Tilden Dickson – a Navajo Nation member and a 12-year, second-generation SMART Local 359 sheet metal worker – introduced President Joe Biden at a March 20, 2024 event in Arizona, where the president announced an investment of up to $8.5 billion in America’s semiconductor manufacturing. The funding, made possible by the CHIPS and Science Act, will create jobs for SMART members, who are already at work building chip manufacturing plants in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio and beyond.
“I grew up in a union household,” Dickson said during his remarks. “I saw first-hand the great value of a good job with livable wages, healthcare and pension benefits.”
Dickson now works as a BIM coordinator in Chandler and is planning to soon buy his first house.
“I’m not the only one whose life has been transformed for the better. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments, there are now hundreds of new jobs for the people of Arizona,” he said.
“I am so grateful and proud we have a president who has an understanding of the importance of giving opportunities like this to communities like ours, and millions of Americans like me.”
Great job, brother!
Related News
- SMART leaders train to bargain better contracts in Atlanta
- Chicago-area SMART members win big with transit funding bill
- Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention — General President Coleman responds
- DC attorney general secures $1.5 million from construction company for wage theft, worker misclassification
- Local 85 members organize 5K to address mental health, suicide in the construction industry
- Building a union for all members: Interview with Local 47 member Lisa DuPuis
- SMART Women’s Committee statement on Amber Czech
- New Business Managers class helps local leaders fight for members across North America
- SMART relaunches podcast for members with season focused on mental health
- SMART Canada applauds Federal Budget 2025 for major investments in infrastructure and union training programs