal for journeyperson workers, doubling and retaining those members.

“We have made great progress in bringing more women into this trade,” Coleman said, vowing to continue that progress rather than stay content with what we’ve achieved.

Women’s Committee Chair Shamaiah Turner

We have the momentum, he continued, pointing out that SMART was the fourth-most represented trade at TWBN 2024. Now, we need to seize that momentum and grow our ranks, including in our apprenticeship programs. The women at TWBN, and in local unions across North America, are our trade’s best advocates, he said.

“When I hear the stories of where you’ve come from and now where you’re at — even though it’s a struggle, those are stories that can help others.”

He went on: “We’re brothers and sisters. We have to take care of each other like brothers and sisters.”

Coleman finished his remarks by touching on the upcoming November 2024 election, telling the sisters and allies in the room what they already know: The stakes in this election are inordinately high. On the one hand, we have a historically anti-worker president, who rolled back investments in OSHA and tried to weaken union apprenticeship programs. On the other hand, we have a pro-worker ticket dedicated to protecting and advancing women’s and workers’ rights.

“Please, if you can, talk to people; give them the facts,” he said.

Coleman ended by fielding questions from attendees during an open mic session, providing attendees with information about women in leadership, his personal story, childcare resources and more.

Earlier in the caucus, Women’s Committee subcommittees reported back to attendees on efforts to increase women in SMART, communicate with sisters in and outside of our union, develop leaders within SMART and more. Sisters and allies heard from Tiffany Boiman, deputy director of the United States Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, who outlined how the Biden-Harris DOL has rejuvenated the bureau’s work to protect women and provide them with better access to fulfilling careers. Plus, the caucus gave members and allies the chance to network, bond and tell their stories. Countless sisters from across North America shared that TWBN is a life-changing experience that they look forward to every year.

SMART sisters lead breakout sessions

Breakout sessions are an annual highlight of the Tradeswomen Build Nations conference — giving SMART sisters a chance to network, learn and build connections with their fellow tradesworkers. TWBN 2024 was no different in that regard, with SMART members both attending and helping lead a variety of breakouts.

Annet Del Rosario (left)

SMART Director of Special Projects Louise Medina and Local 16 member and International Training Institute (ITI) Recruitment and Retention Specialist Tammy Meyen joined three other sisters on the “Building a SISTERHOOD” breakout, which included a discussion on retention and its importance for bringing women into our trades. Different retention techniques can be used to build mentorship and support systems at the local and International level, and such techniques are crucial for growing union density — whether applied on the jobsite, in the hall or at the training center.

Affordable, accessible childcare is one of the most persistent barriers to the recruitment and retention of women in the trades. That being said, unions at the local and International level are working hard to develop solutions — from new maternity leave programs, like the one announced by General President Coleman during the SMART caucus, to lactation pods on jobsites, recently pioneered by SMART Local 66 in Seattle, to new childcare pilot programs across the country. SMART Northwest Regional Council member Tiffany Caulfield joined the “Childcare: Challenges and Solutions” breakout as a panelist.

Turner (second from right) participated in a union leadership breakout.

Women’s Committee Chair Shamaiah Turner took part in the “Union Leadership Structure and Why It’s Important” panel, an interactive session detailing leadership structures and opportunities at the local union and international level. And SMART Local 206 (San Diego, Calif.) member Annet Del Rosario, who also sits on the SMART International Women’s Committee, sat on the LGBTQ in the Workforce panel, an open workshop that welcomed LGBTQ+ union members and allies for a discussion on LGBTQ+ issues, success stories and how these members strengthen the labor movement. Panelists and attendees spoke frankly about the unconscionable harassment they have faced on jobsites, the importance of having true allies in the union hall, how they overcame obstacles in the trades and much more.

“It doesn’t matter what trade we are — the higher [our numbers] are, the more our voices are heard,” Del Rosario declared. “We need to make a change — otherwise change won’t happen.”

As always, the conference was highlighted by Saturday’s TWBN banner parade, when the resounding echoes of marching feet, union chants and thousands upon thousands of tradeswomen joined the usual jazz soundtrack of New Orleans (including a band that marched alongside our sisters).

While many teenagers were figuring out what classes to take the next school year, Emilee Och was making plans to be a union welder. As a student in the School to Apprenticeship Program, her aspirations were complemented with training while she was still in high school, and she earned apprentice wages throughout the process.

The School to Apprenticeship Program, known also as an apprentice readiness program, or ARP, provides a pathway for high school seniors to get a head start on their careers in the trades. Och was a student at Apollo Career Center when she was introduced to the program by Eugene Frazier, now-retired training coordinator for Local 24 (central Ohio).

Elements of the School to Apprenticeship Program have dated back to the late 1980’s, and high school seniors were added to the program around 2013. The program was officially formulized in the state of Ohio in 2021, said Tony Stephens, training coordinator for Local 24 in Dayton.

As a student in the program, Och became a pre-apprentice at age 16, between her junior and senior year of high school, and she was a first-year apprentice during her senior year.

This summer, Och, 22, graduated from the apprentice program in Dayton, Ohio, and received an award recognizing her as the highest achieving apprentice, the Eugene Frazier II Award — named for the coordinator who introduced her to the program — along with perfect attendance. Och is the first woman to receive this recognition.

The program is the equivalent of high school students taking college classes for dual credit, she said.

“I knew I wanted to go union, for sure, but what I really liked is I could join right then and there and go to school at the same time,” Och added. From her home in Lima, Ohio, it was nearly a 90-minute drive, and she still managed to be the first apprentice since 2016 to achieve perfect attendance. “I was definitely keeping track of that, for sure. It was hard to make sure I was there every week, but I was pretty dedicated to it. I knew it would be worth it in the end, and it would be a good career for me.”

The School to Apprenticeship Program, and ARPs in general, ease high school students into adulthood with a varied schedule. Students attend school for two weeks, then work in the field for two weeks during the day while attending apprenticeship courses at Local 24’s training center in the evenings. The program allows them to retain their high school identities — playing football, participating in band and choir, attending senior trips — while jumpstarting their careers.

“It’s not full time. We have a much better retention with the School to Apprenticeship Program students than with any other program,” Stephens said. “We will retain 80%, if not more, in comparison to the 50% of apprentices we bring in by traditional means. It’s almost as constant as gravity. It’s been true since I was an apprentice.”

Och went from tinkering in the garage with her father as a child to working in the sheet metal shop at Smith-Boughan Mechanical in Lima. Her next goal is to become a foreperson.

“[The program] makes you feel more comfortable, helps you get the basics down so you know what you’re getting into,” she said. “It gives you a sense of responsibility. You have to be to work on time. You have to be prepared. It gives you a sense of commitment. I definitely think it was a good path for me, for sure.”

Carr (left) with fellow SMART Women’s Committee member Annet Del Rosario.

North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) named SMART Local 276 (Victoria, British Columbia) and International Women’s Committee member Amy Carr one of four Tradeswomen Heroes Award-winners in September, noting her leadership, mentorship and ongoing efforts to make a difference in her union — and in the Canadian labour movement.

“Amy Carr is a trailblazing member of our SMART union,” Local 276 declared in its Tradeswomen Heroes nomination letter for Carr.

Carr made history when she joined Local 276 as one of the first women in commercial HVAC and welding systems. Now, she leads the metal fabrication department at Lewis Sheet Metal and devotes her free time to spreading the word about the trade, both as a part-time instructor at Camosun College — where she teaches sheet metal to first-year students — and by promoting her craft to school district programs across Victoria.

“Sister Carr is known for her strong community involvement,” the local wrote. “She joins mentorship programs, visits schools to share her knowledge, and supports not-for-profit groups like HeroWork. She also organizes Local 276’s annual car show, which raises money for our local children’s hospital. In 2018, The B.C. Construction Association gave Sister Carr a leadership award for her great work.”

Alongside mentoring, community service and instructional work, Carr dedicates herself to various committees intended to make the trades more welcoming and inclusive for all. She was a founding member of the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades, a director at-large for the B.C. Tradeswomen Society and worked with the B.C. Construction Association to create the “Don’t Be a Tool” program.

“Sister Carr’s true strength is her infectious spirit in SMART, mentoring many and paving the way for future tradeswomen. Her current project, a mentorship program with the BC Construction Association, shows her commitment to nurturing talent from all backgrounds,” the local noted.

“[Her] achievements, support and mentorship make her a true Tradeswomen Hero, deserving of the NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award,” Local 276 wrote in its nomination.

SMART Local 285 (Toronto, Ontario) member Samara Samp­son won the March 2024 NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award — an acknowledgement of her dedication to her craft, her union and her active practice of labor solidarity.

“Samara’s unwavering commitment to her career, tireless efforts to empower women in the trades and remarkable contributions to the community make her an exceptional candidate for this prestigious recognition,” Local 285 wrote in its letter nominating Sampson for the award.

Sampson’s sheet metal career began when she enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication Techniques program at Algonquin College, from which she graduated in 2015. She joined Local 285 in 2016, and having swiftly realized the benefits of her union membership, she actively promoted SMART, the value of union apprenticeships and other sisters in the trades. Sampson spent the bulk of her apprenticeship performing HVAC instal­lations in new developments and custom home projects.

After earning journeyperson status in 2021, Sampson was appointed to the SMART International Women’s Committee in 2022, becoming the president of the Local 285 Women’s Committee later that year. And with the support of her local, she has been a steadfast ambassador for the union sheet metal industry, speaking to various organizations and groups about her experience as an apprentice and the value of a career in the trades.

In 2022, Sampson co-founded the nonprofit Women on Site, an organization aimed at connecting otherwise isolated women in the trades, manufacturing and STEM industries. As the local wrote in its nomination, Women on Site is yet more proof of her resolve to uplift working women across Canada:

“Sister Sampson is driven by a profound passion for advocating for equity and inclusion, not only within SMART but also on jobsites and within the wider community. She envisions a future where the trades are a welcoming environment for everyone, and she actively works toward this goal. Samara’s determination, instilled in her by her trade and mentors, shines through in her commitment to finding solutions and getting the job done.”

On June 17, Local 17 (Boston, Mass.) Business Development Representative and SMART International Women’s Committee Chair Shamaiah Turner won the June NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award — a feather in the cap of a committed trade unionist who has consistently advocated for her union, her trade and her brothers and sisters.

“Shamaiah’s achievements and dedication to SMART are remarkable,” Local 17 wrote in its nomination. “Sister Turner’s commitment to diversity and inclu­sivity in the sheet metal industry shines throughout her career.”

Turner started in the construction industry at 18, when she worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer building houses with Habitat for Humanity in Fort Myers, Florida. After entering the Building Pathways Pre-apprenticeship Program in Boston, Turner joined Local 17 in 2012, officially beginning her journey as a union sheet metal worker. She’s worked in a range of positions since, including as a sub-foreman leading crews to complete specific building objectives on various projects. Today, as a business development represen­tative, she strives to help workers win the pay, benefits and peace of mind they deserve.

“Beyond her workday, Sister Turner actively engages with community events and organiza­tions, including the Greater Boston Labor Council, Building Pathways, MASS Girls in Trades, Boston Union Trade Sisters, The Boston Ujima Project and Boston While Black, emphasizing her broader commu­nity empowerment commitment,” Local 17 added.

Turner has also dedicated herself to mentorship, particularly to her sisters at Local 17 and throughout the union sheet metal trade. From apprentices to journeypersons, Local 17 noted, she actively works to help her fellow workers reach their fullest potential.

“Sister Turner’s career achieve­ments, commitment to inclusivity, and dedication to mentoring make her a true Tradeswomen Hero,” the local concluded. “She is a role model and advocate for women in the trades, leaving a mark on the industry and paving the way for future generations of tradeswomen.”

SM Local 56 (Nova Scotia) roofer Alexis Lynk enjoys working with her hands. Even before she became a union roofer, she was no stranger to hands-on labor, serving customers and navigating hectic, fast-paced work situations in the service industry.

“I worked at McDonald’s for nine years,” Lynk said. “But I wasn’t making ends meet with the wages I had.”

The subpar pay led her to enroll in a trade apprenticeship through Women Unlimited, a program that introduces women to various trades via practical experience. Through that process, Lynk found her niche in roofing. And while the Women Unlimited program wasn’t her first encounter with the trades — her father was a tradesperson, and she dabbled in some trades work in high school — the mentorship and learning model cemented the union roofing industry as her new career path.

“When I come to work and I’m scared to do something, I have people to guide me,” Lynk explained. “They don’t just do it for me, they go through it with me step-by-step, so later I can do it on my own.”

Now, she is back at a McDonald’s — but this time as a roofer, working on top of the building rather than within it.

As the only female roofer on the jobsite, Lynk recalled feeling slightly nervous during her first days at work. She worried how people would perceive her skill set on the job. However, her nerves quickly abated as she found fellow brothers and sisters in the union roofing industry who supported her.

“A lot of the time, [even if] I don’t believe in myself, these people believe in me,” she said. Now, she is confident in her ability. The knowledge she learned through the apprenticeship program has given her skills to take on a variety of jobs, and as her confidence has grown, so has her feeling of belonging at the worksite. In five years, Lynk has no doubt she will be a Red Seal roofer. With her apprenticeship completed, the sky is truly the limit.

“When you say ‘yes’ to opportunities, pathways open and things are more accessible,” Lynk concluded. “I know it’s easy to say, ‘just jump in and do it.’ But if you put in yourself first, you’re going to go far.”

SMART Local 20 (Indianapolis, Ind.) sister Tori Barth has been working in sheet metal for 10 years, with the last four spent as a union welder and fabricator. She looks forward to all the places the union sheet metal trade will take her in the future, she says – and she can’t wait to advance her skill set along the way. Learn more in her sister story.

Local 20 member Tori Barth welding.

What unique strengths do you bring to your trade?

I’m always willing/wanting to learn more, and I am determined to do my best while learning new skills.

What do you love to do when you are not at work?

Spend time with my kids and family, as much as possible.

Goals in the future — any ambitions or changes to your career, growth or education?

Starting classes to become a journeyperson and learning more in this trade as a sheet metal worker.

What surprised you about your trade?

How capable I am in a field that is still majority men.

What do you find frustrating about your job/trade?

There will always be men that don’t think you belong and don’t want you to be successful. So the hardest part is having to prove myself when I know I’m capable but others don’t think that.

How did you get into SMART?

I joined the union because my old boss left my last job, and I followed him for a better opportunity.

Tool you can’t live without?

Vise grips.

What do you think about Tradeswomen Build Nations?

I think it’s needed. Yes, places are more diverse than ever – but they can always be better. Showing women in the trades and women being successful is only going to help this cause

The SMART Women’s Committee works to recruit, retain and promote women in our trade and ensure women have support networks that empower them to reach their fullest potential. This work is especially vital as SMART continues to strengthen and grow our union, and it requires all hands on deck.

“People of organized union labor have made enormous progress in wages, working conditions, benefits, job security and human rights,” the SMART Women’s Committee website reads. “If working women are to gain equality, they must work with and through their unions.”

In 2023, following yet another successful Tradeswomen Build Nations conference in 2022, the Women’s Committee expanded its ranks by adding three SMART sisters. Meet the new committee members:

Amy Carr

SMART Women's Committee member Amy Carr

Amy is a member of SMART Local 276 in Victoria, British Columbia, specializing in HVAC and welded grease duct systems for Lewis Sheet Metal. She recently became a part-time instructor at Camosun College, teaching sheet metal to first-year students and trade sampler programs; she also promotes her craft to school district programs across Victoria.

Amy has served on many governance committees over the years. She was a founding member of the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades, a director at-large for the B.C. Tradeswomen Society and worked with the B.C. Construction Association, creating the “Don’t Be a Tool” program. You will often hear Amy say: “If there aren’t enough seats at the table, we will build a bigger one!”

Annet Del Rosario

SMART Women's Committee member Annet Del Rosario

Annet Del Rosario was born in Orange County, California, and has spent most of her life in San Diego. She began her career in the sheet metal trade in 2002 and later attended the SMART apprenticeship program from 2004–08. Annet’s determination and hard work earned her the position of shop foreperson/supervisor for Able Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in 2010 — a position she holds to this day.

Annet’s passion for the unionized construction industry is evident in how actively she works to promote the trades. Annet currently serves as a vice president and E-board member for SMART Local 206 (San Diego). Even beyond her local, though, Annet saw the need for additional support for tradeswomen, and in 2017, she created Building Trade Sisters (BTS): a local group supporting women across the industry. BTS meets monthly and works collectively towards advancing the presence of women in construction, along with improving work experiences for women in the trades. Annet was honored in July 2022 with the NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes award, and she continues to fight for equality for women across the industry.

Subrina Sandefur

SMART Women's Committee member Subrina Sandefur

Subrina Sandefur began her sheet metal career in 2000 for SMART Local 20 (Indianapolis, Ind.). She worked at Tarpenning Laffollette Company, where her first position was cleaning the shop. Subrina advanced her skills by learning how to run and maintain machines and equipment in her shop, including C3000 Turret, Mororun2548 Turret and Mazek Laser, and she became the leader of the cabinet and rad door department for 10 years, making herself valuable by being a person everyone could count on.

Subrina prides herself on having a solution or answer to problems, being energetic and being highly efficient at her job. In August 2022, Subrina was the first woman in Local 20 to win the SMACNA Excellence Award. Subrina’s hard work has led her to the foreperson position at her shop. She is a driven advocate for women and serves as chair of the Local 20 Women’s Committee.

March 6-11 was Women in Construction Week – an annual celebration of women in the industry and, for SMART, the sisters who strengthen our union. With two profile videos, a photo contest, a kids art contest and a happy hour at the end of the week, SMART spent Women in Construction Week 2023 highlighting the achievements of women in the unionized sheet metal industry and showcasing the life-changing careers available to women across the United States and Canada.

“Women in Construction Week is a great opportunity to get more women members connected each year and more involved with their union,” SMART Women’s Committee Chair Vanessa Carman (Local 66) told SMART News. “It was great to see new sisters and allies attend and show their support.”

Watch: SMART sisters discuss Women in Construction Week.

SMART News interviewed sisters Korri Bus of Local 16 (Portland, Ore.) and Tatjana Sebro of Local 206 (San Diego, Calif.) about their personal experiences with Women in Construction Week and the union. For Bus, Women in Construction Week plays an important role in showing tradeswomen that even if they’re the only woman on the jobsite, they’re never alone.

“It highlights all the other women who have blazed the trail for us,” she said. “Growing up in the trades, when I was a baby apprentice, I didn’t have other women that I worked around, so I didn’t really get to connect with any of them, learn from them, be mentored by any of them, understand any of the struggles that they were also dealing with. So I think it’s really neat that we all get to come together and be celebrated … knowing that there are other women in our trade kicking butt and taking names.”

Two such trailblazing women, Shamaiah Turner of Local 17 (Boston) and Leah Rambo of Local 28 (New York City), earned the spotlight for new career advancements. Turner recently transitioned from the field into union representation, becoming a business development representative for the SMART Northeast Regional Council. And in March, Rambo retired from Local 28 to become deputy director of the executive team of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau. Both women provide a strong example for the union sheet metal workers of the future.

Providing opportunity for women in construction

For unions like SMART, part of the aim of Women in Construction Week is to promote the value of entering the union building trades. Numerous studies demonstrate that unionized women earn better pay and benefits than their nonunion counterparts. For that reason, it’s important to increase awareness of the unionized sheet metal trade and how women can get involved. Sebro emphasized that Women in Construction Week helps expand knowledge of the role women play in our union and our trade, as well as the obstacles many face in their journey.

“Sometimes people don’t really understand some of the struggles and the barriers that we go through as women in the trades, so to be able to have a whole week highlighted is definitely liberating for me,” she said.

The SMART sisters of Local 206 participated in a photoshoot with fellow trades sisters, sponsored by the IBEW Local 569 and hosted at the Ironworkers Local 229 union hall. For Sebro, that represented the type of sisterhood and solidarity that has helped her throughout her career – and that, as a new journeyperson, she hopes to pass on to the next generation.

“I want to continue to move mountains and to just keep rising and to bring people with me,” she declared.

Each year, Women’s Equal Pay Day recognizes and raises awareness around gender pay inequality. SMART released the following statement on Women’s Equal Pay Day 2023:

“Today is Women’s Equal Pay Day – the date that symbolizes the ongoing state of the gender pay gap. On average, full-time women workers earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by a white man; that number drops to 77 cents when part-time and seasonal workers are included. Asian American and Pacific Islander women, Black women, Latinas and Native American women earn 80 cents, 64 cents, 54 cents and 51 cents, respectively, for every dollar earned (full time and part time) by white men.

“Such pay disparities run counter to the core principles of the labor movement, and unionizing is one of the primary ways we can fight against them. As union members, SMART workers stand together for fair pay and stronger protections on the job. Union women workers make 22% more on average than nonunion women do, along with stronger workplace protections, retirement and healthcare benefits, and more – all won through the power of collective bargaining.

“SMART sisters strengthen our union, and unions strengthen women’s pay and protections – on and off the job. We at SMART will continue our work to recruit, retain and empower women in our union as we organize for a better and more equitable future.”