Sheet Metal News
General President Coleman’s statement on White House budget office encouraging the use of project labor agreements
On June 12, the White House budget office encouraged federal agencies to use project labor agreements on construction jobs. The guidance includes potential exceptions to avoid the use of PLAs and does not require PLAs on projects over $35 million. “These major energy projects were creating jobs for SMART members and American construction workers. Now, after the Department of Energy’s announcement, those jobs have been taken away,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “That’s bad for our members, our families and our country. We’re urging the Department of Energy to reverse this decision and put American workers back on the job.”
General President Coleman’s statement on the Department of Energy canceling $3.7 billion in funding awards for energy projects
The Department of Energy recently canceled $3.7 billion in awards for various energy projects, including a project in Mitchell, Indiana, that had employed Local 20 sheet metal workers. “These major energy projects were creating jobs for SMART members and American construction workers. Now, after the Department of Energy’s announcement, those jobs have been taken away,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “That’s bad for our members, our families and our country. We’re urging the Department of Energy to reverse this decision and put American workers back on the job.”
Education Department helps unionists strengthen advocacy in Pittsburgh
SMART union leaders often need to communicate important information to a wide variety of parties — politicians, business owners, fellow workers and reporters, to name a few — when fighting to better the lives of SMART members. That’s why the SMART Education Department held its Effective Communication II class in Pittsburgh, Pa., during the week of June 3, 2025.
SMART General President Michael Coleman’s statement on reports that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will return to the United States
Following reporting by ABC News that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being returned to the United States from El Salvador, SMART General President Michael Coleman released the following statement: “Since March, our demand has not changed: Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be returned to the [...]Sheet metal, transportation members discuss union pride for BE4ALL challenge
The Spring 2025 BE4ALL Challenge raffle winners detailed the many ways union membership has changed their lives for the better, from health care and home ownership, to pride in the workplace.
SMART Canada statement on National Roofing Week
Roofers, as skilled trades professionals, play a critical role in building and maintaining the infrastructure that keeps our communities safe and resilient. This week is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy projects that span coast to coast to coast
A hero among us: Local 105 member helps save woman’s life on Los Angeles highway
Local 105 member Margarito Martinez took quick action to help prevent disaster when a woman had a seizure during rush hour in Los Angeles.
Local 17 steward details fight for SMART collective bargaining rights at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
In March, an executive order ended collective bargaining for nearly one million federal workers, including Local 17 sheet metal workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) in Maine. Local 17 steward Shaun Fisher details what happened and the fight for members' rights.